Alleycat tests bikers’ knowledge of Reno
In their second annual Bike Out fundraiser Saturday, Reno Bike Project hosted an alleycat race, which is a scavenger-like bike race.Starting at Record Street Café, contestants were given a list of local destinations without a pre-determined course of how to reach them. The event at Record Street Café also included booths and food while the bicyclists were racing.
“In an alleycat race, all traffic rules go out the window,” said 19-year-old Chad Anderson, a volunteer at Reno Bike Project and a student at the University of Nevada, Reno. “It can be ruthless out there.”
Inspired by letter messengers who crazily dart in and out of traffic in bigger metropolitan cities, the people at Reno Bike Project was eager to bring this kind of event to the Reno area. The alleycat race Saturday included many points throughout town, as far apart as Black Hole Body Piercing on Virginia Street, a church at the intersection of Seventh and Wyoming streets in northwest Reno. Racers had to return to Record Street between every two destinations and end at the café.
The local bicycling community supported the cause, with many people spending the afternoon in the parking lot of Record Street Café, where booths with raffle prizes, free bike repair, jump roping and concession stands were set up.
“There’s definitely a bonding among the bicycling community with events like these,” said 19-year-old Justin Zabriskie, an international affairs major and race participant. “It’s just a good thing to be able to ride with so many different people that you normally wouldn’t.”
More than 40 bicyclists paid the $5 registration for the race, nearly doubling last year’s enrollment, with proceeds benefiting Reno Bike Project.
“I couldn’t ask for a better turnout. It’s great to see such support for Reno Bike Project, which is what this is all about,” said race organizer Doug Moore.
Out of the 40 racers, five or six men wore printed collared shirts with printed neckties. A group “Hallelujah” was yelled, signaling the beginning of the race. On this two-hour bike trek in and around downtown Reno, racers spray painted stencil designs, like pictures of an AK-47 or the dollar sign, on their shirts at each stop to prove completion.
Owner of Record Street Café and fellow bicyclist, Sean O’Hair, said he enjoyed hosting these events because he identifies with the community it brings.
“I hosted this same event last year,” O’Hair said. “As a mountain biker for over 12 years now, I’m definitely part of this subculture and this group.”
Finishing first was Dustin Mills, followed closely behind by Jake Barrett and Noah Silverman.
Directly after the race, a barbecue was held while local bands, like alternative rock group The Juveniles, played from the café’s back garage room.
Later that evening at 6 p.m., the Holland Project, a non-profit organization supporting the local Reno music and art scene, hosted a zombie-themed party with zombie movies and music.
“We wanted to throw an after party for Reno Bike Project,” Heather Fuss, a 25-year-old organizer for the Holland Project, said. “What better way to do it than with zombie costumes, zombie movies and zombie music like Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller?’”
Bike Route
The Bike Out or Strike Out alleycat race started at Record Street Café at 945 Record St. but went all over Reno. Here’s the six locations the racers had to hit, in any order they wanted:
-12 Horses Fluid Concepts
1510 Lander St.
-Salon 7
20 Cheney St.
-Church of LDS Joseph Smith
at the corner of King’s Row and Wyoming Streets
-Blue Moon Gourmet Pizza
190 California Ave.
-Silver Peak Restaurant and Brewery
124 Wonder St.
-Black Hole Body Piercing
912 S. Virginia St.
-Holland Project Booth
back at Record Street Café
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