A large crowd was on hand on Friday, July 13 to witness the fifth annual Beverly Hills Cycling Classic, which kicked off on 107th Street and Longwood Drive. The event was hosted by the Beverly Area Planning Association, and according to many viewers, was a complete success.

"We like the breeze that comes by about every minute and a half. It's a good way to get our family together once a year since we are all from Beverly," said Beverly resident Joe Doherty. "We enjoyed the beautiful evening, the beautiful view, and the great race. I also think it's great for the area. Like they say: Beverly is Chicago's hidden secret. Maybe this will being it a little more attention."

The festivities were not limited to only Beverly residents, as cycling fans from all around the Chicagoland area were in attendance.

"The race was intense, exciting, and really dramatic. I am especially impressed with the quickness. I've been here before and some of my club members are out here racing, so I am here to support them," remarked James Hibbler, who came from the Elgin area.

While the majority of the viewers came out for the event and the good weather, there were a few intense racing fans who came out for the sporting aspect of the day.

Don Fielding, a Beverly resident and former cyclist himself, had this to say, "The race is always exciting at the very end. It does a great job in showing these kids out here a sport that they rarely get to see and encourages them to take up cycling. For me, I attend the event every year because I am a huge bike racing fan and I like to bicycle as a hobby.

"Every year more people have more yard parties and it is a great event," Fielding added.

One of the most popular places to view the event was the Ridge Historical Society, 10621 S. Seeley Ave. RHS organized a dinner and race party for members of the community who support the museum. In addition to giving fans a beautiful view on the hilltop to watch the race, the proceeds of the fundraiser were used to benefit RHS.

"It's a nice way to spend the evening. The race is great for the people, but the party is a huge boost for RHS," commented Connie McGrail, a Beverly native who now resides in Chicago's Edgewater/Rogers Park area. "They (RHS) had good attendance this year and they did a great job setting everything up. We can watch the race from this side (Seeley Ave.) or on beautiful Longwood Drive. It is a very fun event that benefits everyone."

Live music and tents were set up on the north side of 107th Street on Longwood Drive, which was also a popular place to watch the excitement.

Although everyone seemed to view the event as a success, the race itself was just as thrilling. Milwaukee native Andrew Crater (bib #70), from Team Wheel and Sprocket, took first place and swept all three jerseys for the first stage of Superweek, which includes 17 similar races in Illinois and Wisconsin. It was Crater's first victory at the BHCC.

Crater was followed by Jonathan Cantwell (bib #45) from Australia, who represented the Kahala-LaGrange racing team. Also representing Kahala-LaGrange was the third place finisher, Marco Rios (bib #47), from Mexico.

The race participants followed the course which began on 107th and Longwood and headed south before turning on 108th place toward Hoyne Avenue and then 107th Street. The racers then made a left on Seeley Avenue before turning on to 105th Place and then back on to Longwood Drive. The racers who were not lapped completed that outline 65 times.

The second stage of Superweek occurred the following day, Saturday, in Blue Island.

An appearance was made at the race by Saint Xavier University senior track star and photographer Steven Bugarin. In June, Bugarin rode his bicycle 300 miles to St. Louis in two days to raise money for Down Syndrome.