Red Hook Criterium

The adventure begins here. Or maybe it continues. 

No.

The adventure resumes. 

I took a break from going out and exploring. 

I forgot that I like that.

But now I'm back :)

I haven't been out exploring NYC much recently. I've been thinking about adventure as our big trip and almost forgot that I LOVE New York because there is so much opportunity for adventure right here. This past weekend I ventured to Red Hook, Brooklyn to watch Cuse hoops and the Brooklyn Criterium. Zach had told me about the Criterium a few days before and explained it as a night bike race on a super short loop, where the cyclists have to do tons of laps and make really tight turns. That is exactly what it is. It is an unsanctioned bike race that was started 7 years ago by bike messengers in BK. 

I've only been to Red Hook once before and I had never attended a bike race before, so I was PUMPED for this endeavor. As soon as I got off the F train at Carroll Street, I felt the adrenaline. I had no idea what the evening held, but every time I saw a bike, I smiled a little more. Passerby may have been creeped out, but that is ok. 

sights for seein

oh hello, keith haring. fancy meeting you here. 

Since the two (bball and bikes) could have potentially overlapped, there was no time for commuting. I looked up a bar right next to where the race was to take place. Red Hook Bait & Tackle was perfect. Deer heads mounted on the wall. Friendly bartenders. Delicious, local brews (Kelso IPA Mmm). Live music. 

The only downside was that they only served potato chips. Not a big deal except the only  two chip flavors they had were sour cream and onion and salt and vinegar. Hate them both. 

I asked the fiddle player what the difference was between a fiddle and a violin. She said a fiddle has strangs and a violin has strings. She plays a fiddle. I think we could be friends. 


I would have liked to hear her fiddle and her friend's harmonica, but the racing hour had come. Two blocks toward the water, right at the entrance to a dock like area, people had gathered with their cow bells and cameras. The Red Hook Criterium began the moment I got there. Gosh, I love when things work out. 

Clinton Wharf at Pioneer Street, Red Hook BK

A guy wiped out on the first lap and just lay on the ground while race folk 

cleared away his gear. 

Can't imagine that felt good. For the ego or the body.

Stadium seating. People were on the top by the end of the race.

 The cyclists did 24 laps. One guy, Dan from Williamsburg, whooped everyone else by a long shot. He pulled out in front in the fourth lap and held the lead while the pack drafted at least 30 seconds behind him. Every time someone got lapped by speed racer Dan, they were out. Check out the video. It came out better than most of the pictures and captures the energy pretty well.