Bluejake

Yesterday was the Idiotarod-- the annual costumed shopping cart race. As in years past, the starting point was kept secret, and multiple false locations were sent out to confuse people. As a matter of personal honor, I refuse to register a fake team to get the SMS updates, so it took awhile to actually find the race. Still, with a little help from some other photographers, and by following some teams we spotted in Fort Greene, we were able to catch up with the racers as they crossed the Manhattan Bridge from Chinatown, headed to the first checkpoint in DUMBO. After that, we were on them like stink on shit for the remainder of the race through Gowanus and into Red Hook.

Along the way, I talked to a bunch of people-- participants, organizers, and press-- about the changes in the event over the last four or five years. My personal opinion is that the Idiotarod has passed its peak-- that it's become too big, too frat-boy, and generally has passed the point of creative significance. Counter-culture events have a natural lifespan (remember Chengwin vs. Chunk, or the Downhill Derby?) After five years or so, the original organizers have become worn-out, or else become douchebags from the stress of putting things together. The participants change too-- the original group of hardcore creatives becomes diluted with hangers-on, followers, and other bad apples.

Don't get me wrong-- I had a great time yesterday biking around and taking these pictures. But I can't escape the idea that like other democracies, these events need to be periodically refreshed by new blood and new ideas. What's next?

Related: Gothamist's coverage of the event, and the full gallery of pictures I took yesterday. And previously: Idiotarod 2007, Idiotarod 2006, Idiotarod 2005.