Last year, 21-year-old Steve Fisher (pictured) won the Men's Pro, 1, 2 race by a fraction of a second over University of Washington student Grant Boursaw.
More than 350 cyclists will race through the heart of Ballard at breath-taking speeds next week at the 19th annual Second Ascent Twilight Criterium.
Commonly called "The Ballard Crit", it is one of Seattle’s classic bike races and a favorite among both racers and spectators.
A criterium takes all the excitement of a road race -- team tactics, climbs, descents, sharp turns, and sprints -- and concentrates it into an aggressive, high-speed race along a single, spectator-friendly urban block.
What makes the Ballard Crit so popular is a combination of a challenging course, a great crowd and good organization.
The race draws top cyclists from the region and Canada to race the Ballard course which sends them from Ballard Avenue down the descent on Vernon Place onto Shilshole Avenue and via a sketchy sharp turn on Dock Place back to the Ave where racers face cobblestones and competition on their way to a sprint finish. All in pursuit of cash, prizes, and overall placement in a four-part professional race series.
The Crit is popular with spectators as they can feel the push of wind as the riders fly by every 50 seconds or so. One could literally reach out and touch the racers, but please don’t!
And with more than a few bars along the course, the Crit is expected to attract more than 2,000 spectators, guaranteeing an afternoon of fun and excitement in historic Ballard.
There will be six races starting with the Cat 4 Women who race at 3:30 p.m. The pros will take to the Ballard streets last at 7:30 p.m.
All races start and finish at the corner of Ballard Ave. N.W. and 20th Ave N.W.
For more information about the criterium and to register to race, please visit http://www.theballardcrit.blogspot.com.
This event wouldn't be possible without its generous sponsors which this year include local companies such as Second Ascent, The Ballard Loft, Rainier Bike Law, Ravenna Capitol Management, Pampeana Empandas,
Ballard Pizza Company, Bicycle Heroes, Union Physical Therapy, Kavu clothing, and Galileo Coffee. Those interested in donating prizes or prize money to the event should contact Nick at theballardcrit@gmail.com.
