Annual cycling event expands to a three-series race with criteriums in Union City, Hapeville and College Park, Georgia.
The ATL Airport District, the destination marketing organization for the cities of College Park, Hapeville and Union City, Georgia, has announced the return of the community’s fifth annual cycling race series, Spin the District. The highly anticipated, family-friendly event provides an immersive experience for both cyclists and spectators as the area’s streets transform into a premier cycling destination. Tuesday, April 25, marks the official start of Spin the District with a new twilight criterium and first-ever Union City Crit. The series will continue Saturday, April 29, with the Hapeville Crit followed by the College Park Crit on Sunday, April 30, which is also the USA Crits Speed Week Finals.
“We are thrilled to celebrate another year of Spin the District with friends, family and spectators as we cheer on elite cyclists whipping by and enjoy all the lively festivities throughout the week,” said Cookie Smoak, president of the ATL Airport District. “Every year, Spin the District delivers as an action-packed, family-friendly event and we are excited to expand the fun with the new addition of our evening criterium in Union City.”
Kicking off at 4 p.m., Spin the District launches during USA Crits Speed Week with the first-ever Union City Crit – a new twilight criterium featuring a fast-paced course with a crazy tight corner. Races will take place under the streetlights alongside a family-friendly disco-themed street festival with music, food trucks, beverages and activities for all ages.
The Hapeville Crit will begin with junior races at 9 a.m. and is the fastest cycling adventure for participants with a 1.4-kilometer route, seven-corner, pancake-flat course through the heart of the city and a 150-meter straight finish. Starting at noon, guests can enjoy an artist market, food trucks and other festivities until 6 p.m. at the free neighborhood block party, all while cheering on the cyclists. The day will include racing for all ages and levels including the One-Lap Blast for children on two wheels and the Straightaway Sprint for children on trikes, training wheels and balance bikes. Kid races will occur at approximately 3 p.m., followed by the pro men and women’s races, which feature some of the best cyclists in the country. Rider registration and details are available online.
USA Crits Speed Week Finals will take place at the College Park Crit, featuring a five-corner course with tight turns, a screaming fast back straight and an uphill finish. The action-packed day begins at 9 a.m. with junior races. The Bayou Block Party begins at noon where spectators can indulge in a crawfish boil and local food trucks alongside family-friendly games, music and more. The competition will include some of the nation’s fastest cyclists racing for the crown through the historic streets of downtown College Park, as well as two kid races, the Hill Sprint and the Straightaway Sprint. Cyclist registration and details can be accessed online.
For this year’s series, the District has teamed up with Hotel Indigo, located less than three blocks from the College Park Crit, to offer a discounted rate for Speed Weekend. Guests can enjoy a special event rate of $124/night plus tax when booking now through April 14, 2023, through this link. For more information on lodging or to book your hotel, visit SpinTheDistrict.com/lodging.
Spectator attendance is free for all three criteriums. For more information on how to be a part of this experience as a participant, volunteer or artist visit SpinTheDistrict.com and follow @spinthedistrict on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
To learn more about the ATL Airport District, call 404-334-7500 or visit www.ATLdistrict.com
