Shop to Shop, bike racing in Austin.

An alleycat in Austin that was more of a party with a little bike riding

The free race started at Fast Folks on East 6th Street, The one and only checkpoint was No Comply Skate Shop and then back to Fast Folks for the finish. It was a very short race.

It was the typical sort of race beginning where we lay our bikes down and have to run up to them at the sound of a yell or siren glass braking.
The race passed through an intersection with access to Interstate 35. For some reason, I stopped for the red light … when I came to my senses I resumed racing and had to catch all of the people who passed me. Oops.

A band played before and people milled about. It was more of a party than anything.



Then the race happened. I managed to dehydrate myself rather well before and I really couldn’t remember the last thing I ate. The past two weeks I didn’t take care of myself very well and I felt it during the 6 or 7 miles of racing.
Oh well, so what? I finished and wasn’t last.

After the race, people talked, drank beer and just had a good time. Some of the hipsters did their fixed-gear tricks while others just enjoyed the nice afternoon.







They announced the top 5 finishers, who all won something. The first place finisher won a pair of wheels with green Velocity rims and Formula hubs – black, I think. One of the kids with the bull horn walked around with it for a while yelling things to people and being obnoxious. It was hilarious.
I think he had conversations with it. The police siren definitely got some use as well.



After the race and some time relaxing with yet another rock band, it was time for the trackstand competition. I wanted to borrow a fixed gear for the contest to redeem my awful performance earlier.
But I didn’t. I didn’t even ask anyone. I took photos instead.

Although I really stood out – or at least I felt like I did – it was still fun. I may complain about hipsters in Austin like I did in Brooklyn but overall, Austin is always a good time. The bike people are a hoot, the weather is good and the girls are hot.





















I go to Austin whenever I can. I always have a camera or two with me and I’m always up to shoot photos at a bike-related event of some sort. Hell, even a non bike elated event …
A cursory glance at some previous posts here shows some vastly different views of the greater cycling community. Some of the riders are “cyclists” while others are “bike people”. Many are both, some are neither.
OK, Austin, au revoir.