Ready for the Tour de Lakewood?

July is usually a banner month for cyclists and enthusiasts, with coverage of the ever-popular Tour De France sandwiched between slates of local two-wheel excitement.

The criterium race stands as one of the most exciting of all cycling events, and Lakewood’s take on the event is sure to get pulses pounding for participants and bystanders alike.

Put the two together July 30, and you know things are going to get interesting.

Lakewood’s West End will host the closed-course Lakewood Criterium—a high-speed bike race geared specifically to riders, who max out their power and agility at speeds over 30 miles per hour.

This USA Cycling sanctioned race takes place on a one-mile, six-corner course with a start-finish at Detroit Avenue and Riverside Drive.

Think that participating in the race is a workout? Ask the event’s “de facto” director Brian Limkemann about organizing such a challenging event.

“We’re at a critical mass now in terms of sponsorship and public interest,” said Limkemann. “It has, in essence, become another full-time job to me.”

Limkemann, who operates Rockport Woodworks on Detroit Avenue, is an avid cyclist. Through participation in the TeamSpin cycling team—which itself is operated by “rider-owned and -operated” Spin Bike Shop—Limkemann and his teammates thought a criterium-style race would be perfect for Lakewood.

“We picked the West End for a one-mile course because of the potential for nearby businesses and those on the course—not even to mention great crowds,” Limkemann said. “With nearby merchants crying out for some sort of event to rally around, when we brought the idea to the chamber of commerce, most everyone got on board.”

The race was the team’s brainchild. But it would be two years before the 2009 idea came to fruition.

After Limkemann, his teammates and city officials sorted out the course logistics and timelines, the city provided an economic blueprint for the necessary officers, EMS and road blocking to get a USA Cycling-sanctioned race on the road.

“In 2009, the economy was at its lowest,” said Limkemann. “And clearly we needed sponsorship for what we wanted to do. But with the local benefits that businesses saw in the criterium, we were able to obtain some much needed sponsorship and can cover all of the necessary expenses.”

What really sets the Lakewood Criterium apart from other similarly aimed cycling events? The inclusive schedule of events (which offers multiple races to many age groups) suggests that this criterium could be a tradition in the making. Riders are encouraged to register while the getting’s good.

“Many of these races are held Sunday morning in a typically empty office park, where only the wives and kids get to watch,” Limkemann finalized.

“That’s kind of boring, honestly. We didn’t want a ‘Do the event, go home’ experience. We all thought that a Saturday afternoon-slash-evening would create an atmosphere—get people to come out and watch and really build an atmosphere.”

For more details, check out the race's website.