There are somethings you come to depend on in the summer. Spring will be followed by summer, summer followed by intense bouts of smog and hard breathing. Politicians dragging their feet on the smog issue and Elections followed by lethargy. Also there is cool weather for the St Stephen's courier Classic.
To the uninitiated, the St. Stephen's Courier Classic is the big charity race put on entirely by the Toronto Bike Messenger Community and their friends. Race Marshall's, bar staff, MC's, organizers. They are all bike messengers, or they are affilliated with bike messengers in some way.
The racers on the other hand are, oh yeah, for the most part they are messengers also. But every year the invite goes out to the Ambulance, Fire Department, University of Toronto Police and the Metro Police. In the past most of the above mentioned would show up with at least a team. Except for the UofT police who chicken out every year. But that has changed. This is the first time in the five year history of the St Stephen's Courier Classic that, drumroll please, the Metro Police didn't make it. I guess they were just tired of getting their asses kicked by everyone.
Not that it mattered. We had a lot more fun without them.
St. Stephen's is the shit, the glue that bonds the messenger community together. People look forward to this race like no other. Even the HPR comes secondary to the race. Maybe it has something to do with putting the teams together, or its for charity, or the intensity is not the same in competition wise, or maybe its the track, but its a winner.
This year was no different. Held June 6th, the day could have been better, but who is complaining. Oh wait, I guess I am. Anyway the weather wasn't the greatest, but the spirit was willing and the participants were thirsty.
At start time there were 28 teams registered. Ten of these teams were sponosred by Messenger companies which included; Leader, Messengers International, Kid Gloves, Zap, Toronto Express, United Messengers, Cycle Messengers and Parrs.
The other 19 teams consisted of messengers and friengs, as well as one fire department team, another team made up of people from Montreal and an Ambulance dude.
There were no Brother Cuz, but there was the return of Tower of Power as well as Team Cohiba with one leg missing showed up as well.
The Bike Ranch Babes made dressing up like a women dressed up like a man dressed up like a woman down to a fine art. Team Bust were hanging out, as well as was last years women's champs, but with a lot of member changes, The Call Girls International. I couldn't tell you who the other teams were.
The bar staffed rocked as usual, working longer hours then last year, but working through the thirsty crowd like the pros they are. Well done to Bill, Mars, who even raced, Bill and Tina and of course Snoopy Doggy Dog. Special thanks to Alex Vaughn who manned two barbecues and had time to fit a bath in.
The incredible talents of MC Jamr had the houze enthralled with between race chatter and keeping the stage warm for all the winners and for the Tim Hamel Jazz Execution, who played well into the night. Even after the beer was gone and the tenants at 444 Yonge St stopped complaining.
This year the racing started off earlier, as did the barbeque. I can't really remember but racing was said to start at Noon, but it was a courier race so it started late.
There was the usual confusion about the women's race, but it got all sorted out in the end. Instead of two races and then a final it would only be one race for the four pairs of Doc Martin boots.
The course was basically the same as last year. Around the park once, into the underground parking lot to get lost in. Up the loading ramp, through the park and back to the stairs. Watch out for the pool of water at the end of first stairs. Speaking of stairs here they come now.
One of the funniest moments during the racing came when Sean Van Rooyan came to the top of the stairs, got off his bike and walked down the stairs. last year Sean went down the 19 stairs on his fixed gear. Mid point he crashed. He hit the pavement at the bottom. To this day the sound of his body hitting the ground still echo's through a lot of people minds.
Throughout the day the thunder clouds threatened to come down in a crashing roar, but it held off. People were cold, but warmed up with refreshing Amsterdam beer from the bar.
But it was probably the exciting racing that kept everything warm. the semi's gave way to the finals. The women's race started things off. It was great, no one crashed, or did they? The problem with writing these stories the day before deadline as opposed to doing it at the actual event.
The winner was Call Girl International with someone else coming in second and third. Don't worry ladies I am going to forget the men's race just as bad. Team Cohiba came in first and the fire department came in third. All other details are a blur to me.
Everyone was shocked at how well the fire guys did and everyone gave them a rousing lead of applause when they took their place on the stage which was I am sure a great prize, but who can really remember.
Team Cohiba recieved some nice stuff including PAC side pouches and Call Girl's got those beautiful boots from Doc Martin. Don't forget to cash in your coupons ladies. Other prizes were given by many, but oh well you know the story.
The night ended with Tim's band making people want to drink more. The crowd was, on an overcast cool day, consumed nine kegs of beer in eight hours. As the effervescent tunes of Tim's band wafted through the women's washroom. Snoopy, Sarah the Hood and I counted the take for the night. When it was all said and done we had raised close to $4000.00 for St Stephen's Community House.
Next year will be even better. Because we are inviting the couriers of North America to come and race. Bigger course, larger audiance, huger? fun. Be there or be in Europe.
