If you’re into solving puzzles, racing against the clock and some good ‘ole friendly competition, CityRace LA is the challenge for you.

Think Amazing Race but shorter and easier.

CityRace Urban Adventures pins teams of two-four against each other in various neighborhoods around LA. You have to use your problem solving skills to find clues and figure out answers to a list of questions.

CityRace: The Ride adds another challenge in that instead of walking around a neighborhood, you’re riding a bike along the beach boardwalk. On a beautiful Saturday morning, this means maneuvering around hundreds of people to find your clues.

How it works: You start at Santa Monica and questions cover all the way to Marina Del Rey. You and your teammate(s) are given 3 hours from start time to make it back. Every 5 minutes you’re late, that’s points. The team with the most points in the fastest time wins.

The questions: They range from things you’ll have to ask someone to things you’ll have to count to thinkgs you will never find, to things you’ll guess. The feeling of finding an answer that you actually KNOW is right is a feeling like no other.  They’ve mastered finding questions you can’t Google and coming up with clues that make you find your way.

Strategy: We were Team P.O.P... Don’t ask! My friend and I had a good rhythm going where we just rode and observed and screamed at each other when we found an answer. That was our strategy! Lol.

In the end, we came in 4th place. But not because we didn’t deserve more points, it was due to the fact that I totally forgot to add two answers on our answer card… Oh and the fact that this couple who came back late didn’t get points taken off for being late…But who’s bitter??

Tips- As best as I can give them:

• Read all the questions before you begin so you know what you’re looking for
• Go for the bonus points first, they are just as easy to get and worth more points
• Immediately write your answers on the answer sheet, not the questions booklet…
• Don’t trust it when you see other teams coming from a specific direction (they don’t know either)
• Stop for snacks! :)
• If you ask for help, check that… people swear they know until the answers are wrong
• Don’t get so caught up in the game that you don’t explore
• Don’t team up with someone you already have problems with – we saw some couples get a little too serious!

CityRace LA, Santa Monica/Venice Beach Boardwalk – May 2014