A local’s guide to the Redlands Bicycle Classic

The 40th edition of the Redlands Bicycle Classic opens Wednesday, April 8, bringing five days of professional cycling, community rides and weekend events to Redlands streets and the surrounding San Bernardino foothills.

Founded in 1985, the Classic is the nation’s longest-running invitational professional cycling stage race. The 2026 field includes men’s and women’s professional categories, with stages ranging from a time trial at Lake Perris to the downtown criterium on Citrus Avenue.

In addition to racing, the weekend features a Vendor Village, youth races, public rides, and a Sunday 5K and Family Fun Walk.

The race: Five stages over five days

This year’s edition includes one time trial, two circuit races, a criterium and a road race.

Stage 1 — Wednesday, April 8: Lake Perris Time Trial
Stage 2 — Thursday, April 9: Circuit Race at Hangar 24
Stage 3 — Friday, April 10: Crafton Hills Circuit Race
Stage 4 — Saturday, April 11: Downtown Criterium (Citrus Avenue)
Stage 5 — Sunday, April 12: Sunset Road Race and additional criteriums

Every stage includes men’s and women’s professional fields and, for the first time, junior racers in all five stages.

👉 Full schedule + road closures:

School Duel returns April 11

*Girls line up at the starting line of the School Duel race. (Photo: Redlands Unified School District)*

From toddlers to teens, young riders hit the same downtown course as the pros during the School Duel.

Organizers are aiming for a record 1,000 participants as schools compete for bragging rights.

👉 Online registration (free with safety quiz) closes Tuesday, April 7 at 11:59 p.m.:
https://redlandsclassic.com/official-public-races-entry-form/

Race-day registration begins at 7 a.m.
$7 (ages 1–5), $12 (ages 6–17)
$5 late fee applies

Legends’ Fondo returns Saturday

Prefer to ride instead of watch? The Legends’ Fondo offers four route options starting at 8 a.m., all beginning with a lap on the downtown criterium course.

Routes include:

67 miles: Oak Glen climb (~5,700 ft elevation gain)
52 miles: Sunset + Walnut loop
40 miles: Intermediate route
15 miles: “Taste of Redlands” scenic ride

Registration includes rest stops, support, Vendor Village voucher, medal and more.

👉 Register:
https://www.bikereg.com/redlands-classic-legends-fondo

Sunday: 5K + Family Fun Walk

The 3rd Annual Redlands Runs 5K and Family Fun Walk takes place Sunday, April 12.

Flat, fast course designed for PRs
Top finishers compete for a $1,000 Dash for Cash
Family walk welcomes strollers and wagons

Capacity is limited to 500 participants.

Register here

Vendor Village: 150+ booths

Located at Citrus Avenue and Sixth Street, the Vendor Village features cycling gear, food and merchandise.

Hours:

Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Road closures: What to expect

Closures begin Thursday and expand through the weekend, with the biggest impacts downtown.

Thursday (April 9): Airport area loop closed 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Route: Sessums Drive → Wabash Avenue → E. San Bernardino Avenue → Judson Street -> Pioneer Avenue.

Friday (April 10) at 6 p.m. – Sunday (April 12): Hard closures downtown

Closures include Citrus Avenue (Fourth to Ninth), portions of Fifth through Ninth streets, Olive Avenue west of Fourth Street, Orange/Cajon south of Olive, and Vine Street west of Fourth.

Additional streets will be closed to through traffic, with resident access managed by traffic control officers.

On Sunday, April 12, intermittent closures are expected along the south-side race loop and Redlands Boulevard as riders move through residential neighborhoods during Stage 5.

Organizers advise spectators to arrive early and plan alternate routes.

Follow coverage all week

Stage results, standings and updates will be posted throughout the week: