SLUG Cat 2023


May 6, 2024

Every year SLUG Mag hosts the SLUG Cat bike race to celebrate SLC’s vibrant bike community. Inspired by the scavenger hunt-style bicycle races made popular by bike messengers in places like New York and San Francisco, SLUG Cat has become an unparalleled event in the community and is a must for all local riders, whether you’ve been cycling for years or are still on training wheels.

The 11th Annual SLUG Cat Presented By New Belgium Fat Tire was a pedal to the metal event. The evening clocked in at 73 degrees and cloudy, so racers had ample energy and cooperative weather. Every available spot for SLUG Cat was filled, and intermediate rain kept riders cool This was a group ready to race.

120 manifests sat tucked into 120 of SLUG’s 11th Annual Bike issue, and riders took each one in order to crack clues leading them to locations around the city where various challenges awaited them. As riders broke into groups and devised different strategies to win, clues in hand, riders were off and finding their way around Salt Lake. Once riders arrived at their destination, it was time to see if they were up for the challenge. At each stop, a different activity is worth a certain amount of points. For example, you may win points if you can bring a full water balloon from Contender Bike to SLUG HQ.

SLUG teamsters tallied points while people enjoyed local food truck Tacos Hidalgo. As people chowed down and made plans to get a beer at Proper Brewing, the results came in. It’s a close call as bonus points are won for activities like reciting poetry or trying out a wheelie. The anticipation grew, and electricity was in the air as SLUG announced the winners. Thanks to our sponsors listed below, and we’ll see you next year, riders!

Women’s Division:

1st Place: Elle Abelli-Amen
2nd Place: Lauren Quinones and Morgan Bakarich (tied)
3rd Place: Natalie Thomas

Men’s Division:

1st Place: Squanchy Papi (Nick Santos)
2nd Place: Rhys Morgan
3rd Place: Max Hoag

Dead Fucking Last:

Aaron Kuntz

Thanks to our sponsors: 

Fat Tire, Abus Bike Locks, Bingham Cyclery, Cranky’s Bike Shop, GREENbike, New Belgium, Bern Helmets, Pit Viper Sunglasses, Saturday Cycles, Smith Optics, State Bicycle Co., MIT 45, 9th and 9th Book and Music Gallery, Level Nine Sports, Evo Hotel, Proper Brewing and Lost Acorn Gallery.