|
The Cigar City Brewing Criterium & Festival is back in Tampa’s Downtown on March 31 at Lykes Gaslight Square Park. In its fourth year, the Criterium bike races have grown in terms of events and stature. For the 2012 version, new family events have been added to the schedule, prize purses are bigger and the Criterium is the first event of the National Criterium season. The entire day is free for the public.
Different from bike races like the Tour de France, a criterium is held on short courses and looks more like NASCAR than peddling through the countryside. Racers in the Cigar City Brewing Criterium will average between 30 and 40 M.P.H. on several laps through downtown Tampa. Cyclists have to keep their hands on the bike, but will often use their elbows, shoulders or head to bump a competitor and take an advantage. Crashes do happen, but to use a NASCAR term, “Rubbing is racing.”
While amateurs and pros race for more than $30,000 in prizes in several criterium races, downtown Tampa will be transformed. The day includes a kids’ duathlon (running and biking), health and wellness expo, roller derby, biking events, food trucks and plenty of Cigar City Brewing’s Criterium Ale.
For more information check out the Cigar City Brewing Criterium & Festival website or facebook page.
|