Wednesday, I get a text
it is Dario
no words... just an image...
After Work Alleycat: Meet @ Stoney's Friday July 26 4:00
Five Dollars
Winner Takes All
hold on...
After Work? 4PM?
Who gets off work at 3:30?
I do not have a job and I think that this would be early for me
I refrain from an immediate response with a remark\complaint about the start time
it is not just about me... but it is about others
some people have jobs... straight jobs...
then in the bike world...
some people have afternoon work
I already felt Bruce would have work conflict
Uber Eats people could dog out... but dinner rush is the money maker...
actual messengers with a guarantee have a certain obligation
not sure about the Stems flower commitment
Capital BikeShare workers get off at either 4PM or Six PM
I send Dario a text... he says...
"4:30.... then types a meniacal laugh... says something about trying to get us some work... then more laughter"
WHO IS THIS GUY?
I am on the fence... maybe I am just being grumpy
I can be grumpy
the following day was the Ruff News Time Trial
as I work on my bicycle themed photo book I watch the weather
the threat of afternoon Thunderstorms become less and less likely as the day progresses
when it is late afternoon early evening and seems like logical time to get to the Time Trials I gather the dog... get in the car... my son's car... run a few quick errands
then off to the Time Trial
no bike... but I have a handful of Discs and a game of Kan Jam
no food or beers
as I feel that I have contributed enough food and beer at the last several TT Meet up and thought maybe some of that food and beer still remains
this week Andy Zalan is in Zurich for the Messenger Worlds
other people are handling the timing
April has the grill going
it is a smaller gathering
but it is happening
I check my phone... oh... Bruce sent me a text... I confirm that I am going\at the Time Trial
Bruce wants to play Kan Jam
Bruce likes Games
it is a small gathering... but a good group of people
some of the usual suspects
Dario is there... Dario is always working the crowd like a candidate during an election year
I get my two minutes with Dario
Dario razzes me about missing his last two races...
it happens... life...
I think his last event I was grabbing my younger son from college
persuasive as Dario is... I am still on the fence
some time passes
Dario takes the podium and gives his Ted Talk on Papusa Cat 2.0
then he goes from Alleycat promoter to El Salvadorian Anthony Bourdain
or maybe he is more like Forrest Gumps shrimp boat partner Bubba
a number of us sit and listen
Dario is listing the Pupusa options in El Salvador
not this three options we have in the states
no... it is like a Pupusa version of Baskin and Robbins in El Salvador
he goes through the list of papusa options like Bubba listed his mothers ways of preparing shrimp
then we learn about how great Dario's mother's Pupusa are... but how they pale in comparison to his aunts Pupusas... which are better than any Pupusa in any restaurant
be that restaurant a flavorful hole in the wall or a gourmet five star joint
there is more ribbing
Dario makes fun of my quality Playdough Pupusa in his Alleycat
I extend to say how I brought Tuperware to his Alleycat and took home all sorts of Pupusa to eat in the following days
time passes Dario is out... no Kan Jam... he has places to go...
I give him a strong hug
lifting and squeezing him so tight that I should charge him for the spinal crack that he just received
I am gonna race Friday
Dario has worked the crowd
Dario has seduced me with his charisma
Friday was spent working on the bicycle themed photo books
hunched over the computer for hours
still working hard to find missing images
digging deep into Blogger and then also Instagram
grabbing small images from the web that I will have to run an AI program to enlarge them enough to print
GigaPixel is pretty cool... but I am not the savoy about it... I just pretty much guess around and run batches at a time
it is getting closer to departure time
I step away from the computer and take a moment to let my back relax
Carol King Tapestry is on the turntable
"I felt the earth move under my feet... "
I put the needle on the record and stretch out onto of my bed
lengthen my spine... elevating my legs... not enough time to nap... a little elongation is better than nothing
and no! that is not a euphamism
I take a phone call... it is my buddy Rob... Rob and I went to High School together... we toured on bicycles in Europe together... we have hung in Colorado... Wyoming... California... Colorado... and of course locally
we catch up as I gather gear and fill water bottles
fill water bottles and consume water
gotta stay hydrated
the Jamis Nova cyclocross bike with flat bars gets some lube on the chain but nothing more
a pinch of the tires... fine...
