The Singlespeed "World Championships" were held in Minnesota this year and an elite undercover crew of 3 was sent on a search and destoy mission.  The flight crew was Pete (the Pilot) Webber, Brandon (Jon Luc) Dwight, Dan (Whitey) Vardamis, Kevin (Danger) Stein.

Our fearless leader, the Intergalactic Pilot

The mission began Friday morning (May 12th) at approximately 7am with the Star Fleet take off to DIA (Denver Intergalactic Airport).  This being a NO CAR day--as we try to do everyday and every week--the pilots rode to DIA only sporting their backpacks and their bikes and in full IGSSOFSYFP uniform.  They were not sure what would become of them upon landing, but one thing was known...they were on a mission to Grumpy's bar somewhere in downtown Minneapolis.  Their duty that night was to consume the locally brewed malted beverages in excess and partake in local customs such as "Derbying" where many pilots gather and ride in a circle until only a few remain.  Survival of the fittest rules here (this means the bike that survives the longest usually wins...althougth the rider counts also).

Minnesota is part of the SURLY galaxy.  There are many esteemed pilots there including two whom go by the names "Hurl" and "Gene-O".  These pilots are definitely of a different breed and are not to be taken lightly.  This is why the Intergalactic Single Speed Committee sent four of our best pilots to search and destroy.  They could easily fit into the Minnesota crowd without anyone (but the IGSS pilots) knowing.

PICTURES

First transmission is as follows:

Intergalalctic pilot mission to MN:
>
> Stage 1: Boulder to DIA complete. Serious tailwind was to our advantage as we
> entered Pena Blvd. No interference was encountered.
>
> Stage 2: DIA to MN/St. Paul Airport. Successful flight besides a holding
> pattern for President Clinton landing before us. We didn't realize he was a
> single speeder.
>
> Stage 3: Mn/St.Paul Airport to Downtown Mpls.  So far so good, here at the
> cyber cafe at corner of Lake and Lyndale.  Sandwiches from Big Mikes Sub,
> refueling is done. The riding continues.
>
> Please forward to anyone who would care.
>
> Intergalactic Pilots over and out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upon return the word is (in a few words):

 It was ripping! Weber had the
victory, but a first lap snafu/missed course marker gave the title to tokin'
local Jay "Hollywood" Henderson. In the women's race, a similar thing
happened when Jennifer Catboxx Walgrave, i.e. Mrs. Oberpriller, did an extra
lap, and lost the title to Stella Carey of SF. Wait until you see the photos
from the friday night derby, complete with a oil drum and pallets on fire,
the cops and a fire truck...

Stay tuned Intergalactic pilots for a full length writeup from the pilot himself!

pictures