Rider Profile: Christina Peck

Meet Christina Peck, a Sweep racing powerhouse who gives the strongest of women and men a run for their money!

Photo by: Jonathan Koshi

Name: Christina Peck

Sweep Categories: Speed-Women

What was the race equipment you used? 

I first did the Sweep in 2007 and I was trying to find a photo from then because I feel like I rode my track bike, which was so normal at the time but sounds so foreign to me now - definitely with a large-sized Freight bag though. I remember the scope being slightly smaller though - out to the Marina and up to Twin Peaks. In 2014, I rode all the way to Sausalito for the big points and last year it was down to South San Francisco. Both years I had my size large Mer Bag backpack but last year, that barely cut it. Any future years, I feel like I would need to use a front rack or some modified set up - riding back in on rainy Junipero Serra with 60-70lbs on my bag was pretty tough. For the two more recent years, I was riding my All-City Mr Pink road bike. 

Why is the Sweep important to you? 

The Sweep is important because it's a huge event with a whole bunch of friends throwing it for all the right reasons. Encouraging cyclists to do what they do best but channel that into donating a whole bunch of food to fill the SF Food Bank is pretty incredible. I have been so impressed at those organizing this event for the past 10 (!) years, because it obviously involves so much behind the scenes work. It is such a great twist to traditional alleycats too - there are a bunch of strategic moves in how to get in and out of stores quickly and how you route based on knowing you will be carrying a ton of weight towards the end. 

Favorite Sweep moment/memory? 

Favorite Sweep memory was probably 2014 riding across the Golden Gate to Sausalito. I'm usually kitted up and just starting a ride when on the bridge, but weaving through bike traffic with messenger bags felt so odd but so perfect in the moment. In 2007 I have this distinct memory of riding in a huge group of 7-8 and trying to round up receipts and pack bags at the Safeway out on Sloat. All the passerbys were so confused. While it was totally herding cats, it was so much fun. 

You're a well renown courier both nationally and abroad. How do you approach the Sweep versus other alleycats? 

I approach the Sweep pretty similarly as I would other alleycats - route smart and ride hard but be realistic about your timing and ability to carry that much weight without making it miserable for yourself. 

Any tips for someone considering racing speed for the first time? 

For speed: Have a good system for keeping track of your receipts! I got disqualified in 2011 for losing one receipt. Never again (I hope). For fundraising: start early! There are a few steps to setting up your donation page and approval can take a day or two, so don't wait til the last minute.

To sign up for the speed race, register HERE!

Have a favorite Sweep story you want to share? Send us an email at supermarketstreetsweep@gmail.com

Rider Profile: Katie Styer

You are in for a treat this week. Meet Katie Styer! She's a Sweep veteran who's no stranger to the podium, and has been on the top step three consecutive times! She went above and beyond to give you not one, but TEN tips to help you do well and have fun at the Sweep!

Left to right: Katie Styer, Sam Bell. Photo by: Jonathan Koshi

Name: Katie Styer

Sweep Categories: Speed-Women

What was the race equipment you used? 

Why is the Sweep important to you? 

The SMSW is a rad event that brings together every section of the bike community, based on our mutual love of the bicycle. However, the reason the SMSW is so popular is because it taps into our desire to do good and show love for our fellow humans. I grew up in a culture of giving and providing for those who are in need or unable to provide for themselves. I guess the SMSW lets me practice that, while having a lot of fun, winning rad prizes and blowing off some competitive steam.

Favorite Sweep moment/memory? 

When Laura Schnied-WEED won the Speed Lady category, and when Chris Phipps won the men’s speed category. Laura and Chris were so near to the top step of their respective Speed Categories, feeling their excitement and success felt a lot like feeling my own, but way, way better. 

Biggest thing you've learned since the first time you participated in the Sweep? 

“Have fun and stay calm.” The Sweep allows you the space to have maximum fun without having to get too competitive. If you don’t want to be competitive, the food you do collect for people still matters, the sights you see are still amazing and if you ride with a group, the memories you make are long-lasting. If you want to be competitive, stay calm—it’s a really long race.

Any tips for someone considering racing speed for the first time? 

Oh man. I don't have one but ten tips for all the new-junior-baby-street-sweep-racers out there. Check it:

1. It helps to take a second to plot out in what order you're going to visit each grocery store. You may want to deviate from this plan mid ride, but DON'T unless you are very, very, very sure that it is the correct move.  Beware the red herring checkpoint. If it looks extra juicy, it might not be worth it. I’ve never used a smartphone to plot my routes but I hear they help.

2. Don't let that nervous energy take over, but do let the adrenaline flow! Skitch, especially uphill!

3. These races have only gotten harder and harder in terms of what you carry. I recommend going with a large backpack. Sling bags are a killer if you aren't used to carrying 80 pounds on one shoulder. 

4. If you have a choice in clip-less shoes, go with the mountain option. Often it rains during these races and road style shoes on wet grocery store floors will be really, really, slippery. They'll slow you down because you'll be walking so carefully in order to avoid falling and breaking an ankle. Mountain shoes let you run! If you ride with straps and cages on your pedals, all the better! Again, wear shoes that won't get slick in the wet. Avoid shoe laces. Bag your feet if you don’t like soggy tootsies.

5. Don't forget to have a snack and drink some calories in the middle of the race! This will keep you going strong to the end. The 3 minutes you spend eating and drinking will be well spent if it keeps you from losing all your energy in the last 45 minutes of the race.

6. This race is fun with buddies! If you want, go it alone, but having a partner really helps to keep the morale high. Just make sure you ride similar speeds and are on the same page about routing.

