Lincoln's First 'Biketacular' Event Brings Back the Capital City Criterium

 What better way to celebrate May as National Bicycling Month than to attend Lincoln’s first Biketacular event? The event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 30th in the area south of the State Capitol, along Goodhue Boulevard.

At 12:15 p.m., Mayor Chris Beutler will kick off the festivities, that will include a kids bike parade, prize drawings, food, a bike rodeo, bike mechanical checks and licensing, kids racing and excitingly, the return of the Capital City Criterium with pro and semi-pro racing.

Registration for the Capital City Criterium opens at 8 a.m. and closes 15 minutes before each event. The main entrance of McPhee Elementary will be the starting and ending location of the .7 mile course. Medals will be awarded in all races and select categories will be given cash prizes amounting to $1,500.

If you are wanting to compete in the Criterium, here is some helpful information to keep in mind:

Race course starts and finishes at the intersection of 15th & G and then proceeds north to H Street, left on H to 14th, left on 14th (heading south) to G Street, right on Goodhue to F Street, right on F Street to 14th Street, left on 14th Street to E, left on E Street to Goodhue, left on Goodhue back to start/finish line. Course is approximately .7 miles in length.

USA Cycling annual and one-day licenses will be sold on-site.
 
Parking, restrooms and space for warming up is available in the surface parking lot at 16th & H Street. Please use 16th Street to access parking.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the “Biketacular” event at McPhee Elementary School located at 15th & Goodhue.

SCHEDULE:
Category                                     Start Time        Duration                Prizes              Entry Fee
Registration opens                        8:00am         Closes 15 minutes
                                                                       before each event           

Men 5 (all divisions)                      9:00am           30 minutes              Medals*                $20


Junior Men (13-15 & 16-18)           9:45am           30 minutes              Medals*         Free w/ USAC
                                                                                                                            Annual License

Junior Women (13-15 & 16-18)      10:30am         30 minutes              Medals*         Free w/USAC
                                                                                                                           Annual License

Kids Parade & Races                      11:00am          Various                                              Free

Women (Open)***                          1:00pm          30 minutes              $325 (5 places)      $20

Men 4                                           1:45pm          45 minutes              $325 (5 places)      $20

Men 1/2/3                                    2:45pm          60 minutes              $750 (10 places)    $25

*Medals will be awarded to the top three as follows:
Men 5: 19-34, 35-44, 45-54 and 55+

Free parking is available in the lot south of the Capitol (enter from 16th Street). Activities will be found in the McPhee parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including the bike rodeo. Volunteers will be available to help children decorate bikes for the 12:15 p.m. parade. Children completing the bike rodeo will receive prizes and be entered into drawings. Kids races begin at 11 a.m.

For more information about Biketacular (or to volunteer), contact Jon Carlson at 441-7224. For more information about the Criterium, contact Sean Craig at 402-261-3003.