It has been just over six months since our last USA Cycling race, but that void gets filled in a big way starting Monday with seven consecutive days of racing.

Half Acre Cycling’s Gapers Block Crit Series (nee Kevin’s Crits) gets it started with evening races through Friday. Calumet Park offers smooth, gentle turns and recent visitors tell me the pavement is in good shape and the lights are functioning. For beginners eager to upgrade, this is a good opportunity to quickly get five mass-start races under their belts.

Pre-registration has filled for the two men’s 4/5’s heats, but 10 day-of slots are reserved for each day’s heat on a first-come, first-served basis. More details here.

Only two Cat 3 women pre-registered. This may mean the 3’s and 4’s fields will be combined. I’ll rely on Half Acre representation to clarify in the comments.

After a cold, wet weekend, it looks like Half Acre will enjoy decent weather all week. It will still get nippy after the sun goes down, doubly so if there’s wind off the lake, so dress appropriately (especially if you’re one of the generous people who have volunteered to marshal).

Monday through Friday Gapers Block Crit Series USAC criteriums Chicago 2009 wrap-ups: I, II