Northbrook Grand Prix

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Criteriums – also known as “crits” – are exhilarating bike races consisting of several laps around a closed circuit. Today’s course is a 1.1 km (.75 mile) loop through downtown Northbrook. It will typically take under 2 minutes per lap, thus making this a fun sport to watch!

The length of each race has a set time based on the age and skill level of the riders. Riders are graded from beginner or novice to professionals. USA Cycling uses category numbers from Cat 5 to Cat 1.

The winner is the rider crossing the finish line first at the end of each race. In addition to the prizes awarded to the top finishers, there Primes (pronounced “preems”) are mini-prizes for the first finisher of specific laps during a race. 

Listen for a bell to be rung to announce a Prime, to create excitement for that lap. 

The perfect setting for a bike race!

For one exciting day, the streets in downtown Northbrook are closed to create this fast-paced 1.1km (.75 mile) bike racing course.

Picnic anywhere along the route, in the Village Green Park, or in the shaded neighborhood streets. Or visit any of the downtown establishments who are open all day (and into the night!)

We encourage you to wander the entire course to witness the views of the different turns and straightaways. It’s thrilling to watch the riders as they work together in groups to draft (and save energy), attack to accelerate quickly to breakaway from the group, and other tactics like blocking and sprinting to the finish line!