Snake Alley Criterium
Encyclopedia
The Snake Alley Criterium takes place annually, each summer, in Burlington, Iowa
. The bike race
is most famous for riding up Snake Alley
, which was once named by Ripley's Believe It Or Not
as the crookedest alley in the world. The Snake Alley portion of the race includes a 60 feet (18.3 m) ascent on the 276 feet (84.1 m) alley and includes five major turns.
This race has been said to be one of the most challenging bicycle races in the Midwest. A national cycling magazine has named the Snake Alley Criterium to be the fifth best criterium in the nation. The race spans over two days, and many of the downtown streets are closed to traffic. The course spans over 15 city blocks. Throughout the course the elevation ranges between 555 feet (169.2 m) and 678 feet (206.7 m).
Competitors may include anyone from the age of ten to senior citizens
. These age groups however, do not all race in the same event. The Criterium is open to men and women both of which compete in separate races. Prizes vary between $50 for Juniors to $10,000 for the Pro’s. Each race has a maximum amount of competitors; the smallest group being 50, the largest being 150. The Junior group rides the least number of laps (four), and the Pro group rides the most laps which is a total of twenty-five. The entry fees are different for each group. The Juniors pay the least amount of money, fifteen dollars, and the Pros pay the most with forty-five. As with any credible bike race, proper safety equipment must be worn at all times.
http://www.snakealley.com/history.html
http://www.traveliowa.com/attractiondetails.aspx?cat=7&id=&destid=449207
http://www.snakealleycriterium.com/SAC%20flyer.html
Burlington, Iowa
Burlington is a city in, and the county seat of Des Moines County, Iowa, United States. The population was 25,663 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 26,839 population in the 2000 census. Burlington is the center of a micropolitan area including West Burlington, Iowa and Middletown, Iowa and...
. The bike race
Bicycle racing
Bicycle racing is a competition sport in which various types of bicycles are used. There are several categories of bicycle racing including road bicycle racing, cyclo-cross, mountain bike racing, track cycling, BMX, bike trials, and cycle speedway. Bicycle racing is recognised as an Olympic sport...
is most famous for riding up Snake Alley
Snake Alley
Snake Alley is a street located in Burlington, Iowa, once recognized by Ripley's Believe It or Not as the Crookedest Street in the World.The physical limitations and steep elevation of Heritage Hill inspired the construction of Snake Alley in 1894...
, which was once named by Ripley's Believe It Or Not
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Ripley's Believe It or Not! is a franchise, founded by Robert Ripley, which deals in bizarre events and items so strange and unusual that readers might question the claims...
as the crookedest alley in the world. The Snake Alley portion of the race includes a 60 feet (18.3 m) ascent on the 276 feet (84.1 m) alley and includes five major turns.
This race has been said to be one of the most challenging bicycle races in the Midwest. A national cycling magazine has named the Snake Alley Criterium to be the fifth best criterium in the nation. The race spans over two days, and many of the downtown streets are closed to traffic. The course spans over 15 city blocks. Throughout the course the elevation ranges between 555 feet (169.2 m) and 678 feet (206.7 m).
Competitors may include anyone from the age of ten to senior citizens
Old age
Old age consists of ages nearing or surpassing the average life span of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle...
. These age groups however, do not all race in the same event. The Criterium is open to men and women both of which compete in separate races. Prizes vary between $50 for Juniors to $10,000 for the Pro’s. Each race has a maximum amount of competitors; the smallest group being 50, the largest being 150. The Junior group rides the least number of laps (four), and the Pro group rides the most laps which is a total of twenty-five. The entry fees are different for each group. The Juniors pay the least amount of money, fifteen dollars, and the Pros pay the most with forty-five. As with any credible bike race, proper safety equipment must be worn at all times.
http://www.snakealley.com/history.html
http://www.traveliowa.com/attractiondetails.aspx?cat=7&id=&destid=449207
http://www.snakealleycriterium.com/SAC%20flyer.html