Tour de Nez’s ‘Tour de N’Alley Cat’ brings bike messenger-style race to Reno

RENO, NV (May 12, 2010) — Just like recreational surfers fantasize about living in a VW van on Oahu’s North Shore, or skiers imagine a season of ski bumming — cyclists daydream about ditching their desk jobs to become bike messengers.
On June 18, the 18th annual Tour de Nez bike festival gives participants the opportunity to fulfill that fantasy in Reno’s Tour de N’Alley Cat — an event inspired by the urban bicycle couriers who have attracted the following of an entire subculture of hard-core bike geeks.
The one-hour event is sure to bring out a wacky group of single-speeders, mustachioed competitors and the skinny-jeans style that has become synonymous with the traffic-dodging job of the big city bike page. But organizers also expect an equal share of fun-loving entrants on cruisers and clunkers.
“It’s more of an urban event than just a lap on a race course,” said Tim Healion, founder and race director of the Tour de Nez.
Each two-person team will complete a circuit in and around downtown Reno, stopping along the way to amass points by photographing their locked-up bikes in front of Reno landmarks or holding their bikes over their heads while standing in the Truckee River. Bonus points will be awarded for a team with a competitor under 15 years of age, and points may be subtracted for unusually expert track stands, said Healion.
“It’s going to be one of those events that if you are real competitive then there is something for you, but if you just want to show up and look stupid and ride your bike around town and have some fun, you’ll be recognized as such,” said Healion.
Winners will be decided on a combination of time and points. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.
Tour de N’Alley Cat follows the downtown Reno circuit race, and is part of the Tour de Nez’s four-day “celebration of cycling,” including pro races, festival-style cycling parties, group rides and live music in Sparks, Reno and Northstar-at-Tahoe.
“The overall vibe is a celebration of cycling, and this is one of the pieces of cycling that is a big deal,” said Healion, a former bike messenger himself, of the Tour de N’Alley Cat.

Tour de N’Alley Cat
The Tour de N’Alley Cat will begin in downtown Reno at the intersection of West St. and 1st St. at 5:15 p.m. on June 18 and end at the West Street Plaza, alongside the Truckee River. A party at West Street Plaza will immediately follow the event.
The entry fee is $40 per two-person team. Bonus points are awarded for a team including a member under 15 years of age. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.
Visit www.tourdenez.org for registration information and additional information on the Tour de Nez.