TRASHBOAT REGATTA
Jan 22nd, 2009 by Meetzorp
The 2nd annual Kansas City Trashboat Regatta will take place June 26, 2011 @ 11:00 A.M.
What will happen, with any luck, is that a bunch of people will build trashboats, and we’ll put in at Kaw Point, pull out at Glow In The Dark Park, and then embark on a ridiculous, smelly, across-town pub crawl, ending somewhere probably in Midtown where we will buckle some swash and party on down. There will be prizes for best engineering, worst engineering, themes, costumes, decorations, least money spent, most re-use/recycling/re-purposing, and a People’s Choice Award. Consider that both a promise and a threat.
If you have any questions as to what a Trashboat looks like, I suggest that you go and check out Chunk 666’s Aquachopper adventures for elucidation and inspiration. Chicago’s illustrious Rat Patrol’s trashboats were another inspiration for the upcoming festivities. Basically, a trashboat is any bicycle powered or bicycle-towed “boat.” Preferably it doesn’t sink or break apart under its own ill-considered engineering. Buckets, bottles, and barrels are the most common pontoons, though you can make a trashboat out of just about anything, so long as it floats and can either be ridden or towed to the launch site. If your trashboat is a trailer, you need to consider how to secure your bike to it so that you can tow it back tothe after party.
The rules are:
* You cannot spend more than $100 on materials. Ideally, most of your creation should be made out of re-used refuse.
*You MUST have a life-vest
* Pack out everything you packed in…please try to build something that won’t fall apart in the water and leave rubbish all over in the river.
* human or wind power only….no motors, no matter how nifty. Pedal-powered-paddlewheels, oars, or sails are the way to go
*You need to be able to ride it to or tow it by bike to the launch and ride/tow it back from the end point
*No drinking beforehand – after the Regatta you can get as liquored-up as you want (heck, you’re encouraged to), but let’s not make an already foolish and risky activity into a potentially deadly one.
* The standard FT disclaimer applies: somebody’s bike will break, somebody will get hurt, no whining.
We’re shamelessly inspired by and ripping off two of the most illustrious groups of frankenbike builders in the Country: ChVnk666 and the Rat Patrol. The world needs more mad tinkerers and completely ridiculous bicycles in it. We here in KC should pitch in and help make the world a weirder place. You should check out the other exploits of both Chunk666 and the Rat Patrol from their main websites.
Stay tuned, because this should prove entertaining for all.
Oh, and to get yourselves in the right sorts of spirits, consider some of the past insanity that Kansas City has had to offer. Our most recent chariot races for example. Frank Tuesday’s #1 Gravity Race. Frank Tuesday’s #2 Gravity Race St. Patrick’s Day The Rim Races and the famous Tour De Cowtown
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