Cycling Race Debuts in Front of Enthusiastic Crowd

Kids sitting on curbs and hay bales jangled cow bells each time the peloton rounded the corner of East Lake Avenue and Union Street, cheering on the cyclists in the on Saturday afternoon.

The bike race, the latest addition to Watsonville's beloved Strawberry Festival, pitted some talented cyclists from all over the world against one another on a 1.2-kilometer loop on city streets.

Well-known cycling announcer Dave Towle gave spectators a few lessons in Cycling 101 during the two 60-minute races.

Steve Reaney outsprinted another rider in the final 10 laps to win the men's race and the $553 purse, according to California Giant Cycling, one of the race sponsors and the hometown cycling team.

Coryn Rivera took the women's race. The 19-year-old has won 30-plus national titles since she was a kid.

And speaking of kids, about a dozen youngsters took part in the kids race, a one-lap rally around the course.