Since October the Illinois Cycling Association has been working to create a spring criterium series. The idea was to provide a local alternative to the popular Parkside series in Kenosha, Wis., which has long been a welcome opportunity to shake winter out of our legs.

The ICA found a viable location at a Vernon Hills office park, and Vitaminwater-Trek stepped up to manage not just one but all three of the events. In addition, XXX Racing-AthletiCo planned to provide safety and handling workshops for new riders.

Now, however, a property owner on the route has objected to the races, and the series, originally set to begin March 30, is in jeopardy. Vitaminwater-Trek and the ICA are still working to secure a new venue, and ICA vice president Steve Hansen (North Branch) says anyone with a lead should contact him.

“If it does not happen this year,” Hansen says, “the ICA will continue to work on a location for the same dates in 2009.”

As for the series formerly known as Parkside, we’re still waiting for fliers for the March 9 opener. Don Lowe (Team Mack) commented in a previous thread that the promoter is looking for a location with an indoor changing area, an important amenity at this time of the year.