07. Gene Dixon: The History of the Twilight Bike Race. A Racing Event that helped Revitalized Downtown Athens,Ga

Gene Dixon : The History of the Twilight Bike Race. A Racing Event that would help Revitalize Downtown Athens. 

In 1974, Athens, Georgia had four serious cyclists. Downtown was virtually empty after business hours, with just one restaurant and maybe two bars serving the community. Fast-forward fifty years, and the city pulses with energy every April as thousands gather for one of America's premier cycling events—a transformation that began with one man's vision to showcase cycling as a spectator sport.

Gene Dixon arrived in Athens as a young entrepreneur ready to open the city's first dedicated bike shop. What he created instead was something far more significant: a racing event that would help revitalize downtown Athens and establish a new standard for criterium racing across America. The Athens Twilight Criterium wasn't just about bicycles—it was about community, economic development, and proving that sometimes the most ambitious ideas come from the simplest observations.

What You Can Expect from This Episode

This conversation reveals how a bike shop owner with an entrepreneurial spirit created an event that transformed both a downtown district and an entire sport, while building a business empire that now supports races from coast to coast.

Here are 5 key insights you'll gain from this episode:

• Discover how four cyclists in 1974 grew into a community that now supports one of America's premier racing events.
• Learn the unconventional business strategies that sustained a "backwards" revenue model for five decades.
• Understand how evening criterium racing revolutionized American cycling and influenced cities nationwide.
• Hear firsthand accounts of legendary cyclists like Eric Heiden, Danny Clark, and the Lance Armstrong era.
• Experience the evolution of downtown Athens through the lens of one transformative sporting event.

From Bike Shop to National Enterprise

Gene's story extends far beyond a single race in Athens. Through his company Swagger, he now supports events across the country, owns 10,000 feet of racing barriers, and has worked everything from Super Bowl parades to Christmas celebrations. What started as equipment rentals for one local race evolved into a consulting business that helps cities nationwide create their own cycling spectacles.

The conversation touches on the technical aspects of criterium racing—multi-lap races on closed city circuits where spectators see riders pass every minute or two, creating constant action and excitement. Gene explains how this American interpretation of European racing created something entirely new: street track racing that brings the sport directly to the people.

The Broader Impact on Cycling Culture

Beyond the business success lies a deeper story about community building and cultural change. Gene witnessed Athens transform from a place where serious cycling meant four dedicated riders to a city where cyclists are visible throughout the community. He shares insights about the evolution of the sport itself, from the early days of simple road bikes to today's technological marvels, and discusses how distracted driving challenges modern cyclists while looking ahead to smarter automotive technology.

The episode also addresses cycling's complex relationship with performance enhancement, offering Gene's perspective on the Lance Armstrong era and how the sport has worked to rebuild credibility through biological passports and improved testing protocols.

Whether you're interested in entrepreneurship, sports history, urban development, or simply love a good story about turning an impossible idea into reality, this conversation offers something valuable. Gene's willingness to share both successes and failures provides practical insights for anyone considering ambitious community projects.