For recreational bicyclists in Muscatine, Weed Park may represent a good place to go for a leisurely ride on a warm day. However, for competitive cyclists, it stands out as the home of the Melon City Criterium annual bike race. After a two year wait due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Harper’s Cycling and Fitness and the Melon City Bike Club look forward to bringing the third leg of the Iowa Memorial Weekend Cycling Classic back to Muscatine.

A popular bike race, the Melon City Criterium offers a hilly course with varied scenery different than many of the downtown bike races other cities offer. A part of the Iowa Memorial Weekend Cycling Classic, which includes Friday Night Fever in Burlington, the Snake Alley Criterium in Burlington on Saturday, and the Kwik-Star Criterium in Davenport Sunday, the race attracts many experienced racers. “Historically, we’ve had over 400 riders from 20 states,” shared Greg Harper, race director and owner of Harper’s Cycling and Fitness.

To get young riders interested in racing, the Melon City Criterium features a free kids race for bike riders 10 and under. The short, easy loop around the top of Weed Park provides the ideal place for the littlest riders to safely compete.