Chicago Bike Racing

Your Chicago Criterium course

Mar 13
2008

Filed in: Race news, Chicago Criterium

Comments (17)

Jason Mindeman (Vitaminwater-Trek) tips me to the Chicago Criterium Web site, which has posted a map of the course: North from Buckingham Fountain on Columbus, left onto Jackson above the Metra tracks, a downhill left onto Michigan Avenue -- Michigan Avenue! -- then a whoopsy-daisy up and over Congress Plaza and back onto Michigan, a left uphill onto Balbo and finally a left back onto Columbus.

Here’s a Map My Ride profile of the 1.1-mile course. This will be a fun, technical course and will feature one of the most beautiful landscapes on our calendar: the lake on one side, the Michigan Avenue streetwall on another and Grant Park in between.

Racing will start at 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 27. I’m told to expect a full day of full-length amateur races in addition to the main pro race, with generous purses to boot. Stay tuned for more information. You now have four months to practice your screaming-fast left turns.

Comments

1.

Mar 14
2008

9:49 pm

The course looks pretty similar to the Boule Mich race that was held back in the late 70’s or early 80’s. I think there were only one or two events, but the field included folks like the Stetina brothers and Greg Lemond just before he started racing in Europe.

One of the Stetinas was in a two up break and I think won, but it was many years ago and my memory fades… Lemond was active in the chase group.

2.

Mar 14
2008

11:10 pm

I was a viewer of the race and Eric Heiden was among the racers post Olympic Gold (speed skating).

3.

Mar 15
2008

7:55 am

Matt S. (vitaminwater-Trek)

At one point the course was a block east, taking up one lane of LSD.

This course looks better.

4.

Mar 15
2008

12:42 pm

Reed, that’s right, I’d forgotten that. I can’t remember all the great riders that were there, but it was likelya who’s who of American cycling in the 80’s, but before we learned many of their names.

I did a quick google search but didn’t find much on the race…

5.

Mar 15
2008

1:39 pm

(Milwaukee Wheelman)

I think it was unethical for the organizers of the Chicago Criterium to put the race on the last day of SUPERWEEK. They had to of known of the conflict. This was not a smart decision it will only split the ridership between the two races and it will not be good for the sport. There are only so many riders in the area and neither race will win. I say to all riders Boycot the Chicago Criterium!

6.

Mar 15
2008

7:39 pm

There will be enough riders to go around for both races to go be successful. Personally I will be happy only to have to drive 30 mins to get to an awesome event, as opposed to the two and a half weeks prior where I will put on a lot of miles to come up and race with you guys in wisconsin. I would imagine that you would do the same, right? I think this will all work out.

7.

Mar 16
2008

11:16 am

Luke Seemann (XXX Racing-AthletiCo)

It’s always unfortunate for great races to conflict, but I don’t know if the city had much choice. Grant Park is already booked for most of the summer—Blues Fest, Jazz Fest, Taste of Chicago—and we’re also blessed to have our racing calendar pretty much booked, too. The previous two weekends are Superweek, the following weekend is the Tour of Elk Grove, followed Glencoe (also the Olympic cycling road race) and then Downers Grove. It may have down to this day or a day in April. Personally, I’m glad they picked July.

It’s too bad about Whitefish Bay, but I think once the schedule and purses are announced, the Chicago Criterium should attract even more pro and amateur riders to the area that week, and that should improve attendance at the other Superweek races.

8.

Mar 16
2008

4:25 pm

super rookie (Grumpy's/LGR)

Boycott Chicago Criterium?

Ummmmm. Since when does Superweek own the entire two weeks of racing at the end of July? I know that for years promoters in Minnesota wouldn’t put on an event for fear of missing out on riders, but the past 2 years we have had very well attended races, this was against the popular opinion, but we have had success.

I say let the market decide, and since I could be racing on Michigan Ave, I might have to skip out on Whitefish Bay for an appearance next to the streetwall (Vitamin Water, get your cameras ready) ;)

9.

