Beverly Hills Cycling Classic Canceled Due To Coronavirus

CHICAGO — The Beverly Hills Cycling Classic/Bikes & Brews event typically held in mid-July is the latest large 19th Ward gathering to have been canceled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Beverly Area Planning Association, the organization that puts on the yearly event centered at 101st and Longwood on the St. Barnabas property, announced the cancellation in their e-newsletter last week.

The cycling classic is a yearly bike race featuring some of the world's fastest cyclists. Organizers have said in years past the 1.54 kilometer criterium course in the Beverly neighborhood is the most challenging in the Chicagoland area due to its hills and sharp turns. The Beverly race is typically the first in the Intelligentsia Cup, a series of 10 bike races held on consecutive days in the Chicagoland area.

All races in the series have been canceled this year, with the event scheduled to return from July 16-25, 2021.

RELATED: Top Speeds Reached During Beverly Hills Cycling Classic

BAPA also announced last week that the Ridge Run/Memorial Day Parade, which earlier this year had been postponed to Labor Day weekend, has been canceled altogether as well. The BAPA Home Tour, which typically occurs in mid-May, may be held in a video format this fall they said.

"We will really miss being together for these community events and look forward to bringing them back – bigger and better! – next year," BAPA wrote.

In addition to the Cycling Classic and Ridge Run/Memorial Day Parade, other popular neighborhood events canceled in 2020 as a result of the pandemic include the South Side Irish Parade, Beverly Breast Cancer Walk and Papa Hops 16'' Softball Tournament.