Ever busted down the bustling Shanghai streets on your bike, weaving through pedestrians and dodging cars and trucks as they shoot past you? If so, you need to come down on Nov. 14 for Shanghai’s first ever Alleycat race.

Originally started up by and for bike messengers in the late ‘80s, Alleycat races have only a start line, a finish line and a clutch of checkpoints scattered in between. Which route you take and how fast you go is completely up to you. The catch? Races are always run in live traffic, so straight-line speed doesn’t matter if you don’t also have guts of steel and a nose for the city.

That may sound chaotic to some, but others just can’t get enough. Minnesota transplant and Alleycat veteran Gustav Hoiland, for one, isn’t intimidated by the aggressive road conditions that he’ll face here: “I’m invigorated, not scared. I absolutely love it, there’s so much energy.” A former road racer, he’s now fully switched over to this new track. “Alleycat racing is much more informal,” he says. “You show up, ride your hardest, then party all night long.”

The races are quickly gaining popularity throughout the world, and Shanghai is no exception. Shanghai based organizers Tyler Bowa and Rich Yu rode together in China’s inaugural race this June in Beijing, and the trip got them so excited that they returned looking to ignite the community here with an event of their own.

Accordingly, they’ve built their race around a culture of participation and opened up the race format in an unconventional way. Alleycats have traditionally been only for those with fixed-gear bikes–bikes designed to allow riders to brake and ride backwards by reversing their pedal motion–but this race is open to all.

“Why put limitations on it?” says Tyler. “If you ride a bike, you can race. There’ll be different categories based on what you’re riding to make it fair, but we see no reason why everyone can’t compete.” So every rider, from glory-chasing trailblazers to leisurely riders, will have a chance to win something. Race sponsor and streetwear company Oneway has even put up a custom-made messenger bag as the “DFL” (Dead F’ing Last) prize.

Above and beyond the race, the Alleycat team will also be showcasing other parts of fixedgear bike culture the following day with a tricks competition and a full-on bike polo demonstration. So come out and ride, polo, or just watch–you really can’t lose, even if you’re DFL.

Details:
When: Saturday, Nov. 14 at 2pm
Email: info@shanghaialleycat.com
Website: www.shanghaialleycat.com