Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Would I be way out of place at an alleycat?

I'm 44 and live in Davis and own a house, a green Honda Accord and a white Volvo. We took our cat to a holistic vet. My wife and I are so typically Davis that pretty soon the city is going to make us wear those ankle bracelets with transmitters so we can't leave town.

Until then, I heard about the Oakland Scrape Alleycat and it actually sounds fun. I really don't know my way around Oakland, but I do ride in traffic a lot. The entry fee is only $5 and my wife can visit her family in Walnut Creek that day.

The race is a benefit for helping underprivlidged kids get on bikes, a cause I truly believe in.

I don't doubt my physical ability to do it. I ride 20-25 miles on my fixed gear all the time, sometimes further.

Should I do it, or should I stick to time-trials on Putah Creek road?

come on down bro, going to be a great time.

i didn't hear a reason why you shouldn't do it, only reasons why you should

There is an alley cat in Sac on the 24th. It will end at the Bike Kitchen and our grand opening. You should give it a shot.

P.S. I 33, married homeowner and I still do them. They are always a good time.

There is an alley cat in Sac on the 24th.


http://www.weather.com/weather/wxdetail/95821?dayNum=6

says 106 in sac

vs.


http://www.weather.com/outlook/driving/interstate/wxdetail/94611?dayNum=6

84 in oakland.

LOL. If I could just find a topographical map of the Sac and Oakland.

bumper sticker: OAKLAND - cuz S.F. isn't cool enough

come on out!

i drive a black volvo

that's like asking someone in portland if they thought someone from lake oswego or maybe gresham should ride. and the answer is "hell yes! nice to know there are some cool people in those places."

probably the same thing here.

$5 for a good cause is the only thing I see that's important. All the rest is unimportant. Show up, have fun and kick ass.

alleycats are great. they make me go faster than I otherwise would want to.

I'm throwing the scrape, and you should definatly come. If you're worried about not knowing your way around Oakland, don't. There will be a map in your registration packet (along with some goodies). If you're worried about not being as punk rock as the guy on the flyer, don't. He's just some kid I saw while taking pictures for the flyer and asked him to hold my bike. I think he's like a trig wiz at Berkeley or something, very nice guy.

please come and have fun, Lakeside Park is very near Lake Merrit Bart, so it's easy to get to.

I'm really glad this thing is getting a good response. : )

I did a couple when I was living in Copenhagen and they were a total blast. Riding fast is fun and riding fast with a large group is even more fun.

I would definitely go out and get your ride on. It looks like the Oakland Scrape should be a total blast but alas, I have plans for that day. :-(

yeah do the alleycat.

LOL. If I could just find a topographical map of the Sac and Oakland.

Topographical map of Sac? That's almost as funny as a topographical map of Davis.

This alleycat you speak of. I know about the opening of the Bike Kitchen, but I can't find any specifics on an alleycat as to when and where.

There was a guy, probably around 40, who raced at the No NOS.

Even better: his dad, somewhere between 60-70, also raced (on his Surly, no doubt).

Even better than that: the grandchildren were there to cheer him on. That **** was great.

I'll drop a line to Jeremy and get you more info. I'm too busy with the opening event to race (which I'm bummed about). I'll let you know in the next day or so.

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxdetail/95821?dayNum=6

says 106 in sac

vs.


http://www.weather.com/outlook/driving/interstate/wxdetail/94611?dayNum=6

84 in oakland.

But it's a dry heat.

There was a guy, probably around 40, who raced at the No NOS.

Even better: his dad, somewhere between 60-70, also raced (on his Surly, no doubt).

Even better than that: the grandchildren were there to cheer him on. That **** was great.

now that's beautiful.

Some commuter dude on a hybrid and in rain gear was spinning his isht out at the last Dayton alley cat. Oddly enough, he always seemed to be in front of me...

Some commuter dude on a hybrid and in rain gear was spinning his isht out at the last Dayton alley cat. Oddly enough, he always seemed to be in front of me...

that's cause commuters can smoke most riders...the roadies HATE it (whereas we would think it is kinda cool)

all sorts of crazy-ass people show up at nyc alleycats.

everyone from hardened messengers to people joy-riding some weird bike to kids just looking to ride for the fun of it.

a healthy dose of attitude and testosterone occasionally shows up at the after parties and such, but it usually doesn't distract from the fun for most.

yeah, that pretty much sounds like all the alleycats i've done. except the testosterone's always been pretty low at the afterparties i've been too. or, at least...less aggressive.

I'm trying to get my dad to race the scrape.

This is cool.....Id love to race one but the ones Ive read about
seem to require alcohol at some point, but I have to roll straight(dull)edge these days....
I dont want to be the guy who everyone says "who the F invited him ........?"
I think Id try my first one on a grearie and then go fixed when I figured out what was going on.

This is cool.....Id love to race one but the ones Ive read about
seem to require alcohol at some point, but I have to roll straight(dull)edge these days....
I dont want to be the guy who everyone says "who the F invited him ........?"
I think Id try my first one on a grearie and then go fixed when I figured out what was going on.

nah, the booze is strictly for fun. if there were a checkpoint where you'd have to drink you could just explain that you don't and they'd probably be cool. whats important is going out and having fun.

Yup, There's usually a trade off. If you don't drink you generally get to do something stupid. Trust me, real stupid.

So is alleycatting like a Hash for bikes?

Yup, There's usually a trade off. If you don't drink you generally get to do something stupid. Trust me, real stupid.

I had to drink a shot of hot and sour sauce during the King of the Streets alleycat.

Once in Boston I had to do 10 push-ups while the checkpoint guy repeatedly spanked me with a rubber rod (that really hurt!).

Yeah. Like that. ^ Or pole dancing.

So is alleycatting like a Hash for bikes?
no, not as much drinking, if any at all during the race.