so you think there would be more interest in sprints or a time trial? could this be worked in as part of your series?

Pavement .... that's being polite. :lol:
You gonna be able to close it off to traffic? In the summer there is a bit of traffic there on week-ends with the boats and other cyclists.... how would folks go balls out racing on there?

last one we did was in july i think on a sunday afternoon. open course with "traffic" but we set it up so it's just four right hand turns. i had no trouble going full-out in that scenario. i can imagine getting a permit to close the roads would be a nightmare. another idea is to hold it either early morning or late evening.

Why not both? Tons of people/clubs/racers train down there all the time. Sure the surface is a bit sketchy but as was already mentioned...just makes it more interesting. Out of all the places in Toronto that we could do something like this....I think that area has the least traffic. Other than a few yahoo's I can't see much going on on Saturday night down there. You thinking day or night? I think night would be better just for the traffic thing.

That bridge can be sketchy. What's the light situation like down there at night? I hate hitting cracks and holes in the dark.
There have been known to have the occasional street race down there, as well as the Docks traffic. That said I'm game...... damn need a machine.

[QUOTE=cavernmech]The last alleycat....with proper notice and flyers....attracted a grand total of 6 racers.


Well that sucks doesnt it.

What was the race that was turned into a tv show?

Not that I know what im talking about but... if you were to propose an alley cat race as something mre like
SURVIVOR or the apprentice. One could perhaps present the idea to a network.

I mean itd be only a handful of people in the show mind you. But itd be more like a real courier job, where you have to gain favour with the dispatcher and get stuck in the elevator etc.. scoop someone elses calls.

Deliver as many packages as you can in a certain time.. pick up a secretary.. etc

Having been a messer' the idea turns my tummy.
A TV show where non-messer's race a messer style setup? Ewwwwww.

OLN search for the world's fastest messengers? Isn't that the World Courier Championships?

i meant to say: based on the fact that the last toronto alley cat attracted 6 people, perhaps a sprint or time trial event would generate more interest than a traditional alley cat? at least in terms of bringing non-messengers out to race. i don't want to be disrespectful to the messenger community in terms of stepping on anyone's toes, race-wise, but my initial thought is anyone should be free to organise a race where all are welcome.
to answer your question i think an evening thing would me more appropriate. perhaps have the starting heats/timed riders going off about an hour before the sun sets then finishing up in the dark (bring your lights)? leaves enough time for a few beers and a trackstand comp.

No dude it would be real messengers... but it would be set up with other variables.

It might make for an interesting bit of tv watching.

Is this the Irish Race you are speaking of? I think that also might have been factional something or other within the messer community that had the low turnout. Could be fun, there are gobs of folks there. Bugger I've been runnin' out of gears on my MTB recently, where's my sponsor? :lol:

I've been wanting.... once I become an eccentric billionaire, to find the world's fastest messers. Train 'em in classical road racing then place the team in the pro ranks and see what happens. Team Chaos in TDF....woooohooooo parting til 2....keepin' all the other teams awake all night. Raising hell, pro cylcing needs a team like that. Full on black everything.....lol.

Sounds cool Polly, from a network perspective the insurance liability would be evil. Just sayin'

Only if you have dull unsanitary katanas.

Ginsus!!!!!

Lets do it up. Perhaps a trial run is in order. Wouldn't take long at all to organize. Do one maybe mid-May. If it works out well we can organize another one later to be part of the series. I can take care of the prize end. Just figure out a date and get a flyer happening. Who wants to nominate themselves for the flyer/artwork end? A thankless job with no recompense...JACKPOT!! I can draw stick figures if no-one wants it:D

I got me photoshop and design skillz on but I do have another design commitment to do first.

We could do a broader invitational to folks on BF. Just curious about the last alley-cat. Is the turnout for that typical? Or is it just "big ticket" events that draw?

you mean like these guys?

from what i understand a lot of euro messengers are in fact semi-pro racers in training, supplimenting their racing income with messenger work. i remember hearing that in the last CMWC in NYC, a few of the americans were pointing out the fact that they didn't like racing some of the europeans becuase they were essentially pro althletes who were ringers in the race. i guess that's why so many of those races includ mandatory alcohol consumption, sort of levels the playing field.

Same in MTL back in the day....loads of racers trained as messers, it's a perfect fit.
I liked the photoshopping of the EVil logo on the streets of Paris.

i'm no artist, but i could put a poster/flyer togther. i did one for the last time trial anyway. i don't know about dates, the only one i can't do in may is the 13th. which weekend is the may 2-4?

*foams at the mouth @ 3rd picture

Skills...like this?

http://www.fyxomatosis.com/images/news/bradmcgee.jpg

The weekend where i'm finally free from exams, ****ing UofT

foaming at the mouth?....dude you need to get out more.... :lol:

The Bridge is fine it is the gravel that is sketchy on either end of the bridge that's fun

I cordially invite you to one of my daytime cs classes.

I used to stand up like that on a rolling road bike, without the seatgrab. I'm dyin' for my flip/flop fixie now. Operator, having gotten my own computer piece of paper years ago, I can sympathize. It's not one of your sexier occupations.

As long as you hit the gravel straight on you're ok. Opps I'm forgetting about teeny tiny road tires.

I could never wear a jersey that reads "skilled", as I'd have to be. :lol:

I could maybe look at some flyer design or possibly help with creation of elements.... all bikes welcome?
When is it needed?

T.J. - tag me in for flyer help if you like.

for reference, this is the one i put together for our time trial last year:

so what's the thrust of the meet/race? Fixies?

Public shame.

Edit: How much of a complete ****ing dork am I? Here I am, sitting in my computer chair, Park TS-2 on the desk, iTunes blaring metal as I build a wheel and smack F5 every few minutes.

:lol: You're a bastard EyeFloater..... I knew there was a reason I like you.

i think that was the idea. at least a fixie class.

It's just that it will affect the design if it's a fixie meet as opposed to open classes.