Have you heard the news? The UCI Road World Cycling Championships is coming to Richmond this fall, and it’s a BIG deal. The last time they were held in the U.S. was in 1986 in Colorado Springs. According to the Washington Post, global TV viewership is expected to be more than double what a typical Super Bowl sees, and numbers as large as 450,000 have been projected for onsite attendance. Whether you’re a full-fledged MAMIL or just cycling-curious, we’ve got you covered with an insider’s guide that will help you steer clear of the chaos and maybe even impress your friends with your new-found cycling knowledge. So pull out your American Flag cape and Banana costume, and let’s get rolling.
The Main Event: The Race(s)
September 19–27, 2015
According to Richmond 2015, the Worlds is a nine-day-long event where athletes compete for their country, similar to the Olympic Games. World Champions are crowned for three different categories: Road Race, Individual Time Trial, and Team Time Trial. More than 1,000 athletes—including Elite Men and Women, Men Under 23, and Junior Men and Women—will compete in 12 races.
The “main events” of the week will happen on Saturday, September 26 (1 p.m to 4:25 p.m.) and Sunday September 27 (9 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.)—the Elite Men and Women’s Road Circuits. You can check out the official courses, which wind through downtown Richmond, here.
Avoiding the Chaos: Where to Stay
If sharing the streets, restaurants, and hotels with 450,000 of your closest friends sounds like a nightmare to you—we have a piece of advice. Avoid staying in Richmond. Bring your bike and set up your home base in Williamsburg. We’re connected to the Richmond courses by The Virginia Capital Trail or by a cheap bus ride, and are the first community in Hampton Roads to be designated a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Looking for a bike-friendly hotel? We’ve got that too. Park your car and spend the weekend riding. You can bring your bike up to your room judgment-free at the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites.
What else is there to do? Ride with Pro Ted King!
Plus, Three Words: Beer, Bikes, BBQ
Join Cannondale-Garmin pro rider Ted King for the ultimate UCI World’s weekend filled with beer, bikes, and BBQ. Whether you’re planning to come for the entire week, or just the final races, you won’t want to miss the inaugural Colonial Fondo weekend.
The weekend kicks off on Friday with live music, local craft beer, and all-you-can-eat BBQ behind Chowning’s Alehouse in the heart of America’s Colonial Capital (this is included in registration!) Then, Saturday morning Ted will lead a 50-70 mile group ride through America’s historic back roads, starting and ending at the Visitor Center with the final miles on the scenic Colonial Parkway. There will be a fun post-ride expo and some really cool swag. (No boring t-shirts here!) Throughout the weekend, iconic cycling films will be playing at the Kimball Theatre, too. Get your ride in and then roll to Richmond for the Elite Men’s and Women’s events.
Book now for discounted pricing (starting at $95 per rider) through July!
Are you a cycling fan? Do you plan on attending the Worlds?
Murray Helen says
“Avoid staying in Richmond. Bring your bike and set up your home base in Williamsburg.”
Thanks for your helpful advice. I’m coming from Greenville at September 18, evening. And I am little bit excited about this race. It’s new window for me(my business).
HI, Hann
thank you so much for sharing these informative post to us