Boston Cycling Celebration a (slightly rainy) Success

A weekend of pretty awesome cycling events comes to and end. NECN covered Saturday's professional cycling race, the first pro race held in Boston in over 20 years. The 40-mile men's and women's races took place on the .7-mile loop around City Hall Plaza. Five-time US National Criterium Champion, Tina Pic, won the women's event in the final race of her career before entering retirement. Kyle Wamsley took the men's race in a sensational, final three-man sprint. (More at The Daily Peloton.) More than 60 women and 140 men competed in the events. The Herald got some good photos.

The pro race, the TD Bank Mayor's Cup was part of the weekend's larger Cycling Celebration organized by Boston Bikes, the cycling department within City Hall. Today was Hub On Wheels, the only citywide bike ride and festival, and the largest city-sponsored sporting event. The turn in weather may have reduced the usual 6,000-rider turnout, but it was still a massive event, consisting of 10-mile, 30-mile and 50-mile routes that wound throughout Boston. Hundreds of volunteers, made up largely of local high-school and college students, helped pull together the remarkable logistical undertaking. As always, very impressive and lots of fun.

(A personal aside, go to the 1:21 remaining mark in the NECN clip to see me "racing.")