Those blurs of neon Spandex people see whiz by on local roads are often the subject of verbal road rage and are even deemed by some to be a traffic hazard.

Can cars and bikes live together in harmony?

Most definitely.

The respective drivers just need to learn to understand one another a little better.

"I would liken coming across a pack of cyclists to when you come across a bus," said Roger Turgeon, an Amesbury attorney who runs the local B.O.B. cycling club. "There should always be a certain respect for one another. Cyclists typically race near or even above the speed limits on back roads, so it should never be too hard to share a road."

There is just one time during the calendar year, however, that Turgeon asks for motorists to not pass a pack of cyclists and allow them to have the right of way.

Starting tonight (6 p.m.), Turgeon will be hosting the 20th annual Workingman's Stage Race, which runs though Amesbury and South Hampton and features over 200 of the best amateur bicycle racers in and around New England.

The stage race is unique in regards to the fact that it features a "time trial" today night in Amesbury, a "circuit race" tomorrow night in Amesbury and South Hampton and a "points race" on Thursday night under the lights at Star Speedway in Epping, N.H.

It will be the fourth year in a row that the race will be hosted in the greater Amesbury area, after being formerly held in Plaistow and Lee, N.H. Given the success of the races during the last several years, Turgeon hopes that the Workingman's Race will continue here for a long time to come.

"It's great to race around here because everything is just so scenic this time of year," Turgeon explains. "It's not quite the Tour De France but we have such a beautiful venue, with so much rolling territory around here, I've gotten so much great feedback from our racers over the past few years. You really can't beat it and I hope people can come out and watch. The finish to the race is always an impressive thing with so many guys coming across the line within seconds of each other. It's quite a spectacle."

Most of those that will be competing in the event are known as "masters" in cycling circles and are associated with various cycling clubs throughout the region.

"These clubs serve as a farm system of sorts for the Olympics and eventually the Tour De France," said Turgeon. "Realistically the people that race in our event are not people that would later go on to the Tour De France. But then again, there's always the possibility. They're all great athletes."

The dedication to the sport of cycling by those that will race this week cannot be understated. Most of those competing routinely train 200-250 miles per week, if not more, in preparation for events such as this.

CCB international, which is based out of the North Shore and boasts alumni such as world-renowned cyclist and former Tour De France competitor Tyler Hamilton, continually places elite racers in the Workingman's Stage Race.

Last year Natick's Patrick Walsh, of the CCB/Volkswagen racing team, won the men's race in it's final stage on the Epping track. Walsh came on strong after previously finding himself in second place during the Amesbury stages.

On the women's side, Tamara Metz of Somerville completed an excellent few days by winning both the points race and the overall championship.

Amesbury/South Hampton Road Closings

Tonight: The riders will start off one at a time at 6 p.m., seeking the best time on a single lap around a 6.6-mile loop that begins near the Amesbury High School, heads out Lion's Mouth Road and Kimball Road, takes a sharp right turn onto Newton Road, then turns left onto West Whitehall Road and then up over Whitehall Road to rejoin Lion's Mouth Road and finishing at the high school. Police will be at intersections so the racers don't have to stop at stop signs. The race should finish by 8 p.m.

Wednesday Night: The riders will start off in five separate groups at 6 p.m.. The course will once again start and finish at Amesbury High School but after going onto Kimball Road, the racers will continue to Lone Goose Road in South Hampton, then turn onto Hilldale Avenue, and then turn onto Jewell Street for a fast downhill run to Whitehall Road and then back to Friend Street. South Hampton roads used for the race will be closed to motorists driving in the same direction as the racers between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.