Whitman College Cycling Team to host bike races this weekend

The Whitman College Cycling Team is getting ready to host a weekend of bike racing in Walla Walla starting Saturday April 4, 2015.

There will be road races and a team time trial on Saturday on Lower Waitsburg Rd. But perhaps the most exciting event will be the "Campus Criterium" on Sunday, April 5. A criterium is a bike race held on a short course, usually less than a mile long, often run on closed-off city center streets. Race length is determined by time so the number of remaining laps is calculated as the race progresses.

Last year the Whitman College Cycling Team moved the criterium from a location out by the Walla Walla Airport to campus. The move allowed for spectators to experience the excitement of a bicycle race, and the team decided to keep the race on campus this year.

Sunday's race will require some road closures along the race route. Streets affected include Boyer Ave., Otis St., Linden Lane, Nakomis St., Prentiss Dr. and Park St. Parts of those streets on or near the Whitman campus will be closed to traffic.

The Whitman Cycling Team expects to more than 150 cyclists for the event and will use more than 100 volunteers.

"It's a lot of fun to be able to show all our classmates what we do, show our beautiful campus to the other teams that participate and have people out there cheering for all the racers," said Race Director Mackinzie Stanley. "Plus, it's a twisty course and a short loop, so it's very spectator friendly."

The racing starts at 8:00 a.m. and will end at about 12:30 p.m.