This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Criterium Twilight on Saturday

Competitors set to begin early afternoon.

Expect more than the usual crowd taking a spin around downtown San Rafael this weekend.

Hundreds of Lycra-clad cyclists will take over city streets Saturday evening as the city hosts the 12th annual San Rafael Twilight Criterium. 

This year, for the first time, local businesses will greet competitors and a throng of gawkers expected to be in the thousands with a more visible role in the event.

Find out what's happening in San Rafaelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Leading up to Saturday's slew of  competitive races looping the one-kilometer course on 4th Street and 5th Avenue between A and D streets, several downtown merchants will take to the streets themselves Friday and Saturday with "Celebration Days" sidewalk sales and special promotions in conjunction with the criterium.

"This event boosts the level of excitement in downtown and gives more variety within the community to the types of things we do," said Stan Gibbs, president of the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District. "The Celebration Days did come from some concern merchants gave us from the event and similar events. We got together and came up with how to boost our merchants and help them.

Find out what's happening in San Rafaelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Those two days are tough on them," said Gibbs, referring to road closures and loss of prime downtown access during the races.

More than 20 retailers, including restaurants, galleries and shops, will take part in the promotion from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 

As to the world-class cycling on hand, race director Ryan Dawkins was ecstatic with a roster including current and former U.S. national champions for an event he called "a rock show on wheels.

"There is really nothing like it," said Dawkins, president of Project Sport of San Francisco. "No other sport gives you the unique, up-close and personal feeling that nightime crit racing does."

Highlighting the men's professional race will be four-time national champion Rahsaan Bahati along with former San Rafael winners Ken Hansen and Bernard van Ulden on the 60-loop course. The women's race will feature current Irish National Time Trial Champion Olivia Dillon alongside Katherine Carroll and Hanan Alves-Hyde.

"This event is one of the top events in the U.S.," Dawkins said, noting bigger crowds are expected this year with an extra marketing push during the concurrent Tour de France.

Mack Chew, a member of the American Lung Association cycling team, described the criterium as "the greatest race on the (Northern California race) calendar.

"It's the highlight everyone looks forward to each year," said Chew, a seven-year veteran of the race. "It's a party, it's loud, a reunion of all your friends and the best riders in the sport."

Portions of Fourth Street, Fifth Avenue and A, B, C and D streets will be closed from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday as races kickoff at 2:30 p.m. before the women's pro race at 6:40 p.m. and men's start time of 8 p.m.

"The criterium brings a unique cycling event to downtown San Rafael and adds to the mix of activities we offer here to our residents, businesses and visitors,"said Nancy Mackle, deputy city manager. "We are delighted to have the event this year to attract so many people to enjoy our downtown."

Joanne Webster, executive director of the city's business improvement district, said she hopes this year's extra merchant involvement adds to the event's success.

"Our hope is that people come down not only to enjoy the bike race, but enjoy all that downtown San Rafael has to offer."

For information on the San Rafael Twilight Criterium, visit http://www.srtwilight.com

For information on the San Rafael Twilight Criterium Celebration Days Sidewalk Sale, visit http://www.downtownsanrafael.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?