Beverly criterium races on 7/24

Beverly's annual evening of criterium bike racing is happening on Thursday 7/24. It's part of the Prairie State Cycling series of criterium and road races. For the 2nd year, it will feature both a women's race and a men's race. The women's race starts at 4:40 p.m. and the men's race starts at 6:30.

The festival area at the start/finish (107th & Longwood) will feature live music and food & drink by local folks, including a special craft beer - a collaboration between Horse Thief Hollow and Argus Brewery.

Bring your lawn chairs or beach towels and come on down! Each race is for category 1 & 2 racers, the highest levels of skill and speed. This will be an action packed evening. Come out and cheer the racers on!

If you're coming via transit, the festival and start/finish area is only 1 block from the 107th St. Metra station on the Rock Island line. Via CTA, take the red line to 95th St., then the Vincennes/ 111th St. bus (#112).  It's a 1/2 mile walk from 111th & Longwood, with beautiful scenery.

Beverly criterium race this Friday 7/6

Who's coming to Beverly this Friday?  If you can get away, it's a great excuse to start the weekend early.

We're having an informal gathering to watch the race.  The race starts at 5:45, but you can always join us after the start if you can't come earlier.  


There's a festival at the start/finish area (107th & Longwood) with food, beer and live music.  Of course there's ice cream from Rainbow Cone.

Come on down!  It would be great to see you there.

    - Anne Alt

criterium and cyclocross racing in and around Chicago

Criterium and cyclocross racing events are growing in popularity here in Chicago.  Many cyclists who race crits in the warmer months do cyclocross once the weather cools down.

The Gaper's Block criterium recently wrapped up in Calumet Park. We'd be curious to hear from any members who raced or attended.  The South Chicago Wheelmen are hosting a 4/29 crit in Kankakee. 

Gaper's Block criterium in Calumet Park
Photo by John Greenfield

Chicago will have a new criterium race this year.  Alderman James Cappleman of the 46th ward is sponsoring a Lincoln Park race day on 4/22 (this Sunday) at Montrose Harbor.  This looks like a BIG event, with racing opportunities for men and women of all ages, cat 1-5, and junior boys' and girls' events.

The long established Superweek series rolls on, including the 7/6 Beverly and 7/15 Evanston crits.

The Chicago Bike Racing,  Chicago CX, and XXX Racing sites all offer information about local racing.

If you have any experiences as a racer or spectator that you'd like to share (any cat), feel free to comment.

  -  Anne Alt