Culpeper should build upon cycling success

On Saturday I participated in the second annual Culpeper Cycling Century. The event was sponsored by the Culpeper County Parks and Recreation Department and was a great success.

About 100 cyclists from all over the region participated, and everyone I spoke to praised the event’s organization and scenic routes. I congratulate the county’s staff, town and county police, and the many volunteers in Culpeper and Madison for their great work.

Road and mountain cycling are wonderful examples of eco-tourism, and the events bring visitors to Culpeper to enjoy country roads, restaurants and lodging. Cycling events attract a good clientele, introduce visitors to county businesses — i.e. wineries, that may be easily overlooked — and have a low impact on the county’s rural character.

Culpeper and its neighboring counties offer some of the best countryside for cycling in America, and one could imagine Culpeper becoming a cycling center. I urge the leaders of the county and the town to consider ways to promote its expansion.

Andrew Gutowski
Culpeper