By Richard L. Gaw
Staff Writer

For one day next week, West Chester will become Cycling Town.

With a lineup of events for bicyclists of all ages and skill levels, the 11th edition of the Iron Hill Twilight Race Series on Aug. 8 will bring intense competition and hilarious twists and turns. Headlining the event will be the Iron Hill Twilight Criterium, which attracts thousands of people to watch professional and amateur cyclists push themselves to the limit throughout the afternoon. As the last race before the USA Crit Championship Series Finals, it’s the final opportunity for professional cyclists to improve – or protect – their standings.

Also returning to the Iron Hill Twilight Race Series are the Avanté Salon Pro Women’s Twilight Criterium and Rothman Institute Amateur Men's Criterium, two high-performance races where the top professional women and amateur bike racers will compete for prize money.

The Rothman Institute Amateur Trials, which will be held at Bayard Rustin High School, will consist of nine criterium-style qualifying races that determine the field for the Amateur Men’s Final held later in the day. This series of nine criterium-style races is open to men and women riders, as well as Masters 35-plus, 45-plus, 55-plus, and Juniors 10 to 18. The top qualifiers in selected categories will help determine the field for the Iron Hill Twilight Criterium Amateur Finals.

Returning for the second year is the Twilight Trike Challenge, presented by Tolsdorf Oil Lube Express. An instant favorite with the crowd last year, these races feature the area’s most adventurous men and women going head-to-head in a mad dash down Gay Street while perched on tricycles. Any business, organization or other aggregation of friends and associates is invited to enter this double-elimination tag-team race.

“This certainly proved to be one of the most entertaining events in the history of the Iron Hill Twilight Race Series, outside of the Twilight Criterium itself,” said Mark Yoder, president of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, the event’s organizer. “And with more teams expected to compete, the fun, laughter and excitement will only grow with it.”

The popular West Chester Dental Arts Kids' Race will also be on the bill that day, and is open to children from 3 to 10 who want to take their Big Wheel, tricycle or two-wheeled bikes into competition. Speaking of kids, families will also enjoy exploring the Benchmark Federal Credit Union Community Festival, Kid’s Zone, and Market Street Block Party, and seeing performances by the BMX Stunt Riders.

The Iron Hill Twilight Race Series is presented by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce. For more information on the day’s events, visit www.IronHillTwilightCriterium.com.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail [email protected].