Saturday, May 26th marked the 6th annual SLUG Cat bike race in downtown Salt Lake City. The SLUG Cat is their take on an alley cat race (an unsanctioned urban bike race), with the added twist of making it a scavenger hunt with tasks and games at each station. The race included 10 stops, and the challenges included everything from bobbing for apples at Mountain West Hard Cider to playing Slapjack with giant cards at Pig and a Jelly Jar! The race left from Saturday Cycles at the north end of downtown and headed to SLUG headquarters, where the participants were given their copy of the latest SLUG bike issue. Inside each issue were clues related to each subsequent stop. We saw 20 participants start the race and awards were given to the top 3 in the men’s and women’s categories, with excellent prizes for the top finishers—including a bicycle! The women’s winner won a city cruiser bike from New Belgium Brewing, and the men’s winner received SLUG’s beloved “lunch-getter” cruiser that has been a part of the office for many years. Congratulations to all of the participants, and a heartfelt thank you to all of our sponsors in this year’s event.
The SLUG staff setting up their booth.
Enthusiastic riders signed up for the race at Saturday Cycles.
The 2018 SLUG Cat drew a motley assortment of riders and bicycles.
SLUGBoss Angela H. Brown announcing the first stop to the racers in this year’s SLUG cat.
SLUG Cat racers head out from Saturday Cycles towards the first stop of the race. Photo: @theandyfitz
Without a trusty copy of SLUG, riders couldn’t complete the race.
SLUG’s heart and soul – Angela H. Brown.
The cypher to this year’s SLUG Cat: The bike issue of SLUG Magazine.
Racers had to execute perfect cup stacking at the Rio Grande Cafe stop before continuing.
Running was sometimes faster than riding.
A SLUG Cat rider off to the next stop.
Riders approaching the Slapjack table at Pig and a Jelly Jar.
At Proper Brewing Co, racers had to fire squishy balls into a bucket with a slingshot.
One of the riders trying the slingshot at the Proper Brewing Co stop.
More than a few riders faced some equipment malfunction at Proper Brewing Co.
Self-declared Slapjack Champion.
On a draw, competitors had to resort to rock, paper, scissors to decide the winner.
SLUG staffer Anne wielding her bats before heading up to the Graywhale stop.
Last-minute bicycle maintenance at Saturday Cycles.
In addition to strong legs, racers had to have fast hands to beat the SLUG staff at the Pig and a Jelly Jar stop.
Racers at the Beer Bar stop could opt for extra credit by renting a Green Bike and riding it around the block.
At the Graywhale stop, participants had to spin around a bat six times. Fairly awful, since they had just climbed up the hill on 200 S.
When you spin around the bat and don’t fall over at the end, celebrate!
She lost her itinerary at the first stop, so this year’s women’s winner had to resort to taking pictures with her phone at every stop.
Hula-hooping at the Beer Bar stop was not limited to waists.
A father shows his son how to hula-hoop at the Beer Bar stop.
This rider flatted-out near the end, but still completed the race.
Apple-bobbing technique is key, as displayed by this year’s winner.
One racer provides constructive criticism on his friend’s apple-bobbing technique.
Bobbing for apples at the Mountain West Cider stop.
The finish line for the 2018 SLUG Cat.
Finishing with a smile.
One of the racers skidding into the alley to finish.
Another tired and happy finisher of the 2018 SLUG Cat.
SlUG Cat winners with their new rides.
Vinyl hunting during the afterparty in the alley.
Father & son duo finishes.
Winner of best Smilebooth photo.
This year’s “dead fucking last” winner.
Men’s category winners posing with their prizes.
SLUG Cat women’s category winner finding out her prizes included a brand new New Belgium Brewing city cruiser.
2018 SLUG Cat women’s category winners.
Post-race route discussion.
Riders joke about poor decisions during the race.
John Ford announcing everyone’s favorite award: “dead fucking last.”
Post-race alley party.
Davey – 2017 & 2018 SLUG Cat winner.
A few of the bikes ridden in this year’s SLUG Cat.
