Second annual iBike Crit race at Velirium Festival

Wide knobby tires were set aside for skinny slicks at the Velirium festival that hosts the Mont Sainte Anne, Quebec, World Cup races. After the downhill races were complete, the stage was set for the iBike Crit race – an event specifically for fixed gear bikes.

To prepare the course, volunteers used leaf blowers to blow off any stray sand in the corners. The short track looped through the main cross-country start and finish line and a portion of the parking lot.

Registration was open to anyone whose bike met the technical qualifications, and the $25 entry fee included a beer.

Despite the casual nature of the event, over 30 riders took to the start line for the qualifying session. Riders had 15 minutes in which to set their fastest lap. Those times were used to determine the start order for the final round of competition.

Though many spectators had left following the downhill, a core crowd of fans remained to cheer on the racers. The atmosphere, like the racing, was fundamentally fun, with great music and some strong racing despite an approaching storm during the final race.