mbma.

stuporbowl. eleven.

2008-01-08T01:03:00.000-06:00

i hear that you have to be able to prove you have raced/participated in at least 5 SB's to register this year... is it true?

your best chance of finding out is at: www.stuporbowlmpls.com

on a side note, have you found a copy of cog magazine?
go get one! 1 on 1, and C-R-C both have 'em. (it's free, cheap-ass).

2007-10-31T12:32:00.000-05:00

this domain and the hosting needs to be paid for soon.

i have been paying it for 3 years now, un-reimbursed.
which is fine, but that's all i'm gonna do.

it would make a lot more sense for somebody else to be running this thing anyway.
so, some messenger, (any messenger), needs to contact me and transfer this shit to their name.

it will disappear forever, in january, if no one can do this.
i'm sure someone will buy up mbma.net quick and we will never get it back.

vegan ninja. rest in peace.

2007-07-23T13:38:00.000-05:00

eric lappagard passed.

he will be missed.

leave a note, here.

a few adjustments...

2007-07-13T11:08:00.000-05:00

welcome to the new mbma site.

don't bother changing your bookmarks just yet, this will likely get moved eventually...
but no matter what happens, mbma.net will get you to the right place.

i doubt eveything is working correctly yet, and frankly i ain't got the time to deal with it, so hold your horses and it'll get worked out.

at least i can put up info in these posts quick, and easy.

see ya at the races.

The Yellow Bag!

2006-12-01T22:53:00.000-06:00

If there is one good thing about France, besides their continued refusal of increasing their workweek despite insistence of worldwide corporate capitalist forces, it's a long tradition of bicycle racing. Sure, French-threaded bottom brackets have died off, much to the dismay of many a proud Viscount or Motobecane owner, but the Le Tour lives on.

The Yellow Bag was created by Jason Stukel in anticipation of his leaving the courier profession as a continuing prize that is given to the top local courier in the most recent Minneapolis alleycat race. After receiving the Bag, the winner gets to add their name to the growing list of champions on the inside front panel.

The Bag embodies all the ideals of a good messenger- just large enough to carry a small envelope (if you take out your patch kit, if you carry one) and not too proud to turn down large packages. No, wait, that's not quite right- how about functional, efficient and stylish? A lot nicer to pass around than that stinky, old, yellow jersey we used to have.

Minneapolis Alleycat Champions
1.30.99	Jason Stukel	Stupor Bowl II
5.21.99	TIM GELLERMAN
6.25.99	Amber Ella Elandt
7.9.99	WHEELS
8.15.99	WHEELS
9.22.99	Amber Ella Elandt	ticket to HPR
10.8.99	MARTIN
12.03.99	WHEELS	"Ides"
1.07.2G	Brad Emery
1.29.2G	Shane Mathews	Stupor Bowl III
3-08-00	MARTIN LICIOUS
3.24.2000	SVEN!
4.6.2000	MARK-O
4.21.2G's	B-rad
5.5.2G	WHITEBREAD
5.31.2G	SHANE M.
6.9.2G	Seng
7.28.00	Whitebread
11.4.00	SAM KUNKEL
12.15.2000	B*RAD
1.27.2001	JAY GROPEN	STUPOR BOWL 4
3.9.2001	Mark-o	Buried Bikes Alleycat
4.13.2001	Christian
4.27.2001	Gene-O	Art Show opening
6.9.2001	B-rad	St. Paul Crackdog
6.22.2001	Joe	Crackdog Stage 2
01.08.03	Seng	Milwaukee Crackdog Time Trial
8.17.2001	Sam	Crackdog Stage 4
11.03.2001	Tony	Halloween Fundraiser
12.21.2001	JAY GROPEN	St. Ides
2.2.2002	JAY GROPEN	STUPOR BOWL V
12.13.2002	Martin	St. Ides
1.26.2003	JAY GROPEN	STUPOR BOWL VI
2.2.2004	Matt Allen	STUPOR BOWL VII
	Super Rookie	Murder Cat
	MattAllen	BBQ Cat
2.5.2005	Spencer!	STUPOR BOWL VIII
9.22.2005	Spencer	Mean Streets.
10.15.2005	Caitlin / Matt Allen	Messenger Homecoming

there were more...like:
photo cat
matt cat
otter cat
bunny cat
pizza cat
but that's for later.

gallery - sb8

2006-12-01T22:42:00.000-06:00

StuporBowl Eight. 2004.

all images by carter.

