photos by the author except as noted.
James Grindle photo
The fourth annual Nine To Five All-Night Bicycle Scavenger Hunt had an auspicious beginning as declared by a double rainbow that appeared when the sky cleared after some rain drops and intimidating clouds. This ride, organized by Go Means Go began and ended at Gasworks Park in Wallingford.
Only a piece of the double rainbow that showed up as the ride started (looking south from Gasworks)
Admiring the awe-inspring sky (looking East from Gasworks)
Participants receive final instructions before the ride starts
This was my first time participating in the Nine to Five, and the first time that I’ve stayed up until dawn in more than a decade.
And we’re off! (James Grindle Photo)
The challenges were issued on three manifests which were distributed progressively through the night; participants received one at the start and the second at midnight and the third at 2:30AM.
Midnight meetup at the Collonade
2:30 AM meetup at Ly’s Donuts on 45th and Roosevelt
Riders earned points by: 1.) collecting items specified on the manifest,2.)fullfilling photo opportunities from the manifest, and/or 3.) completing “Shoot for the Moon” challenges by riding to farther flung locations to find a cryptic message on a sticker stuck to a sign post.
Dawn at Gasworks! (James Grindle photo)
Josh pitching the tent at the finish for 5 extra points. Ben’s in a daze for zero points. (James Grindle Photo)
The team is ready for some sleep after earning 315 points
Fun was had by all participants except for a few who had mechanical failures or had their bike stolen during the hunt! I managed to get 5 hours of sleep on Sunday morning and only had to cut short my work day on Monday by a couple of hours.
Greg Mertzlufft addressing the group from the podium ten hours after registration opened.
The trophy and other prizes
The winning team accepts their trophy!
So just days later and it’s back to regular daily life, but the 2013 Nine to Five is already beckoning.
One Comment
Still waiting on results!