A beautiful, sunny day signaled the arrival of spring Saturday, and for nearly 200 patrons at Clinton Lake the biggest benefit was good cycling weather.

About 170 cyclists and two dozen fans participated in the fourth race of the Mojo’s Spring Fling Criterium cycling series at Clinton Lake.

“It’s not quite a lazy day in the sun, though,” event coordinator Jim Whittaker said. “There was actually quite a stiff breeze out there, offering quite a resistance to even the most experienced riders.”

Resistance hasn’t been a problem for cycling in the Lawrence area lately. Whittaker said more people than ever were supporting the sport that legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong had helped popularize.

Saturday’s stats backed up Whittaker’s claim, as a record number of riders took part in the racing series that began in 1995 with an average of 25 riders per day.

“It’s definitely growing at a tremendous rate,” said Whittaker, who races for the Lawrence-Kansas City area-based Team X. “In that way, it’s kind of like NASCAR on bikes.

“But it’s no video game. If you fall out here, it might take you a while to get back up. But when you do, you’ll get going again.”

The majority of new entrants in the series are first-time youth participants. Whittaker said 15 under-15-year-old riders from Wichita had come to Lawrence the last four Saturdays because of the free racing and “picturesque view of Clinton Lake.”

Cycling can provide a quality fitness workout with scenery to boot, but J.B. Vowell said quality competition ultimately was what kept him coming back.

Participants in the over-40 division race in the Mojo's Spring Fling Criterium bicycle race. The event was Saturday at Clinton Lake.

Vowell — an Alabama native who has raced 17 years, mostly in the South — said Midwest riders were “equal to, if not better than most.”

“There are some really top-notch individuals and teams out here,” said Vowell, who currently sits atop the Category 3/4 class.

But no matter how intense the competition became, Whittaker and Vowell each assured having fun with friends was why they started cycling.

“Most guys hunt and fish or play golf,” Vowell said. “This is my hobby. It’s fun and keeps me in shape. Plus, there are just a lot of good people out here that make it worthwhile.”

The Mojo’s Spring Fling Criterium series, at Clinton Lake campground No. 1, continues at noon Saturday and concludes April 3.