With just less than a month to go in the 2016 Voler Seward Park Thursday Night Cycling Series, last Thursday’s edition was a gorgeous evening to race or watch. The series is held at Seward Park’s .8 mile upper loop.
Now in it’s 27th year, the Seward Park Series, aka the “Thursday night world championships,” gives racers of all abilities the opportunity to test their legs, brains, and luck against the competition.
Three separate ability-based races are offered to give riders an appropriate challenge. There is often a clinic at 5:00 for new racers or racers new to this course. The clinic covers cornering and other skills, and participants get the chance to ride the course with a veteran racer who provides advice and feedback.
The 5:30 event is for “beginners,” folks who are new to racing and want to try it out, and category 4 and 5 racers.
Flickr album of the 5:30 race.
The 6:00 event is for category 3 and 4 racers, and is generally the most well-attended of the races.
Participants in the 6:00 event range from ambitious young newcomers, to veterans who have been racing for a decade or more.
The 6:00 and 7:00 events include a competition for the fluorescent race leader’s jersey, complete with a target on the back. With 87 points, Jed Stremel riding for Audi, is the current leader in the 6:00 series.
Flickr album of the 6:00 race.
With 91 points, Ian Mensher riding for Keller Rohrback is the current leader in the 7:00 series.
The 7:00 race is for category 1, 2 and 3 racers; and sometimes pros like Logan Owen or Jessica Cutler show up to get in a workout.
The race fee for men is $15; for women and juniors, $8. If you don’t have a WSBA number you can rent one for $5 which is refunded when you return it.
All in all, I think this is one of the best cycling experiences around if you live within cycling distance of Seward Park: Do a warmup ride to get to the park, race (I’ve also done a “brick” run around Seward after racing), ride home with your buddies with an optional pit stop for beverages.
The 2016 series runs through September 1.
