We’re running out of opportunities to score USAC upgrade points, and this weekend brings the season’s final two races within a few hours of the city.

Saturday is the Ronald Reagan Criterium in Dixon, Ill. Turnout was light last year and registration looks slow again, but this is a fun race with good hosts. Plus, overlapping categories give you a chance to race up a level and test out whatever category you hope to be in 2011. Note that the course is slightly different. By my recollection this cuts out one of the fun kickers, but there will be the same long, downhill finish stretch.

Also on Saturday is a downstate road race on a mostly flat, 4.5-mile park loop.

Saturday Ronald Reagan Criterium USAC criterium Dixon, Ill. Distance from Chicago: 2 hours Previous wrap-up: 2009

Lincoln Trail State Park Road Race USAC road race Marshall, Ill. Distance from Chicago: 3.5 hours