Race Report - Create Your Own Checkpoint Race 6.23.2007
Man!... This "create your own checkpoint race" was probably the most fun alleycat race I've done. Both in putting one on AND in racing it. Though I do get more satisfaction from the Labor Day Food Drive.
As far as organising it, it was a snap. I'm sure another weeks time for promotion would have helped to bring in more riders. But... maybe another time.
I set up six checks as displayed on this map. My wife suggested that I omit the Think ATM Wal-Mart north check, and I agreed. So I ended up actually bringing five. The Mayor brought one (the underpass for Civic Center Drive) and Big John didn't bring one. He said he wasn't feeling well and wasn't sure if he'd race.
There were four new riders who raced as two teams of two. I think I remember that they are fairly new to Rochester, but two of 'em have been in town a little bit longer and had a fairly good idea of how to get around. So they paired up as one of each on a team. That was cool with me. So each team submitted a checkpoint each. One at Cook park and the other on a lamp post in front of the Barlow Hy-Vee liquer store. If you want, you can see a map of all the rider submitted checks here.
Anyhow, I left my house at about quarter after 10 to tape up my checks, then strolled into Central Park to meet everyone to start the alleycat race. It was pretty humid out, but the temp, was just right for riding. I was suprised that traffic was pretty light. Ok, Rochester isn't known as a night life type of town. So any other Saturday night I wouldn't have thought it strange. But Rochesterfest was still going on, so I figured there would have been a bit more traffic.
Once everyone exchanged info on where thier checkpoints where, and agreed were ready to start, we rolled out. I decided to stay close to The Mayor at least to the first check at Elton Hills Think ATM. We went up the alley that runs north-south just west of Broadway. He pulled off, cutting through a gas station to get onto Broadway, while I stayed on the alley for a few more blocks.
At one point there must have been some construction on the alley, leaving a six inch deep, one foot wide gap accross the road. Luckily my headlight was just recharged and I saw it in time to bunnyhop it.
I took the alley all the way to 13th street NW, then cut accross on to Broadway. Making sure traffic was clear, I made a left into the Northbrook shopping center parking lot, up behind Bruegger, to the ATM catching back up to The Mayor.
Appearently his light was giving him a litle trouble, and he took the oppourtunity at the checkpoint to take a second and briefly check it out. I pulled my tab and took off.
This is where I made my first mistake of the evening. I went along Elton Hills drive, heading west, not really realizing that it is probably not the most direct route to the 16th street-Hwy 52 overpass. John and the Mayor ended up being first to the overpass, with myself catching up as they pulled thier tabs.
From here it was a race to the 11th Ave. NW (abandoned drycleaners window) checkpoint. John and I were 1st off the bridge. We went south on 16 1/2 Ave to 14th street NW. I was drafting a little, but didn't want to be labled a wheelsucker, and pulled up beside him.
As we approach 13th ave, The Mayor shoots accross at, like, mach 153 miles per hour. (He has some huge monster 53x18 or so gear) John took that cue to cut out and follow him. I stayed straight and went south at the next street, then east on the next to 11th ave.
On 11th I approached the 7th street intersection and had the green, flew down then accross the street and picked the check at the same time as John and The Mayor.
I then went back up to 7th street to get to Cook Park. I grabbed that check and headed to the underpass and got that check. Leaving there along the bike path going towards Kutzky, I realized I was forgetting a check. Crud! I opened my manifest and saw I needed to get to Barlow Hy-Vee. I shoot accross Civic Center drive and... Guess what? I'm panicking and can't find the check. Maybe it's in the back. I loop around. Nope not there. I see the guys who were part of the new group and figure I can ask them where it's at.
Apparently I didn't listen well enough at the start, it was right there on the lamp post to the left of the liquer shop. Geez-what a dumb mistake.
Anyway, now I'm back on track. I jam down 11th to West Center street, then up 6th ave SW, accross 2nd street and into the hidden park.
It's here that I catch back up to Big John and pass him on the way to the 3rd street ramp. I ride up as hard as I can and catch up to The Mayor at the checkpoint. We take off for the finish at the same time, but he pulls off to run down the stairs while I choose to ride the ramp down.
He exits the structure a second or so before me! I get out onto the street and end up behind one of Rochester's finest. The cops! He proceeds to fly through the 2nd street intersection just as the light turns red. I was hopeing the cop would chase him so I could go through and still have a chance. But NO! he stops. Not only that, but he waits till the light changes to green before turning right down 2nd, leaving me no other choice but to try to make up a 20 second lead in 3 blocks. I knew it wouldn't happen, but I still sprinted in to second place with John breathing down my neck in third.
The rest of the riders (I wish I could remember your names) came in about 5 to 10 minutes later. All in all it was a great ride.
My lesson once again is that in alleycat racing, there's more than just going fast. It's in choosing the route and riding smart.
After the race we all rode to Glynners where I broke away to clean up my checks and then head home to bed.
I defentaly think there will be more of these (create your own checkpoint race) as well as other nite time alleycat races.AlleycatAlleycatraceracebikebikebicyclebicyclemessengermessengercheckpointcheckpointnitenitefunfunracingracingpunkpunkalleycat+racealleycat+racealleyalleycatcat
Tuesday 06/26/2007 | 01:49 pm
colin on Tuesday 06/26/2007 | 11:17 pm
nice write up and thanks again for putting it together. my wife deb and myself were the rookies, with visitors from madison(thus the teams). see you next time.
peace.
-colin
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