Downtown Criterium race returns Saturday

| June 5, 2008 11:00 PM

By DAVID ERICKSON/Whitefish Pilot

Whitefish's third annual Fish Trails celebration and downtown Criterium bike race will take place on June 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Depot Park. The long-distance Star Meadows bike race will take place the following day starting at 11 a.m.

Part of the National Trails Day celebration, the event will feature live bands, kids-bike decorating, a raffle and a kids parade. A Fish Trails dedication ceremony will also take place.

"It is a fun cycling event that is unique to Whitefish," event organizer Walt Chauner said. "There will be constant action. We want to make it a summer event for Whitefish, like the Winter Carnival."

Chauner said that Saturday is being designated a "No Drive Day," where people are encouraged to come to the event by bicycle or on foot.

"We're going to have a bike corral with volunteers keeping an eye on the bikes so people don't have to worry about where they are going to chain their bikes," he said.

Chauner said free parking for cars will be available at the Whitefish Golden Agers near Kay Beller Park, so people can walk downtown.

"The kids love it, they love seeing their parents race, and it's a good event to give them a sport and keep them physically fit," he said.

In addition to high-speed bike racing, there will be a dedication for the city's new bike-jumping park at Armory Park and the new Wisconsin Avenue bike path.

Items being raffled off include two bicycles, a plane ride over the Flathead Valley, and two summer season passes to Whitefish Mountain Resort. Money that is raised will go to Fish Trails.

The Criterium is a USA Cycling-sanctioned race.

"It is a state championship race, with professional riders," Chauner said. "You have to be licensed to race, but you can buy a one-day license to race."

The race course circles Depot Park. Sunday's Star Meadows race includes a 70-mile course for pros and a 50-mile course for semi-pros.

For more information, visit online at www.fishtrails.info or call Walt Chauner at 253-4266.