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Illegal Bicycle Race Draws Large Crowds
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by Malorie Lucich, staff writer
The Golden Gate [X]Press, September 19, 2005
Every so often, a group of San Francisco bicyclists gather at a
predetermined spot, with unknown destinations, prior to embarking on an
illegal “Alley Cat race” through the streets of San Francisco.
Reminiscent of a scavenger-hunt, the bicyclists are handed a sheet of
paper, known as a “manifest,” consisting of clear instructions and a
list of checkpoints for the day.
The instructions for the “Quake City Rumble,” listed 15 checkpoints
starting at the Marin Headlands, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Palace of
Fine Arts, Haight-Ashbury, Lombard Street, and finally finishing at
Road Rage Bicycles on Folsom.
The races generally vary from amateur to championship level, and
include beer, cash and bike parts as prizes.
Over 100 racers showed up for the Quake City Rumble race, and the two
finalists each won a new bicycle.
“I race to have fun,” said Josh McGee, a graduate of the SF State
international relations program. “It’s not so much about competition as
it is about friends gathering, and getting together to barbecue and
drink beer afterwards.”
Points are awarded to riders at each checkpoint, and during the race
participants who travel to obscure locations earn more points.
According to Aaron Lipke, Godspeed Courier bike messenger and
occasional race coordinator, the races are often planned on short
notice and organizers get creative with checkpoints.
One race involved counting the number of lion statutes in front of
homes in a designated area. The rider who counted the correct number of
statues and got back to the finish line first won.
Each race differs in participation, prizes, checkpoints and
requirements. Riders sometimes pass “man checks” – actual people (in
place of stickers) at the checkpoints, informing riders of their next
destinations.
Stickers aren’t often used because overzealous racers tend to steal
them and leave their competitors in the dark, Lipke said.
Everything about the alley cat race screams “sub-culture,” from the
secret society of unknown destinations to the fact that the race itself
is illegal.
Also known as “outlaw races,” alley cat races are both illegal and
dangerous, but still manage to be sponsored by big companies such as
bicycle manufacturer Fuji. Although the race itself is illegal, the
parties and prizes are not.
Participants race through the streets dodging traffic and other
obstacles of the city, mentally keeping track of the checkpoints
they’ve reached and the points they’ve earned.
“The guys that participate in these races not only want to have a good
time, but they are also professionals,” said Alley Cat spectator and
civil engineering major, Jeremy McGee, 21. “For most of them, riding
bikes is their job, and they are very skilled at maneuvering their
bikes while racing.”
Alley Cat races take riders to the most unexpected of places. One
particular checkpoint during the Quake City Rumble included a stop at
the Lusty Lady, a private booth “peepshow” venue.
The racers who thought they merely had to stop off at the location were
surprised to hear that they must go into the establishment and take
part in the viewing before going on to their next destination.
Quake City Rumble organizer Lipke said he felt the race was “the most
fulfilling moment of my life.
“It was us getting money off the streets and giving it back to the
people who deserve it,” he said.
The races take place everywhere from Seattle to New York to Sydney and
messengers from all over the world come to San Francisco to participate
in local races.
According to Lipke, participating in the races equates with being a
“world traveling all-star” because of the people and places Alley Cat
brings together
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