Rochester Twilight Criterium Saturday August 9 from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The Rochester Twilight Criterium takes place right in the middle of Rochester's downtown. The short closed-loop course allows spectators plenty of access to the racing. Amateur racing begins at 2:45 p.m. and professional men's field rolls out for the main event at 8:00 p.m.
Where to Watch
Criteriums are renouned for being spectator friendly events, and this is especially true for the Rochester Twilight Criterium! The course is a one mile long loop, so it's easy to walk around the entire course and pick your favorite vantage points.
And there are plenty of thrilling vantage points on this course! Every turn in the course offers a unique view of the action as the riders maneuver their bikes through tricky corners while going as fast as humanly possible.
What is a criterium, anyway?
If you're not familiar with bicycle racing, you may be wondering what a criterium is. It's just a bicycle race, right?
Yeah, a criterium is a bicycle race, but it isn't just a bicycle race. A criterium is a really cool kind of race that features relentlessly high paced racing on a short closed loop course that gives spectators plenty of access to the action.
The candle that burns half as long burns twice as bright
One reason criteriums are so intense is because they're much shorter than a typical road race. Competitors have less time to make a definitive move that will separate them from the rest of the field, so they're more willing to go to the redline trying to make something happen. A criterium course is also more technically challenging than a road course. There are turns. Lots and lots of turns. Each one taken at speed spreads the field out like an accordian, creating gaps that each rider must close or be confronted with the unforgiving laws of aerodynamics.
Another thing that makes criteriums so exciting is the feedback loop between the spectators and the riders. Imagine the rush of adrenaline that the riders feel as they speed around a course that is lined with cheering spectators on both sides. Consider how thrilling it is to know that you have a direct effect on the riders! You can literally watch the riders absorb the energy you give them and put it directly into their pedals! The faster they go the more you'll want to cheer them on, and the more you cheer them on the faster they'll go!
In addition to heated competition between the fastest cyclists in the world, you'll find an environment that has something for everyone in the family. Live music, bicycle shows, food, and the YMCA will be bringing their inflatible playnasium for the kids.
The Course
The Rochester Twilight Criterium covers a distance of one well paved mile, with eight corners that wind through the southeast corner of Rochester's downtown. The road is either inclined or declined in most sections with the highest point at Bausch & Lomb and the lowest point at the short strip on Main Street.
We could try to give you all of the technical data on the course, but perhaps the best way to show you what it's like is to take you on a virtual ride around it, starting at the prime line on Court Street.
Our Sponsors
Please support the businesses who help us make the Rochester Twilight Criterium happen!
By supporting this event, these businesses have shown a genuine interest in making a positive difference in Rochester. Whether you've enjoyed the race from previous years or you're simply happy to see unique and exciting things going on in the beautiful city of Rochester, please consider supporting the businesses who are doing their part to make Rochester an even better place.