FLCC> Giro of Otisco

[Amanda and Mark Shenstone]

What would be more curious than a little bike race 
with a big name ?? The Giro of Otisco  Lake was 
just that, a citizen bike race  17 miles  in 
duration with a grueling up hill finish.  While 
others headed off to big stage races in Canada and 
Massachussetts a few of us local racers decided to 
take on the challenge of the Giro. The race 
registration was held in a one room school house 
about 600' up the hill from Otisco Lake where the 
race started and finished.  This was a fund raiser 
for the local historical society and had attracted 
perhaps 50 or 60 cyclists  of mixed abilities.  At 
5 minutes before  ten oclock an elderly gentleman 
stepped in front of the start line  and  gave us 
race instructions through  an ancient megaphone. 
I couldn't hear a single word that he spoke; a 
whistle blew and off we went .  The front group of 
riders  meandered at high speed down to Otisco 
Lake .  There were small attacks at the front of 
the group by a handful of riders  including 
Ithaca's Ano Garcia.  It always came back 
together.  Ano made his last attack about a mile 
from  the up hill finish only to be swallowd at 
the base of the climb.  The climb was oh! so steep 
and oh! so painful and seemingly went on forever. 
Riders were weaving , riders were stopping. When I 
eventually reached the finish line riders were 
lying in the grass gasping for air. I believe Ano 
came in second and both Don Fitterer and Mike 
Sobol finished top 10 .
It was an hours drive for a very short race, 
however Otisco Lake  is  a wonderful little Lake 
to ride around  and I'm glad I went.

Mark

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Amanda and Mark Shenstone
Graceful Gardens
PO Box 100
Mecklenburg, NY 14886
607.387.5529
http://www.gracefulgardens.com
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