http://www.onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/24hourbikerace.html

In January, Jeremy Prach participated in the Baja 1000, an off-road, 48-hour
motorcycle race through the dessert from Tijuana to Los Cabos, Mexico. The
intense experience inspired him to recreate a smaller version of the race -- for
bicycles instead of motorcycles -- in Milwaukee.

Prach, along with the help of multiple volunteers, launched the Riverwest
24-hour Bike Race or "RW24." The race takes place Friday, July 25 from 7 p.m.
until Saturday, July 26 at 7 p.m.

The 5-mile course runs through the streets of Riverwest. Multiple blocks will
host parties -- including Riverwest's first 24-hour block party on Fratney
Street -- during the race to contribute to the celebratory atmosphere.

Participants can race in one of four categories: Solo, Tandem (two riders on one
tandem bike for the entire race), Team A (up to six riders sharing one bike) or
Team B (up to six riders, each riding their own bike.)

Multiple corporate teams are signed up, including ones from Fuel and Comet Cafe.

The person or group who completes the most laps determines the winner, who
receives a trophy.

Participants are encouraged to stop biking to sleep or eat, and two meals are
included during the event: dinner at the Riverwest Coop and breakfast at St.
Mary's Czestochowa.

The cost is $15 per person to participate in the race. The entry fee covers the
cost of food, water bottles, T-shirts and outdoor toilets which Prach paid
upfront himself.

"I'm hoping to break even," he says.

Also, potential riders can download a charity form from the Web site and raise
money on their own to donate after the race.

RW24 has very few rules. Prach stresses the need for riders to respect the
neighborhood and the simultaneous block parties going on during the race. Also,
he encourages rider to wear helmets and does not condone drinking during the
race.

Humor is important to Prach, so every two hours, racers will have the chance to
earn extra "bonus" points. For example, if a rider stops at the Heroine Salon in
Brewer's Hill and shaves his or her head, his / her team gets an extra 10 laps.
Also, Great Lakes Distillery will host a scavenger hunt and the winner receives
extra points.

Prach credits friend Chris Fons with the original idea for the 24-hour bike
race, and recognizes Paul Kjelland, Mike McGarry and Kelly Hillard as driving
forces behind the event. Before he started planning the event, Prach received
the go ahead from Ald. Nic Kovac, the Milwaukee Police Department and the
mayor's office.

"This is totally legit," he says.

Prach, who sports a "Let me be humble" tattoo, says much of his inspiration to
plan RW24 comes from his love for the neighborhood and his strong belief in
community.

"We're taking back the night. There are our streets and we're not afraid to be
out at night (in Riverwest)," says Prach. "And it's about knowing your
neighbors, and being polite to them, and that reduces crime."

Prach is an MPS teacher, owns multiple properties in Riverwest and serves as the
president of his block club. He is married to Kara and has two sons, Loyal, 5,
and Merit, 7 months.

Prach is certain the event will become an annual event. "Next year, it's the
RW25," he says.

g chad