WARSAW — Fat and Skinny Tire Fest returns next weekend and will celebrate its 20th year of racing.

At this point, the all-encompassing three-day bicycling event has become a well-oiled machine that relies on more than 300 volunteers, has strong sponsorship, and is far from coasting along.

Three road racing events are expected to see much larger numbers of participants this year.

That's after USA Cycling asked that Fat & Skinny serve as the Indiana State Championship for road racing,

The national championship is one week after Fat & Skinny.

“That’s actually created a lot of excitement with the racers and we’re seeing record registration for not just that event, but three days of road racing,” said Mike Cusick, one of three co-directors for Fat & Skinny who joined Greg Demopoulos for an interview for In The Know, the public affairs show that broadcasts this weekend on Kensington Digital Media radio stations.

Road racing events include the Zimmer Biomet Twilight Criterium on Friday night in downtown Warsaw, Saturday’s 8+ mile race that starts and ends in Claypool, and Sunday’s criterium in the Village at Winona

“This year we’re at just under 300 pre-registered, whereas this time last year, we were just over 100,” Demopoulos said.

"I would love to see 600, and we could possibly get that,” he said.

On Saturday, the Claypool races will include three races at 10 a.m., three at noon and two at 2 p.m. The 2 p.m. race is viewed as the top category.

Some of the road races will require a cap on participation to keep conditions safe.

The Friday night criterium races in downtown Waraw are also settling into a robust tradition.

This year marks another year of partnership with Third Friday and is the second year in which alcoholic beverages are allowed outside of restaurants and bars in the downtown within the Dora District — a new policy that seemed to be a big hit with spectators and was free of problems.

Last year's Friday night races saw a packed crowd that enjoyed competition well after sunset.

The BMX bike stunt show on Center Street is also part of Fat & Skinny.

Cusick and Demopoulos said they believe the Friday night racing tradition around the courthouse is something that will continue in the future.

"When we bring that all together, it really creates just an exciting atmosphere for the spectators, plus the racers love it too," Cusick said.

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