The best bicycle racers in Wisconsin and beyond will return to Ripon for two exciting days of racing and fun Saturday and Sunday, June 12 and 13. For the third consecutive year, Ripon will play host to the Wisconsin Cycling Association’s State Criterium Championships. Riders will compete in more than 10 categories for Wisconsin State Championship jerseys, Rippin' Good Cookies and a cash purse of $2,500 provided by The Ripon Restaurant Group.Medals will be awarded to the top three riders and a Wisconsin Championship jersey to the overall state winner in each category. Racing action begins Saturday at 4 p.m. and culminates with the pro race at 7:20 p.m. Racing will resume Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. and end around 6 p.m. All races will be run on a 1-mile circuit that begins and ends in the heart of Ripon’s historic downtown at the intersection of Watson and Blossom streets. The course winds down Ransom, Seward, Woodside and Thorne streets before the final 150-meter sprint to the finish.
In addition to the races, this year’s event will feature a Relay for Life Bicycle Relay. The relay is intended to allow local community members to bring together a team of four and be part of the exciting action in a fun and non-intimidating way. The relay will begin at approximately 6:40 p.m. Saturday. All proceeds from the relay race will be added directly to Ripon’s Relay for Life totals and benefit the work of the American Cancer Society.
Also new this year, will be a Saturday night concert on the Village Green featuring Copper Box. A local favorite, Copper Box will perform its mix of polka, Zydeco and rock 'n roll from 6 to 9 p.m. Ripon Main Street will sell cold beverages and Dos Gringos and Roadhouse will serve hot food.
Sunday, America Restaurant will serve a special brunch from 10 a.m. to Noon, featuring pancakes, French toast, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes and milk or juice.
Also Sunday, ThedaCare Physicians, Horicon Bank and the Ripon College Office of Community Engagement will host a Kids' Bike Expo and Fun Parade. All children age 9 and under are invited to a fun-filled afternoon from Noon to 2 p.m. on the Village Green. Each child will receive a free bike helmet and water bottle and be eligible to win a new bike from Fond du Lac/Oshkosh Cyclery. The event will include games, bike safety checks, bike decorating and a parade down Watson Street.
The entire weekend of events is hosted by the Ripon College Red Hawks Cycling Team and the Lakes Area Physical Therapy Cycling Club. In addition to primary race sponsor The Ripon Restaurant Group, the weekend events are being supported with help from Accurate Controls Inc., Brewer Heating and Cooling, Pollesch Construction Inc., The Diedrich Agency, Fond du Lac/Oshkosh Cyclery and Rippin’ Good Cookies.
We anticipate this year’s event to be bigger and better than ever. With the addition of the relay event and the concert on the Green, we are making a concerted effort to get the community to come out and experience the fun and excitement of the races.
We could use some volunteers help with race set-up and take-down, as well as corner marshals throughout the day. All volunteers may be eligible for a free race entry. To volunteer or for more information about the Relay for Life Bicycle Relay please contact me at 920-748-8322 or dammr@ripon.edu.
Additional information, can be found on the race Web site at www.ripon.edu/wcacritchamps.
