To the editor:

As an avid cyclist and a business owner here in Tryon, I had a blast participating in the Hincapie Gran Fondo last Saturday. This event is great for this community on many levels, and we are blessed to have such an event tour our community. Many thanks to Christine Cowles with Tryon Tourism and Michaila Cowles with Huckleberry’s for all their hard work! There were 2,000 plus cyclists from 39 states and 17 countries riding through our great town.

However, I was shocked and disappointed to learn of the many complaints from members of our community!

Our city and county law enforcement and EMS did an amazing job and were bombarded with complaints. For the record, taxpayer money was not used to pay these folks! The gran fondo paid them for their services.

These and many other selfish complaints about being inconvenienced is sad. This event raises about $20,000 for Greenville Meals on Wheels and other charities.

I am meeting with the organizers next week. They told me that they could reroute the fondo around Tryon if that is the community’s wish! I certainly hope not!

For all the folks that supported the gran fondo, thank you from my heart!

For all the folks that complained, I wish you all would take a deep breath and embrace this great event!

~ John D. Cash, Tryon, N.C.