LexRides

[brokebike]

I've been asked by Jason Kazee who is organizing the Day 2 Stage Races (that will take place at the Courthouse Plaza after the Bike Lexington ride on Saturday, May 17th) if there would be much interest in taking part in the races on that day. This would be ideal for those who were originally interested in showing up to race in the time trial races on Friday (because they may or may not be allowing just anyone to show up and expect to race that night).

As it stands, they have tentatively allowed time slots for 2 races in addition to the races that are already being held as part of the 3-Day Stage Race. You would need to show up to register for either of these two races at 11:30 am on Saturday.

First, would be a "Fun Bike" category, which would include any variety of crazy bike that you wouldn't normally associate with racing; tandems, kid's bikes, tall bikes, xtra-cycles, cruisers, choppers, BMX, etc. This race would start at 12:45pm and end at 1:00pm.

The second would be for "Urban Cyclists", which would include fixed gears, single-speeds, and really just anyone who doesn't normally race for a local race team... you know, essentially the same folks who would come out to compete in our regular alleycats. This race would start at 1:00pm and end at 1:15pm.

I've been told that both races would consist of 4 laps around the course, and would be about 15 min. in length. The "Fun Bike" race would probably be shortened due to the types of bikes involved. The racers who are taking part in the 3-Day Stage races are required to pay a fairly heavy race fee in order to cover the costs of insurance and things like that, but I've been told that if enough people are interested in these two races, there will be a reduced race fee of $5 per person who wants to take part.

The other cool thing to give you some incentive, they are considering a cash payout of $150 for the first three finishers of each race; so $75 for first, $50 for second, and $25 for third.

If we have less than 10 registrants for one (or both) of the races, they’ll combine the two fields and there will only be one $150 purse.

If you're interested at all, please post here, or send me an email at: brokebike@gmail.com

thanks all!

[jkizzle]

yeah that ought to be mentioned, they are only guaranteeing preregistrants spots in the timetrial, and you might need a 10 dollar single day uscf liscense plus the 15 entrance fee if you to lock you spot up.

[brokebike]

I just sent this out to the 200+ people on the Alleycats list-serv too.

I think the races the next day will be a better option for those who consider themselves more of an "informal" racer, or those who simply want to show up and race for the hell of it.

That's ok, because I'm really looking forward to "bike tailgating" along Euclid to watch these guys blowout their lycra hauling ass down the most dangerous strip in town!

[jkizzle]

Also should be mentioned that if you do get a good response, people should NOT preregister, as their is already a ss/fixed preregistration category that is $15. So save the $10 bucks, right? You know anything about that brokebike?

[brokebike]

[brokebike]

ok... since there's no way to change the online registration for that day, if you want to pre-register for either the "Urban Cycling race" (fixed/SS) or the "Fun Bike race", you'll be paying the $15 fee.

BUT, if you register the day of, you only have to pay the reduced fee of $5.

So, we're encouraging those who want to race to just show up at the designated register time, and have your $5 in hand... you'll save money that way. Kinda backwards, but that's the way it is for this situation. They're just trying to get folks out to race to make it more interesting and fun on Saturday.

(I should note that all of this info is based on direct conversations between myself and Jason Kazee, who knows that I am posting this here. I have no real involvement in these races other than to pass the word along to you fine folks!)

[brokebike]

another important piece of info that I failed to mention earlier...

since these races are falling under the umbrella of being officially sanctioned USA Cycling events (as part of the 3-Day Stage Race), and since they are already bending the rules a bit to try to include as many of us "regular cyclists" as possible, there are two simple rules we are being asked to follow:


1. helmets are required

2. all bikes need at least one visible, working brake


...so, if you rock a brakeless bike, throw a front brake on just for the race.

sorry for the inconvenience, but them's the rules.

[selfpropelled]

I'm in! Lets make the fun race a spectacle that lex will not soon forget. I am talking tall bikes, pirate bikes, trikes, small bikes, choppers, big wheels, people pulling roller skaters, dogs pulling bikes, xtracycles with people surfing on the back, and bikes with side cars. Lets do this!

Oh yeah, I am totally taking home the cash on the urban race too, so I'll spring for a round of PBR with the $75.


ps... Thought a little shit talking might get more people interested in racing.

[alex]

[Myke Dronez]

Can I hot glue a faux brake to the fork of my Makino? I'd be moving really fast so I don't think anyone would notice.. How about racing with a dog in tow? That might be worth donning the helmet.
_________________
"If you don't want stupid answers don't ask questions."

[brokebike]

Here's the final word passed along to me by Jason Kazee:

"Just an update for you…I spoke with my head official last night, we’re going to restrict the urban race to fixed gears and single speeds just to keep everyone on the same level. If someone with a geared bike wants to race, they can slot in either to the funny bikes race ($5 fee) or the cat 5 field (but in the Cat 5 race they're looking at $35).

Sorry for the late notice."

So, it looks like the "Funny Bike" race will be open to just about anything, and the other is SS/Fixed only. Keep in mind the other requirements; helmets & at least one brake. I'm assuming coaster brakes would be fine for SS. If a race official cannot spot a brake strap, then they don't need to be a race official.

[elzie5000]

Speaking of funny bikes, is you-know-who going to be riding the big yellow three stack you-know-what tomorrow?