The first ride of the Memphis Downs was completed last night and it ended as a great success.

Denis and Chase led the race home completing the course of ten garages (57 stories combined) over 23 miles. Anthony, Kermit and I were right behind them to round out the top five. Amber took the women's classification with an impressive sprint to the finish. In all twenty-one people completed the course and contributed over $200 to Revolutions. Pictures at www.flickr.com/photos/idontsayyall


Special thanks to Walz caps for two awesome caps for the winners and to DBI distributing and Pabst for keeping the after-party stocked well into the morning. Thanks also to Denis and Midtown bikes for the discount offered to all riders on online orders.

The standings for the Memphis Downs GC after one ride are:

Denis 22 pts
Chase 22
Anthony 20
Josh 20
Kermit 19
Cort 17
Isaiah 16
Zach 14
Russ 14
Eric 12
Patrick 12
Alex 11
Jackson 10
Jacob 9
Mike 8
Amber 7
Kellen 4
Kyle 4
John 4
Brad 3
Jason 2

The next ride will be the Memphis Sprint Championships on Friday October 19th. See this site for more information closer to the date.

Checkpoints, thoughts and rules for the first ride

245 Washington
49 S. Front Street
505 Zach Curlin
Comfort Inn
Cannon Center/Hilton (lowest level)
Third and Monroe, West of Autozone Park
869 Madison
Commerce (Market) Square Parking
340 Innovation Drive
Parking Can Be Fun

afterparty/finish: 2241 monroe

Instructions for manifests will be announced at the beginning of the ride. Riders are advised to wear a helmet and have proper lights and reflectors on their bikes. We also require that all traffic laws be respected - especially speed and weight limits.

This ride requires that all participants act in an honorable manner. If you think it is cheating, it is cheating, so don't do it. Go to every garage, please. All podium positions and three random riders will be selected for post-ride blood tests. All riders currently under investigation by the UCI, WADA, CONI or their respective national anti-doping committees will be barred from participation.

The points for the overall champion of the Memphis Downs will work like this: Riders receive points in each ride for the order in which they finish. The first place finisher receives as many points as there are riders in the specific ride. For example, if 37 riders ride tomorrow night, the first place finisher receives 37 points, the second place rider receives 36, etc. Bonuses may be given and will be announced with every ride. Fixed gear riders will receive a one point bonus for the first and third stages, but not the sprint stage (specific rules for that stage will apply).

In sum, don't cheat, show up tomorrow, it will be a blast. Walz sent their caps, PBR came through for the afterparty and there will be tons of fun for all.

Ok everyone, this is how it is going to work.

The Memphis Downs is a three ride series. The cost to participate in each ride is $10. This will include spoke cards, prizes for the winners (men and women!) and beverages at the afterparty. One may also renew their Revolutions membership (annual cost, $40) and participate in the entire series. For more information don't hesitate to contact me (jmgorman at gmail dot com) or Anthony (sirac at riseup dot net).

This year's Memphis Downs will be a three-ride series featuring the parking garage alley-cat, the Memphis sprint championships and a downtown criterium. The first event, the parking garage alley-cat, will take place on Thursday 27 September starting at Revolutions at 9pm. See this site in the coming weeks for rules and for more information. Send me an email if you are going to ride so I can start getting everything together.