If you live in Portland, you’ve probably heard of the Ladds 500. But have you heard of the Portland Criterium?
Following in the tradition of unique bike rides, is the Steeplejack Brewing-sponsored event. A criterium is an race where bikers complete multiple laps around a short route, usually on city streets. Traditionally, each race lasts an hour and has 4-6 corners.
Portland previously had been home to the Twilight Criterium and the Stumptown Criterium, but it had been almost a decade since this type of race took place in the Rose City before the first Portland Criterium in 2022.
Saturday’s course was roughly half a mile long. It consisted of six corners and one S-turn around the Pearl District’s North Park Blocks. Races started out at 40 minutes long at the beginning of the day and ended with hour-long matches at sunset.
Different age brackets from juniors to masters competed. A couple of relays for runners switched things up in the afternoon.
Each race has cash prizes. And an emcee announced “prime” (pronounced preem) prizes, where incentives such as beer or cash are given to winners of a given lap.
This year brought over 300 competitors from across the continent.
Steven Beardsley was a bike racer for years before stepping in as Portland Criterium’s event director. “I know that events are really like the thing that makes the city breathe and fun. … It’s great that we can put this on, get people out, get people back downtown,” he said.
Besides athletes at your every turn, there was a kid’s art station, local food vendors and a DJ performing in a designated beer garden.
Good news for those who are interested: It’s happening all over again Sunday at the Lloyd Center. This time, it’s a new course with a whole slew of events. According to Beardsley, it’s possible this is the only criterium course around a mall in the nation.
Tomorrow, the organization is partnering with the POP! party (Party on, Portland!) happening at the nearby Holladay Park. Word has it, even legendary drag queen Poison Waters will be there.
More info: portlandcriterium.com
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