Half Acre Cycling's Skyway Classic

HAC Skyway Classic Series

Calumet Park, Chicago, IL

Saturday, April 13th - Sunday, April 14th, 2024

Lots of changes for the 2024 edition of Skyway! This year we are moving the series to a weekend and racing on Saturday and Sunday! With all the extra daylight this gives us, we are also opening up the series to Cat 3 racers for the first time! 

Don't fret, we are not straying too far from our roots. Skyway will still be focused on giving new racers plenty of experience in a safe and positive environment. This year there will be a 1 hour crit clinic prior to kicking off racing so folks can familiarize themselves with the course and have opportunities to engage with experienced racers. We will also be holding a number of clinics, workouts and Q&A sessions during the weeks leading up to the event. Stay tuned to our socials for more details

This two-day series gives newer racers a low-cost, low-tech, nearby opportunity to try out criterium racing and gain valuable experience, skills, and confidence on safe roads in a low pressure environment.  Also its a great way for seasoned racers to stay extra sharp between early season races.  Not to mention, the fabulous prizes and primes that await!

Registration: Online pre-registration at BikeReg is for the 2-day series and for single days of racing. Day of Registration will close 15 minutes before each race. (*While the field limit is 65, pre-registration is capped at 55 per field to allow space for day-of registrants.)

A word about inclusivity: You want in, we want you in! We've changed our traditionally "Men's" fields to "Open" this year to allow space and affordability for all. Come bring your best vibes, whoever you are and however you roll! We believe you are who you say you are! The Open categories are open to men, women, LGBTQ+, and non-binary racers alike! Come out and get all the laps in you can! 

Licensing:  All riders pre-registering must have a USA Cycling annual license which can be purchased on the USAC website.  Non-license-holders may purchase a one-day license for each day you race.  A one-day license is only available on-site for Novice/Cat 5 racers, experienced racers will need to purchase a one-day license online before your race.

Beginner One-Days One-Day licenses for beginner categories are $15 and may be purchased on USA Cycling’s website, or on-site at the event.Experienced One-Days If your categories prohibit you from entering a race with a beginner one-day license (anything but Novice/Cat 5 for road), you can purchase the experienced one-day license for $35. The experienced one-day license is only available online. See usacycling.org/memberships-old/one-day-licenses for more details

Riding multiple fields:  Riders wishing to participate in more than one race a day will be able to register online for multiple series registrations. Those wishing to compete in more than one race each night, will be given a discount for their second series registration. 

Results: This is a low-tech training criterium series.  Results will list top finishers (we aim to have 10-deep placings, but it is not always possible) and all other riders will be scored as the last place to have been scored.  For example, if we are only able to score 9 deep, all other riders will take 10th place, per USAC guidelines.  Omnium scoring is based on points earned by placed racers each night.

Prizes: Prizes for the top three omnium winners in each category will be presented at the end of the series. All prizes are donated from our gracious sponsors, varying from items such as socks, water bottles, tires, etc. No cash is awarded.  

Rules: All USAC rules apply.  All riders must wear an approved helmet at all times while at the race venue.  No alcohol is allowed in the park.  NO bike shoes allowed in the field house. Change only in the locker rooms not the restrooms.

Directions: Get your warm-up by riding down!  Follow the Bike Route signs from the Lake Front Path.  Or, if you must take a car... If you follow online directions you'll get off the I-90 skyway at 92nd, the first exit after/before the toll, and pay $4 each way every day.  Instead, we recommend: exit the Dan Ryan I-94 at 63rd (exit 58B), go east on 63rd, south on King, and take South Chicago Ave.  Left on 95th which leads into the park.  Stay right at the T with Crilly. OR better yet, take Lake Shore Drive and follow along the new 2 mile extension to Ewing which leads straight to the park! You can park along Crilly before the Ave G stop sign.

Racing will be the loop following S Ave G south, left turn onto E 100th Dr, continuing left onto Crilly Dr, then left back to Ave G.

Weather considerations: Events will be starting rain or shine.

Where does the money go?  Half Acre Cycling believes that racing should be affordable and we have worked hard to make this series the least expensive racing in the region.  Still, we know it's not cheap.  Our main costs include permitting fees (City of Chicago, Chicago Parks District, and USAC), USAC licensing fees (how we get insurance for the event), paying our officials, and paying our paramedic. A key reason this series is so affordable is because we've chosen not to pay for cash payouts or prizes and our volunteers are absorbing more of the work.  If you would like to help out, please let us know.  Or, if your club is interested in hosting a more affordable, accessible event, we'd be happy to share how we've done this with you.

SPECIAL THANKS to Chicago Parks District, Alderman Peter Chico, District 4 police, Illinois Cycling Association, USAC, and our sponsors ... AND TO ALL YOU RACERS WHO COME THROW DOWN EVERY NIGHT!