There were spectacular spectating conditions at last Saturday’s 2016 Ballard Criterium. The course is a ~1/2 mile counterclockwise lap on Ballard and Shilshole Avenues.
Many years, peak “Juneueary” weather conditions exist at race time; this year it was sunny, bright, and warm. Most fans line Ballard Ave. and corner #1 cheering on their friends and favorite competitors. Corner #3 is also a popular spectating location since a precisely placed manhole cover is known to cause riders to go down. Watching bike racers crash is gut-wrenchingly spectacular. On the Shilshole Ave. back stretch racers accelerate to over 40 mph.
At the start/finish area Phil Stephens has emcee duties, and keeps things interesting by announcing the primes (mid-race sprint prizes) and the attacks by the racers.
In contrast to the weekly Seward Park series, for example, this race is “full gas” from the start whistle and first-timers are usually shocked by the relentless attacks and speed.
At the 2009 event I brought my brother, who had never seen a bike race before, and he was inspired to write this piece in which he said:
“Few rules. Pure speed. Highly tuned bodies and expensive machines. Little room to maneuver and no margin for error. Prize money and too much testosterone. It’s a damned street fight.”
