This Saturday (June 8th) is the 26th Annual Ballard Criterium, which means hundreds of cyclists will take to the streets for the biggest bike race in the neighborhood.
The race starts at 1:30pm, but streets will close two hours early starting at 11:30am for an Open Streets event with a free 5k Fun Run hosted by Fleet Feet, e-scooter trials from Lime and Shared, and games and activities hosted by Cascade Bicycle Club.
The bike race will be on a half-mile course that starts at 20th and Ballard Ave NW, travels south on Ballard Ave before turning right on NW Dock St, then right on Shilshole back to NW Vernon Place, before turning right back to the finish line on Ballard Ave. It’s fast and furious, and always draws hundreds of spectators along the race course.
Races will happen throughout the afternoon — expect roads to be closed until 9:30pm.
For more info or to register, click here.
For those who have attended in the past, do you have any recommendations for a good spot to watch? I’d love to watch from a sidewalk cafe but I’m sure there will be a line of spectators between the cafe and street.
The south end of the course either on Ballard Ave or Shilshole is the best IMO. You can get right up against the edge of the course and feel the breeze of the racers. It’s very intense!
Thank you!
The Shilshole section is often quite open. I normally walk slowly round the course and there are some great spots to take pictures. The corners are where some riders have trouble and the corners at the south end have brick cobblestones! So if it is wet it can be very slick.
The start and finish line is also a good place for action shots. It does get crowded but there are a number of different events all day so the crowds change a bit.
Check out the link above in the OP for the times of each race. There are 9 different races starting with the Junior at 1:30 and ending with the Men’s Pro last at 7:30 P.M.
Thank you!
I hate bikes.
Beaver – I’m sure they “hate” you too!
Hate is NOT a family value. C’mon folks, get along now. All orgasm together over this event
Hahah women don’t have orgasms. Cosmo cooked up that lie in the 60’s. They don’t even like sex they prefer dogs and censorship.