by Wendy
from Voice of Da #4, Spring 1997
I have to hand it to the messengers in Toronto. Even though that cityis pancake flat, they have to deal with tracks on practically every otherstreet. And on top of that, quite literally, the streets are covered inice and snow.
These were the conditions in Toronto when I arrived to witness the St.Valentine's Day Massacre Race. The race itself took place on a frozen sectionof Lake Ontario. Huge blocks of ice were cut out of the lake and placedin a figure eight. At about 8:30 at night 35 people were ready to racefor $100. Some had studded tires, some wee on fixed gears, some on cargobikes and then there was Kevin, "Squid", from New York on hisfixed gear with no studs. Rubber on ice. Crazy.
Watching everybody race around that figure eight was amazing! Therewere a few close calls, one t-bone accident where the track crossed itself,and plenty of wipe-outs. But nobody got hurt or fell through the ice. Thisdespite the huge wrought iron double headed dragon they had in the centerof the track that they were setting on fire at the start of each heat.Two San Francisco messengers now riding in Toronto, Chris "TractorTavenner and Alex Vaughn, both came in third in their heats, and The overallwinner was Albert DeCiccio. I had fun, even though I couldn't feel my feet,and I'd like to go back next year and actually race...or maybe I'll justwatch again. Good Luck to Ritchie and Lee who are going to Toronto forthe Human Powered Roller Coaster. Hopefully there won't be any, or at leastas much, snow as when I was there. Keep warm and ride safe. That goes forall of you.
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