taped the tip of the seat back on
wiped the excess of oil off the chain
should be ready to roll
traveling light...
no lock... no backpack...
just a hip pouch with the essentials
water bottles will go in the two feed bags on the handlebars
I am eating a variety of grab and go snacks
it is cooler today... not the 99 Degree day where I suffered Heat Exhaustion during an Alleycat just over a month ago
I had to get rolling... unlike PJs Alleycat where the start time was expected to be late
Dario assured me that this race would start promptly at 4:30
so... on the bike... mellow pedal warming up the legs rolling down to Stoney's near Logan Circle
upon arrival I was stoked to see there were already a bunch of bodies and a bunch of bikes
we had a race...
leaned the bike off to the side
took a seat beside Dario
paid and registered
then got roasted for paying in quarters
a zip lock bag full of quarters
Dario will never miss an opportunity to rib me... even if I have broken ribs
I do not have broken ribs right now
but if I did
that would not stop Dario from ribbing me
I joke... CAMBIO... then go on and talk about this Alleycat being in Spanish and me being ready...
Dario has threatened to do his manifest in Spanish
I would not doubt if the Papusa Cat 2.0 is in Spanish this year
I drink a mess of water and then go into Stoney's and fill my water bottle
time passes... there more bodies show up... more people register...
not sure of the numbers... but it is a race... races days tend to be small
the start time would of course come into play
as would other event conflicts
I know an number of bodies would be heading to the Baltimore Bike Party that evening
RACE REPORT: Dario's Friday Night After Work Alleycat
enough pre-empting my race report with details about catching up on laundry and taking the dog for a walk
another non euphamism
people were registered and there was the promise of a 4:30 race start
when I came out of Stoney's after filling my water bottles
I saw Brian Clark aka Bigs setting up his Omnium Cargo Bike such that no bikes were leaned against it and it was pointed for a quick and easy escape off the sidewalk
I followed his lead... taking my bike away from the cluster of bikes
setting my bike up on a different railing a few steps away
thus allowing me a quick and clean escape at the race start
manifests were handed out
was this the race release?
can we go?
I take a look at the manifest
try to get a measure of things
Dario gives us the breakdown... the Palestinian Museum has been changed from a pick up to a Selfie... we just need to fill in the blank with the P Street Checkpoint... as Dario talks I see Brian Clark has googled the P Street Check point and has filled in the blank... I follow his lead... TRIBAL NATIONS...
10 Checkpoints have just turned into NINE...
then more instructions
perhaps the most vital instructions on the manifest
500 Indiana Closes at Five!
oh... well... that will dictate my trajectory
500 Indiana First!
I look at things... that will work... no need to knock out anything on the way... 500 Indiana... as I saw that there were a few SE and NE checkpoints... Polo Courts being the furtherest
no marks on the manifest... I would modify as I went... but I felt I had a good idea...
District\Superior Court... 645 Penn Ave - Polo Courts Rush Rink... Union Market
then back across town
hit the Northern most point and work my way back
knocking out various checkpoints as I work my way back to Logan Circle
I see Bigs take an almost false start... I react...
we both look back... we are still not free to go...
more time to review the manifest
then...
we are released
manifest in my side pouch
off the sidewalk and onto the street
onto P Street past the Alley with the Free Gaza Mural that I used in the Free Gaza Alleycat
a mural that has been a battle since it was painted
the artist painted it
vandals paint over it
the artist cleans it off
vandals scribble over the message again
it went like that for a few months
not sure where it is in the battle
I think the vandals have won
I do not approve of the vandals
not from either side
I do not approve of the Free Gaza defacing the Christopher Columbus statue at Union Market
I do not approve of all the defacing of the Free Gaza message by the pro Israel side
making a mess over a message
well... that is a mess not a message
that said... I do not have a dog in the fight
I spoke to the muralist who did the Free Gaza mural in this alley
(collaboration actually)
I voiced that I guess if there were a topic that was close to my heart like this topic
maybe if I were so appalled by the antithesis message I might lash out and destroy it
we are off...
off P Street and onto 14th
Bigs turns to me... where are you headed?
I answer... 500 Indiana
Bigs then asks.. then where?
I say 645 Penn... then Rush Rink...
Bigs is not asking for advice or confirmation...
