BEVERLY — Deb and Bob Burns live in Beverly, but they admit they haven't spent too many evenings downtown. And they certainly never spent a night like last night on Cabot Street.
The Burnses were among the estimated 1,000 or so spectators who showed up for the second annual Gran Prix of Beverly, a series of four one-hour bike races through downtown streets.
"It's terrific," Bob Burns said as he leaned on the railings set up on Cabot Street, bike riders whizzing by at 35 mph less than a foot away. "We've never seen one of these before."
Spectators and organizers said the event, which this year became a part of Beverly Homecoming, is a chance to show off the city's often-overlooked downtown.
With many streets closed to traffic, restaurants were allowed to sell beer and wine on the sidewalk. Organizers set up a kids' bike race on Beverly Common, and by the time the elite men's race began at 6:30 p.m., spectators were four or five deep at the starting line in front of St. Mary Star of Sea Church.
Lines were also deep at the beer taps in front of Mandrake Bar & Bistro on Cabot Street.
"I've lived here for 14 years, and this is probably the best thing I've seen so far," said Katrina Jones, the bar manager at Mandrake, as she served a Wachusett Blueberry Ale. "It brings people onto (the) main street. People don't realize what's on Cabot Street."
Among the spectators was Mayor Bill Scanlon, who said he hopes the event continues to grow.
"People say we have a great main street and you can do something like this," he said. "I think it's kind of neat."
The Gran Prix was organized by the Essex County Velo cycling club and sponsored by Fidelity Investments and Beverly Hospital. This year, the men's and women's elite races served as the state championships.
Announcers Richard Fries and Christopher Zigmont provided play-by-play from the street near the finish line, explaining the intricacies of a "prime" and a "criterium" and the various strategies that are bewildering to novice spectators.
The event came about in Beverly in part due to the city's unexpected status as home to several professional bike riders. The course was designed by Middleton native Tim Johnson, a three-time national cyclo-cross champion who lives in downtown Beverly with his wife, Lyne Bessette, a two-time member of the Canadian Olympic team.
The elite men's race, in fact, came down to a duel between Johnson and another pro rider from Beverly, Jesse Anthony. Johnson won by less than a second.
The 25-year-old Anthony said nothing compared to racing in his hometown.
"I've done races all over the country, in Asia, in South America, but I couldn't be any happier than to do this race," he said. "It's a prestigious race, and it's right here in downtown Beverly."
Johnson estimated the crowds were twice as big as those at last year's inaugural Gran Prix, and he sees no reason why it can't keep getting bigger.
"We have great cycling here in the area," he said. "Besides Jesse and I, we have two other professionals living here full time. To be able to put this together and show the downtown off on a Wednesday night, I think it's great for the city."
Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2675 or by e-mail at pleighton@salemnews.com.
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