Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 15, 1993 TAG: 9305150247
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ALLISONIA LENGTH: Medium
More than an hour before the bike race started in Blacksburg and three hours before it got to Allisonia, locals began jockeying for chairs on the front porch of George Marshall's Grocery and Hardware Store.
"I don't know much about cycling, but I know this is the biggest thing that's ever happened in Allisonia," William Marshall said in between bites of his Mississippi Mud Ice Cream Bar.
About 35 people gathered at the tiny store built onto George Marshall's house on Virginia 693. At first, they seemed more interested in catching up with neighbors than the bike race that was coming their way.
"If there ever was an old country hangout, this is one," said 64-year-old Sanford Quesenberry. "This is where all the sick, lame and lazy come."
"It's the local news headquarters," chipped in Quesenberry's wife, Dot. "You can find out just about anything here."
Gene Smythers, a local contractor, said he didn't even know about the Tour DuPont until he drove by Marshall's store.
"I saw all these people and thought there'd been an accident," he said.
George Marshall said ever since his store opened back in 1950, it has been the meeting place for the community of about 300.
"You come here, you see a lot of hillbillies," he said. "We're mighty proud to be hillbillies."
As the time for the cyclists grew closer Friday, anticipation for the race began to increase.
"This is so exciting," said Jackie Marshall, William Marshall's wife. "I've never seen bikers before."
At about 12:45 p.m., a van selling Tour DuPont race magazines pulled up in front of the store.
"I'm not going to give $5 for one of those magazines," George Marshall said.
No one did, but it wasn't because they didn't want to spend the money.
Moments later, when Dot Quesenberry brought out some $6 home-cooking recipe books, she sold half a dozen in less than a minute.
About 1:15 p.m, the first Tour DuPont race marshal whizzed by the store.
"Here it comes," everyone shouted. Only it didn't.
There was a police car, a racing team van, another race marshal, two motorcycles carrying the media, three more race marshals . . . It looked more like a parade than America's premiere cycling event.
Finally, the pack of 100 bikers popped over the hill.
Whoosh - they were gone. It lasted no more than 30 seconds.
"It that all?" exclaimed Myrtle Courtney.
"Hey, come back," yelled Marion Spiron.
But they were gone, headed for Stage 9's finish line in Beech Mountain, N.C.
ESPN showed 30 minutes of highlights from the race last night, but only the people in Allisonia with satellite dishes could watch it. Cable television is not available in that part of Pulaski County.
"We're so far away that the only thing that we can get out here is trouble," said Dot Quesenberry.
by CNB