New Opportunities at the Redlands Bicycle Classic Kids and Youth Races
Children ages 3 to 11 and young people 12 to 17 will get their own chance to race in the Redlands Bicycle Classic on Saturday, April 12 and get more kids on bikes. This exciting event takes place on the fourth day of the five-day racing festival in historic downtown Redlands.
New Race Categories for Greater Inclusion
The Stater Bros. Charities Public Races have long been a part of the Redlands Bicycle Classic. However, this year introduces two new categories to ensure more children can participate.
Brian Zander, a teacher at Judson & Brown Elementary School and a race organizer, highlighted one of these new categories: training wheel races for beginners aged six and up.
“We’ve learned that the 0.65-mile loop course is too long for training wheel bikes and ‘strider’ bikes to complete. So, we are offering a new category for competitive six-year-olds and older to race on training wheels or Strider bikes on the 50-yard dash course,” Zander said.
The entry limit for youth races is 50 participants but if more than 50 sign up for this new event, the race will be split into two separate races, giving everyone the opportunity to participate.
Program for Special Needs Riders
“We hope that these students will feel more successful and competitive in their race,” Zander said. In addition, the Classic is offering an “inclusion” program for students with special needs who may need the help of an adult or use of a specialized bicycle to complete the 50-yard dash course. “We are focused on including students of all abilities who want to represent their school and a chance to win the ‘school duel’ trophy for their school” Zander said.
Race Schedule and Entry Fees
Public Races for Ages 3 to 5
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Start Time: 8:30 a.m.
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Course: 50-yard dash
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Vehicles Allowed: Bicycles, Strider bikes, tricycles
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Entry Fee: $7
Youth Races for Ages 6 to 17
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Start Time: 9:15 a.m.
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Course: 0.65-mile closed course (begins and ends at the pro race start-finish line on Citrus Avenue at Sixth Street). There are two heats each for boys and girls by age 6 through 9 making one lap.
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Laps:
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Ages 6-9: 1 lap
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Ages 10-11: 2 laps
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Ages 12-13: 3 laps
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Ages 14-17: 4 laps
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Entry Fee: $12
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Helmet Requirement: All riders must wear helmets
School Duel Trophy: Encouraging School Participation
Zander has been involved in encouraging local schools to enter teams in the “School Duel” each year. Judson & Brown Elementary has won the Duel Trophy eight years in a row. “The trophies are won by the schools with the most participants. It doesn’t matter if they come in first place or last place. The total participants of each school are counted and that determines which school gets to keep the trophy for the next year,” Zander said. So far, he said, registration numbers look good. “About 200 students have already registered to race,” he added.
How to Register for the Race
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Online Registration: www.redlandsclassic.com
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Mailed Entries Deadline: Must be postmarked by April 5
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Online Registration Closes: Midnight on April 8
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Late Fees: A $5 late fee applies to on-site or late-mailed entries postmarked after April 5
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Same-Day Registration: Closes 30 minutes before race start
Note: No E-bikes or scooters are allowed. Riders on the closed course will finish on the leader’s last lap.
