So when you ride an allycat you fast learn that delivering a prompt start is not high on the list of the bike messenger community. When you are to show up between noon and 1pm then expect the race to start at 3pm. Well it included a lof of pre stuff, like interviews, last minute preparations and for the cheaters getting Sparks required for one of the check points, which I didn't even know that exist. Since I have never raced a bike before, and especially not with like the most experienced bike riders in New York I was rather on the reserved side and was concentrating on keeping my cool and my focus on safety.
A lot more people have showed up then I thought would, almost a 100 registered racers, we all filled out our waivers, got our spoke cards and manifests. Finally we stopped traffic going to any directions and set off to the Bronx from 157th Street and Edgecomb Avenue. The adrenaline started rushing as all were making to the first checkpoint, by the way you can view the whole route here.
Lot's have happened during the race, flats, falls and friends just to stay with the Fs. Some check points were hard to find, some were fun. I got lost at one point and finally on City Island I was getting to being super exhausted so needed to ride even slower, this was the last check point before finish where I was in 69th place. After all I have explored a new borough of New York, seen several spots I will return to and had a great ride with a bunch of nice people.
The after party was awesome, great food, nice weather, good prizes for the lucky ones and honoring the super fast ones. Dave August , Michael Green along with Lee Azarello share their stories of the day. Lastly do you know what DFL means? OK, I will tell dead fucking last and being that isn't that easy either as I hear. Lastly thanks for Tim at NYC Velo for leading me the right direction to keep my butt comfortable.
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