June 22, 2007
Filed under:
Chicago Criterium, Race news
Comments (2)
Previous:
Nature Valley, ToO updates
Next: A look at the Fox River Grove climb
More info on 2008 Chicago Criterium
This morning I spoke with Anne Davis with the Mayor's Office of Special Events. She and the rest of City Hall are swamped with the upcoming Taste of Chicago and other festivals, so there are still many details to be worked out regarding next year's Chicago Criterium. However, she did confirm that there will be amateur racing. How long and in which categories will depend on how long the city allows streets to be closed. Keep in mind that even with streets shut down all day, promoters must either cut races extremely short (Elk Grove, Downers Grove) or limit the number of fields (Superweek).
She couldn't release the course other than to say that it will be in Grant Park, but from what another source as told me, I can tell you it's going to be challenging, fun and picturesque. (UPDATE: I defied doctor's orders and rode it this morning, my first ride in almost a month. It's even better in person than on paper. This could be the best race Chicago has seen since Jane Byrne beat Michael Bilandic.)
Davis is as excited about the race as we are, and she says the city's goal is to make it an annual event and a national draw. Here's hoping it lasts longer than previous efforts, both here and elsewhere.
Comments
I did a race one year around Grant Park...it was a basic rectangle with the finishing straight on southbound Lake Shore Drive. This would have been 1993-ish. Wish I'd kept a race journal!
Posted by: Matt at June 22, 2007 09:53 AM
That's the one I was talking about in my previous comment about a Grant Park race, not the Boul-Mich that someone else referred to from the 80's. If I can only find the medal from that race, then we'll know the name and year! I think it had to be between 1991 and and 1994 based on the bike I rode in the race. '92 (or '93) would be my guess.
I remember almost forgetting that I had a bike on my roof rack going into the Grant Park Underground and catching myself just in time!
Posted by: ad at June 22, 2007 10:23 PM
