Two great chances to race and watch the action within Chicago city limits are coming up soon.
The Monsters of the Midway Criterium, hosted by University of Chicago Velo Club, will be Saturday, May 15. The race, first held in 1997, is so-called for utilizing the picturesque and historic Midway Plaisance on the University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus, between 59th and 60th Streets.
Monsters is easily accessible via the Lakefront Trail south to the Museum of Science and Industry, then riding west on 56th street to Stony Island, south.
Next, on June 12th, is the 11th annual Sherman Park Criterium, presented by xXx Racing – AthletiCo. Sherman Park, located in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, was designed by the Olmsted Brothers, of New York’s Central Park fame, with bicycle-racing in mind. The most direct, laned-route to the race is Halsted Street to 53rd Street, then riding west to Racine Avenue.
Online registration is currently open for both races: click here to register for Monsters of the Midway, and here for Sherman Park. Each race is also part of the Illinois Cup points series. Both races are free and open to the public.