More than 218 cyclists, including 15 from the University of Maryland (UMD) Club Cycling Team, raced through College Park’s Old Town neighborhood on April 19 during the 11th annual Route 1 Rampage.

The UMD team hosted the daylong event for collegiate and amateur riders from across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with professional oversight provided by the Mid-Atlantic Bicycle Racing Association.

Throughout the high-speed event, participants competed across various categories on a 1.1-kilometer closed circuit.

“It’s basically a closed circuit loop that is a rider’s race for basically a delineated amount of time,” Jack Dausch, treasurer of the UMD club, said. “There’s a bunch of different categories depending on your experience level. And then there’s also collegiate categories as well for universities to race against each other.”

For example, college teams compete in a different category from novice racers. Some events are for different age groups or skill levels.

Racers from UMD, the Naval Academy and the University of Virginia competed head to head to earn ranking points. These points track a biker’s experience and skill, serving as benchmarks that allow athletes to “level up” and earn the opportunity to race in more advanced, faster fields.

Collegiate racers were not the only participants; solo riders and club teams also competed.

Caspar Gray, a Baltimore-based member of the DC Devo club team, said the rampage is a great local competition for those in the DMV.

“It’s really nice having local races like this that we don’t have to travel very far for and still have good competition,” Gray said.

Despite sporadic rain showers, the races proceeded as scheduled. Bikers sped through the streets while police officers on motorcycles monitored the course and offered support to fallen riders.

David Oriente, a mechanic at the College Park bike shop Proteus Bicycles, called the event a major draw for cycling enthusiasts.

“It’s got a lot of participation in this region,” Oriente said. “So we’re always trying to keep the sport of cycling alive by getting as many people to register for these races as possible.”

College Park Mayor Fazlul Kabir, an avid cyclist, said the event brings a unique excitement to the city.

“The good thing about this event is that it brings so much energy and a good sense of community,” Kabir said. “And also, so many visitors that come not only from within College Park but also from outside of College Park. …it is a wonderful event.”