Should have two maps from Pete g.

Weekend bike races mean traffic delays
Saturday, fifth annual Lake Auburn Road Race

Racing will begin at Wallingford Orchard on Perkins Ridge Road at 9 a.m., with the Category 5 men, who will compete for 23 miles. The last race will go off at 1:20 p.m., with the Master 45-Plus men, over 46 miles of course.

The race loop will move from Perkins Ridge Road to West Auburn Road, right on Hotel Road, right on Stevens Mills Road, right on Garfield Road and turning again to finish on Perkins Ridge Road.

The event is hosted by the Maine Cycling Club and Rainbow Bicycle & Fitness, and sponsored by Emerson Toyota.

According to co-promoter John Grenier, an estimated 200 cyclists from New England and Canada have registered for the weekend event, which will be held rain or shine.

Motorists should expect to encounter race traffic along the 11.5-mile race route starting at 9 a.m. Racing will continue through the day, rain or shine, until at least 4 p.m.

Motorists can “expect to be delayed from a few seconds to a couple of minutes at most,” Grenier said, with traffic still moving at a good pace. Organizers have asked that drivers be patient and obey direction of volunteer marshals who will be stationed throughout the course to help control traffic and ease congestion.

“A little common courtesy will go a long way,” Grenier said, to keep traffic moving smoothly and competitors safe from harm.

Organizers expect the pace to be between 20 and 30 mph and the cyclists will be making frequent turns so delays will be minimal.

For more information and a racing schedule, go to http://mainecyclingclub.com/2007/2007_roadrace_flyer.pdf

Sunday, Great Falls Criterium

Racing will begin in downtown Auburn at 8:30 a.m., with 15 laps of racing in the Master 55-Plus category. Races will go off approximately every 45 minutes in nine divisions, with the last race scheduled to begin at 2:10 p.m. The last race will feature men’s professional 1/2/3 category, competing 35 laps on the 3/4-mile loop.

Traffic on Court Street traveling toward the Longley Bridge will be re-routed through Great Falls Plaza to cross the bridge. Traffic on Main Street in New Auburn will be routed up through Academy and Spring streets, over to Hampshire Street and through Great Falls Plaza to cross the Longley Bridge.

As in past years, race organizers are expecting traffic delays and recommend using either the South Bridge or the Veterans Bridge to cross between the cities.

Turner Street, just before the YMCA and to the intersection of Court Street, will be closed to all traffic during the race. The corner of Turner and Hampshire streets will also be closed to traffic. Marshals will be stationed throughout the course to direct traffic and organizers ask for motorists’ patience.

The event is hosted by the Maine Cycling Club and Rainbow Bicycle & Fitness, and sponsored by T&M Mortgage.

For more information and a racing schedule, go to http://mainecyclingclub.com/2007/2007_critrace_flyer.pdf