Beer, Bikes, and Big Wheels - Urban Assault Ride

What better tagline for a bike race than the one for the Urban Assault Ride, sponsored by (among others) the always pedal friendly New Belgium Brewing Company. This weekend marked the end of the ride’s eight city 2008 tour, with a first time showing in Chicago. Over 500 riders came out on Sunday morning to race around the city, participate in crazy obstacles, and reward themselves with a huge after party featuring New Belgium brews.

The Urban Assault ride was created in Austin, Texas by creative bike enthusiasts. The goal of the event is to show urbanites how easy and fun it is to use a bike for transportation. In each city the ride travels to, it works with a local non-profit bike advocacy group to encourage citizens to ride their bikes more often. The event consists of teams of two bikers racing around the city to nine different checkpoints, completing a set task, and trying to be the first to make it to the finish line. Competitors must use their mental wit and knowledge as well as pedal power; riders are given a list of checkpoints, but no set route is specified. It is up to each team to determine a race strategy, ride safely, and not get lost navigating busy city streets. The ride is open to anyone with a bike, helmet, partner, and desire to explore. A fun and adventurous mix of riders got on their bikes Sunday, with participants ranging from young to old, athletes to tourists, road racers to extravagantly costumed partiers; this event managed to unite a diverse group of people and proved to be a great time for all.

As the 2008 Urban Assault Race season comes to an end, I am already looking forward to the 2009 calendar, as this is one event that truly does engage the urban public and support safe and fun bicycle transportation. Race rules make sure that all riders wear helmets at all times of the race, obey rules of the road such as signaling turns and stopping at all lights and stop signs, and make use of the city’s already existing bike lanes. Many checkpoints are located in public parks, drawing a neighborhood audience gathered in awe of the crazy feats being performed before their eyes. The Urban Assault team has succeeded in supporting local non profit bike advocacy groups, encouraging riders to experience urban surroundings in an eco-friendly way, and engaging the public in support of bicycling for fun as well as transportation. Kudos to you Urban Assault, for providing bikers around the nation with beer, bikes, and big wheels, and most importantly a great time!