A spectator’s survival guide to the Riverwest 24

If the idea of a 24-hour bike race through the heart of Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood doesn’t fill your heart with joy, there’s clearly something wrong with you. After all, what’s not to love? A great location, hundreds of merry riders, and a course that takes its cues from Double Dare make the Riverwest 24 one of Milwaukee’s most unusual events of the summer. The race’s goal is twofold: To encourage safe urban biking, and to shine a positive spotlight on the iconoclastic Riverwest community. Just as irreverent as the neighborhood it calls home, the RW24 is less a race than a daylong block party on wheels.

On Friday, 500 courageous souls will take part in the race’s third annual incarnation, checking off as many laps and completing as many bonus goals within a 24-hour period as possible. Even though the race has long since filled its rider limit, there’s plenty of action to be had for spectators. In advance of Friday’s epic race, The A.V. Club talked to RW24 co-organizers Jeremy Prach and Steve Whitlow about how to best enjoy the race, minus all the pedaling, sweating, and chaffed thighs.

Seating
Born out of neighborhood block watches, the RW24 isn’t even technically a race. Instead, participants are encouraged to take things easy, all the while promoting a spirit of community togetherness. “I know this is philosophical, but you will not enjoy yourself if you just put on your iPod and concentrate on competition,” says Prach. “This race is 75 percent a community event, and 25 percent a bike race.”

The suggested route is just under five miles, roughly encompassing the 12 blocks of Humboldt Boulevard and Pierce Street between Burleigh Street and Garfield Avenue. Along the way, dozens of side tasks, or “bonus checkpoints,” can be completed for extra points. (Shaving off your hair and getting an official RW24 tattoo have been past missions.) Spectators looking for the best place to take in the madness have plenty of options. “I’d recommend that you get a chair and park yourself along the Beer Line bike trail,” says Prach. “Last year there were musicians, magic shows, and free muffins that popped up there.”

Whitlow has a simple piece of advice for prospective spectators. “Stay out of the way of bikes!” he warns. “The Beer Line is good, with lawn chairs and picnic baskets. Anywhere but the starting line. We need to spread the energy around.”

Sustenance
While most RW24 participants tackle the race in teams, some riders choose to go it alone, relying on no one but themselves to survive the day-long ordeal. “All we provide is the ability to count how many times the rider rides their bike around the block,” says Prach. “There will be no medic provided, the course is open to all traffic, and both we and the police demand traffic obedience.” RW24 will also kick in dinner at the Riverwest Co-op (733 E. Clarke St.) at 4 p.m. Friday, and breakfast at St. Mary Of Czestochowa (3055 N. Fratney St.).

In case the prospect of packing a PB&J bag lunch seems too daunting, area staples like Fuel Café (818 E. Center St., 414-374-3835), Nessun Dorma (2778 N. Weil St., 414-264-8466), and Trocadero (1758 N. Water St., 414-272-0205) all reside within the race’s suggested route. And while alcohol for the riders is strictly forbidden, there’s nothing keeping thirsty onlookers from sucking down their favorite cheap, counterculture drink of choice. Drop in at Foundation (2718 N. Bremen St., 414-374-2587), Stonefly (735 E. Center St., 414-264-3630), or the Riverhorse (701 E. Center St., 414- 264-4788) for a drink, or procure your own six-pack from Sunrise Food Mart or The Polish Falcon. Think of it as tailgating at Miller Park with more bikes, better music, and cooler tattoos.

Volunteering
Even though organizers have promised to keep future RW24s at a 500-rider limit to avoid “Summerfest crowds,” the race doesn’t exactly run itself. “We have plenty of volunteer spots still open,” says Prach. “We’ve done the last two years with eight to12 people; this year, we’ll need 40 to 50 people. The race is a spectacle, and I can guarantee elation from participation.”

Even if you choose not to volunteer directly, the very nature of the race practically demands participation. “The seed for this race has always been neighborhood communication, meeting people, and humans making contact,” says Whitlow. “Anyone watching should be reminded of this, introduce themselves to people, be friendly, and ask if there’s anything they can do to help. It might be as simple as finding a roll of duct tape, or making sure that the flags on Locust and Pierce don’t fall over.” And if your proximity to all the action has you itching to compete in the actual race itself, never fear: Registration for next year’s RW24 begins May 1, 2011.