By Nikole Dugger
Staff Writer
The clouds hung around the Dalton, Ga., skies this morning as the fourth stage of the Tour de Georgia began, but precipitation never materialized to dampen the festivities.
“Last year, the sun was shining straight down,” said Kevin Blankenship, a Dalton resident. “This was much better for the people watching it.”
The owner of The Book Nook and Cubby Hole Cafe, Mr. Blankenship opened early this morning to serve breakfast to participants and spectators.
“It’s interesting to see all the people from all the different countries represented by the cyclers,” he said, adding that some racers would come in, unable to speak English and just point at the coffee pot.
John Bruner and Jason Bunch remained downtown as retail tents and the race’s yellow starting structure began to be dismantled.
The Dalton High School seniors rose early during Spring Break to take part in the excitement the Tour’s presence brings.
“The atmosphere is great,” Mr. Bunch said. “It’s interesting to see the festivities and the racers with their sponsorships.”
Rob Griffin, a junior at the school, was using the recess from school to pick up extra hours at an architecture firm downtown, but paused to hand out green ribbons in honor of Dalton High alumnus and professional cyclist, Saul Raisin.
“A lot of the high school teachers are good friends with him (Mr. Raisin), and we wanted to do something in support of him,” said Mr. Griffin of the cyclist who was critically injured during a crash earlier this month in France.
E-mail Nikole Dugger at ndugger@timesfreepress.com
Staff Photo be Nikole Dugger
Rob Griffin, a junior at Dalton High School, distributes
green ribbons in honor of hometown cyclist Saul Raisin
near the starting line of the Tour de Georgia's fourth stage
Friday.
Staff Writer
The clouds hung around the Dalton, Ga., skies this morning as the fourth stage of the Tour de Georgia began, but precipitation never materialized to dampen the festivities.
“Last year, the sun was shining straight down,” said Kevin Blankenship, a Dalton resident. “This was much better for the people watching it.”
The owner of The Book Nook and Cubby Hole Cafe, Mr. Blankenship opened early this morning to serve breakfast to participants and spectators.
“It’s interesting to see all the people from all the different countries represented by the cyclers,” he said, adding that some racers would come in, unable to speak English and just point at the coffee pot.
John Bruner and Jason Bunch remained downtown as retail tents and the race’s yellow starting structure began to be dismantled.
The Dalton High School seniors rose early during Spring Break to take part in the excitement the Tour’s presence brings.
“The atmosphere is great,” Mr. Bunch said. “It’s interesting to see the festivities and the racers with their sponsorships.”
Rob Griffin, a junior at the school, was using the recess from school to pick up extra hours at an architecture firm downtown, but paused to hand out green ribbons in honor of Dalton High alumnus and professional cyclist, Saul Raisin.
“A lot of the high school teachers are good friends with him (Mr. Raisin), and we wanted to do something in support of him,” said Mr. Griffin of the cyclist who was critically injured during a crash earlier this month in France.
E-mail Nikole Dugger at ndugger@timesfreepress.com
Staff Photo be Nikole Dugger
Rob Griffin, a junior at Dalton High School, distributes
green ribbons in honor of hometown cyclist Saul Raisin
near the starting line of the Tour de Georgia's fourth stage
Friday.
