With big races such as our state championship and Superweek right around the corner, this weekend is a good opportunity for some final fine-tuning. It’s also a good chance for beginning racers to maximize their Cat 5 experience before jumping into the 4/5 whirlwind of Superweek.

Saturday the South Chicago Wheelmen return to Kankakee for the Cobb Park Criterium. Pre-registration will save you $5. It’s a fast, flat three-corner course. The Wheelmen are also putting on a new-rider clinic at 10:30.  I highly recommend this for many of our Cat 5’s.

Put down that cheesecake if you plan to tackle Sunday’s Fox River Grove Cycling Challenge. It features a ski-jump climb (above) that may feel like the Alpe d’Huez by the end of the day. (I do not know if the recent flooding will impact the course. I’ll post if I find out anything definite. UPDATE: Ricard Otero (Team Mack) drove the course and reports there are no flood-related obstructions.)

Note that Illinois Cycling has brought its Illinois Cup standings to life. Both of these races earn points toward the seasonlong series.

To pursue the big money and big crowds -- and big competition -- head to Wisconsin for the Wisconsin Cycling Series. Both days feature more than $12,000 in prizes, and Saturday’s twilight pro race in Grafton should be particularly exciting. Be sure to pre-register, as entry fees go up $10 on Thursday.

Saturday
Cobb Park Criterium
USCF criterium
Kankakee, Ill.
Distance from Chicago: 1 hour

Giro d’Grafton
USCF criterium
Grafton, Wis.
Diistance from Chicago: 2 hours

Sunday
Fox River Grove Cycling Challenge
USCF criterium
Fox River Grove, Ill.
Distance from Chicago: 1 hour

Sheboygan Family Centre Bike Race
USCF criterium
Sheboygan, Ill.
Distance from Chicago: 3 hours