by Dale Robertson

Memorial Park crits series sees record number of participants

…at least one local race promoter doesn’t believe Armstrong’s decision to come out of retirement in 2009 will have much additional impact on the already explosive growth of cycling in Houston.

After all, with interest in international cycling at a low ebb this past summer because of ongoing drug scandals and a shortage of compelling personalities, Hans Schneider’s popular Sun & Ski Sports Criterium Summer Bike Races (a.k.a., “The Crits”) still attracted more riders than ever before to the Memorial Picnic Loop course.

“A lot of new riders came out, and we’ve never had more depth,” said Schneider, a custom bike builder from Huntsville who has taken it upon himself to stage the weekly criterium races annually since the early 90s, rain or shine. “It was a great season, and we got really lucky with the weather. I’m not sure what happens in pro cycling has that much of an effect.”

link to the Houston Chronicle Cyling Notebook