The Snake Alley Criterium is held on a fifteen block course, with differences in elevation from 555 feet to 678 feet. The course is entirely on city streets, mostly in a downtown commercial area. A one block long climb is on the historic brick street named Snake Alley, dubbed "the crookedest street in the world." The 276 foot long Snake Alley has 5 switchbacks in a sixty foot climb. The average grade is 12.5 percent in that one block. Bring a suitable gear cluster for that kind of climbing. This is one of the most physically challenging races in the The Cobble Climb is a 2 block long time trial straight up an incredibly steep & lumpy alley. The first block is an easy brick surface, while the second block is paved with ancient & huge cobble stones. A mountain bike with big tires and suspension is highly recommended. Experience hundreds of screaming fans right at your elbows while you try to stay upright. GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO!
Snake Alley is a fun race even if it hasn't been so kind to me over the years. Newt Colburn just gave me a CD with a couple of pictures he took of me 2 years so I'm using them. For some reason the usual top Iowa master 50+ racers didn't show up and I was the top Iowan. Not that I was that good! Had very sluggish legs.
This year the Cobble Climb was not so kind. I thought the 29er would be the weapon of choose but couldn't keep the chain on. Need to work on the front derailleur.
Had a much better day at the Quad City Crit with good legs and 24 mph avg for the 8 miles.
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