This week, Natooke is organizing a series of bike races for the fixed-gear bike set. The full schedule is here and the two big events are Thursday’s Scratch Race and Saturday’s Alleycat Race.

The Scratch Race is basically going to involve a circuit around the Olympic Forest–three full laps amounting to 19 km. Then, switch gears for the Alleycat Race, a more “relaxed” event: “it’s not just about the fastest,” says Sred Nisser of Natooke, “but about the smartest way around. It tests how much you know the city.”

To keep things fair, organizers will hand out maps of the course on the day of the race. Checkpoints will be spread all throughout the city, and you can speed through them any order you like–after an amusing little challenge, that is.

Registration is essential (for insurance purposes, naturally enough) and events are open only to those with a fixed-gear bike. Sign up online or e-mail beijingfg@hotmail.com for more details.

DETAILS

What: Fixed Gear Revolution

When: Aug. 18 and Aug. 20

Web: Check out Natooke’s schedule of events