About Us.

2006-12-01T22:40:00.000-06:00

So what in the fuck, you might ask, is the MBMA?

Well, we're a loose knit, (or tight knit depending on who you ask), non-organization of bike messengers in Minnepolis.

A downtown, street level, Professional Organization designed to improve and maintain the current working conditions for bike messengers in Minneapolis and promote cycling as a method of transportation and good times.

It also serves as a conduit between messengers of Minneapolis, (and St. Paul), and the larger worldwide cycling and messenger communities. Basically a support system for each other... You know, someone to bitch about your day to, to have a beer with after work.

For those contemplating working as a messenger: the MBMA is not a company, and does not exist to get you a job!

Please do not email, visit us, or phone us looking for a job -- call the companies like the rest of us had to.
Thanks.

Moving on...

Call us what you will: work horses, daredevils, nuisances...whatever.

We are bike messengers.

We work hard, (or we don't - depends on the pay).

We love our jobs, and we hate our jobs... depends on the weather, our mood, and/or the severity of our hangover...

So wanna hire us? Wanna be us? (most people do...we understand).

Well sir/ma'am you've come to the right place...here in you'll find our "personal profiles", as well as a list of courier companies hiring bike messengers,and the following FAQ to answer all of your queries.
Breath deep children...

The answers you were looking for.
What follows is a FAQ (sort of), to answer some of the more common/annoying questions we tend to get. For instance:

Q: How do i get a job as a messenger?

A: If I had a nickel... seriously. It's not that I hate you for asking, it's just that I hate you for being the 15th person to ask today. All I can tell you is: Apply, Interview, Get Hired....just like anyother job.
It helps if you have, and can ride a bicycle.

Q: Who are the members of the MBMA?

A: Membership consists primarily of current bike messengers in Minneapolis.

Q: Who is in charge of what?

A: Good question. There isn't a set hierarchical structure to the MBMA, but we are generally run on consensus or xerocracy. Recent spontanious elections made Spencer President, and Treasury. SuperRookie VP, and The Little Guy Secretary.

Now we just have to figure out what that means.

Q: How far does a Minneapolis Messenger usually ride in a day?

A: Further than you think. Remember, we get paid by the job.

Q: What sort of things do you guys usually carry at work?

A: In our bags at any given time are: packages from the previous day, our lunches, more packages - envelopes, boxes, flats, tubes, etc..., tools, spare tube, patch kit, extra layers, rain gear, a good book, a few bucks, and later probably a case of beer.

Q: What is the pay like?

A: Ouch. This is the worst. It's like asking a girl how much she weighs... you just don't do it.

But since you asked;

There are some lucky messengers in Minneapolis that are hired as employees. They get hourly pay and benefits. Most of us, however, are independent contractors. The majority of us get paid per job, with no hourly base. So, it really depends on who you work for, how hard you work, the time of year, and the state of the economy.

So, in a word: Shit.

Q: I saw a messenger run a red light. What's with that?

A: The laws for cycling in Minneapolis are posted

here.

We break them at our own risk. We don't, however, don't do so recklessly. If we did, we would be putting ourselves in tremendous danger. Remember, we do this shit for a living, and we do it every day. We excersize caution to minimize the potential for harm to ourselves, pedestrians, and even automobile passengers. What might look "dangerous" to the casual observer, is in reality a carefully excacuted, highly refined, skill that has been honed over the course of years on the job.

Please, (really- please), don't emulate us, especially in traffic! Nobody wants to see you get yourself hurt.

Also, we don't really "get away" with it, either: every couple of weeks, another messenger gets a ticket. But yes, you probably did see us run a red light.

Stuporbowl X

2006-11-07T13:51:00.000-06:00

2.03.07

watch for info.

Getting work.

2006-11-07T10:29:00.000-06:00

So you wanna make a go at being a "tag-junkie", do ya?

Well rookie, you could start by calling every courier company in the yellowpages.

Good fucking luck.

All those companies get many, many calls
every day.

I suggest growing a spine, and riding your crappy-ass single speed racer downtown and talking to the couriers you see there.

