RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — You’ve probably seen cyclists all week riding in packs since the UCI Road World Championships have arrived in Richmond, but now things are really about to get exciting!
The time trials have ended and the road circuit races are beginning.
In the road circuit races, cyclists start and finish at 5th and Broad Streets and ride multiple times around the course against other teams.
The Women’s Junior Road Circuit begins at 10 a.m. and is expected to end at about 11:50 a.m. The race is 50.33 miles. The Men’s U23 race gets rolling at 12:45 p.m. today and is expected to end around 4:50 p.m. That race is 110.7 miles.
Tonight, “Conquer the Cobbles” starts at 7 p.m. This is a public participation event that allows up to 2,015 entrants to take a ride on the 10-mile race route that includes the sights of Monument Avenue and the challenging climbs of Libby Hill and 23rd Street.
The event provides the safety of a completely closed course, along with live announcers and a festival atmosphere. Click here to learn more about “Conquer the Cobbles.”
Traffic information for the race on Friday, Sept. 25:
- Because of the concentration of race activities downtown, and the long-term closure of Broad Street, Interstate 95 Exit 74C “West Broad Street” will be closed to both northbound and southbound traffic from Saturday, September 19 through Sunday, September 27. Please see the Roads Guide: Overview for information about long-term closures.
- Because of the concentrated impact of the Road Race events in downtown and Shockoe Bottom, southbound I-95 Exit 74B “Franklin Street” will be closed while daily street closures are in effect each day from Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27. The ramp will reopen with streets following the Road Race training session and race events.
- The Road Race Course begins at the 5th Street Finish Line on Broad Street. Riders travel west on Broad Street, then turn left onto Belvidere. Riders later return from the south on Belvidere, turn right onto Broad Street, right onto 2nd Street, and left onto Main Street. Finally, after completing the eastern loop, riders will return on East Main Street, turn right onto Governor Street, and left onto Broad Street, toward the 5th Street Finish Line.
- The Downtown Accessibility Area is bounded on the north by Broad Street, on the east by Governor Street, on the south by Main Street, and on the west by 2nd Street. Access is from the south, where vehicular crossing points allow controlled travel across Main Street at 6th Street, 7th Street, 8th Street, and 9th Street. Drivers entering the Downtown Accessibility Area should plan to do so from the south via northbound 7th
- Riders turn right off Belvidere Street onto Franklin Street, then continue on Monument Avenue to Davis Avenue, then turn 180 degrees and return on Monument Avenue. Riders turn right at Stuart Circle, continue on Lombardy, and then turn left onto West Main Street. After passing Monroe Park, riders turn left on Belvidere, and turn right back onto West Broad Street.
- The Fan Accessibility Area is bounded on the north by Franklin Street, on the east by Laurel Street, on the south by Main Street, and on the west by Lombardy Street. Access to the Fan Accessibility Area is from the west, north, and south, where vehicular crossing points allow controlled travel across Lombardy Street at Grove and Floyd Avenues, across Franklin Street at Harrison Street, and across Main Street at Harrison Street. Drivers entering or leaving the Area should plan to do so at any of these crossing points or 9th Street. Drivers leaving the area should plan to do so to the south via southbound 6th or 8th Street.
- Note that Marshall Street will be converted to two-way travel between 5th Street and 7th Street downtown, to facilitate hotel and parking structure access.
- Riders will come from the west on East Main Street, and turn right onto 15th Street. Riders then turn left onto Dock Street, traveling east alongside the Richmond Low Line, and continue on Water Street. Riders turn left onto East Main Street, then right onto the cobblestone road through Libby Hill Park. Riders exit the Park headed north on 29th Street, then turn left onto East Franklin Street. From Franklin, riders turn left onto 25th Street, right onto East Main Street, then right again onto 23rd Street. After a grueling climb up the 23rd Street cobblestones, riders turn left onto Broad Street, then left again onto 18th Street. They will then turn right on East Main Street, right on Governor Street, and left onto Broad Street, finishing at the 5th Street Finish Line on Broad.
- Southbound I-95 Exit 74B “Franklin Street” will be closed while daily street closures are in effect each day from Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27. The ramp will reopen with streets following the Road Race training session and race events. Drivers traveling into downtown or Shockoe Bottom on southbound Interstate 95 are encouraged to utilize either Exit 75 “Interstate 64 East Williamsburg Norfolk” and take the immediate exit ramp to “3rd Street Coliseum Convention Center,” or Exit 74A “Downtown Expressway,” but must be prepared to pay a toll.
- The Church Hill & Tobacco Row Accessibility Area includes the footprint of the Tobacco Row Accessibility Area, in addition to two areas of Church Hill. One of these areas includes the blocks south of Franklin Street between 25th Street and Libby Hill Park. The other is bounded on the north by Broad Street, on the east by 23rd Street, and on the west by 18th Street. Access is from the west and north, where vehicular crossing points allow controlled travel across 15th Street at Cary Street, across 18th Street at Franklin Street, and across Broad Street at 21st Street. Drivers entering the Area may do so at any of these crossing points. Drivers leaving the Area should plan to do so to the north via northbound 21st Street.
(Information courtesy Richmond 2015.)
For interactive mapping tools and answers to questions about how to navigate the World Championships, click here. Information is also available from the City of Richmond’s 311 call center. Dial 3-1-1, or 804-646-7000.
Click here for continuing coverage of all things UCI.