Mar 16
2008

9:03 pm

yobdlog (xXx Racing-AthletiCo)

“I say to all riders Boycot the Chicago Criterium!”

Isn’t this site called ‘CHICAGO Bike Racing’.

Super Schmuper Week.....

This is Chicago - and if people don’t realize ‘yet’ how hizzoner runs things in this town - well, stay home.

Its only cycling - nothing split here - in fact - get ready for some uber fans in Chicago show up to cheer on a course that is definitely going to be a beauty to watch.

On a related note - this is excellent for the sport - not just because its a bike race, but its a bike race in a city that will get serious attention (no offense intended by my comment) - get ready for a publicity maelstorm to promote a Chicago “1st” in a long time..........

10.

Mar 16
2008

10:44 pm

super rookie (Grumpy's/LGR)

Asking to boycott something in Chicago surely means a visit from the Teamsters Union.

11.

Mar 17
2008

3:45 pm

(Milwaukee Wheelman)

As I reflect, I probably should not have said to boycott the Chicago Criterium.

If it was on a different date I would race both races.

I really think it is important to do what is in the best interest of the sport.

Not only is there Superweek to compete with All of the Big pro teams will be at Tour de Toona $100,000.00 for Pro Men and $ 100,000.00 for Pro women. Plus this is an NRC event.

People have to work on Monday the 28th, and probably won’t drive far.

Both races will suffer and so will the sport.

12.

Mar 17
2008

4:14 pm

yobdlog (xXx Racing-AthletiCo)

Both races will suffer from what? Participation, lack of attention, economically…

The sport will suffer?
You mean it hasn’t already having a bunch of middle class mostly caucasian men spinning like mad in what might-as well-be glittered lingerie to the public-at-large in these fine midwest parts?

I thought to help ‘any’ sport out was to make it as accessible as possible for participants and a willing audience to witness an event near their area. I see this as both cities winnning - you have Summerfest, we have The Taste, you have the Brewers, we have the Sox - you have cheese, we have guns - seriously everyone wins with all these possibilities.

People who do drive far that have to work on Monday are true to the sport.

(Rich don’t take this personally - but if you come after Chicago, I’m coming after you like a Chicago Cop who was told Ditka was the anti-christ).

13.

Mar 17
2008

4:54 pm

Luke Seemann (XXX Racing-AthletiCo)

Easy, gentlemen. Let’s keep things civil, please.

14.

Mar 17
2008

5:24 pm

Choo Choo (vitaminwater-Trek)

I don’t know that I believe either race will suffer. As someone noted, it is the LAST race of Superweek. One that I have not done the past 3-4 years as the driving up to Wisconsin wears on you after multiple weeks (plus Edens construction this year). Look at the results from last year…
Low turnout and only a few from Chicago anyway
http://www.internationalcycling.com/raceresults?year=2007&race=991
I am excited to have a race 2 minutes from my house and if all the Chicago teams show up you’ll be missing 3 guys from Chicago. Superweek will be just fine.

15.

Mar 17
2008

5:27 pm

yobdlog (xXx Racing-AthletiCo)

This is civil! You just can’t see how big of a grin I have - just like a Chicago politican promising to spend your money wisely.

I forgot to the smiley quotes to make all things better.

:)

16.

Mar 17
2008

6:21 pm

Peter Allen (XXX Racing/Athletico)

I hope we have even more conflicting races in the future. If our sport continues to grow to point where we have 2-3 races to choose from every weekend in the Chicago area, awesome! I know there are others who would rather have one high quality race or keep cycling as a small, hip niche sport; but increasing participation in bike racing has enormous advantages for both racers and businesses. Besides, lawn bowling is always an option if you don’t like it...:)

17.

Mar 22
2008

6:01 pm

delirious71 (Project 5 Racing)

I found some fun stuff about the Chicaog Crits back in 87 & 88. I posted a story on my blog.

http://delirious71.blogspot.com

enjoy.

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