- Beer Bike is a combination intramural bicycle race and drinking competition dating back to 1957. Elaborate rules outline biking regulations, chugging allowances, and race rules. Each residential college as well as the Graduate Student Association participates with a men’s team, a women’s team, and alumni (co-ed) team. Each leg of the race is a relay in which a team’s “chugger” must chug 24 ounces of beer (an option for those over 21) or water for the men’s division and 12 ounces for women before the team’s “rider” may begin to ride.
Willy Week is a term coined in the 1990s to refer to the week preceding Beer Bike, a time of general energy and excitement on campus. Jacks are especially common during Willy Week; some examples in the past include removing showerheads and encasing the Hanszen guardian in cement.
The very first Beer Bike was held on May 5, 1957, just over a month after the inception of the residential colleges. Baker College finished first, followed by Will Rice and Wiess. Hanszen was disqualified for taking a “shortcut.” Since then, Beer Bike has gradually evolved into what it is today. Despite past changes and changes to come, Beer Bike will always remain what is was first intended to be: a friendly competition between the colleges; in short, uniquely Rice.
Here’s an example of the event from 1990!
