While the cyclists got out of Cherry Hill Park quickly enough, both cars were in a long line to a stop sign. The bikes went left and under 128, through the neighborhoods and past Cummings Center through Beverly. Skirting along the MBTA commuter tracks, the bikers popped out onto 1A and over the Salem Bridge into a headwind. Meanwhile one vehicle was stuck at the lights near Henry's Market. The other was waiting at the lights at the Rt. 62/128 exchange.

The bikes ripped through Salem, stopping twice at lights downtown. In open sections, their pace was often in the 22-25 mph range, despite the commuter bags each had on their backs. A few rights and lefts, our pair rolled up to the end of the journey in just under 28 minutes. Meanwhile, our friends in the vehicles were crossing through Salem, stuck at the lights on Rt.114. It would be another 16 minutes before the first motor would arrive at the destination, and another 2 before its mate would materialize.  

Would this same result be reproduced on a Sunday morning? Not a chance. Including stops, the cyclists averaged nearly 18 mph. The volume of traffic was a much bigger issue for the four-wheeled vehicles than it was for us two-wheelers.  And to be fair, the cyclists had to change clothes on either end of the ride. But what else would they be able to do with the extra half hour they would have each day?

What a race!  Congratulations to my cycling mate and road guide, Dan Tieger and also to Steve Roberge who did the same ride on a hybrid bike.  And condolences to our two friends in cars, Andrea Leary and Al Marrone.

Editor's Note:

We hope you'll join us on October 2nd when the North Shore TMA will sponsor the Great Race 2.  We'll be giving cars a second chance to beat the bikes for the Great Race 2 on October 2nd.  A group on bikes will leave Axcelis in Beverly at 5:00 PM, while at the same time TMA Outreach Manager Al Marrone will leave in a vehicle.  Both will be commuting to the Topsfield Fair.  A second group will leave Axcelis for the Topsfield Fair at 4:00 PM in order to spend more time at the fair.