Cycling races begin Friday along Fox River towns
Three days of competitive cycling begins Friday as participants in the Fox River Omnium take to the streets in East Dundee, Elgin and Fox River Grove.
Sponsored by PSIMET Custom Wheels in East Dundee and sanctioned by USA Cycling, the races begin 3 p.m. Friday in East Dundee, 8 a.m. Saturday in Elgin, and 10 a.m. Sunday in Fox River Grove.
Riders from all over the nation and world compete in these races.
The East Dundee Cycling Shootout is a new race this year and gives the village a chance to showcase its downtown, said Village President Lael Miller.
"It's a great event," Miller said. "It's the type of thing we want to see in downtown. It's going to attract a lot of people. For the last two years, we've been undergoing a dramatic renovation of downtown. This is really going to put a spotlight on town so people can see how much we have improved."
PSIMET, a new business in town that makes custom wheels for bicycles, decided to add East Dundee to the weekend roster, which includes the long-standing Elgin Cycling Classic and the Fox River Grove Criterium.
"I absolutely see this as an annual event," said Miller, who will be watching the races from the downtown Depot, also known as the Dundee Township Visitor's Center at 319 N. River St.
East Dundee's races end at 7 p.m. While there is a lot of ongoing roadwork in downtown, village crews have cleaned up the race route for spectators, Miller added.
The Fox River Grove series of bike races will end about 4 p.m. Sunday. Residents there can watch the races from their front yards or the grandstand on Ski Hill Road.
No parking will be allowed on the streets along the racecourse from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, according to the village.
Village officials are asking residents who live along the racecourse to leave their cars in the garage or driveway, and wait to move cars until the 10-minute periods between races, or park outside the area. When moving cars between races, residents are asked to follow the race marshal's instructions, drive slowly in a counterclockwise direction of the races, and watch for cyclists surveying the course.
Fox River Grove police officers and volunteers will be stationed on all corners around the course to help vehicles entering and leaving the area between races where necessary. Straw bales will be temporarily placed on mailboxes, light poles, and hydrants along the course for cyclists' safety. For a current status of the course, call (815)-762-1083.
For course maps and race times, visit psimetracing.com.