Preview: Bicycle Racing in Downtown Ann Arbor

For four hours on Sunday, September 7, visitors to downtown Ann Arbor will be treated to a series of bicycle races on a 1.35 kilometer loop, all a part of the Priority Health Ann Arbor Cycling Classic. The Senior Women’s category gets things rolling at 10 a.m., with the afternoon wrapping up with the Men’s Pro 1 category race starting at 2 p.m. Registration for the 12:20 p.m. free kids race will begin at 10 a.m. at the corner of William and Main.

For fans of bicycle racing who want to see the race from a prime spectating location, a $25 membership in the Breakaway VIP Club will provide exactly that. In addition to online in advance, tickets will also be available on Sunday, September 7, from 10 a.m. to noon (cash sales only) at Palio’s Restaurant, 347 S. Main Street.

Where does that money go? To the Ann Arbor Public Schools. And Priority Health is matching all ticket sales, so your $25 ticket purchase is worth $50 to the Ann Arbor Public Schools.

Or you can watch the race for free along the course. As our video shows, the course will challenge the cyclists’ bike-handling skills. There are six 90-degree turns per lap, and they’ll have to negotiate pavement in poor repair, plus two railroad track crossings.

Note that in the video, pauses at traffic lights have been edited out. The Chronicle adhered to all relevant traffic laws in shooting this video, except for navigating the wrong direction for short distance down a one-way street. We picked an early morning on a holiday weekend to minimize the potential for harm. Nevertheless, The Chronicle does not encourage this behavior on the part of its readers.

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