Littleton gears up for 10th annual Twilight Criterium

BY SHEA VANCE SVANCE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Downtown Littleton is getting ready to celebrate a decade of the Littleton Twilight Criterium on Aug. 5, bringing cyclists and neighbors together for an evening of racing, drinks, and live music.

“It’s the city’s signature event,” said Kelli Narde, the Littleton director of communications. “We’ve really tried to build this event into something that has something for everybody. Even if you’re not into cycling, you can come down and have a really great time.” e race is part of the American Criterium Cup: a 10-race national criterium series that is making its way across the country. e main event of the evening is the professional race, when teams compete for the cup that Colorado’s own Denver Disruptors are vying for.

Unlike most bicycle races, a criterium takes place on a circuit road course, with participants racing laps on a circuit. “In other words, a crit is NASCAR on bikes,” reads the Littleton Criterium website.

Narde said amateur racing will start in the afternoon, and will be followed by a “town criterium,” when everyone is welcome to ride on the track.

“Anybody can get out on the racecourse with their bike or their unicycle or their tricycle and take laps around the course,” Narde said.

Although the races will be the centerpiece of the day, the event will feature live music by local tribute band at Eighties Band as well as shopping on Main Street and a beer garden.

“We want this event to support our local economy and to support our businesses,” Narde said. “We hope it just provides a fun day for our residents, and we hope it brings people from other places in Colo-

Narde said people living in the downtown Littleton area, even if they are not planning on attending the event, should be aware of road closures and tra c.

“If you’re not going to come down for the race, it’s probably best to avoid downtown,” she said. “ ere will be a lot going on, there will be quite a few streets that are

Whether you want to break in your new bike, ride with the family, or just grab a bite and listen to some music, the 10th annual Littleton Twilight Criterium has something for everyone.