There’s no better location for a race than the location you can ride to, and Saturday brings us 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 nonethless a Chicago jewel and is very spectator friendly. The landscape provides a clean view of all the action, and the atmosphere is always festive and exciting.

Separations are typical 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.

The 5’s race is on its way to 100 riders. I would not want to have to score that one. Expect it to start fast and and detonate by the backstretch, thanks to the great disparity of talent within the 5’s. Get a good clip-in and spend your first two laps advancing positions to ensure you’re in the lead group.

For climbers and other road race fans, Wisconsin beckons with LaRue-Denzer-LaRue, a modified version of the former Denzer Delight. On each trip through the main 11-mile circuit, 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. (The big ring should suffice, however.)

This year the main loop is augmented by an extension to and from a new start/finish area. As I read the flier, this is what the new course looks like. Organizers tell me the extension includes a climb that is just as challenging as the main loop’s.

The next day is Wheels on Willy in Madison, which this year will be Wheels off Willy, thanks to construction on the traditional course. Races will go around the capitol, a fun course that I’m told has been used in the past for collegiate racing.

Saturday Monsters of the Midway ABR criterium Chicago Distance from Chicago: 0 hours Previous wrap-ups: 2008

LaRue-Denzer-LaRue USCF road race Denzer, Wis. Distance from Chicago: 4 hours Previous wrap-ups: 2007, 2008

SundayWheels on Willy USCF criterium Madison, Wis. Distance from Chicago: 2.5 hours Previous wrap-ups: 2007, 2008