Part of our internship program involves each intern writing a weekly blog about a particular topic they’ve learned or discovered. Today, Michael Chettleburgh, interning with us this summer from Indiana University, has tackled the blog:

Michael riding at the Indy Crit!
A criterium race, more commonly referred to as a “crit,” is form of bicycle racing set on a short course. The venues are many times in the heart of cities or in busier towns where there can be a lot of spectators. The courses are usually a mile or less in length and are raced for a set amount of time (30-60 min). Crits are fantastic spectator events with fast packs of riders making laps every couple of minutes, and they are well known for being high speed, exciting races. At large races, packs of racers can exceed 100 people, making them quite a spectacle to watch. They’re also known for being dangerous due to the large, fast packs darting around corners. The venues often host a large amount of festivities making them fun for the whole family. Many times food trucks, other vendors, and even live music will be present, giving all fans something to look forward to. If you’re looking to check out a criterium for the first time or just want to swing by and say hi to Nine13sports, we’ll be at the Mass Ave Criterium on August 6th!