*** Pedaling vs. peddling Bike race drives away customers ***

Wenatchee, Washington -- 06/08/2004
~~~~~
The race drives away customers say downtown businesses,
but organizers say impact is positive.
~~~~~
The sidewalk in front of the downtown Wenatchee business
Safe Zone was as vacant as the aisles inside the clothing store
Saturday afternoon.

"Foot traffic has been bad," said Susan Yasuda, who manages
the business at 201 S. Wenatchee Ave. "Saturday is usually busy,
but today it's bad."

Organizers of the Wenatchee Twilight Criterium say the bike
race is an overall help to the local economy, but there also is
a down side.

Sassy's Diner at South Wenatchee Avenue and Yakima Street
closed two hours early at 2 p.m. Saturday when two square
blocks were roped off for the competition.

"The bikes are going by, and we got no customers,"
Sassy's owner Sharon Shaw said in a telephone interview
a short time after closing.

The noontime crowd was OK, she said, but business died
down after the roads closed just before 2 p.m. Also, a
barbecue and beer garden a half-block from the restaurant
probably didn't help her attract customers, she said.

Wenatchee city officials called a meeting in September to
discuss the event with the public after business owners
complained last year. Wenatchee Mayor Dennis Johnson
said at that meeting that the race should be held downtown
to showcase the community.

But on Saturday, at Valley Pawn Shop, 222 S. Wenatchee Ave.,
a hand-written sign hung in the window.

"We are closed due to the bike race," it said. "Sorry.
Thanks for caring Dennis Johnson. Not!"

This year, race organizers from the Wenatchee Valley Sports
Council and the Wenatchee Valley Velo sent out notices to
business owners that the race would take place downtown.
Signs also were placed around the city telling people that
downtown businesses were open.

Sports council Executive Director Nancy Smith said a small
percentage of downtown business officials may have complaints,
but the event benefits the local economy.

Race officials said the number of participants was
expected to be double the 120 that competed last year.

Sirikit Valentin was pedaling a stationary bike at the corner of
Orondo and South Wenatchee Avenue on Saturday afternoon.
The 27-year-old Seattle real estate agent said she stayed at
Comfort Inn Friday along with many other riders.

Also, "we eat out a lot," she said.
"That should be good for the economy."

Event promoter Ed Farrar of the Wenatchee Valley Velo
said more than 200 participants had signed up by Saturday
afternoon. He estimated that each will spend around $200
for food, lodging and to buy other items.

Jeff and Mary Hansen watched the race from the corner
of Columbia and Kittitas streets. Their vantage was by their
businesses, Hansen School of Driving and Seamstress Mary's,
230 S. Columbia St. Both businesses are normally closed on
weekends, they said.

"This is wonderful," Mary Hansen said of the race.
"I mean, gee, it (the race) affects two whole blocks."

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