Organizers of the annual Oak Ridge Velo Classic describe the criterium races as being like NASCAR on bikes. Above is the Men Pro/I race on Sunday, July 26, 2015, at Horizon Center. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
A bicycle racing event in Oak Ridge this past weekend (July 25 and 26) featured three types of races, a Family Wellness Festival, and a Kids Bike Rodeo. It was the URS-CH2M Oak Ridge LLC (UCOR) Oak Ridge Velo Classic.
There were three types of races that included 13 categories of competitors. Road races and time trials were staged from the parking area of the East Tennessee Technology Park on Saturday, July 25, and the criterium races were held at the Horizon Center on Sunday. This year’s criterium races—which are very much like “NASCAR on bikes”—were designated the state championships by the Tennessee Bicycle Racing Association.
The race promoters expected almost 400 competitors for the two-day event. Riders came from as far away as Florida and Ohio.
The Velo Classic also featured a Family Wellness Festival at the Horizon Center that kicked off with a noncompetitive Family Fun Ride on Sunday morning. The Wellness Festival included a Kids Bike Rodeo. [Read more…]
