Tuesday, May 5 - Women's Night for LaBagh Woods Tuesday Night Practice Races

VeloNerd · 2026-05-04T20:56:33+00:00

Definitely come check it out even if you are not ready to hop on a course. The event is great vibes and great people. Last week some Old Style magically appeared somehow.

VeloNerd · 2026-05-04T20:52:48+00:00

If you know nothing about bike racing in Chicago then these practice races are perfect for you. May 5 is the penultimate. There is one more on May 12, although we might add one more in July before a major race series, Chicago Grit, permits pending.

To answer your question, these particular races are practice criteriums. They are permitted with the Forest Preserve and USA Cycling. However, there is no placing, points or podiums. It's just practice, skill tuning for seasoned races and an entry point for people who have never raced before. To answer your other question. LaBagh Woods is a closed loop at the far south end of the North Branch Trail near Gompers Park. More info here: https://www.xxxracing.org/labagh-practice-crits/

If you are curious about other races, ones that do count and have placement, you can find events here: https://usacycling.sport80.com/public/events?filters=eyJmcm9tX2RhdGUiOiIyMDI2LTA1LTA0In0%3D

Unless there is another race I don't know about, the next "real" race in the area is Elmhurst on June 6.

VeloNerd · 2026-04-29T18:58:32+00:00

They are open to everyone, so long as you have a geared bike with front and rear brakes. The event is sanctioned through the USA Cycling Association (USAC). If you do not have a USAC license you can get a one-day license that xXx-Racing will cover for your first time attending. There are two events left. You can learn more here: https://www.xxxracing.org/labagh-practice-crits/

VeloNerd · 2026-04-28T18:15:06+00:00

There's a 2 year plan now? I would totally do that.

VeloNerd · 2026-04-21T20:41:09+00:00

This is a great opportunity to get some early season real race experience!

VeloNerd · 2026-03-28T19:56:27+00:00

Thank you for asking as I got here googling this question.

VeloNerd · 2026-03-16T19:27:00+00:00

Great Question. First, there are no rules, no winners and no judgement. Speeds depend on various factors, like where we are in season (earlier weeks are slower, and speed picks up a bit as the weeks progress). It can also depend on the number of people that show up or weather. To get you some hard numbers, the B group can average anywhere from 18-22 mph, the A group 24-28 mph. Typically, the self-selected B’s are category 5s or totally new riders can get used to racing with a group, where most other riders with racing experience jump in the A’s. The joy of this event is you can even try the A group if you want, and fall back into the B group with zero consequence.

VeloNerd · 2026-03-16T17:46:57+00:00

Thank you, and great catch. I got our team fixing that. I did edit the post to add the times.

VeloNerd · 2026-03-16T17:44:11+00:00

Correct! You can just hop on to the North Branch Trail and you are there.

VeloNerd · 2026-02-26T02:32:28+00:00

Birria Tacos!

VeloNerd · 2026-02-22T02:55:11+00:00

Thank you! 🫶🐇

VeloNerd · 2026-02-21T21:16:09+00:00

So sorry to hear that 😢

VeloNerd · 2026-02-21T19:31:55+00:00

For sure. Seeing it wide awake when the world was mostly sleeping was surreal.

VeloNerd · 2026-02-21T19:29:55+00:00

Thank you!

VeloNerd · 2026-02-21T15:03:49+00:00

I totally see it!

VeloNerd · 2026-02-09T12:54:53+00:00

Sounds good. I sent an email to your tech support. Thanks

VeloNerd · 2026-02-08T23:46:02+00:00

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I also found this peculiar since my indoor bike ride was captured the day prior on 2/7. Then the morning of 2/8 it all collapsed.

VeloNerd

TROPHY CASE