{"id":14711,"date":"2023-07-05T09:35:21","date_gmt":"2023-07-05T13:35:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brooklynfixedgear.com\/?p=14711"},"modified":"2024-02-05T22:40:02","modified_gmt":"2024-02-06T03:40:02","slug":"what-is-an-alleycat-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brooklynfixedgear.com\/culture-and-community\/what-is-an-alleycat-race\/","title":{"rendered":"What is an Alleycat Race? Unraveling the Urban Cycling Phenomenon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ever found yourself in a swarm of bikes, stacked haphazardly against dumpsters and brick walls, caught in a swelling crowd of high-fives and nervous laughter? Imagine then, someone bellowing, “Manifests are ready, come get ’em!” You just stumbled upon an alleycat race<\/strong>. If you’re unfamiliar with this underground phenomenon, buckle up and get ready to explore the untamed spirit of alleycat racing, where cats roam free and the streets become their playground!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an alleycat race?<\/strong> It’s an unsanctioned street race, originally created by bike messengers to emulate a typical delivery day’s route. It’s a thrilling and nerve-wracking adventure, blending navigation skills with raw speed across a metropolitan area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes an alleycat race unique?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An alleycat race isn’t just any race. It’s a whole different beast, and I’ll tell you why. Picture this: you’re not just racing against others; you’re up against city traffic, stoplights, potholes, pedestrians, and even car exhaust. Sounds a bit like the Tour de France meets Fast and Furious, doesn’t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes these races so unique and, honestly, quite exciting are the checkpoints scattered across the city. These checkpoints mimic the routine a bike messenger might face<\/strong> in a day. Alleycat riders have to find their way to these various spots before crossing the finish line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How many checkpoints are there in a race?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most alleycats have over ten checkpoint stops. Think city landmarks, plaques, or even a person sitting inside a bar with a stamp. The checkpoints are integral to the race.<\/strong> They represent the challenge of finding locations in a bustling city, not just speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember when Frodo had to find his way to Mordor in The Lord of the Rings? Well, the challenge isn’t as daunting, but it does require some strategy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who participates in these races?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alleycat races are truly for everyone. They’ve long attracted working couriers and fixed-gear nuts but also a surge of new riders. We’re talking serious roadies looking to win to casual cyclists who just come for the good vibes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Minneapolis, underground races are held every few weeks<\/strong>. The energy is always electric, with hundreds of bikes stacked against dumpsters and brick walls, a palpable sense of excitement in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One series, called No Name, hosts races on the first Sunday night of each month. Here’s my recommendation: get involved! You put $5 in a pot to race; the winner takes the cash but usually buys beers at the end for the pack (and must organize the next month\u2019s race).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are there big alleycat events?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes, and they’re a blast! Despite a few large races each year in the U.S., there is no sanctioning body for this \u201csport.\u201d Each race is unique, and the rules and event formats can vary. That’s the charm of alleycats: no two races are alike.<\/strong> Plus, the thrill and the challenge of an alleycat race is akin to the thrill of riding a fixie. It’s raw and simple, and it’s about the rider and the machine against the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s the lingo like in alleycat racing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every culture has its own language, and alleycat racing is no exception. You’ll need to talk the talk if you want to roll with the best of ’em. For instance, do you know what a “manifest” is in an alleycat race? Well, it’s your treasure map, your guide. It’s a paper clue sheet with addresses or directions to the race\u2019s mandatory checkpoints<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And speaking of checkpoints, here are a few more terms you should know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n