Some of the top professional bicycle racers from across the United States will zoom through downtown PDX on Friday, Aug. 12, during the annual Portland Twilight Criterium. Now in its 10th year, the race offers the region’s biggest purse to the fastest cyclists.
More than 15,000 spectators are expected to show up for the race, which will consume the North Park Blocks with a beer garden, food court and other activities – including a hand-built bike show and an appearance by the Rose City Rollers. Streets will close down at 4 p.m., and the races will begin at 6:30.
Bicycle attorney Ray Thomas was instrumental in rescuing the Portland Twilight Criterium when it lost a major portion of its funding two years ago; he rallied other bicycle lawyers throughout the city to pitch in and help fund the race. Swanson, Thomas & Coon is now a major sponsor of the event. Thomas’s son, Chris, a law clerk at STC and a law student at Lewis & Clark Law School, may compete this year.
Cyclists can register online or in person the day of the race, which is open to all ages and all genders. Volunteers are still needed for a variety of positions throughout the course.
See you there, cyclists and fans!