the oakland scrape 08

okay so i raced my first alleycat this past weekend!
it was a fundraiser for the SF bicycle messenger association,
or more specifically their broken bones fund
that helps out messengers that have been injured on the job.
i mean shit; i give props to (and envy) those who are able to ride all day for work.
but considering how many hours and miles you spend on the road on that job,
and the potential for disaster is much much higher and more serious.
so this was a good opportunity to show respect, help out, and also have fun!

the race started at lake merritt and spanned a good bit north and west of oakland.
super hilly, super fun, with a great turnout (180 registered racers!!).
anyways i don't really have that much more to say about it;
i had a great time, made a few new friends,
placed in the top third of the field,
and took home a few t-shirts.

here are photos of the racers from one of the checkpoints.
(shot with a phase one p25!!!)
here is the flickr photopool as well.

postscript:
i admit, i never thought i'd ever race an alleycat.
i mean i never thought i'd ever ride a fixed gear either!
after years of dismissing it and sticking to bmx,
and being convinced that i was real fast on my brooklyn.
i just can't deny its simplicity and smoothness.
and how effortlessly fast they go.
yes; i am loving it.