Spectator Information
Criterium racing returns to Portland with two days of fast and spectator-friendly racing and venues that are fun for the whole family.
Part bike race, part block party, the Portland Criterium presented by Steeplejack Brewing showcases our city with two car-free days of bicycles.
Saturday, August 15th – Park Blocks Criterium at the Portland North Park Blocks in the Pearl District
Sunday, August 16th – The Lloyd Criterium at the Lloyd Center and Holladay Park
Spectating is FREE!!!
We highly encourage folks to ride, walk or take Tri-Met to the races.
A criterium, “crit” for short, is bike racing at its most electric: dozens of riders packed wheel-to-wheel, carving tight corners on a short closed-street loop lap after lap, building toward a heart-in-your-throat sprint to the line. There are no distant grandstands here. Spectators stand right at the edge of the course, close enough to hear the whir of the wheels and feel the wind as the pack thunders by.
You don’t have to own a bike or know a thing about racing to have a great time. Across both days, visitors can graze a lineup of Portland food carts, relax in the beer garden, browse vendors, and turn the kids loose on children’s activities and community programming. It’s a block party, a food-cart crawl, and a world-class sporting event rolled into one, all within a few blocks of the finish line.
Saturday, August 15th – Park Blocks Criterium
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Noon | Open Cat 4/5, Masters 35+ Open Cat 4/5 Race |
| 12:45 PM | Women Cat 4/5, Masters Women 40+ Cat 4/5, Women Cat 3 Race |
| 1:30 PM | Junior 9-14 Race |
| 1:55 PM | Junior 15-18 Race |
| 2:30 PM | Podium Presentations |
| 2:40 PM | Portland Street Mile – Open Race |
| 3:00 PM | Masters 40+ Open Cat 1/2/3, Masters 50+ Open Cat 1/2/3 Race |
| 3:50 PM | Open Cat 3 Race |
| 4:35 PM | Podium Presentations |
| 4:50 PM | Portland Street Mile – Elite Race |
| 5:05 PM | Pedalpalooza Bike Summer Ride – Public Ride Time |
| 5:40 PM | Women Cat PRO/1/2/3, Masters 40+ Women Cat 1/2/3 Race |
| 6:55 PM | Open Cat PRO/1/2 Race |
| 8:15 PM | Podium Presentations |
Saturday Activities
- Pedalpalooza Bike Summer ride to the race hosted by Cycle Oregon, Portland Design Work and The Athletic Community. Gather at 3:00 at Cycle Oregon’s HQ for a tailgate feast before riding to the race at 4:45 and enjoy our car-free event course at 5:05 on any (non-motorized) thing with wheels. Stay for the two elite races to enjoy the thrill of the fastest racing in town. More Details here: https://www.shift2bikes.org/calendar/event-23929
- Food Trucks and the Steeplejack Brewing Beer Garden all day, plus plenty of restaurant options along the course.
- Cycle Oregon bike rodeo and valet bike parking onsite. Ride your bike to the race!
- Expo area with event merchandise, vendors and booths from our event sponsors.
Sunday, August 16th – The Lloyd Criterium
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Open Cat 4/5 Race |
| 9:40 AM | Women Cat 4/5, Women Cat 3 Race |
| 10:20 AM | Junior 9-14 Race |
| 10:30 AM | Podium Presentations |
| 10:45 AM | Junior 15-18 Race |
| 11:20 AM | Women Masters 40+, 50+, 60+ Race |
| 11:30 AM | Podium Presentations |
| 12:05 PM | Open Masters 40+, 50+, 60+ Race |
| 12:50 PM | Women Cat PRO/1/2/3 Race |
| 1:20 PM | Podium Presentations |
| 1:55 PM | Open Cat PRO/1/2 Race |
| 3:10 PM | Open Cat 3 Race |
| 3:15 PM | Podium Presentations |
| 4:00 PM | Farewell laps around the Lloyd Center & Podium Presentations |
Sunday Activities
- Party on, Portland! at Holladay Park, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Join Lloyd EcoDistrict, Lloyd ESD, & Lloyd Community Association for their big summer bash. If you’re bike racing fan, a community enthusiast, or just looking for something joyful to do, this is the place to be. Come for the party, stay for the race, or the other way around. Either way, you’ll be right in the middle of something special. More details: https://www.ecolloyd.org/events/pop2026/
- Visit the Food Trucks and relax in the Steeplejack Brewing Beer Garden right along the course so you don’t miss a minute of the racing action.
- Oregon Bicycle Racing Championships: Keep track of the Oregon racers as they battle for the title of the best in Oregon.
- Farewell Laps around the Lloyd Center. Come ride around the mall one last time.
