Witches Cup Bike Race

I took a few pictures (with my phone - professional, these are not) of the Elite Ladies race yesterday at the Witches Cup. What a great time! Racers from around the area came to show their speed around Salem Common.

Thanks to Salem Cycle for putting on another great event in Salem!

Witches Cup Bike Race on Wednesday

One of Salem's favorite perennial events returns on Wednesday!

The Witches Cup Bike Race will speed around Salem Common starting at 4:30 PM on August 12th. If you haven't seen a Criterium style bike race, I highly recommend coming to watch. It is fast-paced and exciting. The cycles move at a really incredible pace!

Here's a bit of race history and the race schedule from WitchesCup.com: In the cycling boom of the 1980's, Salem proudly hosted annual elite calibre bicycle races with national exposure. It's the goal of the Witches Cup organizers to revive the strong bicycle racing tradition in downtown Salem, Massachusetts. After a seven year lull, the Witches Cup under the direction of Salem-based promoters, returned in 2007.

The 2009 Witches Cup presents racing for both men and women at all levels.

This year is the 3rd year since the reincarnation of the Witches Cup and the 30th Anniversary of the original Witches Cup! This year will prove to be the biggest yet with a hospitality tent sponsored by Wachusett Brewing Company, racing for all levels, race winners jerseys provided by Primal Wear and equal prize money for the Men's and Women's races!

Be sure to Join us at the Wachusett Brewing Hospitality on Salem Common during the Race!

Here's the schedule:

• 4:00pm Course Inspection

• 4:45pm Amateur Men (Cat 4/5)

• 5:45pm Women (Cat 1-4)

• 6:10pm Amateur Men Awards

• 6:45pm Elite Men (P,1,2,3)

• 8:00pm Awards Ceremony: Women & Elite Men

It's a blast, you should check it out.

Please note the following road closures that will be in effect for the race:

• Route 1A from Winter Street to Essex Street and all streets connecting to the Salem Common will be closed to traffic from 4pm to 9pm.
• No Parking around the Common beginning at 3pm.
• Please seek seek alternate routes during this time.

Enjoy the race!

Gift Ideas on Washington Street

Head over to Crunchy Granola Baby to stuff a stocking full for the little ones on your list. This weekend only, CGB is offering a handcrafted recycled sail cloth stocking at a 20% discount - buy the stocking, and fill it with fun stocking stuffers, like toys and clothes, and everything you can fit in your stocking is also discounted 20%!

Some may say the discount is the best part, but I love that the recycled stockings are a local product from Again and Again in Gloucester! The handcrafted stockings perfectly capture the essence of living on the Massachusetts coastline.

While you're on the top of Washington Street, head upstairs to Body & Soul Massage and buy that special someone a gift certificate for massage. If you're reading this from far away, and are planning a trip to Salem for 2009 - what better way to round out a trip to Salem then relaxing during a massage? Body & Soul can make any trip into a spaaaaaaaaahhhhhh trip! They have lots of specials going on for December, so check out their website for shopping ideas.

Back down on street level, Salem Cycle has great gift ideas for all the cyclists on your list. Whether you're a member of the Lycra set or a more casual cyclist, Dan and his staff can set you up for the holidays. If you're looking for an original souvenir - they have awesome t-shirts for the whole family. The witch-on-a-bike logo makes a great gift to give or keep.

Discover the magic of holiday shopping!!