Saturday, April 26, 2008

My Alleycat Experience

Riding into the Gallivan just in time to receive a number and the first set of directions for the Margaret Thatcher alleycat, I was completely unprepared for what I had just signed up to do. Alleycat had been described to me as a messenger-style scavenger hunt around town. My mind had immediately conjured up childhood memories of birthday party scavenger hunts, where we'd run around the yard excited to find the next clue. I found the first marker and made my way up to the Capitol building for the next one. After climbing the hill, my childish glee was quickly sweated away. Anticipating a treasure hunt of sorts with a 5 block radius, I didn't come prepared with water or good shoes (but I CAN ride in those shoes I'm usually wearing!) and knowing I was far behind everyone else, it was difficult to motivate myself to keep going. Emilio soon came to my rescue, however, and kept me company through the remaining of the race though he wasn't registered!



Climbing one more intense hill up to King's English on 15th East, I decided that all I wanted was to finish the race, though receiving updates from Mark, Emilio and I knew that it was nearly over for everyone else. Down to the Collective, on to Liberty Park, and (skipped the library 'cause we knew the markers had been taken away) back to the Gallivan Center. I rode in with a satisfied grin on my face and my fist raised in triumph as I touched the center monument.



The other competitors were long gone, but I could care less. I competed in my first alleycat, was the last to ride in, but I finished!!! Hopefully someone who was at the front will post about their experience as a serious competitor and the results. I'm excited to participate in the next alleycat, and maybe go up a few spots! Oh and WOMEN: we need some more estrogen-driven rides so get all your girl friends and come out to the events and don't forget about Girl's Night at the Collective coming up soon!

3 comments:

  1. excellent first post! good to see that you alleycat'd well. as far as the "estrogen-driven rides" go, you have my support, even though i left my estrogen with my wife, who consequently, i keep reminding about the Girl's Night at the Collective. If you want fliers done for a girls ride, she is a perfect person to talk to and organize something. she however, isn't one of those hardcore titan women roadies, but a casual rider, so if you are going to organize something, please go easy.

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  2. yeah, that alleycat was really fucking intense. Tom's a sadist for sure. I loved it though, it was the right level of insanity, we should have some more laid back ones for contrast.

    I'm sorry everyone was gone Esther, it was because of the Disorderly house event immediately after. We'll make sure the next one has more en-suite tomfoolery to keep people around.

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  3. i thought you guys had left after the mix-up at the third stop!!!! oh no!! i'm sorry!

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