The Crit Is The Shit

Always on the look out for free entertainment, we decided to check out the criterium (crit) bike race downtown. According to the article I read: "Crowds will be packed along the downtown streets as racers fly counterclockwise down Guadalupe, past Austin City Hall and through the 2nd street district, around the corner at Colorado, and down 4th street toward finish line on this fast 1k course." Sounds exciting right?

So we made our way to the location in time to see the women's pro race and were floored. They move fast and take the turns so tight that if you are watching from an inside corner, you could reach out and touch them. I kicked myself for not bringing my camera and shot the above photo with my cell phone. It doesn't do the race justice.



We watched the men's pro race and then made our way to the finish line to see a little of the celebration. We then headed south over the pedestrian bridge and stumbled upon a party complete with drinks and a band. We gathered that it was either a birthday party, a summer solstice party or a combination of the two. Like most things we have seen in Austin, no one seemed to mind strangers joining in. We sat and enjoyed the sights and sounds for a while.

Now imagine this bridge with a party all over it.

Oh yeah, and it's dark

...and solsticey

Got it? Pretty sweet right?