The Beverly Area Planning Association is combining two popular draws in the neighborhood – bicycles and beer – for an expanded annual event.
No, it isn’t a two-wheeled pub crawl.
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The 14th annual Beverly Hills Cycling Classic, which begins at 4 p.m. July 15, will include a larger neighborhood family festival, food trucks and the addition of six local breweries selling their microbrews. The festival is held on the grounds of the Beacon Therapeutic Center, 107th Avenue and Longwood Drive.
Dubbed Bikes & Brews, the event features the first race in the annual Prairie States Cycling Series Intelligentsia Cup. The master’s race starts at 4:30; women’s race at 5:30, and men’s race at 7.
At 6:30 p.m., while some of the riders are warming up, kids and their parents can join the first-ever Family Fun Ride for a half-mile on the race course. Helmets are required, and a free bike valet service is available.
The official race starter is Joe Berenyi, a world champion Paralympic cyclist, who lives in the western suburbs and had competed in amateur cycling events until a construction accident sidelined him. Having lost an arm and a kneecap, more than a decade passed before he returned to cycling. He has since won numerous medals and was named the 2015 Team USA Paralympic male athlete of the year.
“This is an international race,” said Grace Kuikman, assistant director for BAPA. The one-mile course runs between 105th Place and 108th Place, Longwood Drive to Hoyne and Seeley Avenues. Kuikman said the riders zip around at about 30 miles an hour, making it a good spectator sport.
“The racers love that (the course) is really challenging,” Kuikman said.
The festival itself incudes a Kids’ Zone, live music and food and drink. Kuikman said that the microbreweries and food trucks were a way to “refresh” the event and draw new people.
“A lot of people would stand around the race course, but we wanted to draw more people in to the festival,” Kuikman said. The breweries included are Horse Thief Hollow, Revolution Brewery, Argus Brewery, One Trick Pony Brewery, Blue Island Beer Co. and Half Acre Beer Company.
The children’s area will still have games and face painting, but for a small fee, they can also sit in an air conditioned truck and play in a mobile video arcade. Advocate Children’s Hospital will be at the event with bike safety information and helmet checks, and will have helmets for sale.
The country/bluegrass/roots band Coyote Riot takes the stage at 8 p.m.
BAPA is requesting a $5 per person or $10 per family donation for admission to the festival. Proceeds benefit upcoming beautification projects. More information is available at www.bapa.org. Raffle tickets sold that day will benefit both BAPA and Special Olympics Mount Greenwood.
Paige Fumo Fox is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Bikes & Brews
What: Beverly Area Planning Association’s pro-am cycling race and festival
When: 4 p.m. July 15
Where: Beacon Therapeutic Center, 107th Avenue and Longwood Drive, Chicago
Cost: Suggested donation of $5 per person; $10 per family
Info: www.bapa.org and 773-233-310
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