I bet he is checking to see if I have a plan or if I just plan of following him and ripping off his plan
I do have my own plan... but part of this plan is to modify my plan if Brian has a better plan
as we move Brian is getting situated... a few times I glide ahead of him... and think... he is drifting back... did I miss something... is there a stop that we should hit before 500 Indiana?
we are moving at a pretty similar space
trying to factor in all chaos while also trying to factor in the other rider
a few times when running Red Lights Brian manages to thread the needle quicker and cleaner
this goes to figure
Bigs is doing delivery work on the daily and he is a seamstress with his Bag Company
that was a dad joke... thread the needle... seamstress...
never mind... if a joke has to be explained it because a question if it were worth telling
we are matching each other's pace pretty good
off Thomas Circle we are on Mass Ave
when we approach Mount Vernon Square we split off
I run a more square route headed down 9th to H Street... I am going with the flow...
Brian stays on Mass... working that diagonal...
I expect to see him pass in front of me on a cross street as I head down on H Street numbers counting down
I may be doing too many turns... it slows the bike down to turn... faster to stay straight...
diagonals are often faster than right angles
at 500 Indiana I see Bigs' Omnium Cargo Bike locked up out front
I can see Bigs through the glasss... he is in line stripping off his helmet and bag and loading things on the X-Ray conveyor belt... waiting for his turn to go through the human backskateter x ray machine
no lock... hmmm... hope that will not be an issue
it would suck for someone to "nick" my bike while I am completing a task inside a building during a checkpoint
a homeless man offers to watch my bike from the distance
I give him a shout and a thanks
he says he is there everyday... which is true... I am really in the hopes that I am in and out fast enough such that no one realizes that my bike is not locked
I get in the queue behind Brian
his faster pedaling was erased by this short line to gain access into the courts
we are both quick and polite with the security
Brian asking... do I need to remove my helmet... filling the battleship gray plastic container with bag and helmet
I remove my hip pouch with studded belt and helmet... filling the container right behind Brian
the guards ask him where he is going
bigs says "going to the bathroom"
I offer up the same answer when asked
in the lobby I look back at the manifest
I knew that if said selfie with the balloon
I reread it just to be sure
it is early in the race
Bigs is being generous
asks me if I know where the balloon is
I respond no
I follow Bigs over past the escalators
sure enough... up pressed against the glass ceiling several floors above is one lone mylar balloon
dang... I was expecting a sculpture... that could have taken a minute had I not been pointed in that direction
I get a selfie... then take a second... I pause and zoom in... need to be sure that the balloon is in the selfie
as we are finishing our task a security guard comes rushing at us
she is PISSED!
she is approaching fast... she is approaching strong... she is yelling loud
"Aw... you know better than that... you know dam well that there are no cameras and no photos in here!!!"
well... while I might have known this was the case in the court rooms
but in the lobby?
OH MAN! SHE MEANS BUSINESS
I AM NOT SURE HOW THIS IS GONNA PLAY OUT!
where are her hands... is that a baton... taser... handgun?
I just hope I get away as she tries to tackle Bigs
CAN I BRING A SWISS ARMY KNIFE OR SIMILAR TYPE INSTRUMENT INTO THE COURT BUILDING? HOW ABOUT A CAMERA OR RECORDING EQUIPMENT?
Food and beverages are not permitted in the Jurors’ Lounge. You may eat in the corridor and the Jurors’ Vending Room (to the right as you exit the Lounge). Upon entering the Courthouse, you will have to pass through security, which includes clearing a metal detector as well as an X-ray machine. Items such as Swiss Army Knives, pocketknives, scissors, metal craft needles, cameras and recording equipment are not permitted in the Courthouse. Without exception, Court Security staff will confiscate these items. Weapons will not be returned.
