Red Hook Criterium No.5

The Red Hook Criterium (RHC) is an unsanctioned race held at night featuring a fixed gear criterium and a 5km running race held over multiple laps of a short technical circuit. The field consists of elite athletes, track stars, amateur runners, professional cyclists, bike messengers, and urban cyclists. The RHC was born in the post-industrial Brooklyn neighborhood Red Hook. This unique event combines the underground art of street racing with the intensity of high level competition in a spectacular urban environment.

First held in 2008 to celebrate organizer David Trimble’s birthday, the RHC has established itself as a prestigious and much loved event in both the local community and greater athletic world. This fast, intense, and spectator friendly race is the pinnacle of a weekend of events that includes dinners, art exhibitions, parties, and group bicycle rides and runs.

The Red Hook Crit requires an equal combination of bike handling skills, strength, and bravery. The race is held over 24 laps for a total distance of 30 km. Top level cyclists push massive gears to average in excess of 27mph over the entire distance of the race. For amateurs it is a test to see how many laps they can complete before being lapped and eliminated. For pros and elite level riders the pressure to perform on race night is high as the RHC happens only once a year. Every former champions of this race has since been signed to a professional racing contract.

• 24 laps
• 1.25km lap / total distance of 30 km
• Recommended gear ratio: 48×14
• Electronic timing and scoring for accurate results
• Track bikes required
• Drop bars required
• No bike lights allowed
• Helmets required
• Men and women race and scored together
• Fastest lap prime awarded
• Lapped riders eliminated