Legendary (and free!) evening cycling training crit restarted after coming to a halt several years ago – now back and attracting more riders for a challenging weekly workout.
The legendary course and must-have speed training are back – Heritage Park Tuesday Night Training Ride is running again every week on Tuesdays starting at 8:00 p.m. All cyclists are welcome.
The free ride takes place in the business park adjacent to the ride’s namesake, Heritage Park – a public park in Santa Fe Springs. It’s southwest of major cross streets Telegraph Rd. and Norwalk Blvd., and close to the 605 and 5 freeways. (Location & course map: https://goo.gl/OTQaue).
Very much like it was before, Heritage is an open (everyone welcome, semi-organized) training ride run like a criterium. After a few safety announcements, riders clip in for 40 laps (fall/winter) or 50 laps (spring/summer) counted down by family and friends volunteers. The course is just 0.4 miles with four fast right turns, so riders who keep pace with the main group produce sub-one minute lap times – average speeds of 25-30 MPH.
Heritage Park used to be the spot for weekend U.S. Cycling Federation (USCF) races. Those ended in the late 1980s/early 1990s, but the Tuesday night training crit lived on until about eight years ago.
Local racers and teams, including Manny Vasquez (Greenleaf Killers), Joshua West (La Habra Cyclery), Mike McMahon (Team Velocity), and Anthony D. Morrow (Stage 2 Cyclery/Primal), decided it was a good time to bring Heritage back. The timing couldn’t have been worse, as it was the slow and cold time for cycling in SoCal, but they spread the word and re-launched the ride on November 11, 2014. It not only survived the winter, Heritage has grown steadily in attendance and speed and is well on its way to being as good and fast as ever.
Those choosing to participate should be familiar with pack riding and speeds. Road bikes are the standard, but a few brave souls give a go on their fixies. Slower riders stay to the left but out of the way of oncoming traffic. There’s very little traffic, but it is an open road with intersections. Street lighting is present, but limited, so everyone is encouraged to wear lights and reflectors. Lastly, keep it friendly; it’s training – no money, just love.
For additional information on Heritage Park Tuesday Night Training, visit the Facebook Group “Heritage Park Cycling – Santa Fe Springs” on Facebook.
