The Intelligentsia Cup Chicago bike race series was held July 21 – 30. Ten exciting days of bike racing took place in communities around Chicagoland culminating with the Chicago event held in the Fulton Market neighborhood on July 30. The series attracts top racers from around the world, and the courses are designed as short street circuits in urban settings that incorporate lots of turns and multiple laps.
Civiltech’s Phil Hutchinson, PLA, LEED AP, is a team member of XXX Racing, a local amateur team that focuses on bike advocacy and improving access to bike riding and racing in Chicagoland. XXX Racing was a host team, and Phil worked to coordinate volunteers for the event. Also, Civiltech was a proud sponsor with our logo proudly displayed near the finish line! 
While the primary draw was the exciting and colorful spectacle of bikers whizzing around city streets at 30 mph, the festivities also included a beer garden, food trucks, live bands, and activities for kids. Race day was perfect with sunny weather and cooler temps, and Phil reported that the racing was fast and furious with an enthusiastic crowd.
Earlier in the week, Civiltech’s Mike Folkening, P.E., PTOE; Jim Tibble, P.E.; and Jacque Henrikson, AICP, engaged in community outreach at the Intelligentsia Cup bicycle race in Brookfield. In their booth at the race’s Expo Center at the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, the team shared information on Energize Ogden project. This project will be a multi-faceted Phase I study to transform the Ogden Avenue corridor as a gateway to the Village and bolster economic development. 
The races provided a fun backdrop at which to talk to the public about the project. Also, Mike, Jim, and Jacque enjoyed the festivities and the opportunity to watch the bike races!