Skyway Classic Criterium Series

To make racing more inclusive, we’ve changed our traditional “Men’s” fields to “Open” to make it explicit that they’re open to all. Come bring your best vibes, whoever you are, and however you roll. We believe you are who you say you are. The Open categories are open to men, women, and non-binary racers and we welcome people of all gender expressions in our races.

Skyway is sanctioned by ABR this year. All racers must have an active ABR license to race. A one-day license fee is included in your registration fees. If you want to pay to upgrade to an annual license ($30 total), we can set that up in person on race day. You can learn more about ABR at https://www.ambikerace.com/

We recommend using the online pre-registration at BikeReg.com for the 2-day series and for single days of racing. Day-of registration will close 15 minutes before each race. (*While the field limit is 65, pre-registration is capped at 55 per field to allow space for day-of registrants.)

Riders wishing to participate in more than one race per day will be able to register online for multiple series registrations. Those wishing to compete in more than one race each day will be given a discount for their second series registration.

When choosing a racing category, first-time and novice racers should select category 5. For experienced racers, choose the category that matches your existing USAC or ABR license. You may race your usual category with a one-day license. Juniors racing age 16+ may race in their respective gender category.

Racing age is your age on December 31 of the current year.

Get your warm-up by riding down! Follow the Bike Route signs from the Lake Front Path. Or, if you must take a car… If you follow online directions you’ll get off the I-90 skyway at 92nd, the first exit after/before the toll, and pay $4 each way every day. Instead, we recommend: exit the Dan Ryan I-94 at 63rd (exit 58B), go east on 63rd, south on King, and take South Chicago Ave. Left on 95th which leads into the park. Stay right at the T with Crilly. OR better yet, take Lake Shore Drive and follow along the new 2 mile extension to Ewing which leads straight to the park! You can park along Crilly before the Ave G stop sign.
Racing will be the loop following S Ave G south, left turn onto E 100th Dr, continuing left onto Crilly Dr, then left back to Ave G.

Racing will be the loop following S Ave G south, left turn onto E 100th Dr, continuing left onto Crilly Dr, then left back to Ave G. We may switch up the direction of the course from day to day–we let our course designers make that call, but don’t worry, you’ll know where to go on race day!

Events will be starting rain or shine.

All prizes are donated from our gracious sponsors, varying from items such as socks, water bottles, tires, etc. No cash is awarded.

All ABR rules apply. All riders must wear an approved helmet at all times while at the race venue. No alcohol is allowed in the park.

Racers are not to utilize the park fieldhouse facilities. Portable toilets will be available and we’ll try to have a changing tent or two available.

Half Acre Cycling has a scholarship fund for BIPOC racers as well as for underrepresented genders which can be applied to any race entry, including Skyway Classic. If you don’t qualify for either scholarship but would like to race and the only barrier is financing your entry fee, consider reaching out via email and we’ll see if there’s something we can work out.

Half Acre Cycling believes that racing should be affordable and we have worked hard to make this series the least expensive racing in the region. Still, we know it’s not cheap. Our main costs include permitting fees (City of Chicago, Chicago Parks District, and ABR), ABR license and insurance fees, paying our officials, and paying our paramedic. A key reason this series is so affordable is because we’ve chosen not to pay for cash payouts or prizes and our volunteers are absorbing more of the work. If you would like to help out, please let us know. Or, if your club is interested in hosting a more affordable, accessible event, we’d be happy to share how we’ve done this with you.

Email hello@halfacrecycling.org with proof of your current, unexpired ABR license prior to registration so we can send you a discount code to use on BikeReg.