Q. Is this race open to everyone?
A. Not this one. This particular race is exclusive to female competitors as is consistent with current UCI standards of eligibility amended in July 2023. Pussycat is specifically set up to reward female excellence with the first all-female podium in Toronto and address specifically the lack of female participation and recognition in alleycats. The track stand and skid competition is open to all and we welcome all Pussycats, Tomcats and Other Cats to celebrate female cyclists past, present, and future at the after party. We look forward to seeing everyone out to support the rich history of female contributions to cycling, messengers, and alleycats in Toronto!
Q. Why are you organizing this alleycat in this format?
Over the years, it’s become clear that females as a demographic have faced more barriers to the male-dominated alleycat racing scene. Stories abound of female winners receiving prizes of much less value to the men’s, no prizes at all, or even tampons in their prize packs. Sonia literally had a man tell her, at the party after she won first place female at Global Gutz 2006, “you’re really not that fast”, and we’ve heard stories of other awful behaviour from organizers and participants over the years. When women see or experience this behaviour, it only creates even more barriers for them as if hurling themselves into traffic wasn’t deterrent enough. We thought things were getting better but registration ratios are way down, and this race was conceived to help create a safe atmosphere for female racers, celebrate the underserved demographic, and ultimately increase numbers for registration in future races of mixed sexes and genders. If this isn’t the race for you, we understand, no problemo. This race was conceived with nothing but positivity as a goal and love in mind and heart.
Q. Who’s organizing this thing?
A. The short answer: Sonia Serba, fka Sunny D, legendary veteran Toronto female bike messenger with 12 winters’ of experience messing in Toronto, with some months working in NYC. She’s also won the female category of every alleycat she’s ever raced in Toronto, and was the overall winner in two alleycats in 2023. The Long Answer
Q. How much is the registration fee and how do I pay it?
A. Registration is $20 CAD for racers – female only – which includes participation in the open m/f/t/nb trackstand and skid competition. Registration fees are due at onsite registration along with signing of the race waiver.
Q. What categories will be awarded at the podium?
A. Unfortunately due to budget constraints we had to eliminate the out-of-town podium but there will indeed be a locals podium to reward the excellence of female cyclists who register. We will also be furnishing a Rookie of the Race prize for the highest placing rookie, as well as DFL. Track stand and skids will be a $10 registration fee which will be divided between the two winners in a winner-take-all cash pot.
Q. What’s up with the trackstand and skid competition?
A. The trackstand and skid comp is open to anyone with a bike that has a fixed wheel. Non-racers/Tomcats/Other Cats registration fee is $10 (for non-racers) and the pot will be split between the two winners in a winner take all kumate battle to the death. Just kidding, don’t die is rule #1! But there will be only one winner for each: trackstand and skids.
Q. Alleycats are supposed to be underground. Why do we have to sign a stupid waiver?
A. We totally agree, however our main goal is to bring together the cycling scene to celebrate female cyclists and messengers past, present, and future, and in so doing the sponsors and affiliates we’ve teamed up with want assurances that no one’s going to hold them accountable for any accidents. Competitors are asked to please read the waiver on the Pre-Registration page and make sure they understand it because they’ll be asked to sign a hard copy at registration.
Q. What will competitors need to have with them at the race start?
A. Helmets are MANDATORY. You will need a smartphone with data, a bag, and a lock.
Q. What are the rules?
A. Don’t die. Don’t hurt or kill anyone. Listen to checkpointers & volunteers’ instructions. Don’t be a dick.
Q. What format will the race take?
A. Most alleycats these days are run with a manifest system where competitors are given all checkpoints at the beginning but we’ll be doing a one-by-one format so we can go full feminist on you. We want racers to learn about the amazing contributions that women have made to our great city, and the world. Racers will be given a clue that has to do with a famous woman or group of women that kicked ass at the start of the race and will have to look up the corresponding address to race to. A Saddle Sister will be at the address to give the competitor another clue for the racer to find the checkpoint. If racers can’t find the checkpoint, they’ll be asked to perform a task or play a game to get the checkpoint answer and so on and so forth from there. Racers will have to bring each checkpoint slip/clue/answer to the finish in order to qualify for the podium.
Q. I get incredibly worked up at races and like to scream my face off at checkpointers. What are you gonna do about it?
A. There is a 0 tolerance policy with aggression directed at volunteers and checkpointers. They will be given authority to red card any rider and disqualify them from the podium for abuse.
Q. What’s with these pre-checkpoints on socials and the website blog posts? I thought the race was in Toronto but the Harriet Tubman answer was in St. Catharines.
A. We’re just playing the game early, giving some burn to some amazing women who made awesome contributions to the world that you may or may not have heard about before. We thought it might be fun to use the trivia format online to get you familiar with the way the race will go. Play along with the next clue!
