Victoria signed us up to do the Great Urban Race (http://www.greaturbanrace.com). It was alot of fun. I was very happy to do it. It was tiring though. The concept is similar to the Amazing Race. You get a bunch of clues and tasks and you run around trying to solve the puzzles and take pictures and then get back to the finish line. The Great Urban Race takes place all over the United States. So this one is the San Francisco event. you can use anything you need (GPS, internet), but you can't take personal transportation (cars, bikes, roller blades), only public (MUNI, Bus, cable car).
We got to the starting line, Sports Basement, around 11AM. We checked in and the race started at noon. At noon, they gathered us around and gave some last minute rules. Then handed us our clues. We tore into the envelope and revealed 12 clues/puzzles. WE were only required to do 11 of them. So we had to read each puzzle and decide which ones to do first, what order, and which to skip.
At first it was utter choas. People scattered out. it was difficult at first because we there was no public transportation in front of Sports Basement. So you had to walk out to who knows where to find the bus. So the first hour, Victoria and I walked looking for a bus stop or something. Along the way, we ran into Kristy, former TNT Runner. it was a coincidence to see her as we had not seen her in a long time. She gave us some directions in hope to find success.
One of our clues/puzzles was to tic-tac-toe. Out of a 3x3 grid (9 total) take 3 pictures that would make a line. We found 2 very quickly. Shake hands with a dog, and picture with a skateboarder. So since we had 2, the last was pretend to dive into a fountain. We knew we had to find a fountain.
We made it to the bus stop, and we realized that one of our clues was nearby. Go to the library and read words on a piece of rice, then put the words together. Victoria did this one. She read the words, I wrote them down and then put it together.
SEE YOU AT THE FINISH LINE.
We received a stamp and on our way.
I used my Iphone and Google Maps to determine which bus to take. We rushed down and got onto the bus to take us to our next destination. The clue was longitude and lattitude coordinates. We determined where they were, and off we went. ON the bus we ran into some San Diego Padres fans. (as the Padres were playing the Giants). They were locals, though, and they ended up helping us find the locations of all the clues on our list. As we got closer, we thanked them for their help and off we were again.
We made our way to 118 Columbia Ave, where our next challenge was a Jenga Puzzle. We had to take 6 pieces, not from the top 5 levels, and place them on top. Victoria went first, but she took one from the top 5 levels. so we did not pass. She got mad at me and told me to do it. So I did it and it worked.
We moved on to the next clue, we walked down to a bar, where there was a rope tying task. We had to make a King Knot. Victoria and I both tried. And I was able to make the knot and get our stamp.
We walked out with a few people. We found a fountain and another couple helped take our picture as we pretended to dive in.
We continued walking. The next was the embarcadro center. We were to find a body scuplting place, and thought it was Club One. But the front desk said, it isn't it. So we ran out confused. We ran into others who were trying to solve it as well. Eventually we discovered it was "The Bar Method" which was a different place. We did the exercise that was given to us. and rewarded with our next stamp.
The next clue was to donate some items to the St. Jude's Hospital. So we found a walgreens and purchased some school supplies. We walked down Market street looking for the place. Along the way, we found other cross streets for other clues, but first the Donations. We got that done and moved on to the next item.
One of the clues was to determine a riddle. We didn't know, so we started with BART and MUNI which fit some of the riddles. so we took a picture of the BART and MUNI sign.
A word puzzle was on the clue sheet, and after finding all the words, the remaining letters created a clue. CARTOON ART MUSEUM. We made our way there which was off of Market. We had to draw our own cartoon. Which Victoria did by drawing herself and me, waiting for bus, getting on the bus, then saying "yay we made it." and that was our evidence of completion.
We walked down a few more blocks and got to the Pion. Spinning dance lessons. We both did the exercise. It was quite easy and we got it the first time. Got the evidence and planned out our next item.
Go to "O'Ferrell Street" and take a picture under this clock. Must be done at a 20 minute mark (20, 40, 00). We started walking and realized we had to get there is 7 minutes. so we started RUnning. We got there in time with a bunch of other teams. We all enjoyed a picture taking.
From there we had to find the place where "Your mother never made them" we determined it was a cupcake shop. since it was on the way back we walked to a bus stop. Hopped on and away we went. after 20-30 minutes we hopped off and got a cupcake. But we didn't read the clue and realized we had to do it in front of the shop. So we needed a 2nd cupcake. I fed Victoria the 2nd cupcake and she loved it.
On the previous bus ride, we asked about the riddle. And others said, "It is about double letters next to each other." we were discouraged because we didn't have the right picture. But we figured we could use our skip on this item.
So we were off to the last clue. Then another team goes, "that's way back in Union Square". Victoria flips out, "We just left there!". And I go, There's no way we can go back there then get back to the finish line before the 5PM cut off time." Now Victoria is mad and "wants to go home". If we didn't complete the clue, it is a 30 minute penalty. So she huffs and puffs away, making me catch up. We stopped at a bus stop to go back to Sports basement. She's no longer talking to me. Then I look up and see "Fillmore St." "Fillmore has 2 L's back to back! lets take a picture!" She was so mad she didn't smile for the picture.
We hopped on the bus and all the way to the end of the line. Then we had to hike our way back. With only 20 minutes left, Victoria and I started jogging to the finish. I started cramping and had to slow down. But we soon made it and crossed the finish line.
Now the test. Did we solve enough clues? were our pictures correct? The attendant checked all the evidence we received. Then I pulled out the camera and reviewed all the pictures. The attendant accepted all pictures, include "FILLMORE" which was great!
WE DID IT! We finished in 4hrs and 50minutes (unofficial time).
We waited around to see who finished 1st. In the time of 2hrs 20 minutes or something, the first place team finished. Wow. that was fast.
But in the end we were ecstatic to finish the event on time. Though we didn't qualify, we enjoyed our time. We want to thank WILL for telling us about it. Even though he forgot to sign up with us, we have memories we won't forget.
