Tag Archives: City Chase

City Chase – Team Rankings

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Riding Dinosaurs

We all wish we could ride dinosaurs.

City Chase is coming up and we here at the Gumboot are all pretty excited. I’m excited for a few reasons. First, I said “yes” to join in on this little competition before having a full grasp of what I’ll be required to do. Run around the city? Check. Engage in humourous challenges? Check.  Help promote the (so far) unsullied name of Mitsubishi? Check. Ride dinosaurs through the mean streets of Vancouver? I hope so.

But even if I don’t get to ride dinosaurs, that’s ok. Do you know why? Because I get to compete with my good friend and Gumboot co-editor John Horn. We’re one of three teams the Gumboot has raised for this competition. Teams are some of the greatest things about adventures. That’s why Batman and Robin had so much fun fighting crime. This time, John and I will be competing against 400 other City Chase teams spread around the Downtown core. But more importantly, we’ll be competing against our fellow Gumbooters (in a friendly way). With that in mind, I thought I’d crib a very modest and basic guide for any handicappers out there looking to wager, which of the three teams are going to finish first. Some of you may say I’m horribly biased. But that’s for you to accusingly say in the comments.

Team John and Kurt

Advantages: They are fast – ninja fast. John’s really competitive and Kurt’s curmudgeonly nature will allow him to soldier through all sorts of physical test and challenges like his forefather’s did in Stalingrad. John is especially cagey having spent a long period of his youth as a Pirate’s fifth mate. Kurt’s controversial nature will allow him to “think outside the Mitsubishi box”. John doesn’t mind cheating and Kurt doesn’t mind that John doesn’t mind cheating.

Disadvantages: None known to man. If you think you know any, you’re probably wrong, so keep them to yourself.

Team Michelle and Stew

Advantages: Michelle is lovely and brilliant. Stew’s nuanced and analytical perspective will only serve to aid their team’s quest for glory. Michelle likes puzzles and challenges. Stew threw out his back, so he may arrive at the race equipped with some sort of cyborg technology that will allow him to fly and run like the Million Dollar Man.

Batman and Robin

The dynamic duo.

Disadvantages: Stew through out his back this week. Enough said. Oh and Michelle’s actually a double agent working for Team John and Kurt.

Godfrey and Mike

Advantages: The recent birth of Mike’s child has allowed him to operate for long periods of time without sleep. His baby-tested stamina will go a long way. Godfrey’s Bay-model good looks could be used to charm unsuspecting young female City Chase organizers. Mike has a lot of tattoos and looks hardcore – other city chase contestants will avoid fucking with his team. Godfrey’s Mini car is ideal for moving from place to place in the downtown urban environment.

Disadvantages: Godfrey’s nautical knowledge and understanding of the seas will not help in the slightest on land. Mike’s curious and introspective nature will lead him on long non-City Chase related tangents losing the team valuable time.

My prediction falls solidly with Team Kurt and John. But let’s see what the rest of you have to say.

City Chase Training Guide – Get Prepared!

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This is the official Daily Gumboot, triple-tested, double-proof, training guide for the City Chase, the worlds largest urban adventure series. We’re really excited here at the Gumboot because we love adventure, and we love to play, and wouldn’t you know it City Chase brings together adventure in our western outpost of Vancouver, and supports Right to Play.

City Chase

Clue Sheet from Chicago 2010

Adventure is awesome, Vancouver is awesome, and Right to Play do awesome work in some of the most disadvantaged areas in the world. Mix it all together and you get City Chase.

If you want more background you’re best to jump over to the City Chase site and do some reading, then close that window and come right back here for your guide on how to best prepare to, uh, best the competition.

Urban

We’re rocking it at City Chase Vancouver, and like other City Chases, the City part is key. In this race you use only your feet, transit, a map, and if unlike me you actually don’t drop your cell down elevator shafts, a phone. This means you need to get used to navigating your city free of the cage that is a motorcar.

Bike – Getting out of a car and onto the streets by bicycle will help you discover shortcuts, hidden gems, and, unfortunately, some people who *ahem* cling to the notion that no underwear with short-shorts is cool. In all seriousness, you’ll learn more about your city, community, and how to get around it efficiently than you can ever hope to if you’re stuck in the car.

Plus, we can smile and say hello to each other on bikes, which is way cooler than cutting people other off racing for the next amber light.

Tourist – Pretend you’re from The Continent, and hit up your local tourism website. Make a little time in your day to vacation at home by checking out your local history, parks, and then find a good patio and people-watch.

Adventure

Right, so it’s an urban adventure series. That means you’ll need at least a little adventure gear. Here’s the Daily Gumboot recommended setup:

Adventure Shoes – To be worn on your feet, they’ll protect you from the elements, help you overcome the crazy challenges, and help gain you access to establishments with “no shoes, no shirt, no service” rules.

Adventure shirt – See adventure shoes, but this will be worn on your upper-body.

Adventure pants or Adventure pants-that-are-short – There’s a lot of debate going on out there about whether underwear are a necessity, I know this because I commute to work by bike and some dudes need to either wear underwear or longer pants-that-are-short. Regardless of your stance on skivvys, having something to cover you up is key to successful adventuring. They’re like shoes, but instead of protecting your feet they protect your dignity.

There you have it, you’ve touristed, biked, walked, sipped and supped at a great patio. You’re now healthier, happier, well-fed, perhaps just a little fuzzy thanks to the awesome local micro-brew you discovered at the great patio, and totally stoked to compete with the Daily Gumboot at the City Chase.

Oh yeah –  you’ve got a chance to win your registration too! Check out John’s post for the details, and we’ll see you out there adventuring!