I am not sure how this is gonna play out...
as she speaks I am quick to put my camera in my bag
the photo is taken... I do not want to lose my phone... not just because of the race... but I could see it being a hassle getting it back
lots of words coming at us
she looks me square in the eye and says, "You said you had to go to the bathroom"
calmly I respond, "I do not need to go any more"
this is a quick interaction
Brian and I were both pretty quiet through it all
slowly moving away all the while
the best way to resolve this was to get out the door
no one is tackled... no one is tasered... no one is assuming the position and having cuffs put on the wrists behind the back
as we get out the door I see another racer entering the front door getting his bags etc ready for the x ray machine
I have a good idea that things will not go well for him or any of the following racers
bike still leaned against the building wall
I give a hearty thank you and wave to the homeless man sitting on the wall in the distance across the quad... he waves back and shouts a goodbye
no lock on the bike... I am on the bike and back on the road before Brian
Brian is on my tail with no time wasted
we are off to 645 Pennsylvania Avenue
I worked at Big Wheel Bikes at Eastern Market around the corner from this address
I also recall that we had to pick up a Purple Di (dice) in the Dzhoy Alleycat that Dario hosted
on Indiana I go straight at 3rd Street
Wrong Way Head On
it makes sense to me to stay straight
rather than go down third to Penn
3rd to Penn would put me at the base of Capital Hill
thus forcing me to climb more
going straight splitting between Union Station and the Senate Office Building would allow me to up a more shallow hill
Brian Follows...
we talk about our intended route
I am free to share any and all information I have
maybe I am Naive.... maybe I want Brian to know that I know what I am doing
Brian asks me about one of the points north... the northern most checkpoint on the manifest
a Purple Peace Sign on 17th Street
another recycled Alleycat Checkpoint!
another Checkpoint from the Dzhoy Alleycat
it is clear to me... as I have been there before
my explanation about heading north on 16th Street across the bridge with the Lions
then a left
Brian is not understanding my description
to me it is clear as day... maybe I am not explaining it right
maybe I should have played dumb and let him sort it out and let that be my only potential advantage
I think to myself...
the Crestwood Neighborhood name slips me
Mike Pearce aka Coach who I called Cargo Mike on the blog lived in the building on the corner... The Crestwood... but that won't help...
heck... he lived in the building within sight of The Ogden Market
that may not help either
what about the Russian Orthodox Church?
is that useful information
only if you are Russian Orthodox
when we hit 2nd Street I take a Right Hand Turn
Bigs goes straight
again with the Diagnols
Bigs alerts me that he is not turning... no need to loop back and follow... I know where I am going
staying straight will put Bigs on Massachusetts Avenue... again
giving him a few blocks of diagonals
while I take 2nd Street along side the Hart Building
only do do more right angles to get myself over
no worries...
a few blocks later
and
just as I had expected in Chinatown
I take a left off 2nd and head towards 4th or 5th... whatever one way goes that way
Bigs passes right in front of me
I take a right and follow him
I know where we are going... I am in his shadow just the same
I have already had a few sketchy moments
on Thomas Circle at the start of the race
the energy has me going
I had pulled move in front of a Metro Bus
it was not close... yet closer than it needs to be
here I experience a sports car with heavily tinted windows pinch into the Bike Lane
too close for comfort
not quite pinning me into the parked cars
I do not like being forced further into The Door Zone
I show restraint
it is best to be cocky with fights I know I can win
always more likely to spit on the hood of grandma's car than the Boyz in the Hood
I can not see the driver though the dark window
I do not care... I am moving forward and not paying them much mind
I squeeze through without issue
the line of cars in front of me allow me to take the Bike Lane and leave that car behind
No Blood No Foul
Bigs is just a few car lengths ahead
we cross Penn Ave
I take left on the street knowing that the address is mid block
Bigs in on the sidewalk in front of Mr Henry's
I can hear him with a polite, "excuse me... pardon me... on your left"
we arrive at the Toy Store at the same time
another ReCycled Checkpoint
another Dzhoy Alleycat Checkpoint
the manifest says we need to PURCHASE SOMETHING PURPLE with RECEIPT
at the register I ask what is the least expensive purple thing
the guy at the register who looks like he might be ready to go pro on the D & D circuit looks befuddled
I ask about purple dice
he says at the front of the store... 50 cents...
the front of the store? we just walked in the door... isn't this the front?
well the store is called Labyrinth Game...
we work our way around the store finding another register
there are some things at the register
I find two purple pieces... look like replacement pieces for Parcheesi or Sorry
there is a line at this register
in the haste I try to pay a dollar for both items... asking for there to be no tax...
it slips me that we both need a receipt
trying to move fast... it is disconcerting leaving the bike unlocked out front
again... if the bike is not stolen it plays to my advantage to be back on the bike and back on the road faster
Bigs has to unlock is ride
it is not clear what path Bigs takes... I know where the polo courts are...