BUT WAIT! Don't harass me when I'm working! Don't accost me when I am hustling out of the IDS, at 4:56 trying to get some bullshit filing to USDC by 5:00.

Just chill out, act normal, and make friends. Best way to get a job... referal. There are very few jobs available, and you can't have mine.

Maybe I sound like a dick, but that's just because I am... and cause you are just a pose-enger.

MBMA Cares.

2005-12-01T23:36:00.000-06:00

You may remember our friend Tyler, who had his wheels ripped off by some total fuckball.

Well, our beautiful bike culture here in Minneapolis bound together and we found Tyler's wheels, (well actually just the rear one), we all should be very proud of ourselves!

Shit like this is what makes our scene so fucking great. In a lot of cities those wheels would be gone and no one would give a fuck.
It is seriously awesome that we have a culture here that we can accomplish shit like that.

I want to thank anyone and everyone who read the post and kept their eyes open, asked around, or even thought about what a crock of shit it is to get ripped off by another kid who thinks he's part of the same scene as you.

That being said, we are still looking for the front wheel, so let us know if you know something.

Hey MBMA,

I had my Phil/DT Swiss Track Wheels stolen from 25th St and 1st Ave
on Saturday Night.

They're Phil High Flange Flip/Flop Hubs laced to
DT Swiss RR 1.1. Rims with black DT spokes. Michelin Cyclocross
tires were mounted at the point of theft as well as a Surly
Tugnut. I really want these wheels back. BAD.

I was hoping that
I'd be able to race them at the Track this next summer while getting
spanked by Matt and Spencer. [i did not add this. it's just true. -ED.]

I'll put out a $200 dollar Bounty for info leading to their
recovery. Keep your eyes peeled if you can.

Tyler "Skidsy" Denniston

Category 6 Racing Squad

StuporBowl 9

2005-12-01T23:00:00.000-06:00

StuporBowl Nine.

Feb. 4th, 2006.

"...I would die 4 U..."

did you see the stops yet?

It was a chilly day, the first StuporBowl had seen in a few years, but it was by no means the bitter cold we all hope to see on this day.

We take what we can get though, and the locals were feeling like their chances were good... soon the truth would rear it's ugly head.

An amazing 225 people registered to ride, and i'm sure a few more folks tagged along, making StuporBowl 9 THE BIGGEST ALLEYCAT EVER. ANYWHERE.
Fuck yeah, eat that NYC.

A few minutes before the start time the racers were herded over to the super-secret starting spot, at Boom Island, and everyone was given their manifests and sent "le mans" style on their way. The Nordeast-ish start had definatly thrown a wrench into some peoples plans as folks raced of in every direction.

We had planned a few ugly suprises along the route, you know, just to keep the kids on their toes, like mini-manifests at two stops, and the infamous flat tire stop. As well as forcing everyone to try and count all the stars on First Ave... Ha!

Fred was once again stationed out on the ice on Lake Calhoun, which for the theme of the race was known as Lake Minnetonka for the day, and many sorry s.o.b.'s did try to turn in manifest that said Calhoun... sorry kids, better luck next time!

The race was scored by the number of checkpoints that you made it to within the time limit, with the tie-breaker being the finishing order.

I.e., if two people had the same number of stops completed who ever had showed up at the finish first would place higher.

At the finish line it was a devastating day for the locals as we gave the top THREE spots to Wisconsin!

Kevin Strode from Milwaukee took top honors, with the tag-team of brothers Marko and James in 2nd and 3rd.

The three were the only ones to finish the enitre manifest!

Top female was Minneapolis veteran Liz who finish a super strong 8th in the overall, with Katie and Jamie one stop down in 2nd and 3rd.

Minneapolis represented HUGE in the stupor side of the comp, with B-rad a clear winner for the men, and defending womens champ Meg on the womens side!

Top placed local was Matt Allen, missing only one stop, who will take the yellow Bag for Stupor Bowl for a second time!

the spoke cards were rad too. Thanks to all who helped make this event happen!

