The last time I got hit in the face with a pie by complete surprise, it looked like this:

Time Trial Start - you go into a room, they mark the start time on the number that's on the back of your jersey and you're told to sit down, with your arms behind your back,

and eat the pie in front of you.

And that's when the guy hiding under the table sticks his hand through a hole in the top of the table and slams the pie into your face, without any warning.

Best start of a race, ever.

(care of eleventooth)