In a few days I am running an unofficial bike race

So on April 14 I have organised an alleycat.

It’s a time trial (TT). A 30km circuit course affectionately known by Brisbane bike riders as “The River Loop”. The route hugs the river and goes from West End, through South Brisbane, Toowong, St Lucia, Chelmer, Sherwood, Yeronga, Yeerongpilly, Highgate Hill, West End and South Brisbane (though I omitting the South bank/Goodwill Bridge/City section in the bikely link above). It is a tiny bit bumpy (about 200m of climbing) and is pretty much the most popular ride in Brisbane. It is almost devoid of traffic lights and pretty light on car-traffic too.

But in saying so, just personally, it is quite a bit scary to me. I’m basically telling a bunch of peeps to come and ride under my rules on streets and conditions out of my control. It feels a bit “litigiously viable”. But I will drill what I can into the participants that this is just a personal “ride of truth”. It is only meaningful to the individual person riding. All road rules and safe-riding must be followed.

So the TT involves a system where the strongest go last and the weakest start first – all 1 minute apart. I have staged alleycats before and it’s always been incredibly successful. You meet new people, you slap each other on the back, you share stories at the end. All wonderfully valuable.

I will let you know how this all goes in a few days. Wish me, and all involved, the best of British Luck!