Post Race Recap

First of all I want to acknowledge the event's sponsors again, who were The Bike Way, High Gear, Power Bar and Lazlo's Brewery. Without them we wouldn't have had such excellent prizes. And thanks especially to the Bike Way for hosting a checkpoint. The second annual Spooks On Spokes scavenger-cat went off without a hitch. We had great weather on Saturday with partly sunny skies and temps in the 40's and 50's. Not bad for October 31st. A perfect day to push pedals around Omaha.

The event kicked off at Lake Zorinsky in southwest Omaha. Competitors began the race by ditching their bikes were they had to run up a muddy hill to retrieve a map to accompany the manifest they were given at the start. With the map and manifest competitors were able to locate the first three checkpoints.

The first checkpoint was hidden along a muddy path in between the trail system at Zorinsky. The second, and my personal favorite checkpoint was located IN lake Zorinsky. Yes, competitors had to go about 10-15 feet into the lake, about thigh deep in order to retrieve checkpoint #2's flag. After getting wet, competitors returned to the start area to complete task #1, which was to pick up five pop cans using a small wire, all while mounted on their bikes. This was tough for some and tougher for others. After completing this task competitors were given a second map and manifest listing the remaining 14 checkpoints. There was even a scheduled "pit stop".

The final twist to the race was the final checkpoint, which was actually the finish line. Many competitors didn't bother to look at the instructions on how to locate the finish line. Some read the final notes and learned that the finish was several miles from the start. The finish line was in the field next to Lazlo's Brewery where cold beer and warm food were waiting. About two thirds of the field finished. The other third must have given up when they returned to Zorinsky only to find no one there. Tough breaks! :)

This years event was a total success. Competitors raved about how challenging and fun the event was. Several cyclists made new friends from other areas of Omaha whom they would have never met. Others commented on how nice it was to see areas of Omaha where they've never ridden. It was nice to see people from all walks of life and all sorts of cycling culture, from fixies to touring bikes, classics to road bikes and even a few oddities. We even got a group of female Creighton students to show. Props to these young ladies who probably weren't avid cyclists, rode bikes with major mechanical problems, yet ventured out to have some fun. Based off of the smiles and laughs it appeared they did. We ended up with roughly 40 competitors. Not as many as I had hoped, but almost double from last year. Next year I hope to double it again. As words spreads I'm confident we'll get more cyclists each year.

Check out Redd-Shifts blog for another race recap and excellent photos.

Also, check out the following blogs and stay in the cycling network to keep up to date on other cycling related happenings around Omaha.

Thanks to all that showed and especially to our sponsors, the Bike Way, High Gear, Power Bar and Lazlo's Brewery!

• Bike Omaha
• MTB Omaha
• Cranksgiving
• Activate Omaha
• Redd-Shift
• Crossing Trails
• Pedal Omaha
• Bad Rabbit Alleycat (coming 2010)

Second Annual Spooks on Spokes Scavenger Ride

SCAVENGER RIDE/RACE

Saturday October 31, 2009

10:00-am Register. 10:45-am Briefing. 11:00-am Start

Adult Only (must be over 18)

The low down...

Similar to an Alleycat race, this event incorporates all types of urban and suburban riding. Part of the adventure is the unknown. You won't know what you're in for until the race begins. Expect mildly difficult terrain, mileage and challenges. Terrain will be mixed, therefor road, mountain or comfort bikes will work. Expect the unexpected, but expect the event to last between 2 and 4 hours depending on your skills.

The event starts after each person is given a manifest. The manifest consists of a list of checkpoints they must find. There will be a 15-minute period to ask questions before the race begins. Each item on the manifest will be revealed after solving a puzzle or riddle. After studying the manifest all participants are released at 11-AM to begin the adventure. Event ends at 3:00-pm Sharp! Categories are: Teams of 2, Geared and Fixed/Single Speed bikes. Participants choosing to compete as a team must remain within 50-feet of one another at all times. Halloween costumes are encouraged, but not expected or required. Your choice.

Prize List:

• 1st Place Single Speed: $40 gift certificate to the Bike Way.
• 1st Place Geared: $25 gift certificate to the Bike Way.
• 1st Place Team: Two $20+ prizes of choice
• 2nd Place Single Speed: Choice of $20+ prize
• 2nd Place Geared: Choice of $20+ prize
• 2nd Place Team: Two $12 prizes
• 3rd Place Single Speed: Choice of prize
• 3rd Place Geared: Choice of prize
• 3rd Place Team: Choice of prize

There will also be female specific prizes.

Things to consider-

If you're not familiar with West / Southwest Omaha along with businesses in the area I would become familiar with the map below. You will be provided a map with general locations and coordinates. Time penalties will be given if participants seek help from the event organizer. The clues to the checkpoints will not give you specific directions or specific addresses to each checkpoint. A general knowledge of the area will help, but even if you're an out-of-town guest, we'll ensure you are given enough information to find each checkpoint. You'll have to seek out the exact location within that vicinity using the coordinate map provided at the start. See map below or click HERE for Google Map of general area.

Participants are expected to obey ALL traffic and criminal laws. If any law or rule is broken you will be disqualified. We don't want anyone getting hurt or injured. Once all items are obtained and tasks completed participants will go to the Finish area to turn in their manifest and items to the event organizer. Winners chosen by Finish time and point accumulation. Awards will be given to top finishers in Team, Geared and Single-Speed/Fixed category. Our sponsors have provided some top-notch items for winners and give-aways including Female specific prizes. Keep in mind this event has no registration fee. If you would like to make a donation to offset the cost of event insurance, it would be greatly appreciated, but it is not required. My intent in organizing this event is to promote cycling in Omaha and get more people out on their bikes. The event promises to be a great time!

Registration -- 10:00: Briefing ---10:45 Start ----11:00-AM

Zorinsky Lake, near the boat ramps.

156th & ‘F’ Street, Omaha , NE

Entry Fee: FREE (Donations accepted to cover event insurance).

Register & Pay on Site

RULES:

•REGISTRATION OPEN AT 10:00-AM

•10:45-AM BRIEFING. 11-AM START

•BICYCLE (NON-MOTORIZED)

•BACK PACK OR MESSENGER BAG

•4-HOUR CUT-OFF TIME

•18-YEARS OR OLDER (SORRY KIDS)

•READ, UNDERSTAND & SIGN WAIVER

* Helmets encouraged.

+ You may want to bring a cell phone and cash....just in case.

If we encounter bad weather on Sat. October 31st then the event will be held sometime in the near future. Check this blog on race day if there is rain or snow.

DIRECTIONS: If you're coming from out of town, Take I-80 to the I, L, Q exit. Exit West onto 'L' Street. Follow 'L' Street west to 156th Street, also known as Bob Boozer Drive. Turn south (left) on 156th Street and continue until 'F' Street. Turn west (right) into the park, Zorinsky Lake. Follow the drive around the soccer fields until you see the PowerBar sign. This will be the start line....but not necessarily the finish.

Email: cyclekraft (at) gmail (dot) com with any questions.

New Info: 10/16/09: Prizes are adding up quickly! High Gear, The Bike Way and PowerBar have donated a bunch of cool prizes. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in all three categories.