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Growing in popularity every year, this event combines the thrill of professional bike racing with the fun of watching toddlers compete in the Longwood Drive 100 Big Wheel Race, and the challenge of participating in the Tour de Beverly family ride, which will be held on Sun., July 9.
Cheers!
World Class Cycling
The Beverly Hills Cycling Classic is the first leg of the 2006 International Cycling Classic Superweek Pro Tour for professional and elite amateur cyclists. The International Cycling Classic has been hosting regional pro/am bike events for more than 30 years.
The 100K criterium, a National Racing Calendar event run under the rules of the U.S. Cycling Federation, begins at 6 p.m. At least 125 professional and elite amateur cyclists from Europe and the
United States are expected to participate in the Beverly Hills Classic, riding 62 miles in a circuit between Longwood Drive and Seeley Avenue– about 50 circuits in all. The Pro-Am race will take about two hours to complete with the cyclists traveling an exciting average speed of 32 miles per hour. Streets along the course will be closed during event times.
“The Beverly Hills Cycling Classic has been a tremendous success in our community,” said Willie Winters, BAPA Executive Director. BAPA facilitates the Classic in
Chicago . “Thousands of people line the race route, hosting parties in their front yards or gathering at the festival. Bike racing is so exciting! After hosting this event for three years, our community wouldn’t think of missing it!”
The Beverly Hills Classic is the first race in a 17-day tour that will take riders to 12 cities in northern Illinois, the greater Milwaukee area and eastern
Wisconsin.
“Race organizers love our neighborhood and the spectacular turn-out we have,” Winters said. Riders admired the challenge of the hill, historic beauty of the neighborhood and our hospitality.
Little Big Wheelers Compete!
Longwood Drive100
The Longwood Drive 100 Big Wheel Race precedes the start of the Classic. Kids ages two to seven will gather at the starting line then pedal like crazy for 100 yards to the finish. Everyone will be a winner! Although entrants are asked to bring their own Big Wheel if they can, there will be some available at the event. Participation in this race is free.
Be a part of the fun!
Tour de Beverly Family Ride
The Tour de Beverly Family Ride will be held on Sun., July 9 beginning at 9 a.m. to give area families a chance to really enjoy riding through our beautiful and historic community. There will be 5, 10 and 25 mile options. During this event you can expect to hear a few groans as riders pedal up the hill. The five mile route is just right for novice riders and children, and ten and 25 mile routes are more challenging and incorporate more hill climbing.
10233 S. Wood St. The entry fee is $10 per person or $20 per family. Applications for the Tour de Beverly are available at Beverly Bike and Ski, 9121 S. Western Ave., and Beverly Area Planning Association.
Whether you join neighbors and crowds of cycling enthusiasts from throughout the area to cheer on your toddlers as they pump the pedals of their Big Wheels in a 100 yard dash, or are thrilled by a heart-stopping pro-am cycling competition that will bring 125 world class cyclists to the heart of our community, you won’t want to miss this afternoon and evening of cycling excitement.
Click here for an application to the Tour de Beverly.
Local Residents and Businesses Support Race & Riders with ‘Primes’
In professional bike racing, riders are motivated by the prizes and nothing fans the action like primes – cash prizes awarded to the winners of laps in a criterium. Area residents and businesses are invited to sponsor primes in the 4th annual 100 K criterium Beverly Hills Cycling Classic coming to Beverly Hills/Morgan Park on Fri., July 7. The number of primes (pronounced “preems”) available in a pro am cycling race is a strong incentive in attracting elite riders to participate – only one rider can win the top prize; many riders can win the primes offered for laps. And the more competitive the event, the more exciting the action.
Primes come from businesses and residents in the area where the race is held, and are collected in increments of $200, $100 and $50. Prime donors have their names announced over the public address system along the race course and at the start/finish during the race. The more you give, the more often your name is mentioned. The Beverly Hills Cycling Classic is the first race in the International Cycling Classic’s 17-day Superweek pro tour and the only professional bike race in the City of Chicago. Pre-race festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. and the pro-am race starts at 6 p.m., both at 107th and Longwood Drive. More than 125 riders from the United States and around the world are expected to compete in the event.
Anyone interested in donating a prime for riders should call Beverly Area Planning Association, 773-233-3100, for more information. The deadline for donating a prime is Weds., July 5. For more information on the Beverly Hills Cycling Classic, go online to www.bapa.org or call 773-233-3100.
Beverly Hills Cycling Classic is sponsored by: The McTigue Financial Group. Presenting sponsor; William Blair & Company and Paul & Debbie Duggan - Jackson Boulevard Capital, Elite Sponsors; Beverly Bike and Ski, County Fair Foods, KirkHomes.com, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, Marquette Bank, Ed and Lori McGunn, AT&T, Mike Haggerty Pontiac Buick GMC, and Southwest Beverly Improvement Association, Major sponsors; Beacon Therapeutic School, Beverly Arts Center, Bike Chicago, Beverly Hills Animal Hospital, Fitzgerald Real Estate, State Rep. Kevin Joyce, State Sen. Ed Maloney, Rogers Roofing, World Folk Music Company, Community sponsors; Ald. Virginia Rugai, Little Company of Mary Hospital, Calabria Imports, The Beverly Review, Chicagoland Biking Federation, Kirk Shepherd Photography, Cook County Sheriff Michael Sheahan, Cardinal Fitness, Suburban Bank & Trust, Pinnacle Fine Wines, and Original Rainbow Cone, Participating Sponsors. PRS Real Estate, Primes sponsor.
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