Sherman Park Criterium

Annual Sherman Park Criterium Bike Race. One of only a handful of sanctioned bike races in the city of Chicago. Excellent race for beginners!

While bicycle racing isn't for everybody, trying anything once certainly is, and there is no better way to satisfy that itch and get your feet wet in the sport of cycling than the upcoming Sherman Park Criterium on Chicago's south side.

Sherman Park, in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, was designed by the Olmsted Brothers of Central Park fame and is an ideal place to race in and watch a bike race. The oval loop and wide sprawling lawns offer ideal sight lines, and the course itself is wide and flat with gentle curving turns, making it the perfect course for a beginner to try their first bike race.

Sponsored by the local cycling team XXX Racing - AthletiCo, the race is held in historic Sherman Park on Saturday, June 13. All categories are available - Men's and Women's, Pros, Elites, Master's (ages 30+ and up), plus kids and Junior's race, and yes Beginner's, otherwise know as the Citizen's race - the races will begin at 8am and take place all day.

Registration is available online, and highly recommended - for beginners especially - as it will speed up greatly getting signed in for the race.

Click here to view the full schedule on the race flyer.

Spectators are welcomed free of charge, and picnic lunches are encouraged. There will also be food available for purchase from Goose Island Brewery.

Race Day Checklist:

* Be sure to register online or at the event - there is a small fee

* Your bike should be in at least working condition, able to shift and stop

* Clip-in pedals - or at least toe clips - are recommended

* A helmet is required