This last Thursday, 1 November, we hosted our first official alley cat race through Cape Town. An alley cat race is a messenger style event with various pick-ups all over the town. Visit the locations in any order, collect the tokens and first back to Rook Cycles HQ with all the tokens wins.
We created custom laser engraved tokens as the pickups. Each rider got issued a carabiner at check in. The tokens clip onto the carabiner. Super simple.
The turnout was maxed out at 50 rider entries! With the majority on single speeds, and about 17 on geared bicycles.
At 6pm we opened the doors for rider check-in and the vibe and energy was electric as the shop filled up with bicycles and guys and girls eager to see how their route would stack up.
After a short briefing, everyone took up their starting positions on the right hand side of the street. We waited for a gap in the traffic and called "race on!". Everyone scrambled across the street to grab the first green token and head off in all directions. The shop went from packed out to just a handful of supporters hanging out waiting to see who come back first.
The race format is a mind game. You might be first to a location to pick up and pass someone on their way back from another pick up. So you're never really sure where you're placed until the end. But, if you're not too keen to go full throttle, it's also a rad ride through the city.
Geared and Single speed set out at the same time. Upon return to the shop, riders would clip into the next available slot on the winning wall.
Everyone had a great ride - even though the south easter was howling. A super exciting podium with Rook Cycles sweeping the single speed / fixed class.
Fixed Gear / Single Speed
1st Pang Isaac ( Rook One Ice White)
2nd Hennie de Villiers ( Rook Race Black Out)
3rd Zach Fintz (Rook Race Raw)
Geared class
1st Christian Scriba
2nd Nick Lamond
3rd Robert Ketteringham
Best overall time - first one back
Christian Scriba
Best dressed
Eric and Rebecca
Thanks to everyone who came out and supported or rode. Stay tuned for the next one!
SAVE THE DATE 3rd JANUARY 2019 - THE HANGOVER HUSTLE
Photography @capetownmonkey
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