Speeding into the night: The 2010 Redlands Bicycle Classic Brings Twilight Racing To Downtown Redlands

Redlands, Calif. – March 5, 2010 —As anticipation builds for the first National Racing Calendar event of the cycling season – the Redlands Bicycle Classic Organizing Committee is shaking up this years’ event. The Redlands Classic Criterium is known throughout the peloton as an insanely fast, no holds barred, full throttle event that keeps even the savviest of racers on their toes. Now add a twilight twist, dim street lights, the mingling of a vocal downtown crowd on a Saturday night, live musicians eclectically ‘strutting’ their craft on a street corner, and the unmistakable whirl of 200 racers screaming around an eight turn course.

For what may seem, from the outside, as an odd blend of sheer speed and tranquil small town atmosphere, this is exactly what the RBC Organizing Committee is shooting for. “A night ‘crit’ is a very exciting race,” says RBC Technical Director Sean Rooks. “We wanted to bring together the downtown atmosphere that Redlands is famous for, and blend that with the cool atmosphere of a night crit, it’s good for downtown, it’s good for the bike race, everyone wins, it should amazing to watch.”

With only a few ‘Twilight’ ‘crits’ for the professional peloton to contest throughout the year, this is a unique venue for riders to showcase their talent. As most bike racing takes place during the early hours of the day, this type of event has the ability to bring out not just the cycling savvy enthusiasts, but all those folks that thrive on the Redlands night life, the college kids looking for entertainment, the coffee shop hang-outs, and even those families looking to enjoy a meal at one of the local downtown businesses. “Blending our race with the already established downtown vibe is a great way to showcase all that Redlands has to offer”, says Race Director Dan Rendler. “This twilight crit will blend the best of both worlds, Redlands locals will see world class bike racers speeding through town, while the professional peloton and it’s contingent will get to experience first hand our quaint downtown atmosphere. We’re really looking forward to it.

As the jazz band tunes up their saxophones and the local coffee shop brews up a special concoction, the pro bike racers racing in this years’ Redlands Bicycle Classic powered by Loma Linda University PossAbilities presented by San Manuel Band of Mission Indians will be adding extra handle bar tape to prepare for some Saturday night ‘white knuckle’ ‘crit’ racing in Downtown Redlands!

For more information, including race times, distances, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.redlandsclassic.com.