2015 Annual Rush Hour Race

Come on bicycles!  We have had one victory, and one almost victory, but we all know that the fastest way around town is by bike.  But sometimes its fun to prove it.

After a year off the race is back for its third year.

from Bostino

One will go by bike, one by T, one by car, one by Hubway, and one by any which way: That’s the description of tonight’s annual Rush Hour Race, a fun event to determine the fastest way to get from A to B in Greater Boston.

The Boston Cyclists Union and the Somerville Bicycle Committee are putting on the third annual Rush Hour Race tonight, starting at 6 p.m. at the corner of Beacon and Somerset streets in Boston. Racers will converge on Brass Union Bar, located at 70 Union Square in Somerville. It’s expected to last approximately one hour.

For the 2012 and 2013 Rush Hour Races, biking and the T won, respectively.

Spectators can begin gathering at Brass Union Bar at 5:30 p.m.

Its very interesting to see this years route, as I basically commute this exact route every day. On a good day I can do it in less than 20 minutes on bicycle (following all the traffic rules). I know of no other transportation means that can beat that. We will see how this years racers do.

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Rush Hour Race Recap Film

Fun times, finally released the film for this.

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The Best Kind Of Traffic

I was a bit harsh on the Cyclist for loosing this years Rush Hour race, but he seems to have done pretty well considering. I have done a lot of urban races, and I can say that following all the rules it for sure going to slow you down. Also remember as a cyclists if you jump off your bike you become a pedestrian…will open more possibilities for you next year racers!

Check out these awesome photos of his ride!

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Biking Loses This Years Rush Hour Race

It’s not quite the shame on our house that you might think (only a five minute difference from the T, and no EEEEEEEEEEE sound, or other passengers to worry about), but the biker did lose this year…

Riders may not think so, but when it comes to traveling from Somerville to South Station during the busy morning commute, taking the MBTA is the quickest option.

On Tuesday, May 7, an MBTA passenger went up against a cyclist, runner, in-line skater, and driver during the second annual “Rush Hour Race” from Davis Square to Boston’s crowded transportation hub. Each participant had to obey the rules of the road while the train passenger dealt with the headache of the crowded subway system and the chance of a delayed ride.

But in the end, the MBTA proved to be the most efficient way to get from point A to point B on a typical Tuesday commute, with the the in-line skater coming in second, followed by the cyclist, who took a long and winding path through Kendall Square, Downtown Boston, before eventually arriving at South Station. As for drivers, well, it took the longest to finish the race to the final destination point with an almost hour-long commute.

 

Read more here.

Personally I think with more optimal route planning, and a bit of hustle its not at all hard to beat the red line. Combined with the health benefits, the money saved, not to mention avoiding the constant break downs and delays, cycling is still in my book the best way to get around.  But even at a leisurely pace, only being beat by 5 minutes is pretty much nothing in the grand scheme of things.

But losing to an INLINE SKATER…that shame will never wash off. Better luck next year..and dear rush hour race organizers are you taking volunteers for next years race?

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Rush Hour Race

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