Fourth of July Bike Race Cancelled

The number 13 has proven to be unlucky for organizers of Northfield’s annual Fourth of July bike race.

This year’s Milltown Cycles Fourth of July Criterium has been cancelled, race organizers Ben Witt and Jake Boyce announced on the bike race’s website Thursday morning.

Main culprit for the cancellation, according to the announcement, is street reconstruction on Sixth Street between Water and Washington streets.

Next week’s race was scheduled to be the 13th annual event.

Here is the announcement:

We regret to inform folks that this years event will not take place.  Due to a variety of reasons, chiefly including road construction on the course, we are not able to proceed.  We apologize, these things are beyond our control.  We do plan to bring the race back for next year, and hope you will attend.  Thank you, Ben and Jake.

In previous races, Sixth Street proved to a vital portion of the downtown race course. Turns at Sixth and Washington streets and at Sixth and Division streets were the final two on the course before the final line in Bridge Square.

The announcement of the cancelled comes as a bit of a surprise, considering a schedule for this year's race appeared on the race website as late as Wednesday.

FOURTH OF JULY SCHEDULE

Despite the cancellation of the Fourth of July Criterium, there is a full calendar of events in Northfield on the day the United States celebrates its independence.

Here are some of the events planned for the Fourth of July:

• Flea market in Ames Parks, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The first Dan Freeman Memorial Fourth of July Fireworks display, dusk at Northfield Middle School.

Patch will have more about Northfield’s Fourth of July activities.

Are you planning a community Fourth of July event? Let Patch know either by adding your event in the comment section below or email mgarlitz@gmail.com.