Ironman bike challenge had safety, traffic problems

I’m writing with some safety concerns regarding last Sunday morning’s Ironman which held its bike riding portion through parts of Litchfield, particularly on Route 254.

Obviously, there was frustration regarding the complete halt of traffic. Traveling from out of the area to attend the Kent School graduation required us to be on schedule, but after a traffic stop of half an hour and then being told we wouldn’t move for another 30 minutes put considerable stress not only on us, but the family in the car ahead (which included the graduate’s parents.) It doesn’t seem fair that a once-in-a lifetime event should be spoiled by an insufficient pattern of vehicular and cycle management.

There seem to be some obvious safety concerns, also:

Many cyclists pedal dangerously close to the cars, particularly in the slow moving stream approaching the complete stoppage point. Once stopped, passenger side doors cannot be opened in order to walk to the traffic officers for information. Again, many cyclists pass by within inches of the passenger side.

Also, many commuters in the line of vehicles have jobs which depend on a strict schedule. The woman in the car behind us was crying because she could not get to her patients in time, some of whom needed food and others, medication. This is critical in cases involving insulin, for example. Even if she could phone her employer, the remedy for the situation would probably not be an easy one on a Sunday morning. Hopefully, she did not lose her job and others not paid a dearer price…

Please consider much more egalitarian traffic supervision over the many hours (as in this case) that these cycling events occur. There can be many devastating consequences to what may innocently be regarded as a “fun day in the country.” We should be smart enough to figure out a better plan than the blocked up mess that occurred last Sunday on Route 254.

Thank you for your consideration of this matter.

Elizabeth Van, Litchfield