Cyclists take to Winfield streets
Nancy Beck used to spend her time on the sidelines of bicycle races, cheering on her husband Bob as he competed again and again.
"I was always the supportive wife getting the water bottles and everything," said Beck, of Hanover Park. "I figured, what the heck, I might as well join, too."
She did just that, taking up riding almost 20 years ago.
Sunday, she pedaled her way to victory in the women's 60-plus category of the American Bicycle Racing National Criterium Championship hosted by the Winfield Criterium.
The sport is now something the couple shares, traveling to different races almost every weekend and keeping each other motivated.
"It's fun. You understand what your spouse is going through doing it yourself," Beck said.
The Becks were among roughly 500 bikers of all ages competing in races Saturday night and throughout the day Sunday.
"People love the course, they really love the community," said Mike Ebert, of the Athletes By Design cycle club which co-sponsors the event with the Winfield Chamber of Commerce. "We get a lot of really good support from the town."
Relatively new to racing, Mike Shea of Chicago experienced his first Winfield Criterium this weekend. He raced in both the Saturday night and Sunday morning races.
"It's a really fun course being able to go through neighborhoods," he said. "There were people all along the course cheering, which is great. That doesn't happen too often."
Among those fans snapping pictures on the sidelines was Kellie Chase of Bolingbrook, who watched with her two daughters and her in-laws as her husband John competed in his first criterium.
"It means the world," she said of having the family together for the event. "His parents are here from Michigan. It was perfect."
Bicyclists raced for about $8,000 in total prizes, but that's not what has kept Jean Tschampa of Glen Ellyn riding for the past 15 years. She bikes about 150 to 200 miles a week.
"I like the camaraderie, plus the physical aspect of the sport," she said, sporting a national championship medal in the women's 50-plus category. "It's friendly and fun."