Cycling
May 27, 2023
Living in downtown Easton comes with its perks, but one of my favorites is how, every summer, the streets transform into a racetrack for the Easton Criterium. The first time I saw it, I didn’t know much about bike racing. I had just started riding myself and still thought of myself as a beginner. A criterium, I quickly learned, is a short, fast race on a closed course. The Easton loop winds through downtown, past historic buildings, tight corners, and long straightaways. Riders rocket through at speeds I didn’t think human legs could reach, leaning into turns like they’re on motorcycles.
I grew up playing power sports like ice hockey, so seeing that level of fitness in bodies built so differently than contact-sport athletes struck me. These racers carry themselves with incredible control. They thread through corners elbow to elbow, trusting their handling skills and each other. It’s this raw mix of precision and risk that feels worlds away from my own neighborhood rides.
Watching from the sidelines, I don’t feel distant from them. I’m built bigger than most cyclists, with large hockey legs, broad shoulders, and a frame that contradicts “climber” or “sprinter.” There’s even a word for riders like me in the cycling world: “Clydesdale.” I can’t STAND the term. Still, seeing the racers out there still gives me something to aim for. Not their speed, that’s a different universe I will likely never achieve, but it is their grit. The way they dig in and push their limits—that’s what inspires me to keep going.
I only watched the 2023 Criterium from the sidelines. In 2024, I decided to stop just watching and join the Community Ride. The ride is open to anyone who wants to ride, no matter the age, no matter the bike, no matter the pace. I lined up with kids, parents, casual riders, and a few who gave semi-pro vibes. For a few laps, we all shared the same streets the pros would soon dominate. I joined the Community Ride again in 2025, and I’ll probably keep doing it every year.
The atmosphere in Easton during the race is electric. Crowds line the sidewalks, cowbells and cheers. Everywhere you look there’s another expensive bike or sleek race kit. But that’s the beauty of it. It’s not just about the pros with their $10,000 machines. It’s about kids wobbling through their first laps, weekend riders like me, and everyone in between. A reminder than cycling is for everyone.
Every year I walk away with a little more inspiration. The Easton Criterium has transitioned from just a race to embedding itself into my own cycling story.
