Town officials focused on establishing the greatest degree of safety possible

BURKE — Town officials focused on establishing the greatest degree of safety possible at the next Rasputitsa gravel bike race want to ensure riders know to follow the rules of the road. Failing to do so led to the death of a 54-year-old man from Marblehead, Mass., at the event held on April 29, according to a crash report from Vermont State Police Sgt. Thomas Howard. The report was made public late in July as town officials and Rasputitsa organizers work toward holding another event to include roads that pass through the town. After a discussion that included several event concerns shared by townspeople and firefighters, selectmen gave race co-founders and organizers approval last week to go ahead and plan for an event on April 20, 2024, provided there’s more collaboration on safety measures with the town and its fire department.