The Northbrook Grand Prix returned for a third year on July 25 under the new name of the Chicago Grit cycling racing series.
This year featured sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 70-degree range.
Northbrook has the Thursday slot in the 10-day competition that began July 19 in West Dundee and ended in Chicago on July 28. Host municipalities included Glen Ellyn, Winfield, Mundelein, Lombard, Brookfield, Elgin and Lake Bluff.
Cyclists from around the world compete. Professional level races capping the day were the evening (before sunset) Garner Cyclery Women Pro Cat 1/2 and Garner Cyclery Men Pro Cat 1/2.
New Zealand’s Marshall Erwood took first place in the men’s pro race and James Gardner came in second for a dramatic breakout photo finish of the jubilant two crossing the Shermer Road finish line far ahead of the cluster.
Kendall Ryan of Ventura, California came in first in the women’s pro race.
Robert Paetsch of Northbrook, Northbrook Grand Prix chair, a volunteer position with LOC, the event’s local organizing committee of seven members, said approximately 60 volunteers assisted.
Paetsch recognized local businesses who donated gift certificates for a raffle benefiting volunteers to acknowledge their volunteerism.
“It’s great to get the support from the local businesses because as you can see, this is pretty disruptive but we’re putting on a professional level bike race and the tickets are free,” Paetsch said, of the complimentary event requiring no spectator tickets.
Paetsch said of the volunteers, “They tell us that they’re having fun doing it and that means a lot.”
Mary Bleeker of Northbrook was a crossing guard at the busy corner of Shermer Road and Meadow Road.
“I love it,” Bleeker said. “It’s fun.
“It’s just a really cool event.”
Paetsch said the LOC fell shorter than last year in raising funds but the Village of Northbrook steps in with support including police presence. The Village again provided free white hand-held bells for audience cheer.
“It has been a struggle without a title sponsor,” Paetsch said. “The village is the de facto title sponsor and we will reimburse them what we can.
“It hasn’t been great this year (fundraising),” but, “It takes the whole village.
“We are a biking town.
“This is just bringing people together, promoting a healthy lifestyle,” Paetsch said.
St. Norbert and Our Lady of the Brook Parish closed its Walters Avenue parish office for walk-ins on July 25 due to that section along the 1800 block of Walters Avenue becoming a racecourse.
Feedback in past years included concerns by businesses and residents near the Village Green Park race route. This year, some indicated the 5 a.m. road closure for set up was too early, Paetsch said.
Last May 28, a Northbrook resident of the 1300 block of Church Street asked the Northbrook Village Board of Trustees to move the Northbrook Grand Prix to Wood Oaks Green Park in west Northbrook next year.
“I don’t know how it’d work in Wood Oaks,” Paetsch said. “It typically has to be on roads like this (streets like around Village Green Park).
“You have had other bike races in Wood Oaks but those have been on the grass areas.”
This year the Northbrook Park District organized registration of the popular 6:15 p.m. community ride for the first time, calling it “Bike the Green” with activities in the park including bike decorating, tricycle races, games, a bike wash, and face painting.
James Williams of Northbrook cycled Bike the Green and said while coming off the course, “I love the ride.”
The Northbrook Park District team of Shawn Bernaky, activity center manager, Jeremy Goedeke, recreation specialist and Mary Mucci, recreation supervisor, collaborated on Bike the Green, resulting in at least 150 participants.
“We’re happy to be a part of this event,” Bernaky said. “It’s great for a first year and we’re looking to build on that for next year and run it again.”
Northbrook is renowned for the Ed Rudolph Velodrome at Meadowhill Park. According to the Northbrook Park District website at https://www.nbparks.org/facilities_parks/ed-rudolph-velodrome/, former Northbrook Park District Commissioner Ed Rudolph helped design the bicycle track in 1960 for track cycling.
The velodrome was flooded for a speed skating ice rink and accommodated U.S. Winter Olympics team practice. The Olympic Games Paris 2024 summer events run from July 26 to Aug. 11.
Bernaky said youngsters on Thursday did mention the Olympics as part of Bike the Green sporting appeal.
“We’re going to try to be Olympians,” Bernaky said with a laugh. “Everyone’s having a great time.”
Illinois State Rep. 57th District Tracy Katz Muhl of Northbrook, of the Glenbrook North High School (GBN) Class of 1994, helped to ceremoniously send off evening pro racers at the start line.
“Northbrook’s a very unique community for cycling,” Katz Muhl said. “We’re one of only a few dozen velodromes still left in the country.
“We’ve used it (velodrome) for professional bikers who are training but also we recently hosted adaptive bike racers.
“It’s really awesome to be able to offer that,” Katz Muhl said. “We also have a robust biking business community.”
Noah and Maggie Walters of Northbrook, the parents of Henry, 5, a rising kindergartner, and Eleanor, 2, planned to dine as a family at a restaurant along the race perimeter.
Eleanor and Maggie enthusiastically rang their cowbells from their viewing spot in front of Graeter’s Northbrook (ice cream) along 1347 Shermer Road.
“It’s fun to have the kids come out and see the Village Green where they play all the time and turn into this and have everyone come out and cheer on people from the community and people visiting,” said Maggie Walters, of the GBN Class of 2006.
Noah Walters said about Henry, a cycling newcomer and July 25 fan of the pro circuit, “He’s very excited to follow in their footsteps.”
Visit https://chicago-grit.com.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
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