2026 Redlands Bicycle Classic, Stage 4

April 12, 2026

2026 Redlands Bicycle Classic, Stage 4

Don't races such as the Redlands Bicycle Classic, which this year celebrated its

40th anniversary,

leave you feeling energized? If you are like myself, you answered that question with a "yes!"
The size and caliber of the fields these days are unmatched by anything else in the region, if not also anywhere in the United States. With the exception of the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix, we have seen a plethora of great races come and go, unable to sustain themselves for a long run; many that have made it to thirty, forty, even fifty years have eventually run out of gas. Longevity not withstanding there is a reason that races such as Redlands are able to maintain their momentum over years and decades, and that is the unique collaboration by all parties involved - the host city, the financial backing of sponsors, the dedication of volunteers, the commitment of the racers and teams who often travel from great distances, and quite frankly the spectators who line the streets to cheer, while lining the tills of local businesses and vendors. It all has to work in unison to succeed, and Redlands manages to do this year after year. So congratulations and thanks to one and all involved.

After everything that goes into it, and everything else that takes place during it, the racing itself has to come through with the excitement, and Redlands too provides that. The public races encourage some of the greatest numbers of participants you will find anywhere, and i have no doubt provide a sense of pride and accomplishment for weeks afterward. As for the juniors and pros who raced in Saturday's 4th stage, those four races required answers to some of the same questions we are often faced with on any one mile criterium loop - will that break succeed? Will the chase time things just right? What happened, where'd the leader go? Who is going to come around the final turn first? and/or, who is going to blast clear, or nip it at the line? And, as it would turn out for me, what bike brand is that? Never heard of it. I tell ya, since the demise of print magazines, the disappearance of industry shows, and the rise of single make bike shops, this old dude seems to have found himself out of touch with that stuff.

eventual winner of the junior women's race - Tesse Beebe (Byrds Cycling)

hand signals from the sideline, junior men's race

Anyway, all four races came through with the excitement. Whether it was a solo ride down the finish straight, or a burst out of the bunch Redlands provided a full afternoon of entertainment. I was on the far side of the course at the end of the race (contributing to one food establishments' till) when the pro men counted down the final few laps. there was a straight line along a pedestrian alley from where i was to the finish line. I couldn't be sure where the race was in terms of elapsed time, but as it came down to the final laps it became obvious the end was near. A thunderous roar reverberated down that passage - people clapping, cheering, yelling, banging on those big signs as if they were gigantic public drums lining the way to the line - grew louder each of the final five laps, and ended in a gauntlet of wild noise, the thrill of the action, rocketing past mere feet away.

Ah, such good stuff.

Incidentally, I am pretty sure I heard correctly - the women's pro field was 150 competitors strong, the largest ever! That is fantastic! Good for them, and great for the sport.