Silver City: The Annual Tour of the Gila will be in full gear on Wednesday April 18 and will run through Sunday April 22. Law enforcement agencies will be assisting as racers travel through various routes as motorists may encounter intermittent closures.

The closures will be as follows:
· Wednesday April 18, 2018, Mogollon Race, US 180, starts at Gough Park to NM 211 finishing onto NM 159 mile post 3.8, this will be from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm. This will be in both directions.
· Thursday April 19, 2018, The Inner Loop Race, starts at Fort Bayard to U.S. 180, to 32nd Street to NM 15 to NM 35 onto NM 152 and U.S. 180 and will finish at Fort Bayard National Historic Landmark. The closure will be from 8:00 am until 2:15 pm. This will be in both directions.
· Friday April 20, 2018, Dan Potts Memorial Tyrone, starts and finishes on NM 90 from Silver City (mile marker 39) to just north of Lordsburg (mile marker 29). The closure will be from 9:15 am until 12:00 pm in both directions.
· Saturday April 21, 2018, Downtown Criterium Race, will be on Bullard, College, Cooper and Broadway, confined.
· Sunday April 22, 2018, The Gila Monster Race, Starts at Gough Park to US 180 to NM 152 onto NM 35 to NM 15, finishes at Pinos Altos; this will be from 7:00 am until 2:00 pm in both directions.

Law enforcement will be stationed on NM 90, US 180, NM 152, NM 15 and NM 35 to secure the safety of the bicyclists, spectators and the motorists. For more information regarding the race you may visit their web page at www.tourofthegila, or contact Jack Brennan at (575) 590-2612.

Trent Doolittle, District One Engineer would like to remind motorists to be extremely cautious as they travel their routes. Below are some recommended driving tips as bicyclists share our roadways during the race and after.

Allow three feet of passing space between the right side of your vehicle and a bicyclist just as you would with a slow-moving vehicle. Maintain this distance even if there are designated bike lanes.

Before opening your car door, look for bicyclists who may be approaching.

Do NOT pass bicyclists if oncoming traffic is near. Wait as you would with any slow moving vehicle, or if you are making a right turn immediately afterward. Always assume bicyclists are traveling through the intersection.

Reduce your speed when passing bicyclists, especially if the roadway is narrow.

Don’t blast your horn when approaching bicyclists — you could startle them and cause an accident.

Give bicyclists adequate space to maneuver. Recognize situations and obstacles which may be hazardous to cyclists, such as potholes, debris, and drain grates.