April 19th, we hosted the Good Friday Alley Cat race. It's a messenger style race that forces riders to think fast and ride faster. Locations announced at the very last minute, and riders need to quickly plan a route to check in at all the spots.
Leading up to the event, the weather started to turn. We prayed to weather gods to spare us. After months of planning, the gods where obviously on leave and the fucking heavens opened up just for us. Buckets of water started pouring down, pretty much as bad as it gets riding a bike in Cape Town.
The weather deterred more than half the entries, but a bold and brave bunch rocked up ready to race. The rain didn't let up and got worse and worse as we neared the race start time.
Everyone was called inside for a majority vote. "Should we move it to tomorrow?" - The was an overwhelming "Naaaaa, let's do it" and the riders voted to hit the soaked city and race.
Manifest was handed out just 10 minutes prior to race start. It was a tough set of stops on a dry day.
- Labia
- Clarke's
- Van Hunks
- V&A logo store barrow
- Yard home of the Dogs Bollocks
- Putt Putt
- House of machines
- The Shack
- The electric
- Fireman’s Arms
- Board hub
- Granger Bay parking roof
And once the riders has felt they had enough of a route planned, off they went into the dark and stormy night.
It's weird having the shop full of anxious riders and then all of a sudden, everyone is gone. It's quiet and eerie as the few spectators wait in anticipation for the first check ins to show up on Whatsapp.
Intro to our Whatsapp Check In Mechanic:
Each rider needs to scan a QR code at each location. This allows them to join a Whatsapp group named after that specific location. It also allows the shop to keep track of who's in the lead in real time.
As the Whatsapp groups started to fill up, it became clear there were 2 riders leading the charge. Charl & Zach, each within seconds of each other, but with very different route choices.
Back at the shop, we waited to see who would make it back first. The rain was now in full flow and riders where checking in all over the city.
Here's how the podiums stacked up:
Fixed Gear / Single Speed:
1st : Zach Fintz
2nd: Charl Neethling
3rd: Michael Lambooy
Geared Bikes:
1st: Robert K
2nd: Wikus VN
3rd: Matthew Wareley
Well done to everyone who attempted and finished. Who got soaked should be stoked.
See you at the next one!
RC 🤘
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