Springfield's Unofficial Alleycat Race! (#RideAtYourOwnRisk)
Schedule
Sat Oct 04 2025 at 10:01 am to 12:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
SBC's Community Bike Shop at the Fairbanks | Springfield, MO
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Famous quote from Tour Divide legend, @Hal Russell: "I know two things. (1) I am going to start. (2) And I am going to finish. It is the adventure that will happen between, that you don't know. That is why you are out there. That is what you came for." @halrussell #touchbothlinesYes, indeed - the Unofficial Springfield Alleycat Race is back. Start at the SBC Community Bike Shop at the Fairbanks at 10:01am. End at BrewCo by noon. Everything else in between? Is up to you!
What is an Alleycat Race? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alleycat_race
Come on out for this great adventure. The start and first clue will be at the shop. And from there, you will eventually end up at BrewCo.
Entry fee/donation-of-your-choice will go 100% to Isabel's House. So not only will you be having an awesome time around our great City - but you'll be raising money for another great 417 cause, too. (The awesome peeps at Isabel's House have created a dedicated donation page for folks to use at their own pace: https://app.giveffect.com/campaigns/32883-springfield-s-unofficial-alleycat-race . Come on 417Land, let's see what we can do for this awesome cause!!) #fortheloveofbikesandcommunity
Unofficial race director: @Jason Stratton - nearer the time we will update this event description and the event discussion board with more details on the race. So stay tuned!!!
(@KeithDonaldson – you may not be physically in 417Land any more, friend - but we wanted you to know we still think of you!)
Event Day:
The race starts at 10am at SBC's Community Bike Shop at the Fairbanks.
Check-in starts at 9am and will close at 9:40am.
To check in we will need your name (names of everyone on your team of three or less - you can have more, but you will have to split the prize), phone number, type of bike, and route option selection.
You will be required to sign a waiver.
There's no race fee, but a donation to Isabel's House is encouraged and greatly appreciated.
You/your team will be assigned a playing card (race number). DO NOT LOSE YOUR CARD.
Ten minutes before the race starts you will be given the official check-point list.
We'll then go over the rules and you'll be given the final 5 minutes to look at the list before the race begins to plan your route/strategy.
The start will be the traditional Alleycat mass start with all participants running on foot across the parking lot to grab their bikes/ride and head out on the town.
Any latecomers can go ahead and check in and join after the mass start at 10am.
The race ends at SBC when the last person arrives or at 12pm, whatever comes first.
Anyone who rolls in after 12pm will receive a forfeiture and a DNF (Did Not Finish - no prize, no cred, no kudos). (Sounds a bit harsh, but we love our volunteers and want to respect the time they're giving us.)
Prizes will be awarded as soon as the last rider arrives or right at 12pm, whatever comes first.
After that, you're free to hang out at SBC for lunch and beers and revel in and relive your adventure around Springfield.
The Rules:
This is a scavenger hunt-style race.
Each checkpoint is worth 1-5 points, so choose carefully.
If there are any ties in points, the first person/team back will be awarded a tie-breaker point.
There are two route options, long and short.
The long option has 20+ checkpoints and will require the full 2 hours of race time to collect as many as possible, just don't come back late!
The short option allows you to choose 10 and then return as quickly as possible.
At each stop, you and your team members will have to take a selfie, which must include both the landmark and your race card.
That photo will need to be texted back to the race director. Posting on social media is also encouraged - #417AlleyCat24.
Ride whatever type of bike or skates that you want, but any electric-assisted devices will be given a 7-point deficit for the short route and a 12-point deficit for the long route.
Technical Details and Disclaimers:
Call if you have any catastrophic mechanical issues and need a ride during the race. We'll do our best to accommodate you, but no promises. If you're a no-show at the finish, after 12pm you're on your own. We're not responsible for search and rescue.
This is a self-supported event. Bring your own hydration, snacks, food, spare tubes, and tools.
The event will be canceled and possibly rescheduled for any real sign of bad weather.
Prizes:
We're excited to be offering prizes from SBC, Hidden Grounds coffee shop, The Fairbanks Bike Shop, and hopefully more to come.
Prizes will go to 1st place for both routes, best costume (optional), coolest ride (voted on by our volunteers), and dead last place (you have to at least try).
The ultimate prize will be the adventure we had and the friends we made along the way.
#fortheloveofsport #bikesandcommunity #RIDEATYOUROWNRISK :)
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Where is it happening?
SBC's Community Bike Shop at the Fairbanks, 1125 N Broadway Ave, Springfield, MO 65802-4157, United States,Springfield, MissouriEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