Results as folows....

preliminary results. more soon(ish)
1st Kevin S.	milwaukee
2nd Marko L.	madison
3rd James L.	milwakee
4th Matt Allen	mpls
5th SuperRookie	chicago
6th RoundTree	minneapolis (first to lose to super-rookie).
7th Leif	mpls
8th Liz	mpls
9th Mike Sobol	mpls
10th Noah	?

women.
1st Liz	mpls
2nd Katie	philly
3rd Jamie	philly
4th Gwen	mpls
5th Steph S.	mpls

Drunks
Men B-Rad

Women Meg (the only defending champ this year!)

Medallion
carlos! (it was in the Sculpture Gardens).

Poker
fullhouse kings over aces

Rob S. aka Tuffy Cat 6 racing, mpls

racing page.

2005-12-01T22:49:00.000-06:00

We are all alleycats at heart.

The hunt is in our blood.

We do not fear the elements, the traffic, or the competition.

We do it because we have nothing better to do.

A brief alleycat history of Minneapolis:

the yellow bag.

Stupor Bowl History and Results.

links.

2005-12-01T22:46:00.000-06:00

Bike Shops.

Behind Bars.

Our favorite local shop! Ask Chuck for the Messenger Discount. But only if you know the secret handshake!

One on One.

Our favorite "bike shop" to hang out and drink coffee at.

The Hub.

Our favorite shop... to... ummm... writing these sucks.

Messenger Resources.

IFBMA.

Intn'l Messenger Info.

NYBMA.

NYC Website.(fuck puma though...)

SFBMA..

SF Website.

Portland.

Portland messenger Website. They love us, and we love them.

Houston.

I got warrants in every city except Houston...

Other Sweet Stuff.

Smithers Minneapolis.

Smart cycling news and politics. (Holy shit, it can be done).

e-rock has a website!

if you don't know, find out quick.

The Gold One.

You just can't fuck with Minnesota.

The MCF.

Minnesota Cycling.

Wanna Race? Go here.

The NSC Velodrome.

Think you're fast? Prove it.

(Yeah, I'm talking to you Team Puma).

C-R-C.

Cars indeed are Coffins..

You might think that you are too cool, but you're not.
Visit C-R-C now.

trackstar NYC

you will drool.

Cat Six Racing

Cat six is the peoples racing team. For real.

gallery.

2005-12-01T22:44:00.000-06:00

messenger images will be here... eventually.

things like:

StuporBowl Photos.

AlleyCat Photos.

Sometimes Nick's Modeling Portfolio.

Fliers.

Art stuff.

StuporBowl!

2004-12-01T22:54:00.000-06:00

StuporBowl 1

StuporBowl 2

StuporBowl 3

StuporBowl 4

StuporBowl 5

StuporBowl 6

StuporBowl 7

StuporBowl 8

StuporBowl 9

StuporBowlX

StuporBowl 7

2004-01-31T22:57:00.000-06:00

Stupor Bowl VII

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

January 31, 2004

It was a cold day. But to the locals, it felt like a heat wave.

Race Day came on the tail end of a serious Alberta clipper, the most vicious cold snap we've seen in five years. With temperatures predicted to soar into the high teens, the locals faced a welcome break from the -44 wind chills they had seen only one day prior. A medium dusting of snow was also on the forecast, promising to make things interesting for everybody.

Seventy-three registrants huddled at the starting line. Some did jumping jacks to stay warm, others stood still, letting the pre-race butterflies do the work. Everyone knew that there was no defending champion. This year, the playing field was even. This year, it was anyone's race.

2004 saw the return of the Stupor Champ title, handed out to the first racer to finish who has a drink at every stop. A coveted title, to be sure.

The stops:

Start: The Bench	above Lasalle on the Loring Greenway
Bryant-Lake Bowl	810 W Lake St
Bullwinkle's	1429 Washington Ave S
Country Bar and Grill	3006 Lyndale Ave S
Grumpy's Bar (Northeast)	2200 NE 4th ST
Grumpy's Bar and Grill (Downtown)	1111 Washington Ave S
Lee's	101 Glenwood Ave
Lyle's Bar and Restaurant	2021 Hennepin Ave S
Mayslack's Polka Lounge	1428 NE 4th St
Pizza Luce (Downtown)	119 N 4th St
Skyway Lounge	725 Hennepin Avenue
Terminal Bar	409 East Hennepin Ave
Finish: The Triple Rock	629 Cedar Ave S

The Final Standings:

