PALO PINTO – Each year, for the past eight or more years, Team Bicycles Inc. has hosted a spring bike race. This year, race organizers have asked to include an added attraction, which is expected to bring more cyclists to a “bigger and better” event.

Team Bicycles Inc. spokesperson Andy Hollinger presented to commissioners Monday, hoping to get the court and sheriff’s blessing to allow “rolling enclosures” – a type of traffic control used to run a road race – at the April 17-18 bicycle stage race, organized by the team and supported by the Mineral Wells Area Chamber of Commerce.

Hollinger and teammates left the meeting satisfied with a county and community pledge to work with him to make it happen this year.

Two commissioners, Sheriff Ira Mercer and Mineral Wells city and chamber leaders agreed in Monday’s commissioners court workshop to enable the April 17-18 bicycle race to roll down the full width of the road in protected packs.

Rolling enclosure
Hollinger said they would ideally need 12 law enforcement officers and motorcyclists to help race officials escort four “pods” of racers in a rolling enclosure around the course – six miles on State Highway 254, eight miles on State Highway 16 and 10 miles on State Highway 337.

“As the race pack goes down the road, they use the whole road,” he explained. “Approaching cars pull off the road as far as possible to let the race go by. Once the pack passes – 10-15 seconds – they start on their way again. Cars behind the pack stay there until escorted around them by motorcycles on the far left side. Under the worst circumstances, they’d stay [behind the pack] the whole leg.”

Mike Baker of Team Bicycles Inc. and the race’s director compared a rolling enclosure to an oversized load with a pilot car and escorts helping clear the path as it rolls down the road.

Hollinger said he recognized it will be an inconvenience to road users, but told commissioners that they would provide planning and communication leading up to the event. He added that for the sake of local drivers, they would coordinate putting up signs two weeks before the race weekend as a reminder that there will be delays.

“The experience we’ve had in Coryell County is those signs made all the difference in the world,” he said of one of the two other Texas races using rolling enclosures.

Economic impact
“Your county is one of the most popular places to bicycle in North Texas,” Hollinger told commissioners.

Offering rolling enclosures would also make the Palo Pinto County race one of three Texas races to have rolling enclosures, making it a more attractive race for cyclists.

“Using the whole road allows race tactics to be open and free, providing both a faster more interesting race and safety from approaching cars,” Hollinger said.

A “bigger, better race” would bring some added value to the county. Based on the economic impact of other professional organized races, Hollinger said the event would:

• Draw 300 racers and 400 people, which equates to an economic impact of between $52,000-$68,000 on food and such and another $19,500 they would spend on 150-200 hotel rooms.

• Become a fundraiser for Graford ISD, donating $1,000 or $3 per rider, whichever is greater.

• Would build a foundation for an annual event.

• Increase year-round cycle tourism.

Beth Watson, executive director for the Mineral Wells Area Chamber of Commerce, was one of several Mineral Wells stakeholders present to support the race at Monday’s meeting.

She thanked commissioners for considering Hollinger’s presentation on behalf of the Chamber membership and all the lodging facilities in Palo Pinto County and the city of Mineral Wells.

“For many years the chamber has supported Team Bicycles Inc.’s races in this area,” she continued. “The chamber continues to support these races because, in my experience, no single annual event has put more people in our area hotels. And when I say support I mean we financially support the events with dollars from the local hotel occupancy tax.”

“In our opinion, these races are the low-hanging fruit of tourism,” added Watson. “Cyclists from Austin, Dallas, and Houston want to come out for a weekend to enjoy our beautiful vistas and it is our belief that we should do everything in our power to encourage this.”

City of Mineral Wells representatives showing their support at the commissioners’ workshop included Mayor Mike Allen, City Manager Lance Howerton and Police Chief Mike McAllester, who committed four officers for the race weekend.

Discussion
Mercer had several concerns, including logistics, his available department resources and costs.

“Road races in recent years have been problematic,” said Mercer. “I’m not against road racing and bike rides … I don’t think there is a legitimate way we can close down the roadway.”

Despite being discussed in front of commissioners, the bike race did not need their approval. However, Mercer asked commissioners to advise him and take the onus of the decision.

“The law, as I read it, authorizes my agency to decide,” Mercer told commissioners. “I want you to know how wildly unpopular [bike races are] with our constituents. If you guys want to do this, I’m putting it on you.”

He added that using law enforcement for the race would also entail some costs to the county that weren’t budgeted and he asked commissioners if they were open to future Porsche Club and motorcycle rallies and events. Mercer suggested being “realistic about this” based on the budget figures and law enforcement requirements needed for a rolling enclosure.

“I believe it can be done because it has been done in other jurisdictions. But I submit to you those jurisdictions have bigger resources,” he said.

Commissioners shared their concerns about allowing this, but eventually received the City of Mineral Wells’ support to provide four officers which, combined with four sheriff’s deputies and one or more constables, would cover the event.

In addition, Bruce Etheridge, of County Seat General Store and Motel, said he would work with Smitty’s Cycles to coordinate a band of 15-20 motorcyclists to assist race officials and law enforcement with the rolling enclosures.

Team Bicycles Inc. said they would contribute $3,000 for law enforcement.

With that in place, supporting the Palo Pinto bike race were commissioners Jeff Fryer, Precinct 4, and Beth Ray, Precinct 1.

“We’re not obligated to do this next year,” stated Fryer. “We have the cooperation with the city. Let’s give it a try while we have people to help.”

“I think it’s worth giving it a try,” echoed Ray.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Ed Laney said he didn’t like being political, but would abstain from giving his support.

“He’s going to get this and me,” Laney said, nodding toward the sheriff, regarding constituent calls and complaints he anticipated coming in during the race. “It’s my precinct and they’ll chew my hiney.”

However, Laney said that having signs up announcing the race for two weeks would help people who live in the area.

“I’d like a little more time to think about this,” said Precinct 3 Commissioner Mike Pierce. “If I had to vote on it today, I’d have to say no.”

On Tuesday, County Judge Mike Smiddy stated, “I understand the potential positive economic impact of the race and the interest bikers have in wanting to ride here. However, as with any event where a large number of people are involved, I share the legitimate concerns about safety and inconvenience to the traveling public and those who live along the route of the race voiced by the sheriff and others.”

“With a lot of volunteers and hard work, I hope that the race will be a good thing for the county,” he said, but added, “The date bothers me some – April 17 – because that is the date of the great hailstorm of 2008. Hopefully, there will not be a repeat of that.”

The verdict
The final word came from Mercer, who said he preferred the type of road racing they have had in the past – groups racing in one lane of the road, unprotected by a rolling enclosure – but he agreed on the proposed racing format.

“They’re going to have the race with the support of [two] commissioners. The city agreed to help with this for the first time and we’re looking forward to it,” Mercer told the Index.

On Tuesday, Ray confirmed the added commitment of at least two constables and two state troopers, which brings the total to 12 law enforcement officials.

“It looks like it’s really coming together as a community project,” she said.

“The chamber applauds Sheriff Mercer for stepping up and agreeing to run the law enforcement operation for the Palo Pinto Road Race on April 17-18, and also thanks commissioners Beth Ray and Jeff Fryer for their vocal support,” Watson stated after Monday’s meeting.

“The chamber would also like to express its appreciation to Police Chief Mike McAllester and the city of Mineral Wells as well as local constables including Jim Roberts for agreeing to provide law enforcement support for the races. We believe this event will be an economic boon to area hotels, restaurants, and other businesses as it has been in the past and will hopefully continue to be in the future.”