Bike Racers Will Ride Through Historic Riverton Sunday in Annual Criterium

Hundreds will line the streets of downtown Riverton Sunday afternoon as the borough will be home to its second annual criterium, a closed-course, high-speed, bicycle race.

Organized by Riverton resident Carlos Rogers, the criterium is not your average bike ride. All rides have a license under USA Cycling.

“It’s serious amateur bike racing,” said Rogers.

A serious bike racer himself, Rogers moved to Riverton, where he wife Adrienne grew up, about four years ago. He had it in his head to pursue a criterium in town but said he “didn’t really want to have to jump through a ton of hurdles to make it happen.”

After doing his homework, he bought it to borough council last year and got the members’ approval. He also credits Riverton Police Chief John Shaw for being “very supportive” in helping with the event.

The five races set for the day all begin at 4th and Main streets, go down Main, turn right onto 2nd Street, turn right down Cinnaminson Street, back onto 4th, up part of Fulton, down 5th Street and end back on Main. It’s a little shorter than a normal criterium at about 7/10 of a mile, but it has six turns.

“It’s more technical, so it’s more exciting,” Rogers said. “It’s a course that demands the riders pay attention at all times. There’s not an area on the course that you ride easily.”

Rogers said it’s fun to watch groups work together in the race to create a strong unit.

“It’s an understanding to work together until they get closer to the end of the race,” he said.

Each race can be anywhere from 35-50 laps and two of the five races are for kids.

Last year, Rogers said there was anywhere from 300 to 500 spectators for the inaugural Historic Riverton Criterium. This year, he’s hoping for more than 1,000.

“I’m really trying to make it not only a race for the riders but an event for Riverton,” Rogers said. “Rather than go out for the day, stay at home and cheer on the riders.”

Rogers said in each year, he hopes to donate funds to a local entity. Proceeds from this year’s race will benefit the Riverton Free Library. Cow bells to ring during the race are being sold at the library at $5 each.

“I’m not doing this for myself,” Rogers said. “I plan to pass the baton off to various organizations to help generate money. Everybody could use a few extra dollars.”

Specialized, a bike company, will have a demo truck and Five Hour Energy will be on hand to give out product samples. Local sponsors include and Mr. Bill’s Bicycles in Palmyra, among others.

The Historic Riverton Criterium begin at 1 p.m. and will be on rain or shine Sunday. Plan accordingly as several streets will be closed off.

For more information, visit the event's Facebook page.