How fast can you get from Downtown Boston to Davis Square?

Last week local cycling groups and organizations teamed up to host the Rush Hour Challenge 2017. Six teams (and anyone who felt like joining in on the commuting fun) raced in the morning—from Dudley Square to Faneuil Hall—and back to Davis Square after work at 5 pm, using a variety of transportation methods.

Some drove in air-conditioned cars, a few rode the packed T, some rode Hubway bikes, and one stubborn woman ran the whole way. And yes, all of the competitors this year were women.

The Somerville Bicycle Committee, Livable Streets Alliance, Boston Cyclists Union, and MassBike hosted the event to explore the perks and challenges of commuting in Greater Boston. The hot evening ride was followed by an afterparty at RedBones BBQ which raised funds for MassBike and the New England Mountain Biking Association.

We showed up with our notebook and camera to meet the competitors and ask a few questions.

READ THE CENTRAL FEATURE IN THE VICIOUS CYCLE SERIES ABOUT BIKE SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN BOSTON, INTERSECTIONAL POLITICS

This article was produced in collaboration with the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism as part of its ongoing Vicious Cycle series. Learn more about the project and how you can contribute at binjonline.org, and share your stories about cycling in Greater Boston at facebook.com/binjnetwork