Your Beverly Hills Cycling Classic/Bikes & Brews Survival Guide

CHICAGO — One of the Beverly-Morgan Park neighborhood's favorite yearly traditions returns this Friday as the Beverly Hills Cycling Classic and Bikes & Brews Festival enters its 17th year. The festival will be centered in the St. Barnabas parking lot, with the race course taking up a number of surrounding streets. Beverly Area Planning Association officials are already working on ways to keep participants and attendees cool, as an early weather forecast calls for temperatures in the 90's on July 19, 2019.

The race will start and finish near the St. Barnabas parking lot. It's a 1.54 kilometer criterium course that organizers say is the most challenging in the Chicagoland area due to its hills and sharp turns.

This is the second year the start/finish line will be at St Barnabas. In previous years, the center of race activity was in the area of the Beacon School at 107th and Longwood.

Several races are planned for the day this year, in category 1, 2, and 3 levels in men's, women's, masters' and juniors' events. The action will start at 4 p.m. and end around 8:30 p.m.

The event is the first of ten days of racing in the Prairie State Cycling Series Intelligentsia Cup.

The Route

Same as last year. See below.

Parking Restrictions

From BAPA: To accomodate race set-up, there will be NO PARKING along the race route (marked in orange) starting at 2:30 p.m., Fri., July 19. (Parking is not restricted where racers are not riding, but streets inside the route marked in orange will be closed to traffic.) Streets will be reopened and parking will be allowed once all the races are completed.

Where To Pick Up Your Towed Car

Because of safety requirements, cars left on the race route (marked in orange) after 2:30 p.m., Friday, July 19 will be towed to 103rd and Doty, not relocated.

Rooting Interest

Looking for some rooting interest in the races? Beverly/Morgan Park neighbor Dr. Brandon Conine will make his criterium racing debut. He's the husband of Maura Conine, owner of the Capsule Chicago clothing store on Walden Parkway.

“The best part of this ride is that it’s fun to do something you’re not sure you can do,” Conine said. “I’m really excited. I’ve worked a long time on this.”

Beer

In recent years, a beer festival has been added to the racing festivities. Craft beer at this year's event will come from several breweries, including local favorites Open Outcry Brewing Company and Horse Thief Hollow.

Food

Food and treats will also be available for purchase, with a number of local options including Original Rainbow Cone, Americanos, Franconello, Reilly’s Daughter, America’s Dog & Burger, Misericordia Hearts & Flour Bakery, Calabria, Home Run Inn, Nine-One-One BBQ Shack, Two-Mile Coffee Bar and Swanson’s.

Music

Live music will be provided by Coyote Riot.

Other Activities

There will also be a Kids Zone with a game truck, a bike valet and a raffle for a Giant bike donated by Beverly Bike and Ski that will be part of the festival fun.

Sponsors

Via BAPA:

The lead sponsor of the event is Beverly Bike and Ski, 9121 S. Western Ave. The shop has been serving the community since 1921, and has been a partner in sponsoring the Beverly Hills Cycling Classic since the beginning of the event’s history. Other sponsors are Mike Haggerty Buick-GMC-Volkswagen, Beverly Bank & Trust, Sports and Ortho Physical Therapy, CIBC, Beverly Hills Animal Hospital, County Fair, 19th Ward Youth Foundation, Smith Village, Uhlmann Home Improvement, Chesterfield Awning, Walsh Construction, PRP Wine, State Farm Insurance – Zach Betley agent, Allstate Insurance – Josh Mercer agent, Nicky’s and The Beverly Review.