| Cycle Messenger World Championships
CMWC 98 hosted by the DCBCA 1220 L St NW#100-399 Washington DC 20005 202-265-4247 http://www.dccourier.com Bega and Woolever, Old Skool Champions
Long time bike messenger Shawn Bega finally proved he has what it takes to win by claiming victory at the Old Skool Alleycat, a messenger race through the streets of Washington DC. Heidi Woolever surprised the local DC crowd by beating out more than 40 men and convincingly earning the bragging rights that go along with being DC's fastest female messenger. The race started at the Velvet Lounge and finished at the Black Cat night club. In between, riders had to navigate the 13 strategically placed checkpoints in order, getting their manifests stamped at each. Many of the checkpoints involved running up stairs, into buildings and through bushes. One stop required riders to wade knee-deep into a fountain. Bega attributed his outstanding performance to his knowledge of DC's streets and his ability to efficiently route himself between stops. "It took everything I had," he later admitted. Behind the lead group for virtually the whole race, Bega's patience paid off in the end. He took a better route following the Patagonia checkpoint, having foiled the mock "bike thieves" positioned outside looking for unlocked bikes, and held off a charging John Maycock at the finish, much to the delight of the sidewalk spectators. Woolever has been a dominant force on the local USCF race circuit lately, having won the District 20 Category IV Championship less than a month ago. She continued her hot streak at the Old Skool Alleycat, leaving many of DC's veteran gear crushers whimpering like little boys in her wake and winning the women's division. Heidi stayed with the front pack for the entire race, finishing 5th overall, and beat out pre-race favorite, Sheba Farrin who placed 2nd in the women's division and 10th overall. A physically and mentally exhausted Woolever described her victory, "It's a whole new definition of space. You feel like you're in another dimension." Many of DC's truly old school messengers put in impressive showings Saturday. James Kerns placed 3rd on his mountain bike, and Bruce Beran eased himself into 7th. A steady pace and wise routing decisions were Beran's keys to success. Placing 6th overall, Shawn Tunstil (Richmond) was the first out of towner, followed closely by Matt Russell (Boston) who finished 8th overall. At the post race awards ceremony in the Black Cat, the various winners were acknowledged with many prizes from the likes of Swobo, Timbuk2, City Bikes, Jackson and Gibbbens, and Patagonia. Several of DC's bike messengers have been showing their stuff lately at the traditional road races of the United States Cycling Federation (USCF) as well. Besides Woolever's D-20 Championship and several other top placings over the last several weeks, fellow messengers Jay Moglia and Sheba Farrin won Maryland State Gold medals, and Chris Schmidt took a Maryland State Silver medal. The three big Alleycat winners, Bega, Woolever, and Tunstil, were all awarded free registrations for the upcoming 1998 Cycle Messenger World Championships, being presented by Timbuk2 Designs and the District of Columbia Bicycle Courier Association in Washington DC, September 4th-7th. The win definitely sparked confidence into Bega, who announced after the race, "I'm really psyched to take on the world now. I hope we can make a hometown stand." For more information, contact
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