The 2012 Nevada City Soapbox Derby...

Well, this was a whole lot of fun. Hotter than blazes up here, but so much fun. Claremont needs one of these; of course Claremont also needs a good annual criterium too, but that is a matter for another time. It's good homegrown fun, well in keeping with the city image. Anyway that is technically another matter as well; this afternoon I got to watch the annual soapbox derby up in Nevada City. There are a few photos here - after I have had time to process the rest of them, as well as the photos from tomorrows 52nd annual Nevada City Bicycle Classic, I will have a link for them. If you wondered, there are two categories - the racers that are built for speed and are there for the win, and those that are of a more artistic nature. Quite frankly there seemed to be some quite capable cross-overs as well. What is the bike connection? Unsurprisingly, many, probably most, maybe all of these gravity machines were built around, or at least used a number of different bicycle parts in their manufacture.

the E Vitus Clampus racing outhouse at the start

umbrella girls to keep the drivers cool

speeding past

Nevada City Winery racer

man-eating grouper - a whole lot faster than it looks

getting a tow back uphill after the first run

Team Steampunk

If you have never been, the course runs downhill along a residential street with enough grade that the machines can get up into the 40mph range. Spectators line the entire route, with a massive crowd waiting at the finish line, where there is also a big festival with many other activities taking place. There are four heats to determine the speed champions, and ballots are collected to determine the artistic winners. There was a bad crash at the finish line during the first heat this time, with a driver being taken to the hospital. It may be all in fun, but the competition is still serious. Hope the driver is okay.