Do you remember that scene in Fight Club when Brad Pitt and Edward Norton are walking out of the bar, and Brad gets Edward to punch him as hard as he can?  I had that same type of conversation with a cyclist at Cranksgiving.  "Ever thought about roller races?".  Bam, right in the ear.  

It woke me up... Square in the ear. 

Yeah.  Roller races.  Think about putting together a series where everyone gets a chance at racing their asses off on fixed gear bikes.  A series where we have a point system that awards consistency, participation, and flat out "puke your guts on the floor" sprinting.

Now the logistics.  How, Where, When, Who.  We know the why already.  I knew it as soon as Ken punched me in the ear.  How much can you know about yourself if you have never been in a fight - with yourself - on a bike. 

The how.  We are working on that as I type.  Setting up a few fixed gear bikes with the same gear ratio and having all racers use the same bikes - to keep it even and fair.  Racers will show up with only their guts, a little cash, a tub of DZ Nuts.

The when.  Thinking weekday nights.  Maybe two race nights a month through the winter.  Maybe Wednesday nights.  Every first and third Wednesday around 8:00 or so.

The Who.  Anyone with enough minerals to put themselves into the red.  Push beyond the limit, and grind themselves into oblivion to the enjoyment of spectators.

Now actually, the last "W", I thought, was going to be the hardest part. WHERE. We're talking fight club.  I was thinking the bar, you know.  Lou's Tavern.  Then it hit me - Lorado's.  I can picture racers walking in the back door, sliding their cycling gloves on their hands, and Tom Waits blaring in the background.  The rollers and bikes already set up on the front of the bar, anxiously waiting for the blood, sweat, and tears to be spilled upon them.

Don't worry, we won't be expecting anyone to show up on the door step of Lakesides repair shop with a sleeping bag, burial money, and be made fun of for 24 hours straight to gain entry.  As far as I know, Russ does not have bunk beds in the basement for members of Project Mayhem.

So, this is just a tease.  A tease to get you ready.  Start clearing your Wednesday nights.  Limber up your legs, and get ready to experience the "Underground" version of cycling indoors during the winter.

We need some time to secure all the equipment, come up with series features, and the rest of the tidbits involved in putting this one together with the same classy details you expect from NIBU.