Tour de Millersburg Race Typology
The amateur bike racing calendar is constantly in flux, but seemingly even more so post pandemic as a number of our favorite East Coast races have disappeared from the calendar. So we’re bringing back a former feature from the Journal - Race Typologies that memorialize some of our favorite races.
For our second edition in this series, we’re pulling out a Race Typology from deep within the archives: the 2012 Tour de Millersburg in Pennsylvania. For at least a half decade, the Tour of Millersburg was one of our favorite races on the East Coast. The reverse omnium stage race format was both unique and fun. And the criterium was perhaps the hardest single race of the entire season, up their with App Gap at GMSR. But what really differentiated the Tour of Millersburg was the local support - from teams sleeping en masse at the local church to hanging out at the community pool post race, the Tour of Millersburg was a special race.
For more on the Tour de Millersburg, including several years worth of race reports, head over to: Tour de Millersburg
Race Information
Location: Millersburg, Pennsylvania
Genre: Stage Race
Format: Time Trial, Criterium, Road Race
Scoring: Reverse Omnium
Setting: All three stages of the Tour de Millersburg start in the quaint downtown section of Millersburg, PA, on the East bank of the Susquehanna River. Founded by Daniel Miller in 1807, as of the 2000 census Millersburg had 2,562 residents. Local attractions include the historic Millersburg Ferry, the last surviving ferry that crosses the Susquehanna. In operation since 1825, the ferry landing serves as the docking point for a fleet of locally owned airboats and is a pleasant rest area for cyclists between races. The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art is also located just outside Millersburg, set on 500 acres of land with two art galleries.
Spectators: Created in 2007 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Millersburg’s founding, the Tour de Millersburg is particularly notable for its strong community support. In addition to a wealth of volunteers associated with the race, local residents also setup shop in various front yards lining the course to watch the action. The most spectator friendly stage is the Cataldo Muggio Memorial Criterium which sees residents gather across the course with concentrations in corners one and three. Host housing for racers is plentiful, further highlighting the extent to which Millersburg’s population supports the race.
History: Stage Two of the Tour de Millersburg, the Cataldo Muggio Memorial Criterium Race is named for Cataldo “Tommy” Muggio. According to the Tour de Millersburg technical guide, Muggio was born near Naples in 1896 and immigrated to the US via Ellis Island in 1911. Racing in the US with the Century Road Club Association he was recognized as the US record holder for 20 miles (55 minutes, 20 seconds) and 25 miles (68 minutes, 55 seconds). Following the end of his competitive career he promoted bicycling and bikeways and was instrumental in the establishment of a bikeway along Shippen Dam Road.
Racers: Pennsylvania based riders are the largest contingent represented at the Tour de Millersburg, with New York and Virginia also sending a significant number of racers to the event. The 2013 Men’s Elite field featured several professional riders and was won by Optum’s Scott Zwizanksi followed by Michael Chauner of Garneau Quebecor. The Tour de Millersburg also features two women’s fields, with the 2013 Elite Women’s race won by Kathleen Giles (ABRT) who was also the winner in 2012.
Terrain: The opening stage of the Tour de Millersburg is a flat out and back TT finishing with a slight ascent back into downtown Millersburg. The Criterium that follows is on a four corner course featuring a moderate climb between corners three and four, with corner three being the tightest and most challenging on this fast course. Sunday’s Road Race takes place on several laps of rolling Pennsylvania countryside with open terrain exposing riders to any crosswinds blowing on race day. A short switchback climb early in each lap serves as KOM points with a downhill drag into downtown Millersburg generating a fast finale.
Conditions: The 2013 edition of the Tour de Millersburg opened with clear skies but elevated humidity on Saturday morning. Conditions improved in the afternoon with temperatures reaching a high of 84 degrees. Sunday’s Road Race featured cooler temperatures with a high of 80 degrees and calm winds.
Notes: Racers receive free entry to the Millersburg Swimming Pool which features tube slides as well as high and low dives.
A New York City based cyclist and sometimes photographer. Part adventure rider, part crit racer, and fully obsessed with an English bulldog named Winifred.
Instagram: @photorhetoric
E-mail: matthew@tobedetermined.cc
