See Cycling Excitement at the Charlottesville Criterium and Bike Fest!

The Charlottesville Criterium and Bike Fest is a day-long Fest that will include a series of Criterium races and a bike parade along Preston Avenue and parts of the Rose Hill neighborhood, adjacent to the Dairy Market and just a couple of miles from the historic pedestrian Downtown Mall. A Criterium is a fast-paced bicycle race on a short, closed course for variable amounts of time, dependent on experience level, and will include both amateur and collegiate racers.

The event will kick off with a series of free junior races for boys and girls in the 9-14 and 15-18 age groups. At noon there will be a Bike Parade where anyone in the community with a bicycle can join and ride 20-30 minutes on the closed course. This year’s event will play host to the ACC cycling conference championship, in conjunction with UVA’s organization of the long-running Jefferson Cup Road Race in Albemarle County the following day.

The Fest not only brings a series of high-quality bike races to Charlottesville, but also fundraises for the local non-profit bicycle shop, Charlottesville Community Bikes, which will help broaden access to cycling for Charlottesville’s youth. To support Community Bikes, check out their tent near the Dairy Market for more details about a silent auction fundraiser!

Visitors of all ages are welcome to participate! The Fest will include a Junior’s Criterium race for ages 9-18 at 10 AM and a family bicycle parade around 11:55 AM, where anyone can ride a bicycle on the closed course for about 20 minutes - no registration required, just bring your helmet to participate in the parade! The Dairy Market will host family-friendly activities such as face painting, bike decorating, a small petting zoo, and other activities.

When you're not watching the racers whiz by on the course, grab food and beverages from Dairy Market vendors who will be participating in the event. And be sure to stay for the after-party! From 2-8pm, the Charlottesville Ale Trail will be hosting an after-party at neighboring Rockfish Brewing and Fifth Season Gardening, featuring many of the area’s breweries.

10:00AM: FREE junior races for boys and girls in the 9-14 and 15-18 age groups. Register here.

10:30AM – 12:00PM: Men’s Novice and Women’s Collegiate / Novice races. Register here.

12:00PM: Family Bike Parade where anyone in the community with a bicycle can join and ride a lap on the closed course. Participation is FREE and there is no registration, just bring your helmet!

12:25PM: Men’s Masters races. Register here.

1:15PM – 4:00PM: Men’s and Women’s Collegiate races. Register here.

Address: 946 Grady Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903

Parking: Free parking is available at the Albemarle County office building, 401 McIntire Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22902 and Jackson P. Burley Middle School, 901 Rose Hill Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22903.

*Please note Grady and Preston Avenue will be closed to all traffic from 9 AM to 4 PM. To access the Dairy Market please use West Street.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Criterium and Bike Fest and to Charlottesville and Albemarle County! The Charlottesville area is also home to a myriad of other outdoor activities, along with numerous wineries, breweries, restaurants, lively spring events, and more - we encourage you to stay in Charlottesville and Albemarle County to enjoy everything the area has to offer this spring!