by John O. Buckley
USA TODAY, September 3, 1998
WASHINGTON -- Around the nation's capital each night, more bicyclescan be seen lined up outside bars, a sure sign the Cycle Messenger WorldChampionships are coming.
It is obvious these are not the Lycra-clad obsessive-compulsives whorace the Tour de France.
Inside the Black Cat nightclub, event organizers James Kerns and StephenGibson are drinking pints of Guinness. They're talking about Salvador Dali'sdreams; Mobile City, the literary magazine they publish in Washington thatfeatures the writings and artwork of fellow couriers; an Oscar Wilde playthat's previewing in town; and this weekend's World Championships, backstateside after being held last year in Barcelona, Spain.
They're hoping this is the biggest one yet since the annual event wasborn in Berlin in 1993, with hundreds of competitors expected representing25 countries.
Bike couriers brave the elements, potholes, city traffic, unwary strollersand surly dispatchers every day to deliver goods.
The races of the World Championships are designed to re-create thoseconditions. A route with pickups and deliveries. An obstacle course withcardboard pedestrians.
There's the ``circle of death,'' a balancing competition on fixed- geartrack bikes; sprints; and a cargo race with packages that might includebricks or kegs of beer.
And, of course, the sharing of war stories.
Gibson, 30, got hit by a tour bus last year. Heidi Woolever, 26, who's riding for Team Mobile City, broke her pelvis in a road race.
``Once, I had all my milk money stolen,'' Kerns, 35, says.
And talk about the competitors.
``Our mission is to beat the Germans,'' Gibson says, referring to theperennial powerhouse. Some German riders even arrived a week early andstarted asking around for hilly training terrain. One woman reportedlyloaded up her luggage upon getting to the airport and rode her bicyclethe 30 or so miles to the city.
The open registration ends Friday evening. Even police cyclists arewelcome.
Racing starts Saturday with heat winners advancing through Monday forthe top awards. Plus, lots of parties featuring courier art, bands andfilms are planned.
Plenty of prizes await. There's even one for the rider who comes in``dead last.''
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