The Urban Assault Ride takes to the streets of Des Moines on August 16, 2015. The ride starts and ends at Mullets (1300 S. E. 1st Street) where more than 1,000 happy cyclists, including me, will be ready to celebrate their favorite summer event with beer, bikes and big wheels.
There are seven obstacles in all, including the adult-sized Huffy Slider Big Wheel Race, the Siamese Cyclist, Paperboy Relay, and the Human Slingshot. At each checkpoint, riders complete an obstacle challenge before riding on. Des Moines Cyclists who participate also have to locate two mystery checkpoints, which will be at iconic locations that may be recognized by a photograph or a clue. The fastest team to make it to all the checkpoints, complete all the obstacles, and cross the finish line wins.
Here are 3 ways I’m preparing for the Urban Assault Ride.
1. Riding My Bike To The Bars
One of the best parts of being a biker is Des Moines is the accessibility to breweries and bars on the bike trails. I’ll be heading to Mullet’s and El Bait Shop to get my training rides in. Mullet’s will be familiar territory during this race because one of the other popular races in August, Devour Des Moines, was always the checkpoint during my leg of the race. I might make my own checkpoints on the way to Mullet’s. There are stops on the trail going into Des Moines like Confluence Brewery, Exile Brewing, and a couple of other bars worth stopping at.
2. Studying The Map Of Des Moines (For Shortcuts)
I grew up in Des Moines, but things have changed. It’s important to take a look at the map and get an idea for shortcuts to take to popular spots around town. In the Urban Assult, there is no set course and cyclists must plot their own routes to the checkpoints, so when the starting gun sounds, cyclists will scatter from Mullets and race to various checkpoints around the city. This will not only give riders a competitive edge, but it’ll allow me and other racers to really take a look at the available routes for biking that one wouldn’t normally consider. It’ll also make participants realize how bike friendly downtown Des Moines is, and will become.
3. Break Out The Huffy Big Wheel
Bring’m out, bring’m out. There is going to be an adult-sized Huffy Slider Big Wheel Race which means getting back in shape to play like a kid again. The details are minimal on what exactly we have to do but I’m guessing that it’ll be something like the gif above. Drifting, drafting and (semi) drunk might be part of this challenge. Whatever the case, it’s going to be great to get off the ‘fancy’ bike and get thrown back into nostalgia. You can find me rolling around Gray’s Lake.
There’s still time to register online at www.urbanassaultride.com. Those missing the online registration deadline may register at the Keg Stand on Saturday, August 15, from 11am – 2pm or at Mullets, August 16, at 7:30am.