I am headed down Pennsylvania Avenue Number streets up...
into head on traffic I split lanes
trying to get over to D Street
it is a good route
up a few blocks... I know the approach to the courts
gotta get on this sidewalk through that gate and enter closer to the Watkins turf field
previous Alleycats, visiting polo playing friends, and kids soccer games make this place familiar
the manifest reads, Bike Selfie with Goal Post
I am not Andy Zalan
I did not go to the Corcoran
yet... I do take a little pride in my photos
as the photo is what we were sent to do
others will take moving selfies
as I posed for my photo Bigs questions if he needs to take his bike onto the court
I tell him what the manifest reads
Bigs grumbles as he lugs the cargo bike awkwardly onto the court
I use this time to review the manifest
make sure I am not missing anything
making sure that initial inclination of my route remains true
Bigs asks where we are going next... I mention the address... he says Union Market
I agree...
this location was in the Pupusa Alleycat that I raced with Alexis
a race where Bigs got first and I got second
back on the bike we discuss trajectory
I say that I plan to go with the flow
if the traffic pushes me over... I will go that way
try and keep moving
try and stay logical
Bigs wants Mass Avenue again... AGAIN WITH MASS AVE!
yes... the diagonal always makes sense
Bigs is starting to gap me
even though he is on the cargo bike... he is still faster
it does not make sense for me to fight to keep pace with him
I need to beat him with orienteering
I am already moving pretty good
I think he is moving faster
again I step out of Bigs' wake and take my own path
sure... I know... I know... right angles are slower than the diagonal
I also understand his logic of shooting for 3rd Street up to Union Market
even though it is one block past our 4th Street destination
taking 3rd Street will avoid the light at H Street
I decided to take my chances with the lights
it is the roll of the dice
if the lights turn green like the parting of the Red Sea
I could get an advantage
at Union Market I am shocked not to see Brian's bike locked out front or for him to be leaving the location onto the next Checkpoint
I go and take a number of photos as the instructions are not clear
La Casita at La Cosecha... "Selfie Inside with Sign"
WHAT SIGN?
I take a number of photos with a number of signs... sometimes these things are open to interpretation...
I even talk to a bartender for a more specific answer
I have a half dozen or more photos from the interior on my phone
I am ready to debate.. "What Sign?"
one of these photos should work
here are two...
as I mount the bike and leave La Cosecha Gabe is rolling up
OH! Dang!
Gabe Baby!
Gabe often has wheels that can win...
Gabe often wins or he loses!
it looks like Gabe is in it to win it today
we exchange greetings as we pass... then one block up the road I see Bigs
MECHANICAL!
I ask if he needs assistance.. I have nothing to offer... yet I offer...
he asks if I have a spare seatpost clamp bolt
No?!? Who am I Rod Smith?
I do not travel with that sort of crap
and on this day...
I am taking a risk and traveling light
no pump no tube no bicycle multi tool
Bigs is out of the Game
I am on my own
I think I just took a step up in the standing
Gabe is behind me... but where has he gone? what does he have left?
I feel that my execution thus far has been CLEAN
new question...
how to get to points north?
I figure I will hit 1500 Ogden and then the Purple Peace Sign at 17th Street
but how will I get there
I will try to be fast... I will try to be efficient
but not with GPS Navigation
my brain is the GPS navigation
the dialogue in my head is the voice telling me the route
I will flow with the traffic
like a tumbleweed I will blow with the wind
Florida Avenue to 4th Street seems like the plan
4th Street instead of 11th, 13th, 15th, or 16th because those all offer more climbing
no need to do any unnecessary climbing
yeah... Florida Avenue to 4th Street NW should work
on the bike... off 4th Street in NE
passing the Gentry that has been used in Alleycat by me and by others... I had a race within a race...
