I've been trying to wiggle out of an obligation to get up there on Saturday. Even though I am disappointed that chariot racing will be nothing like Ben Hur. I had affixed three-inch spikes to the locknuts of my pauls and have a bolo whip stashed under my seat. All for naught. Not really related at all, but for those interested in putting in some miles, my friend and I are trying to convince each other to do this on Sunday morning:
http://www.evanstonbikeclub.org/nsc/.