This weekend's races: Aug. 25-26

Photo by some neighborhood kid I lent my camera to

We're all a bit gassed and maybe even burned out from a run of intense racing that started back with Superweek, but there's still some great racing to do this summer. In fact, consider this weekend's races a nice low-key antidote to the big-money, big-hype racing of the past two weeks. Sherman Park will have the history. Glencoe Grand Prix will have bigger prizes. Do both!

Saturday's Sherman Park Criterium takes place in one of Chicago's great parks, a hidden treasure of the South Side with a gymnasium designed by Daniel Burnham. The famous Olmsted brothers had bicycle races in mind when they designed the park. Apparently technical crits were not in vogue in 1905 as there's not a single hard corner on the course. This makes it a perfect, manageable course for beginning cyclists, men and women alike. (Men should know that there's a 50-rider limit in the Cat 5 race, and there currently are no provisions for a second field.)

Sight lines are limited, so it's not unusual for breaks to get away. Otherwise it's essentially flat. Did I mention that there are no hard corners?

Primes have improved over last year. In fact, I have it on good authority that a certain cycling Web site is donating cash primes for the lower categories.

The neighborhood around Sherman Park, well, let's concede it's not the North Shore. It's still a safe, beautiful venue. Residents may not be accustomed to bicycle racing, but most are curious and accommodating. Just don't be surprised if some need reminders not stroll down the course. (XXX Racing-AthletiCo will be throwing all available resources toward marshaling, but keep your head up and be alert.)

Your second race is $5 cheaper. Masters riders could potentially get in 90 minutes of racing for about the same price as the 20 minutes they got at Downers or Elk Grove.

And don't miss the children's races at 1 p.m. Watch as kids tear off from the start line not quite realizing how far a mile is. Ten minutes later they will limp across the finish, coughing up lungs and collapsing in the grass. Good times!

Note also that the women's 1/2/3 race will include a special dedication for XXX Racing-AthletiCo's teammate Beth Kobeszka, who lost her life racing in July.

Sunday brings us the inaugural Glencoe Grand Prix. This will be a nifty opportunity to race close to the roads where many of us train. Cat 5's and juniors will use a slightly less technical version of the course than the rest of us. It's great to have another race so close to home, and I hope a large turnout helps make it a success.

Farther away there's the Indiana Stage Race, which includes a road race, time trial and criterium near Indianapolis.

As many of you know, I race for XXX Racing-AthletiCo, so I do not pretend to make an unbiased recommendation. However, allow me to make a personal pitch for Sherman Park.

I've appreciated all the people who have e-mailed or introduced themselves at races and said how grateful they are for this site. Many have offered to help. Others have hooked me up with potential advertisers. But here's the best way you can thank me: Come race Saturday. Come show that you think bike racing in Chicago is important. Come show you support what I'm trying to do here. Come show how much you love what you do.

And of course, come to say hi. I'll be helping out all day and racing the 3's, masters 1/2/3's and elite 1/2/3's. This will be fun!

Saturday
Sherman Park Criterium
USCF criterium
Chicago, Ill.
Distance from Chicago: 0 hours

Ft. Ben Road Race
ABR road race
Indianapolis, Ind.
Distance from Chicago: 3 hours

Sunday
Glencoe Grand Prix
USCF criterium
Glencoe, Ill.
Distance from Chicago: .5 hours

Indiana State Fairgrounds Criterium
ABR criterium
Indianapolis, Ind.
Distance from Chicago: 3 hours

Comments

Posted by: Matt at Aug. 22, 2007 07:34 AM

Posted by: sam at Aug. 23, 2007 02:30 PM