7. Hip bags are the best! You can keep your money, receipts, and u-lock all in one place - having to dig in your bag is a time waster for sure. Try to grab one of those plastic coiled bracelet key chains sold at hardware stores. Put your U-lock key on it voila! You never have to search for your U-lock key again!

8. Your vagina is going to be angry. Make sure you ride your favorite, most comfortable, most broken in saddle and your best chamois. Use cream if that's your thing.

9. If you have 30 minutes to go, you might be able to make one more checkpoint. If you have 15 minutes to go, you might want to be on your way in. The 4PM deadline is real. Also, wear a watch, it's easier to check while riding.

10. If you have to decide between taking the short way UP the steep hill or the longer, gradual way around the hill, go the short way up. It hurts, but it's usually worth the time savings.

Good luck to everyone, have a blast, stay safe and keep it rubber-side-down!

To sign up for the speed race, register HERE!

Have a favorite Sweep story you want to share? Send us an email at supermarketstreetsweep@gmail.com

Rider Profile: Zach Morvant

Meet Supermarket Street Sweep regular Zach Morvant!

Photo by: Jonathan Koshi

Name: Zach Morvant

Sweep Categories: Speed-Men, Fundraising

What was the race equipment you used? 

When I first raced in 2011, I was on my track bike with a Timbuk2 shoulder bag. Since then I've usually ridden some kind of aluminum road bike. I wear a Chrome Warsaw backpack to hold most of my stuff, and a hip bag to hold my receipts and snacks.

Why is the Sweep important to you? 

I think I'm an incredibly fortunate person, so it's important to try to give back. The SF-Marin Food Bank does a fantastic job of feeding people in our own backyard, and if I can help their mission while having a bit of fun doing it, that's awesome! While I love a good street race, that's why I also started participating in the fundraising category a couple years back. Bringing in 75lbs of food on your back is cool, but if I can raise a bunch of extra cash too, that means more meals for folks who need them.

Biggest thing you've learned since the first time you participated in the Sweep? 

Like any alleycat, routing rules and speed serves – but you need to be paying extra special attention to elevation as the race goes on and your bag gets heavier.

Favorite Sweep moment/memory? 

Oh man! There are so many. Winning the men's speed category in 2013 was pretty rad, because Adam is a consistently dominant and smart opponent. But last year, flying toward the beach mid-race, backpack already heavy with food, and having the sky open up with rain – all while thinking "man, I must really love doing this" – is something I'll vividly remember for a while.

Can you share a tip for someone considering racing speed or fundraising for the first time? 

For speed: Have a good system for keeping track of your receipts! I got disqualified in 2011 for losing one receipt. Never again (I hope). For fundraising: start early! There are a few steps to setting up your donation page and approval can take a day or two, so don't wait til the last minute.

What is the fundraising category?

For every $1 you raise, the SF-Marin Food Bank can distribute $5 worth of food, which can provide 3 meals. To set up a team page of your very own to start fundraising for this campaign, click HERE to register. See this blog post for step-by-step registration instructions.

To sign up for the speed race, register HERE!

Have a favorite Sweep story you want to share? Send us an email at supermarketstreetsweep@gmail.com

Rider Profile: Adam Shapiro

Hello, friends! We're starting a new series of posts featuring at least one Supermarket Street Sweep rider from each race category to highlight why they love the Sweep and how you can get started. First up, we have Adam, a seasoned and decorated Sweep racer and our reigning Men's Speed champion.

Photos by: Jonathan Koshi

Name: Adam Shapiro

Sweep Category: Speed-Men

What was the race equipment you used?

BIKES	BAGS
Bianchi 1885 - I miss that bike!!	187 Full Custom Backpack
Orange mongrel SSCX fixed that I designed and welded myself in 2002	Timbuk2 Pro Series Backpack
Cannondale CAAD 5	Rickshaw Oakland Scrape XXL Sling
Ritte Crossberg (Grand prize of the 2011 SMSW!!)	Chrome Metropolis XL Sling
Norco Threshold

Why is the Sweep important to you?

The Food bank provides such a critical support to our community.  I've been on both sides of charitable giving and feel super driven to loudly support such an important cause.  I love the work that SMSW does to bridge the bike racing scene to the city that surrounds us. 

SMSW has been far too good to me - I've been trying to settle the score!!  

Biggest thing you've learned since the first time you participated in the Sweep?
Be prepared to HAUL!?!  The Speed race has steadily escalated in size and scope over the years.  I finished the speed race last year with 83 pounds on my back!!!  Probably rethinking my race rig this year...

Favorite Sweep moment/memory?
Battling Grey W for the line in 2008.  Was one of my early street race victories and Grey was a bit of a hero/legend at the time.  

Can you share a tip for someone considering racing speed for the first time?
Cash is king! Buy your cans and pasta with cash for quickest in and out!!!  Have a system to keep your receipts safe and organized.

What is the speed/points category?
Individual cyclists must earn at least 50 points to finish the Sweep successfully. This category is designed so that you can do an easy or a more difficult version, depending on how much you want to ride or donate; you can customize it as much as you like. But if you'd like to win some prizes, you'll have to choose a more challenging course. 

Here's an example: Buy (2) cans of beans from "SAMPLE STORE". If it's a store that's worth 10 points, it'll be located closer to the start. If it's a store that's worth 30 points, it'll be further away in the city. We will give you the addresses for the stores, but it's up to you to look them up on your map or smart phone. 

Part of the challenge is creating the most efficient route to go shopping! However you want to "choose your own adventure," you MUST bring back receipts for all of your purchases and be back at the SF & Marin Food Bank by 4PM to finish. The top five men and women will win great prizes!

Ready to give the speed race a go? Register HERE! 

Do you have a favorite Sweep story to share? Send us an email at supermarketstreetsweep@gmail.com