Countdown to the Intro to Alleycat Event... an event not officially associated with the 2023 National Bike Summit


Intro to Alleycat - Alleycat 101 - Alleycat for Dummies
Event Page on Facebook

What is an Alleycat?
I am not the Wiki page for urban culture... but off the top of my head...
An Alleycat is a bicycle messenger race!
What does that mean?
Essentially... the event is a competition between workers to try and prove who is the better at that line of work... like a lumberjack competition where two people compete to see who can chop a tree down more quickly... this is an event to test who is the top messenger- a bike messenger race... so the race is set up to test the skills of the messenger... the Alleycat can be many things...
to test who is the better messenger - it would involve speed... efficiency... knowledge of the city... logical navigation... and the ability to circumvent urban obstacles like cars... then there could be need to lock and unlock a bicycle with easy and efficiency... the ability to carry large parcels... let your imagination go wild... what happens in a day of a messenger could be what is part of an Alleycat... and then sometimes it goes in another direction... check points with challenges and then lastly... there might be an Easter egg hunt...
yes... the Alleycat is a race of sorts... but speed being less important than some of the combined other factors... fast in the wrong direction is not good... fast into a dangerous situation is not good... so... Safe and Smart... Arriving Alive is the objective... as the event is much like life... Play at Your Own Risk... You are Responsible for You
a recent conversation with a long time DC Messenger I was given a basic structure to create an Alleycat from
"Law firms.. The one way , the two way.... The messenger bars, a messenger house. Capitol ct. . Green ct. The congressional trailer.. That's what an " alleycat " is ... Places messengers go to"
and for it not to be an Easter egg hunt... so... I will promise... No Easter eggs will be hidden for this Alleycat event
this messenger friend of mine feels that many of my past events leaned more towards Easter egg hunts than an certified Alleycat



Yes...
this is an UNOFFICIAL 2023 National Bike Summit event...
there is no official association with the League of American Bicyclists or the National Bike Summit...
this is an adjacent event that is INVITING the advocates from around the country in town for the NBS to have a chance to see Washington DC from an alternate angle... should be interesting, historical, challenging, social and FUN!
YES! This Event is INVITING the participants at the National Bike Summit as well as any and all Advocates in the DC Region who are looking for a way to touch base with the NBS...
I was thinking that to UP THE FUN FACTOR... Bicycle Advocate Groups from All over the Country could each put together a SWAG BAG to help in sweetening the PRIZE TABLE while also being part of the fun... Advocates from Vermont could put items from their regions bicycle advocacy groups and then add some Maple Syrup, then advocates from Texas could create a SWAG bag with something Texas, maybe a Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop jersey and some BBQ sauce, Advocates from Portland could throw something together with some Portland flavor and so on and so forth... just a thought... If every participant donates a SWAG bag... then every participant can walk away with a SWAG Bag!!! Then... people can mix and mingle... trade items that do not fit or do not interest them...


VOLUNTEERS?
YES!!!
THERE WILL BE A NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS!!!
I need to know if there are are people interested and available to volunteer to run check points...
look at your calendar... think about your life...
take a measure of when it starts and when it ends!
Tuesday March 28th 2023
Volunteers will need to be at the start at 5:30 to get their assignments so that they can be at their location for the race start after 6PM
the more volunteers...
the greater ability to have check points with pick ups and games\challenges
let me know if you are available\interested in volunteering
your efforts are greatly appreciated
and of course...
volunteers and sponsor support
bring what ya got!


PRIZES!!!
There will be prizes... I am in the process of gathering sponsors... in the process of working with sponsors... things are flowing in... but we could use more sponsors... so... if you or someone\some company would be interested in lending support for post race prizes\raffle items or check point pick ups - send them my way!
and
I think that in the spirit of the event it would be cool if groups attending the 2023 National Bike Summit in person or virtually would be willing to put together a SWAG bag as a prize... a package with SWAG from their organization and then maybe something from that region... it could be a great way for advocates to connect with other advocacy groups!
DM ME TO GET MY ADDRESS
So... if you are attending the National Bike Summit... it would be great for you to support this event!
Even if you do not plan on participating in this Intro to Alleycat Event... you can still support and you can still come and gather at the finish at the Dew Drop Inn off the Metro Branch Trail in NW DC


Intro to Alleycat is just the Alleycat name
this will be an Alleycat
a DC Alleycat
an Alleycat open to all
not just Messenger, Delivery, and Courier adjacent bike people
no... this event corresponds with the National Bike Summit
an event welcoming cyclist from all over the country
I am inviting them to join in on the fun
there will be prizes
come win the prizes
it will be a fast Alleycat
it will be a low mile Alleycat
it will be an Alleycat that favors those familiar with DC
the Alleycat will end at the Dew Drop Inn
Intro to Alleycat is just a name...
but honestly... it will be simple and clean
like a kid who speaks Spanish in the home taking Spanish in high school
they should get an A+
they might... they might not
those that score an A or A+ will get prizes...
those who do not score as high will also walk away with something... just nothing as valuable or as cool


Come One... Come All...
Open Category... WTF Category... Out of Town Category... BikeShare Bike Category... raffle... prizes... top scorers get top prizes... the prize table is stacked!!!
this event is open to everyone...
18 and over...
so... there could be a YOUNGEST PRIZE and an OLDEST PRIZE (but you have to be old... not just an old soul)
First Timers will line up against season veterans... it could be the story of the tortoise and the hare...
Prize Bags and then also picking from the Prize Table!!!
Sweet Treats!!!


