Witches Cup Bike Race Tonight!

Tonight is one of the more exciting nights of the year in Salem - The Witches Cup Bike Race.

The Witches Cup is a criterium - short fast bicyle race requiring a mix of good technical skills. In particular, riders must have the ability to corner rapidly and sharply — and riding safely with a large group on a short circuit and exceptional fitness to attack other riders and repeatedly accelerate hard from corners.

While you're there, check out the hospitality tent! Wachusett Brewing Company will be hosting the hospitality tent for the second year. Join us for a craft brew on a great summer afternoon of racing. One-half of the proceeds from the sales go to the Salem Common General Fund so that we can all enjoy the Common for years to come.

With a bike race, come a few road closures to be mindful of...

• Route 1A from Winter Street to Essex Street will be closed and all streets connecting to the Salem Common will be closed to traffic from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• There will be No Parking around the Common perimeter beginning at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.
• Traffic delays are expected to occur once the Common perimeter roadways are closed to traffic. Motorists should seek alternate routes during this time.

Here's tonight's schedule:

4:00pm - Course Inspection
4:45pm - Amateur Men (Cat 4/5)
5:35pm - Women (Cat 1-4)
6:10pm - Amateur Men Awards
6:30pm - Elite Men (P,1,2,3)
7:45pm - Awards Ceremony: Women & Elite Men

For more information, visit WitchesCup.com and check out the article about the race and its organizers, including Dan Shuman at Salem Cycle, in the Salem News that ran this week.