Events: Bucks County Classic/ Doylestown Health Criterium
(2021) The criterium season continues in Doylestown this weekend with two pro races slated to race around the Doylestown Arts Festival. Notable teams such as ButcherBox Racing, CWA Racing, Project Echelon, CS Velo and others will take on the home team Doylestown Bike Works p/b Fred Beans on the fast course around Doylestown, Pennsylvania. After a hiatus in 2020, the Bucks County Classic - and the women’s Doylestown Health - looks to welcome back race fans for this fall favorite.
The second weekend in September, Doylestown closes the streets, pops tents full of artistic wares, and welcomes visitors into the surrounding shops and restaurants. On the final day of Arts Fest, cycling fans, racers, and volunteers pound the pavement around the outer ring of Arts Fest. We have covered this event extensively in the past, from the Jarrett Vaughan Builders Kids Race, the Eagle Power Turf and Tractor Men’s Cat 3/4, Women’s Cat 3/4, as well as the pro races. The Sunday schedule delivers excitement and participation.
Over the past few months, vital portions of the course have been repaved. Pine Street, Oakland Avenue, and Court Street have been resurfaced to allow for some faster times. This year’s forecast looks favorable to add to the speed. The course never favors one type of racer- too flat for climbers and too steep for the crit specialists, this race adds excitement in its unpredictable stature.
This year look for the local effort, Doylestown Bike Works to dictate the pace in every race. Located less than a block from the fastest turn on the course, Doylestown Bike Works bike shop has stacked fields to give the hometown a team to latch on to. Doylestown Bike Works has been heavy on the race schedule, coming off of the Tour of Somerville and the Easton Twilight Criterium. What better way to bookend a season than taking home the top spots in all four races?
Should you go this weekend we have some areas of interest. While we have always watched the start, walking to the right-hand turn from Pine Street on to Oakland Avenue. To get a real sense of closeness, move over to the left-hander right afterwards- Oakland Avenue to Main Street where riders lean over the 504 ramp. Expect to see numerous photographers getting low for up-angle shots through here.
The next turn, the long sweeping right-hander from Main Street to Ashland Street is great for experiencing the speed of the event. Stand inside for blurry riders zipping by or on the outside to take in the backdrop of the Arts Festival with grimacing racers in the foreground. The riders can be seen all the way down Ashland before going out of sight just before the uphill portion of the course, the right turn onto Washington Street. Oakland Avenue (the western portion) and Clinton Street is where the neutral pits tent is for technical fans and the long sweeping right-hander from Clinton Street onto Court Street is where nearly every finishing sprint is set up. From there the finish arch can be seen as the uphill sprint will open up at this intersection.
Trying to get a lookout spot for the finish can be a challenge but is worth it for those who put in the effort. The drama builds with each lap’s score card counting down from the pace convertible. One suggestion is to soak in the moment; survey not just the line of racers flying up Court Street but the spectators leaning in, filming, tip-toeing from stoops to see the outcome. With two year’s-worth of emotion pent up, the Bucks County Classic/ Doylestown Health Criterium will inspire the next generation of racers.
If you go: Doylestown has a parking garage on Broad Street and Union Street, easily accessed from route 611 bypass. Attendees are encouraged to walk or bike to the event. The race course is uphill from the parking garage but is the easiest access point for the day. Covid restrictions currently do not require masks but given the amount of people, they are recommended. The Doylestown Arts Festival and Bucks County Classic are free events but feature vendors/ stores who sell items. This year’s event will not feature a food market, so plan accordingly. For those looking to social distance there are multiple areas on the course where spectators are sparse such as Washington Street and portions of Oakland (West) Avenue. The Doylestown Health Women’s Pro Race starts at 11:40am and is 25 miles in length; the Men’s Pro Race starts at 1:25pm and is 50 miles in length. The Jarret Vaughan Kid’s Races are at 12:45 and open to kids ages 3-10. Registration can be found on bikereg.com.
