It has been described as a race that could be conceived, executed and be popular only in a city like San Francisco, where residents are game for anything that is fun and a little crazy - for that's the only way to describe the BYOBW (Bring Your Own Big Wheel race), that took place in the city's Potrero Hill neighborhood last weekend.

The free family event, now in its ninth year, entails adults racing down steep curved streets on their kids' tricycles. For the first six years it was held at the world famous Crooked Street on Lombard. However, organizers assert that the new location on Vermont Street is crookeder and steeper.

The race is the genius idea of conceptual artist Jon Brumitt, best known for making a piano out of a typewriter. The rules are quite simple - adults ride aboard little tricycles and the person to make it down to the finish line the fastest, wins. The only restriction is that the bicycle wheels should not be made of rubber.

While it may sound simple - the race is actually quite tricky, and can result in quite a few scrapped knees and even a few broken bones. For one, tricycles have no brakes, and then there is the issue of maneuvering those sharp turns, whilst descending the steep hill - As a result pile-ups are neither uncommon nor unexpected during the race.

However, as in every race, experienced riders know what to do. To increase the friction between the road and their shoes (the only way to brake), they stick duct tape on the soles and since this is San Francisco, some 'meditate' prior to starting the race - At least that's how last year's winner did it. He said he was late in starting because he was meditating and thus missed a huge pile-up as the rest of the eager beavers raced down and promptly crashed into each other.

Why would grown men (and women) do this? For the grand prize of course! Last year's winner received a brand new hand-decorated underwear for his efforts! No word on what this year's winner took home.

If you wish to enroll one or both your parents, the race is always held on Easter Sunday at 5.00pm at Vermont Street in San Francisco, California. Since there is no prior registration required, all you have to do, is show up with your wheels and let the games begin!

Sources: SFChronicle.com, laughingsquid.com,jonbrumit.com