A good crowd came down to Old Ballard Saturday evening to watch the Second Ascent Twilight Criterium — an action-packed series of bicycle races that are always a blast to watch. And photograph, too.

The races tore down Ballard and Shilshole Avenues, circling in a tight loop.

The crowd is up close and personal as the riders speed by.

How close? We could feel the breeze of the bicycles on the corners.

Like last year, there were spills to go with the thrills. Two riders took the corner too wide on Shilshole and found themselves with a nice case of road rash.

Friends of the other rider checked him over for injuries after the accident. His rear wheel had collapsed in the collision.

Some more action photos follow below. And for race results, they should be posted here in the next day or two.