I'm doing it with a few friends.

Come on gang let's get some more Sitzmarkers out there.

I can imagine that the team might look somewhat like a road version
of the Sitzmark Marquette Hose Race teams.

Sue




--- In sitzmark_bikers@yahoogroups.com, G C <activeman4u@...> wrote:
>
> 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
>