Distance?
Duration?
Key Questions often asked...
How long is an Alleycat?
How many miles is an Alleycat?
Well... there are good routes and bad routes...
there is a smart order of stops and an ignorant order of stops...
This Alleycat will be IN ORDER... but... you can mix if up if you feel it would be faster...
If you get lost or ride slowly... things will take longer!
If you are quick and to the point... you will finish quickly!
Shooting for 10 Check Points... Under 10 Miles... Guessing Under an Hour of Riding Time... and then factor in time for figuring out the manifest at each stop... maybe an hour thirty of game time!!!
Faster People will go Faster...
Slower People will go more Slowly...
People can watch the clock and cut their game short and head straight to the finish if they feel they can not complete the loop in time for the cut off...
Bonus for Fast Finishes!
and
Cut Off Point for Scored Manifests for Late Arrivals!
Should be a Fun Time... I enjoyed pre riding the route this weekend!
((I rode the loop on my Single Speed Mountain bike and found it to be a decent loop that offered some clear lines))
other wise known as the Crystal City Crosshairs Garage Races

love this joke... had to use it


Intro to Alleycat - Alleycat 101 - Alleycat for Dummies
START LOCATION
National Portrait Gallery (DWRC)
Steps at 8th and F Street NW
Tuesday - March 28th
6PM Meet Up
615 Manifest Hand Out
6:30 Start
5 Dollar Suggested Donation
BE ON TIME
THIS IS GONNA BE A QUICK ONE!
Volunteers!
Show Up at National Portrait Gallery at 5:30 for 5:45 send off!
Coffee from La Colombe Coffee Roasters at the start...
Chocolate Bars as a pick up from Dr. Bronner's MAGIC CHOCOLATE
and then...
beers at the finish courtesy of New Belgium Brewing
Finish at the Dew Drop Inn

just a few days away...
What does the name "Intro to Alleycat" mean?
It just means that it will be a short distance event where beginners are welcome...
it will be 10 Check Points... Under 10 Miles... Manifest In Order...
Starting at The National Portrait Gallery
Steps at 8th and F Street NW
6 PM Registration
6:15 Manifest Hand Out
6:30 Start
Volunteers show up at 5:45!!!
Locals Rule!
Tourists Drool!
Not an Official National Bike Summit Event
but... hosted for Locals and for attendees of the 2023 National Bike Summit
ends at the Dew Drop Inn
LOTS OF PRIZES!
LOTS OF CATEGORIES!
RAFFLES!
and some decent freebies as pick ups at the check points along the way
see ya Tuesday... tell your friends


So...
the Alleycat tends to be filled with secrets!
the manifest with its checkpoints is normally withheld until the racers are released... so there are no unfair advantages
I have already leaked some information...
10 Checkpoints... Under 10 Miles... ending at Dew Drop Inn off the Metro Branch Trail...
Then Also...
the Start is at The National Portrait Gallery
6PM Registration
615 Manifest Hand Out and Instructions
630 Release
and then... here is one last tip... some TOP SECRET CHECKPOINT INFORMATION!!!
we are having a checkpoint in memory of David Confer...
we will have a Tour De Bike Lane D.C. checkpoint in the Spirit of David Confer!
David Confer was a friend to the DC Bicycle Community... Not only did David run a bicycle service shop out of his living room.. but David hosted countless bicycle events and volunteered at so many more... David was and is an Inspiration! Thank You David! You are Missed By Many!
so... some volunteers are going directly to Tour de Bike Lane location to serve as a checkpoint with pick ups
thanks Cate Cohen!




Who is going to show up?
Who from the DC Delivery\Messenger scene is gonna show up?
Will I get any representatives from the DC A Team?
How about the B Team that thinks that they are the A Team?
Curious who wants to prove they are King (or Queen) for the Day!!!!
DC MESSENGERS REPESENT!
BRING IT!!!
no pun intended... but yes Bring It!
It will quick, clean, and to the point...
10 Check Points
Under 10 Miles!
Order of Finish determines the winner... with complete manifest of course...
Charge Your Phones!
Selfies and Pick Up!



well...
questions will be answered tomorrow

these were pretty much collection of posts on the Facebook Event Page

stories to come


GAME TIME!
time for some March Madness... DC BIKE LIFE STYLE... today is the Intro to Alleycat - Alleycat 101 - Alleycat for Dummies - an event that is not officially associated with the 2023 National Bike Summit, but is held for locals and for attendees of the National Bike Summit
Here are the details... it is today... so... have your bike ready and charge your phone (the manifest requires photos)
Show Up Ready to Ride!
The Intro to Alleycat - Alleycat 101 - Alleycat for Dummies
Gonna be Quick and to the point...
10 Checkpoints... Under 10 Miles...
Intro to Alleycat - Alleycat 101 - Alleycat for Dummies
START LOCATION
National Portrait Gallery
Steps at 8th and F Street NW
Tuesday - March 28th
6PM Meet Up
615 Manifest Hand Out
6:30 Start
5 Dollar Suggested Donation
BE ON TIME
THIS IS GONNA BE A QUICK ONE!
Volunteers!
Show Up at National Portrait Gallery at 5:30 for 5:45 send off!
Coffee from La Colombe Coffee Roasters at the start...
Chocolate Bars as a pick up from Dr. Bronner's MAGIC CHOCOLATE
and then...
beers at the finish courtesy of New Belgium Brewing
Finish at the Dew Drop Inn
So Excited...
Unsure who is going to attend
we have some volunteers... but we can always use more volunteers
unsure you want to participate in the Alleycat itself, but wanna be part of the fun? VOLUNTEER?
Volunteers will need to show up on their bike... ride to the checkpoint... handle checkpoint responsibilities and then will ride to the finish at the Dew Drop Inn for prizes and celebration