The Clock Tower Classic is set to kick off this morning on Fouche Gap Road, but the main events will be this evening in downtown Rome for the annual hand cycling race.

Ann Hortman with the Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau and organizer of the race said 35 competitors from around

the nation and world will compete in this weekend’s events.

“This race is more focused on the awareness of the incredibly talented athletes with a disability and beyond,” she said.

The race is divided into four stages that continues through the weekend.

This morning’s two-mile race will start on Fouche Gap Road and finish at Lavender Trail.

Stage Two, which begins at 6 p.m., will be the most exciting part of the race, where there will be 30 minutes of racing in the Downtown Criterium that starts at Rome Transit Station fountain on East First Street. The evening events also include the Playtona 500 “parade” and adult tricycle races that begin at 5 p.m.

Stage Three will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday with a 36-mile road race with the start and finish line at the Wildwood Cove entrance to Rocky Mountain Recreation Area.

The final stage of the event will be a 6-mile individual time trial on Technology Parkway on Sunday at 10 a.m.

All riders will represent charities, which will benefit from the event.

Click to see road closings and maps of routes.

Hand cycling schedule FRIDAY

Stage One

10 a.m. — A 2-mile climb up Lavender Mountain

Downtown Events

4 p.m. — SafeKids Bicycle Rodeo, Alex’s Lemonade Stand for childhood cancer research, All About Fun Inflatables, and Sponsor Tents (Coosa Valley Credit Union, Harbin Clinic, Harvest Moon) in the Rome Transit Department annex lot on East First Street behind Harvest Moon

5 p.m. — Playtona 500 “parade” and adult tricycle races begin

5:30 p.m. — Warm-ups

6 p.m. — Colors presented by the Redmond Regional Color Guard; National Anthem performed by Trey Smagur, a junior vocal performance major at Shorter College

Stage Two

6 p.m. — Downtown Criterium: 30 minutes of racing

6:45 p.m. — Awards

SATURDAY

Stage Three

10 a.m. — 36-mile road race in scenic Texas Valley, staging from the Wildwood Cove area of the Rocky Mountain Recreation Area

SUNDAY

Stage Four

10 a.m. — 6-mile individual time trial on Technology Parkway

Race Courses and Road Closures

Friday, 10 a.m. - Hill Climb Road Race. Start is on Fouche Gap Road, climbing up Lavender Mountain, right on Lavender Trail, finish line at the top of Lavender Mountain. The north side of Fouche Gap will be closed to vehicle traffic during the race. Duration of closure is approximately 1 hour. Best viewing spot: at the turn from Fouche Gap Road to Lavender Trail.

Friday, 6 p.m. – Downtown Criterium. Start/Finish line is at the Rome Transit Station fountain/Harvest Moon parking lot. Road Closures: 5:30 p.m. until 7 pm. Second Avenue to Broad Street. Broad Street north bound to Fourth Avenue. Fourth Avenue to East First Street. East First Street to Second Avenue. No parking will be allowed on Broad Street, north bound; Fourth Avenue, and East First Avenue from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. Best viewing spot: Anywhere on the course!

Saturday, 10 a.m. – 36 mile Road Race. Start/Finish line at Wildwood Cove entrance to Rocky Mountain Recreation Area. Road closures: 9:30am until approximately 12noon. Big Texas Valley Road from Fouche Gap Road to Texas Valley Road, Texas Valley Road to Sand Springs Road; Sand Springs Road (and where it merges with Fouche Gap Road) from Texas Valley to Big Texas Valley Road. Please note: as the last rider passes, the roads will open to traffic. Expect delays. Best viewing spots: Rocky Mountain Recreation Area (parking pass required), Antioch Baptist Church, Armuchee Baptist Church (park there and walk to turn).

Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 mile Individual Time Trial. Technology Parkway. Start/Finish line at Legacy Drive. Road closure: from Legacy Drive to Huffaker Road. Expected closure time from 9:30am until noon.