Winfield Criterium racers warned: Keep your pants on

Organizers have one request of cyclists participating in this weekend's Criterium races in Winfield: please keep your pants on.

At least in public.

The Winfield Criterium will be hosting the American Bicycle Racing National Criterium Championship. The timed championship races for both the men's and women's divisions will be Sunday on a .9-mile course around Creekside Park.

Races also will be held Saturday on a separate timed course near Oakwood Park.

Mike Farrell, president of the Athletes by Design cycling club which is co-sponsoring this year's race, said public nudity isn't a major problem at the races, which typically draw neighbors along the race path grilling and inviting friends for backyard parties.

But on any given year, Farrell said some racers hoping for a quick change inevitably undress in public to get out of sweaty racing gear.

"On more than one occasion in my 30 years in the sport the neighbors have been mooned," Farrell said. "A lot of times the guys don't care, and that can kill (the family-friendly atmosphere of) a bike race."

Winfield police Sgt. Gerry McIntyre said officers received one call last year of racers changing and urinating near the town's public library.

"We went out there and warned the guys," McIntyre said. "Now if somebody changes in their car and out of public view -- as long as they're not around a group of people -- that shouldn't be a problem."

Race organizers don't provide changing stations for the riders, Farrell said, but many riders do change in either the portable toilets or in their own vehicles.

In addition to precautions warning against inappropriate changing given during the weekend races, organizers placed a warning on promotional material posted on their Web site this year.

"There are ways of getting it done," Farrell said.

The races are free and open to spectators all weekend.