criterium: a bicycle race of a specified number of laps (or time period) on a closed course over public roads closed to normal traffic
It’s prime time for criterium (crit) racing, both as a competitor or as a spectator. If you’ve never seen a crit in person, well…imagine a barroom brawl moving at 25+ mph.
This year’s Cascadia Crits Series is offering up a great series of events over the next three weekends:
May 29th: Woodinville Bike Twilight Criterium presented by Cucina Fresca
May 30th: Fremont Criterium presented by Blue Rooster Marketing, The Sports Medicine Clinic and 509 Wines
June 3rd: Seward Park Classic presented by 1st Rate Mortgage (a USA Cycling sanctioned race at the regular Thursday time)
June 4th: Intermission = Emerald Sprints Roller Racing, “Beat the Racer Night”, presented by Cascadia Crits in conjunction with Michelob Ultra
June 5th: Second Ascent Ballard Twilight Criterium presented by Second Ascent
June 6th: Brad Lewis Memorial Criterium presented by Recycled Cycles
June 12th: Tacoma Twilight Criterium presented by Michelob Ultra
Todd Herriott and HSP teammates perform crowd control on Ballard Ave at the 2009 Ballard Crit. Photo by Bob Ludeman / Kryki Sports.
If you have to choose one to watch as a spectator, the June 5th Second Ascent Ballard Twilight Criterium is a must-see with large cheering crowds and great vantage points along the course. As a general rule, the slower races happen earlier in the day and culminate with the Pro / Category 1-2 race.
The series also includes a sweet raffle package with chances to win a:
–Baron Bicycles Outsider Longreach Frame with a custom Cascadia Crits paint scheme
-Bottle of wine from 509 Wines
-Dinner for two at Kylie’s Chicago Style Pizza
The drawing will be held at the beginning of the Pro 1/2 Men’s race in Tacoma on June 12. Olympic short track speed skating bronze medalist JR Celski will draw the winning ticket and will autograph it for the winner. (Winner does not need to be present to win.)
To incent the racers, each of the overall category series winners gets a one of a kind glass trophy donated by Wilbur Kelly, a glass maker and artist from Chihuly.