then a few Alleycats back I got to test a race within a race
as I hit that checkpoint the same time as Dario
pretty much at the exact same time
I took the long winding switch back handicap ramp
while Dario did a cyclocross dismount
hoisted his bike over his should and ran it
in that moment it was amusing to me
as I had been curious which would be faster
in the race that I hosted the fast racers all said that they ran it up the stairs
after the sixth switch back and the six sets of stairs
Dario and I arrived at the top at essentially the same time
I expended less energy
seems like a win to me
cruising down Florida... I am caught at a light at New York Avenue
Gabe is surely just seconds behind... I hunt and peck myself across the street
sneaking halfway across to the median
then able to let a few cars past and across the second half
playing is safe
those cars are flying
no reason for any foolish risks
the cars are clustered
I weave through what seems like an illogical parking lot by what used to be known as Dave Thomas Circle because of the Wendy's that was once there
and yes... that was a checkpoint...
not a checkpoint of mine... but someone's
we had to buy a FROSTY
then take it to a checkpoint... lucky for me I had missed a nearby checkpoint... went there before the stated checkpoint on the manifest
so when Celie Yann said I needed to eat the full Frosty... it was melted enough that I did not suffer an ice cream headache
I was able to chug it
I think that Ice Cream Headache was the goal
sort of the opposite of a Hot Sauce checkpoint
Florida is Free and Clear
it is weird
like a post Apocalyptic Scene
just me and no cars for several blocks
the light changes as I approach North Capitol Street
changed... but not in my favor
there will be no bobbing and no weaving that will get me through that cluster of cars
rather than waiting for the light and going straight
I take a turn up North Capital Street
Capital or Capitol?
no time to edit
just type
a few blocks up North Capitol Street
I want to get over
I weave over to the center
I can get no further than the median
I pop the bike up onto the median strip, riding on the median I keep heading north on North Capital
then as cars start get backed up I cut across
onto First Street... through Washington Hospital Center... onto the Bike Lane on Irving Street
Right on Warder Street
Left on Park Road
Feeling Good about my trajectory
feeling good about my speed and my flow
that path was less climbing
climbing is a Clydesdale's weakness
Ogden Market stumped me a few alleycats back
in that moment I had to borrow the guidance of John Dinn
I was riding with Bruce and John Dinn.. but wanted to break allegiances late in the race
I had tried to drop Dinn earlier... but he hung on my wheel like Jonas chasing Pogi
I am no Pogacar
Right on 14th... Left on Ogden
Selfie at the Ogden Market
THERE IS GABE?
WHAT!
Coming from 16th?
What route did he take?
Has he already been to 17th Street?
What?
Phone back in the bag... out onto 16th Street... over to Crestwood
I take the path past the Russian Orthodox Church
those are my bearded brothers
beautiful structure... I recommend a visit
watch for the Russian Bazaar or take a tour
you are a clown if you get in a plane and travel internationally and go to see statues, churches, and museums
and you do not take those opportunities domestically
I like to huck a disc
so... when I travel internationally... I bring a frisbee
up 17th... just blocks away from where I was racing with Amos and Nicole tried to crash me out
not hung up on it
would be a fool to forget
gotta be prepared for what shit some people may pull
at the purple peace sign I pause to take a selfie
I can be chatty
I have had small conversations with all sorts of people in my Alleycat travels
be it the homeless guy watching my bike
the security guard getting ready to tase Bigs
the D&D pro in the toy store
in this case there is a woman up the block
her Border collie mix is skittish and shy
I tell her I am a dog person... they should be comfortable with me... they wait
my getting the phone out of the bag takes enough time that they decide to walk past
in that time Gabe loops by
ROLLING SELFIE
I am in the shot!
Gabe asks me what I have left...
I LIE! I MESS WITH HIM!
I say... I am done... this is my last stop...
he knows that is not true... he knows that is not possible
no one is fooled
Gabe is Gone!
I am the Fool!
tucking my manifest and phone back in my back
closing the lid so nothing flies out
too much time is passing
as I hammer up 16th Street in thick midday traffic Gabe is gone
where did he go?
out of the Crestwood neighborhood and onto 16th Street...
