Just over a month after the hum of cyclists whizzed through downtown during the United States Cycling Federation’s Elite Men’s National Championship, the speeding bicyclists returned on Saturday.

This weekend’s annual Natchez Bicycle Classic bring good, wholesome fun that the whole family can enjoy.

The Classic is one of those events that you just can’t appreciate without being there. Hearing the rush of a pack of cyclists go by and feeling the wind left in their wake are sensations that can’t be truly understood until you’ve lived it.

Yesterday cyclists braved the heat to compete in the Isle of Capri Time Trials and the rigorous Herring Gas Road Race that winds through Adams County.

Today beginning at 9:30 a.m. the Trippe’s Western Auto Downtown Criterium will get under way and will continue through midday.

As the old phrase goes, if you haven’t been to the Natchez Bicycle Classic, you don’t know what you’re missing.

Like many of the successful events in Natchez, the Classic is a success each year because of the hard work and dedication of race volunteers such as Curtis Moroney, Frank Moak and many others.

And their work isn’t just a selfish interest in cycling; the Classic benefits our economy greatly.

From cyclists and their families who stay in our hotels and eat in our restaurants, to the merchants who will sell drinks and food to spectators, we all benefit. The money spent this weekend at the Classic will trickle down through all aspects of our economy for weeks to come. And we’ll enjoy the benefits of it.

But the cyclists will only be performing for another day, so don’t hesitate to go out and see the races today.