Open division
1. Matt Allen	Minneapolis	First Fixie
2. Mike Brauer	Minneapolis	First Civilian
3. Tim Hayes	Minneapolis
4. John Swanson	Minneapolis
5. Martin	Minneapolis
6. Spencer Haugh	Milwaukee
7. Adam Clark	Chicago	First Out-of-towner
8. Andy Larson	Minneapolis
9. Hurl	Minneapolis
10. Steve Rowntree	Chicago
11. Nick Bohrer	Minneapolis
12. Amy Campbell	Minneapolis	First Woman
13. Gabe Flowers	Milwaukee
14. Brent Olds	Chicago
15. Michael Sobol	Mpls/Colorado
16. Damien Tank	Minneapolis
17. Sven	Minneapolis
18. Kevin Stroede	Milwaukee
19. Nick Gibbons	Chicago
20. Otto	Minneapolis
21. Marko	Mpls/Madison
22. Gene-O	Minneapolis
23. Araby	Minneapolis
24. Dave C.	Madison
25. Tim Gellerman	Minneapolis
26. Noah Kaufman	Minneapolis
27. Jim Oliver	?
28. Shaggy	Milwaukee	Stupor Champ
29. Sam Tracy	Minneapolis
30. Danielle Olson	Minneapolis
31. Patrick Moen	Minneapolis	2nd Stupor
32. Petar Brinson	Madison
33. Todd	Philadelphia	3rd Stupor
34. Darrell Berg	Minneapolis
35. Eric Schuller	Minneapolis
36. Theo	Minneapolis
37. Deevil	Minneapolis
38. Vladimir Lenin	Minneapolis
39. Jeff	Minneapolis
40. Teddie	Chicago

Finishing with a special rocknroll show at The Triple Rock with Signal to Trust, The Skinnys, and The Vets. 5pm, a measly $2. 21+ (doin' it for the kids).

StuporBowl 6

2003-12-01T22:57:00.000-06:00

Some said it would never happen. Since the inception of this race, the date has turned from the coldest day of the year to one of the warmest of the winter. With the coldest October on record revealing itself not as a prelude to what was to come, but really just what was to come, hopes were fading fast for a cold Stupor Bowl. But hope was not lost.

It was sunny, but it was cold. Finally. Not real cold; closer to, "everything's melting" than, "too cold to snow", but still a lot better than previous years. A relatively fresh blanket of white and dry covered the landscape with the accompanying spots of brown and slippery covering the streets. All in all, excellent conditions for a messenger race.

Despite the sun and a lovely view of the city, riders were not quite as inclined to stand around and mingle as in previous years. Who knew why? There were always new faces and some old ones who come out of the woodwork to enjoy the start, even to race. Milwaukee, San Francisco and Lincoln (Nebraska!) were representing. Heck, Chicago finally came back. Maybe they didn't want to break down and let slip their secret routing, an easy possibility with the lo-tech truth serum that was flowing free. Maybe they were all itching for ink at Twilight Tattoo. Or to wrestle the infamous, "Girl Arm" and take a roll of the dice at Muddy Waters or eat a dill pickle potato chip at the Sculpture Garden. Rumors of unknown humiliation at the Hoophouse abounded, helped along by vague secrecy of the organizers. But how could they have known the delights that awaited them? Everyone, of course, wanted their shot at Jay and Liz who both were racing for their third consecutive titles.

Could be it was that their feet were turning into iceblocks. Who can say with the kids these days.

In any case, with 59 entrants, the race went off a bit after 3pm.

The stops:

Palmer's Bar - 500 Cedar Avenue South
Dunn Brother's Coffee - 925 Nicollet Mall
The Hoophouse - 2517 16th Avenue South
La Pantura - 650 25th Avenue SE #420
Twilight Tattoo - 3054 Bloomington Avenue South
The Witches Tower - University Avenue SE between Malcolm and Clarence
Muddy Waters Cafe - 2401 Lyndale Avenue South
Garrettshaus - 1000 University Avenue SE, House #19
Upper Mississippi Lock and Dam - One South Portland
Walker Sculpture Garden - 726 Vineland Place
Skyway Lounge - 725 Hennepin Avenue
Big Brick Building - 1224 Quincy Avenue NE #300