I think about what I want to do next...
what makes the most sense
it is a toss up
some might say Malcom X then Upshift at the old City Bikes Adams Morgan Location
others may say switch it up
Upshift then Malcom X
I go to Upshift first...
at Upshift there is all sorts of action
I pull my manifest from my pouch
ready to get my phone
there is a Purple Mercer in the stand
OBVIOUS!
this is a selfie with a bike being built in memory of Dzhoy\Joy
but no...
manifest reads
PICK UP
inside the door I see Leah
Leah is poised and ready
Leah passes off a small sticker
we exchange hellos
I congratulate her on the Brick and Mortar
as I make sure to get my sticker in a pocket of my pouch I can hear Leah explaining the Alleycat and her new shop being a checkpoint to one of her customers
I make mention to a woman who looks like she is the mechanic completing the build on the purple bike in the stand on the sidewalk
mention Dzhoy... she lights up... even mention of Dzhoy makes people light up
so sad
the murder of Dzyoy was only a year and just over a week ago
such a loss
such a tragic end to a beautiful life
okay... this is winding down...
this is real
Where is Gabe?
What has he done? What does he have left?
at the start I thought that Bigs and Gabe were some of the wheels to beat
anticipated the absence of Sleazy G as I had heard that he has afternoon Messenger duties would have him missing the early start
from the previous location of City Bikes and off to Malcom X before the Museum of Palestine
where in Malcom X?
I should have taken a glance at the manifest when I was stalled at Upshift
at Malcom X\Meridian Hill Park I pause at Euclid and 16th to make sure I enter the park logically
the checkpoint could be the fountain at the lower side or the drum circle spot at the upper deck
it turns out it is a selfie at the Joan of Arc Statue
as I approach the statue I see Nate
is it a pick up?
did I read it wrong
it has become a signature...
Nate asks me about Indiana Avenue
I tell he I got the shot
Nate tells me that I am the only racer through thus far that has come through that has the Indiana Avenue Balloon Selfie
there is a question
how strictly will it be scored?
at the statue with my signature
I think about my exit strategy
rather than backtrack and pedal
I opt for the stairs
ride it or run it
Nate Yells Out
BE SAFE!
YOU CAN WIN THIS! BE SAFE!
with fatter tires I would have ridden it...
if I were more on the bike riding like I usually do... I would ride it
crashing or flatting out would take me out of the game
I tap dance my way down the stairs
lots of stairs
too many stairs
I had forgotten how many stairs
it was a long walk
torn on what would have been faster
maybe I should have just ridden out of the park
take the 16th Street Downhill
on the street and off to the Museum of Palestine
wrong way down R Street
that was perhaps the most quick route
some sidewalk
some head on
always trying to be respectful of other people
especially when I am going rogue
I get to the Museum of Palestine
I know where it is
It is right next to the Middle Eastern Book Store
I used both of these locations in my Free Gaza Alleycat
I arrive... as I am pulling my phone from my bag
the Curator\Executive Director of the Museum has arrive
we exchange hellos
as I fumble with my phone
I ask if she remembers me... speaking in complete thoughts and referencing the Free Gaza Alleycat
she remembers me
I then go in deeper
I ask if she knows Dario
she is not sure... I mention that Dario is the boyfriend of the Palestinian Opera singer
now she remembers... I say that Dario is hosting an Alleycat
I am racing that Alleycat and this is a Checkpoint
I am sure she was like...
What is an Alleycat?
it was a nice exchange
too often racers in messenger races are intense and rude
I know... I have been that guy
not the worst
it is better to strive to be the best
Don't Be a Dick is often a rule for the racers... there was a time when messengers strove to be the opposite
racers can get to a checkpoint and be obnoxious to the checkpoint volunteer
when really
if you treat the receptionist wrong... you may not get the package
if you are doing a filing and you rub that person the wrong way... they could drag their feet and make you wait...
it is better to be polite
it feels better to be polite
Be Kind
if do unto others is too many words for you
Be Kind
Oh Man! Oh Man!
just about done... sure... I borrowed the P Street Answer from Bigs at the Start
Tribal Nations
yet... did not want to take a risk
it was on the way to Logan
onto R Street going the right way this time
then over to 16th Street
I cross over through oncoming traffic to the sidewalk on 16th maybe a block or two too early
no worries
things are winding down
I am feeling like I am finishing strong
a quick selfie at the Embassy of the Tribal Nations
sure enough... the answer Bigs got off his phone was correct
then... hustle to Logan
down P Street
passing the Whole Foods and the Start at Stoney's
no need to mention the Free Gaza mural
already mentioned that
across 14th... then one block more... onto the sidewalk into the park...
