One of the spring’s biggest weekends is upon us.

Saturday brings us the first of only a few hometown races with Monsters of the Midway, held on the beautiful Midway Plaisance at University of Chicago.  The long rectangular course isn’t the most interesting, but it’s spectator friendly as it provides a clean view of all the action. The atmosphere is always festive and exciting. This year the UC Velo Club adds a women’s Cat 3 field, and I join them in hoping enough women show to justify making it a fixture.

Separations typically occur in the smaller fields, including women’s and masters races, but the long straightaways and unobstructed views make breaks nearly impossible in the large 3’s and 4’s races. Hold tight and get ready for a raucous sprint. About that sprint: Mind the wind. With a stiff breeze off the lake, you can launch yourself out of the final corner. With a headwind, however, you’ll want to wait another 100 meters or so.

Chicago Bike Racing is happy to sponsor three cash primes to the lower categories. Keep your ears peeled and your legs ready. And don’t forget Flatlandia’s Moustaches of the Midway competition: Best finisher with a moustache gets a prize, plus mass adoration.

It’s also a big weekend in Wisconsin. Saturday’s road race in Denzer is one of the best around, especially for the climbers. A mile and a half into each 11-mile lap the road pitches up to climb about 700 feet over the next mile. It’s a steady, unrelenting climb that will break legs and shatter fields.  A false flat follows the climb, and then there is a short descent with a sharp right turn and steep kicker at a bottom. Don’t be caught off guard. As soon as you see the marshal, be moving to a smaller gear.

Near Denzer on Sunday will be Wheels on Willy, a popular crit in Madison that brings out loads of neighbors and spectators. The kilometer-long course features a long, gradual climb into the start/finish.

But wait, there’s more! Le Tour de Lafayette makes its debut in Indiana, giving 3’s, 4’s and 5’s a chance to try stage racing under USA Cycling sanction. Saturday’s criterium looks like a fun, hilly course complete with King of the Mountain competitions. Sunday’s road races are only 20 and 32 miles, so I expect the weekend will be decided with Sunday afernoon’s 5.8 mile time trial.

Saturday
Monsters of the Midway
ABR criterium
Chicago
Distance from Chicago: 0 hours

Le Tour de Lafayette
USCF criterium
Lafayette, Ind.
Distance from Chicago: 2 hours

Denzer Delight (Leland Grand Prix)
USCF road race
Denzer, Wis.
Distance from Chicago: 3 hours

Sunday
Le Tour de Lafayette
USCF road race
Lafayette, Ind.
Distance from Chicago: 2 hours

Wheels on Willy
USCF criterium
Madison, Wis.
Distance from Chicago: 2.5 hours