Spectators get their fill of cycling races at Tour of Elk Grove
No spot's really a bad spot to watch a bike race.
Not if you're Gail Sullivan. The Elk Grove Village woman has been coming to the Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove bike races for the last four years.
Each year, the photos she's snapped have surprised her.
"You know, this isn't a darned bad spot to be in, either," Sullivan said Saturday, sitting on stands placed smack in the middle of Elk Grove Boulevard and Victoria Lane, a position that puts spectators in the midst of packs of riders whizzing by the course.
Of course, spectators spent the day taking in the races from a variety of vantage points all along the track. Some biked or walked portions of the routes, while others spent the day playing host to parties in front of their houses.
"Every year, I just take the whole weekend off and invite family and friends to one big open house," John Connelly said as a few family members took in the race while seated under a canopy stationed above his driveway.
Nearby, several neighbors along his block grilled, played bag games in the front yard or just lounged.
"The races give us a great reason to enjoy this community event," Connelly added.
Abelardo Bonilla and his 11-year-old son, Erik, biked to the staging area and spent the afternoon peddling around sections of the track, occasionally making way for cyclists warming up for their next race.
"I have no special bike to ride on like them, but it's fantastic to come watch," Bonilla said. "I saw a lot of my neighbors walking around. It's like a big backyard party."
Chicago resident Karen Goins perched herself just a few dozen yards away from the finish line to watch her nephew Andrew Armstrong race in the 70-kilometer Elite Category 1 and 2 race. She's hosted Armstrong each of the last four years and cheered him along every inch of the way.
"It's a little nerve wracking," she said of the experience. "I don't want to ever be the one to call my sister to say that he's been in a wreck. Luckily, it's never happened on my watch."
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Photo Galleries</h2> <ul class="gallery"> <li><a href="/story/?id=310968">Tour of Elk Grove </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <p class="News"><b>Sunday races</b></p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col">Spectators can view the event along the race course on Elk Grove Boulevard from Ridge to Victoria where the start/finish line is.</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>8:30 a.m.:</b> American Airlines Masters Men's category</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>9:00 a.m.:</b> Safeguard Basement Technologies Masters categroy</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>10:00 a.m.:</b> Village Cycle Sport Mayor's Challenge</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>10:30 a.m.:</b> Manor Care Health Services Masters category</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>11:30 a.m.:</b> Alexian Brothers Women's Open</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>12:30 p.m.:</b> Trustees Fun Ride</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>12:45 p.m.: </b>Comcast Big Wheel Race</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>1:15 p.m.:</b> Elk Grove Village Bank & Trust Elite 1/2 80K</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>2:45 p.m.: </b>Gullo International Pro Men Criterium (Stage 3)</p>