By Mark Wineka

Salisbury Post

Cyclists from a six-state region will pedal into town March 25 for the Salisbury City Park Criterium.

The daylong event will feature nine racing events, and one of the organizers, Charlie Brown, says it could attract roughly 300 racers.

“It will be a wonderful course around City Park,” promised Brown, a cyclist who is the chief District Court judge of Rowan County.

The closed-loop, one-mile race course around City Park will require several street closings and possible inconveniences for those residents, who will be receiving notices from the Salisbury Police Department.

Salisbury City Council approved Tuesday the closing from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 25 of Lake Drive, North Jackson Street, Miller Street, Club House Drive and Annadale Avenue in this particular area.

The start-finish line will be at the City Park Shelter near the Rec Center.

Lt. Melonie Thompson of the Salisbury Police Department said 27 homes would be affected by the street closings.

She noted that the event will be held on a Sunday, when traffic in this area should be at a minimum.

There are breaks between each racing event that should allow the local residents to travel to and from their homes by car with officers’ help.

Brown said the criterium will serve as the kickoff to the March-to-mid October competitive season for the cyclists.

He promised high-energy, exciting racing.

The event is sanctioned by the U.S. Cycling Federation.

City Councilman Mark Lewis said Salisbury merchants will appreciate the hundreds of racers and spectators who will come to Salisbury for the criterium.

“I think it’s always wonderful for Salisbury to be highlighted,” Mayor Susan Kluttz added.

Thompson will include a map of the race course route in the notices going out to residents. The Police Department will have officers and volunteers working the intersections to accommodate residents as much as possible, Thompson said.

She also plans to close several blocks around the route for residential parking.

Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263, or mwineka @salisburypost.com.