scanning for bikes and people
there are bikes and there are people
I roll in and immediately meet up with Dario to get my manifest scored
the first question is asked
did you get the selfie at 500 Indiana?
that is a semi rhetorical questions... I would think that Dario knows
Bigs came straight to the finish after getting a replacement part at REI
that repair took too much time
too much time for Bigs to get back in the game and to be competitive
most certainly Bigs broke things down for Dario
WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!
my manifest is graded
complete manifest
all checkpoints
selfies correct
pick ups including receipt correct
I was not the first finisher
I was 3rd maybe 4th
while I was the first complete manifest
very AZ of me
I have won Alleycats before under that contingency
won a Bruce Alleycat a few years back that started at Crispus Attucks park... left out the park last...
got to the first Checkpoint Last
everyone else had already been through
Steve Hill now Sven was there... Steven now Sven was handing out a pick up
which distracted people from what the manifest asked for
which was Pick Up and also the license code of the restaurant
I finished 5th on that day... but WON... because I was the ONLY complete Manifest
it is the game
that is the game
and well...
I once had a very unpopular scoring of a Dead City Alleycat that I hosted
I made it all or none
the manifest was 5 pages long
get one thing wrong... and I would not score any more
I over heard one guy say... best Alleycat ever... worst finish ever!
I hear it... I have bitched about Alleycat Math
weird illogical scoring
so... I wondered how things would be scored on this day
Dario stayed true to his demand
he stressed this 500 Indiana Avenue Selfie in the Pre Race Meeting
it was fun... it felt good
I won it! Contingency?
not really... had I not had the balloon.. those guys would have gotten their finish as they arrived
but... they got bumped back because of that awkward moment
I wonder if talking nice to the guards and explaining the game would have made any difference
victimless action to take a photo of the ceiling
the intensity of that woman was without reason
at the finish people gathered
Dario could not help but to continue to rib me
my zip lock snack bag of quarters that was now stuffed with cash as well
the prize was thrown my way... bag tore when I caught it
I held the bag and the quarters dropped out
having the bag break and quarters fall like pennies from heaven
there was laughter
more humor for Dario
racers gathered
we all exchanged what we believed to be our best route
where we went to first
our order
our experience at 500 Indiana Avenue
turns out a few racers started late
Nicole and Sleazy G started late...
they started late and finished not too much after the top finishers
which goes to question...
what it?
ah.. forget the What Ifs!!!!
I WON!
NO NEED TO PLAY MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK!
FRIDAY NIGHT in LOGAN CIRCLE
although I am on a bit of a break from drinking and smoking
I have decided that after a month break
I can break from the break on weekends
and well
this seemed like a logical moment to induldge
there were beers... I passed on the beers
could have used some more water
some time had passed
I had denied the offers
then it seemed to make sense to accept the pass
puff puff pass pass
it was a good day
much like the Ruff News Time Trial
I am reminded that it is good to get out of the house
it is good to gather with friends
it is good to take advantages of opportunities when they are presented
the evening continued
a few more people filtered in
people started to filter out
I was laughing... smiling... and chatting
finding it hard to get up from the bench and to sit my ass in the saddle and start to pedal for home
as it started to get later
I felt like I wanted to use the last bit of light and head for home
Good Stuff!
Good Times!
funny not funny...
after the race when talking to Brian about the day
we talked about this and that
Brian told me that when I dipped off from his shadow going from Rush Rink to Union Market
Bigs' had a moment of worry
thinking... not again... not like the last Alleycat... as I was chasing Brain in PJ's Alleycat when I suffered Heat Exhaustion
Heat Stroke Light
now... this was a different day
a much cooler day
mid 80's instead of topping out at 100 on this day
rolled out and went north with Bigs for a bit of my ride towards home
Bigs had to go to the bathroom
he had to go bad
if that had happened in the race and I had not stopped with him
I would have gapped him
it looked like a swimming pool in that alley when he was done peeing for like 5 minutes straight
nice riding\racing\hanging with Bigs
Bigs is hosting his annual August Birthday Alleycat
which may or may not have conflict with taking Grant to school
thanks Dario for another great event
glad I too his advice and attended
I look forward to the Pupusa Alleycat 2.0
