Green Mountain Stage Race founder and race director Gary Kessler said he plans to work with his team to identify new ways to improve and monitor competitor behavior after Warren residents and officials raised concerns about speeding cyclists, parking problems and conduct associated with the annual Labor Day weekend event.
Appearing before the Warren Select Board on June 16 to seek a festival permit for this year’s race, Kessler said some of the complaints were new to him but acknowledged organizers would revisit operations ahead of the event.
“I guess we’ll think more about it and think about what we might be able to do not to be a burden on the town,” Kessler told the board.
The Green Mountain Stage Race, founded by Kessler, has held portions of its multi-day cycling event in Warren since 2008, except for one year canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The race draws riders from across the region and includes portions of the course in and around the Mad River Valley.
BOTH LANES
Select Board chair Devin Klein Corrigan opened the discussion by referencing written complaints from residents and asked organizers directly: “How can we start to resolve some of these issues, and do you have a plan going forward to address some of them?”
One complaint submitted to the town alleged riders and support vehicles violated event guidance by parking along West Hill Road and practicing on roads before the race began. The letter also raised concerns about cyclists traveling at high speeds and using both lanes of traffic.
Kessler initially disputed portions of that complaint, saying he believed some allegations misread the race’s technical guide, though he later acknowledged that language in the guide did prohibit parking on West Hill Road.
“That could well be my error on that part,” Kessler said after town administrator Rebecca Campbell read language from the event materials. Kessler said organizers could add no-parking signage in the area.
Residents, however, said concerns extend beyond race-day logistics. Former town employee Dayna Lisaius told the board she believes the event has outgrown Warren Village.
“I think it’s too big for the Warren Village at this point,” she said. Lisaius described participants arriving days before the event, parking throughout the village and creating conflicts for residents and municipal operations. She described complaints ranging from blocked access and congestion to public urination and aggressive interactions with motorists.
SEEKING SOLUTIONS
Kessler said organizers cannot realistically monitor all rider activity before the race officially begins but expressed disappointment over the reports.
“I hadn’t heard that before,” Kessler said repeatedly as residents described early arrivals and weeklong activity around town.
Assistant race director Peter Oliver said organizers already have tools to address misconduct but rely on residents to help identify participants.
“We can penalize riders for misbehaving one way or another, whether it’s public urination, three or four abreast or whatever,” Oliver said. “But if we don’t know who they are, we can’t do that.”
Oliver encouraged residents to document race numbers, team uniforms or identifying information so organizers can issue penalties ranging from fines to disqualification.
He pointed to one example in which a local business owner identified a team riding four abreast. Oliver said he approached the team directly and behavior improved afterward.
FEEDBACK
“That’s just one example of how feedback from the community can help us discipline people,” Oliver said.
Board member Harvey Blake asked organizers to clarify expectations for cyclists after racing concludes and questioned downhill speeds entering the village.
Kessler responded that competitors are expected to follow normal traffic laws when not actively racing.
“When they’re in the race, they go as fast as they can,” Kessler said. “When the race is over, they’re supposed to follow the rules of the road.”
Klein Corrigan noted that town officials had observed riders descending Brook Road at speeds approaching 46 to 47 mph.
The discussion turned toward possible solutions, including earlier delivery of portable toilets, expanded communication with participants, additional marshaling and post-event follow-up meetings.
THE STAKES
At one point, Kessler acknowledged the stakes.
“Racers are well aware,” he said. “They’ve lost courses at other places before for these exact same reasons.”
He noted that the race is one of the largest in the country and that is brings hundreds of racers and their families to The Valley, boosting local coffers and exposing people to the Mad River Valley. He also said he didn’t want to be bringing an event to the community that is causing such negativity.
Klein Corrigan urged a collaborative approach.
“Let’s try and make it more positive,” she said.
