Jim,
Sure wish more race organizers felt that way, that would save us from a lot of those extra hours with threatening weather like Lyman is talking about! I remember some of those old New England races fondly, but I think it's fair to say that in the old days they didn't call them 4.78 or 8.4 miles-- usually some (randomly chosen as far as I could tell) whole number-- 14, 9, whatever!
I've already apologized to Lyman for not being able to help him out on that day but I'm glad he was able to get the expert advice I read here. A lot of measurements have to be pieced together. But it's still a good feeling, whenever possible, to ride through the whole course at once. My brain is way too prone to faulty thinking!