Events: The Bucks County Classic 2022 Spotter’s Guide
(2022) Five races occupy the schedule for this Sunday’s Bucks County Classic held in Doylestown, PA. Among the races are newly added categories. New sponsorship, an eye to resuming Doylestown cycling, and the Doylestown Arts Festival co-occuring with the event are some of the exciting experiences for those looking to race, spectate, shop, or all of the above Sunday.
As I’m sure many cyclists have done, a constant check to BikeReg’s ‘Who’s Registered’ has seen some L39ion of Los Angeles riders dot the line-up. For the Doylestown Health Women’s Pro/1/2 race, the Ryan sisters are expected to start, though a crash last weekend has put them both on concussion protocol. If healthy, the American crit champion would be bringing the Stars-and-Stripes Rapha L39ion kit to the streets of Doylestown. On the men’s side, Ty Magner and Tyler Williams are registered for L39ion to start the fifty-mile Thompson Pro/ 1/2 race. Williams is coming off a Maryland Cycling Classic result. Several other big name teams of CS Velo, Team Skyline, and a full squad of CWA Racing p/b Goldman Sachs ETFs dominate both pro lineups. Local shop/ team Doylestown Bikeworks looks to capitalize on the home turf advantage with numerous riders registered. Both pro races happily offer an equal $10,000 payout to the first twenty riders.
The largest field on the BikeReg server is the completely approachable Eagle Power Turf and Tractor men’s category 3/4 race with eighty registrants and a wait list. The race is slated for forty-five minutes and offers a purse of $500 to the first five finishers. Riders from the PA, NJ, and NY are no surprise but many are making the trip up from the Delmarva region to race this Sunday. We look to cheer on Timothy Hall of BridgeVelo who apparently lives near our offices.
Joining a few other races is the huge field of entrants for the Jarrett Vaughan Builders Kids Races scheduled to follow the women’s pro race and preceding the men’s pro race. As of press time, some sixty kids between the ages of 3 - 12 look to lay down a best time for years to come. Expect numerous dinosaur helmets and hand grip tassels among the entrants who no doubt will be cheered on by hundreds of fans lingering at the finish area near the Doylestown Courthouse. The kids races are always a show stealer; many times the pros will ride beside their own kids to cheer them along.
This year’s program is looking to build momentum from the rain-soaked 2018 Arts Festival and the Covid-canceled 2020 event. Last year’s event was run under an altered presence from the Doylestown Arts Festival, a two-day vendor that takes over the small Bucks County town. Last year’s festival omitted food service due to lingering Covid cases. This year, though, the organizers are going full speed ahead with a hope for great weather. Local eateries are hoping for a strong Arts Festival turnout in an effort to reestablish community vibes for the weekend.
Every year it is mentioned that the 1.4-mile criterium course around Doylestown is the perfect length. Every year it is advised to walk the course in the race direction, turning to see the race pass, and resume the stroll until returning back to the start/ finish banner on Court Street. Sites such as block parties, music tents, and large gatherings of people will be front-and-center to those looking to walk a lap or two for the 2022 Bucks County Classic.
With five races, several kids races, and the ability to ride the course in the morning, numerous cycling events await on the Bucks County Classic 2022 docket on September 11th. Come to Doylestown this weekend to race, party, heckle, shop, or do a little bit of everything. If you see some of the creakybottombracket.com staff around, say hi. We always like to hear from readers.
