« Cyclists have a joke about "racing in cat 6," which, despite the name, is not exactly a race nor does it refer to an official category of cyclists. Cat 6 refers to commuter cyclists, and racing each other to work is their sport. Also called "the great commuter race" and "hipster racing," cat-6 racing is the unspoken urban tradition of trying to go faster than, and not get passed by, a stranger on your bike.

How do you know you are being challenged into a commuter's race? "You just sense it, or the other person is making it obvious," says Johnny Hsu, a graphic designer who lives in Greenpoint. "There's no formula."

"Competition among cyclists is a reality," says David, a self-employed 47-year-old who rides over New York's Manhattan Bridge every day on his way home to Brooklyn. "[For me,] it starts before the bridge. Once you start jumping to the wrong side of the street you know you're in a commuter's race. Everyone wants to go faster. I get smoked sometimes and it's embarrassing if you’re challenging the person. Once I know I can't [win], I let them go."

Cat 6 racing