Lake County Gazette

Roads in downtown Mundelein will be closed for most of the day on Monday, July 22, for the Tighthead Mundelein Grand Prix, a professional and amateur bicycle race. The event is part of the Chicago Grit race series.

According to a Village of Mundelein web page, the races will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with pro races from 5 to 8 p.m. The course will use downtown streets including Seymour Avenue, Hammon Street, Chicago Avenue, Archer Avenue, and Division Street. Races will be held in a criterium format, meaning racers will compete on a short circuit racecourse in downtown Mundelein and complete as many laps as possible within the allotted time. Once one race ends, another begins soon after.

Other activities during the event will include children's games, a community ride, live music, art activities, a beer garden, and more. According to the Village of Mundelein web page, the event is free for spectators. The best places to watch the race include the start/finish line on Seymour Avenue near Hawley Street and Plaza Circle.

Parking will be available at the Metra Station parking lot. Overflow parking will be at the Mundelein Shopping Center to the south of the racecourse (Morrison's Laundromat, Just for Fun Roller Rink). Spectators are asked to be courteous of business neighbors and private parking lots.

Lake County Forest Preserves will sponsor the Community ride. According to a Village of Mundelein web page, this ride allows everyone to bring their bikes and helmets to take on the racecourse between the professional men's and women's races. Participants must meet at the start/finish line once the pro women's race concludes around 6:15 p.m. The community ride will run until approximately 6:45 p.m., or until officials close the course to prepare for the final race of the day.