Not all Phoenix fun comes with dim lighting and fancy cocktails.
Sometimes, there's nothing better than endorphins, sunshine, and sweat.
Lover of all things outdoors, The Outsider explores the more natural side of Phoenix.
"Boobs, beer, and blunts are bitching'" is the slogan of the Daggers, a local bike group that throws an annual Halloween hoopla for every bike-loving partier to attend. And while their mantra's meant to be a little funny, their race, dubbed Daggers Death Race is anything but.
Missed the race? Get the dish after the jump ...
The Spot: The fifth-annual race started at Kore Bikes on Scottsdale Road and McKellips Street. From there, riders traveled all over Tempe for 15 miles.
The Price: Ten bucks to race, 10 more for a shirt. Swag included a spoke
card and cringe-quality shots along the way. There was also $100 cash and other prizes
for the winners.
The Equipment: Obviously, the trek required a bike. All bikes qualified but the cooler the bike the better. Although fixies were encouraged,
geared riders were included in the festivities but were required to consume double the shots in hopes that
whiskey legs would level the playing field. Wait ... double the shots
was a bad thing?
The Sweat Factor: At the sound of the BMXers shout the race was on. The running start required beer-bellied hipsters, determined roadies, and drunken enthusiasts alike to clumsily scramble for their bikes a few feet ahead and saddle up for a rowdy roll out.
Most riders headed east to Papago park and conquered the pitch-black pedestrian paths through the desert trails only to find themselves trekking by foot up a mountain earning a beloved race coozie. Hidden amidst the hipster housing of Tempe, next up was an easy, and greatly appreciated, stop that included an offering of tequila shots and beer. And then it was on to the famous death tunnel: a long drainage tunnel under the 202 where participants forced open the heavy gate and headed into the depths of the underground to retrieve the next token (a gold nugget). Screaming was encouraged but not required.
Racers continued for three other stops including archery, "blood"
baths, and other creepy challenges. The group of top
finishers was compiled predominantly of Tempe's competitive road
racers, but no finisher was disappointed with the good time. Best of
all, the racers immediately headed to the after-party at Mugg Shots Bar for
an even rowdier evening of dancing and debauchery.
More on cool cycling events:
The Daggers
Az Fixed
Heavy Pedal
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