Top talent set for race around North Park Blocks

Racers blur past spectators
at the ’06 event.
(Photos by Jonathan Maus)

Imagine standing a few feet from a whirring pack of racers as they speed by, elbow-to-elbow, at over 40 miles per hour, throwing sparks from their pedals as they hammer into sharp turns.

Tomorrow night is your chance to experience this when some of the nation’s top professional bike racers battle it out at the sixth annual Health Net Portland Twilight Criterium.

Fast racers, a downtown course (with “a 360° viewing oasis”), a festival atmosphere complete with live music (the band’s bassist is River City Bicycles owner Dave Guettler), a product expo, great food, and a beer garden. The Twilight Criterium is simply bike racing at its best.

Fun for the whole family!

Headlining the talent this year is Kirk O’Bee, who recently claimed his third U.S. National Criterium Championship. He’ll go head-to-head with the likes of Portland’s very own Doug Ollerenshaw (who lives just a mile or so from the course), National Cyclocross Champion Shannon Skerritt, and others.

I’ve been to this race the last two years and it’s definitely a highlight of my summer.

But don’t take my word for it, check out my photo gallery from last year.

Racing starts at 6:30 pm (pros start at 7:30) at the North Park Blocks (NW 9th and Davis). Find out more details at PortlandTwilight.com.