Finish: The Hub Bicycle Co-op

The Final Standings:

Open division
1. Jay Gropen (manifest)	1hr 9min 20sec	Minneapolis	First Fixie
2. Martin Rudnick	1:15:25	Minneapolis
3. Steve Rowntree	1:16:55	Minneapolis	First Civilian
4. Erin Willingham	1:16:56	Chicago	First From Afar
5. Sean Nelson	1:21:21	Minneapolis
6. Gabe Flowers	1:21:37	Miilwaukee
7. Dale Bowles	1:24:35	Minneapolis
8. Paul	1:24:56	Minneapolis
9. Greg Degrace	1:25:03	Minneapolis
10. Nick Lippert	1:25:56	Chicago
11. Mike Morell	1:25:58	Chicago
12. Sven	1:26:25	Minneapolis
13. Matt Allen	1:28:05	Minneapolis
14. Tat	1:28:10	Minneapolis
15. Kevin S.		Milwaukee
16. Mike Brauer		Minneapolis
17. Jordan Hermann		Minneapolis
18. Andy Larson		Minneapolis
19. Mike Harris		Minneapolis
20. Herbie Green		Minneapolis
21. Chris C.		Minneapolis
22. Eric Sovern		Minneapolis
23. Conor		Minneapolis
24. Carlos		Minneapolis
25. Jameson		Minneapolis
26. Eric		Milwaukee
27. Peter Diantoni		Minneapolis
28. Bill Morgan		Milwaukee
29. Eli		Minneapolis
30. Dan S.		Minneapolis
31. Joel H.		Minneapolis
32. Tim F. Gellerman		Minneapolis
33. Mark Finn		Minneapolis
34. Shaggy		Milwaukee
35. Black Rob		Minneapolis
36. B-rad		Minneapolis
37. Mike		San Francisco	D.F.L.

Women's division
1. Maty Sauter (manifest)	1:28:28	Minneapolis	Fixie (14th overall)
2. Araby Williams	1:31:53	Minneapolis	(15th overall)
3. Amy Campbell		Minneapolis
4. Kristine		Minneapolis	First Civilian Woman
5. Guenevere		Chicago

First to Twilight Tattoo
$50 gift certificate
Local: Amy Campbell
Visitor: Kevin S., Milwaukee

Asskickinest Prize
For riding from the third stop to the finish with a flat front tire
Carlos, Minneapolis

Excellent prizes and supported donated by:

Twilight Tattoo

Surly Bikes

Blazing Saddles Bicycle Messenger

One on One Bicycle Studio

Palmer's Bar

The Hub Bicycle Co-op

The Grease Pit

Friday the 24th
evening - 1am (bar close)	Welcome Party and Art Show Closing
	Palmer's Bar and Grease Pit Bike Shop
	500 Cedar Avenue South
	Registration and cruisersprint qualifying

Saturday the 25th
1-2:30pm	Registration at Blazing Saddles office
	11 S. 12th Street #102
2:30-3pm	Registration moves to Boom Island Park
	8th Avenue NE and Old Man River (Plymouth Bridge)
3pm	Start the Holiday Tour of The City (aka alleycat action)
3pm-???	Finish at The Hub Bicycle Co-op
post finish	Rocknrollpartyaction
	2323 27th Avenue South
	Cruisersprint qualifiers and finals
9:30pm	Music by The Lentils, The Bleeding Hickeys, Monkeypaw, and The Vets recorded dance hits to follow
Sunday the 26th
all day	Heck if I care, you're not my responsibility anymore

mbma.

stuporbowl. eleven.

vegan ninja. rest in peace.

a few adjustments...

The Yellow Bag!

Minneapolis Alleycat Champions

gallery - sb8

StuporBowl Eight. 2004.

About Us.

Stuporbowl X

Getting work.

MBMA Cares.

Hey MBMA,

StuporBowl 9

StuporBowl Nine.

preliminary results.more soon(ish)

women.

racing page.

links.

Bike Shops.

Messenger Resources.

Other Sweet Stuff.

gallery.

StuporBowl!

StuporBowl 7

Stupor Bowl VII

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USAJanuary 31, 2004

The stops:

The Final Standings:

StuporBowl 6

preliminary results.

more soon(ish)

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

January 31, 2004