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Gravel Cup organizers cut 9 miles from 110-mile route after township concerns; county and townships finalize traffic plans
Summary
Organizers of the Gravel Cup national bike race trimmed about nine miles from the planned 110-mile route after local townships raised concerns; county staff said updated traffic-control plans and volunteer outreach were underway ahead of the race.
County staff updated commissioners on the Gravel Cup national championship route and related public-safety coordination at the Sept. 16 meeting. Organizers and municipal partners removed a long southern loop from the 110-mile course, trimming roughly nine miles and aligning the long course with the 74-mile route through Mabel Township.
According to county engineering and sheriff's office staff, the removed segment had crossed southern Malay Road and portions of County 32; organizers and the affected townships agreed to narrow the course so the Mabel Township portion follows the same roads as the 74-mile event. The change came after Mabel Township and the City of La Crescent sought an alternate routing to avoid upsetting local road users.
Staff said the Explorer La Crosse organization planned a door-drop and mailing campaign to notify residents on the race route that bicycles would pass nearby; one volunteer reported hand-delivering 450500 flyers. County staff also reported receiving an updated traffic-control plan from race organizers the afternoon before the meeting and expected to finalize permitting in the next day or two.
County preparedness and volunteers
County staff said emergency management and the sheriff's office have participated in planning meetings and that additional volunteer marshals were still needed. County staff and race organizers were adjusting the traffic-control plan based on sheriff and county-engineer comments; a final permit was expected to issue shortly before the event.
Why it matters
The Gravel Cup draws riders and spectators and requires coordination among cities, townships and county public-safety and highway staff to prepare traffic control, law enforcement coverage and public-notice efforts. The late-route change reduced mileage on a portion of rural roads, which county staff said was preferable to preserve township road concerns and ensure adequate traffic control and volunteer coverage.
Next steps
Revised traffic-control plans will be reviewed and the county will finalize permit issuance after confirming details with La Crescent, Mabel Township, the sheriff's office and race organizers.
