Riders from across the Missouri valley enjoyed the 1st annual MetrO! Mountain Bike Challenge 12 Hours of Lake Manawa presented by the Midwest Cycling Community. Early morning temps were chili with a brisk wind out of the south but temps soon rose into the 60's and riders were even greeted with a light rain shower that dampened trails and kept them tacky fast. So fast that the top riders were cranking out 23 minute laps. But 12 hours is a long time and laps times soon settled into the 25-35 minute range with many riders choosing to head home early and catch the NE-USC game, but those that stuck around were rewarded with great prizes provided by Highgear, TREK Omaha, TREK, Bontrager, Chipotle, Genuine Innovations and Fisher. Every finisher walked away with something.
30 riders toed the line at 10 AM and rolled off for a 12 hour adventure. Steve Jarrett and Jay Chesterman set the early pace in the Duo/Team races while Matt Gersib took a slight margin ahead of Eric Brunt, Lucas Marshall and Don Raskey. By late afternoon however it was the two man team of Brian Drahota and Jim Fobben that had slowly worked their way into the lead by cranking out one consistent lap after the other. Most of the races were exciting to watch as riders were separated by minutes throughout the entire 12 hours. As the 9:30 PM cut off time passed, the leader board showed who the big winners of the day would be. Matt Gersib and Emily Brodersen took top honors in the solo division. Brian Drahota and Jim Fobben won the two person team category. And the lad's from Norfolk (Todd Jochum, Cody Cleveland, Tim Powell and Kevin Murray) took a come from behind victory in the 4/5 person team category. The "7 Lively Sins" won the unlimited team division, be prepared for a year of trash talking.
Results will be up soon...
Photos:
More pics by Scott...
...a few from Skip...
...and Tom
Big thanks to the following, without the help this new event wouldn't have happened
Course Prep: THOR
Course Marking: Steve "Real Deal" Jarrett, Kent McNiell
Race day set-up: Anne Savery
Registration: Charlie Ticknor, Troy Nelson
Scoring: Anne, Skip, Charlie, Troy, Sam, Scott
Race Food: THOR members Dan, Don, Todd, Ryan and Roxz
Race day clean-up: Highgear wrecking crew (Matt, Tyler and Ben) and the 7 Lively Sins
Thanks to everyone for coming out and racing, next year will be bigger and better and more fun than ever.
8 comments:
Thank you all for putting on a super fun event. I had a great day and was lucky the guy in second place didn't have gears or suspension. That dude's epic... and fast.
Thanks again,
MG
My photos are on my web site.
http://www.tomwinfield.com/bike/mtn-bike/mtb_races/mmbc_15se07.html
Great pics Tom
ahoy! thanks to everyone who made it happen. fun, exhausting fun. yarrr.
yeah tom -- those are some great shots. thank you!!
mg
Thanks again, Mark & crew! Well run event & prizes for all. Heck, just for finishing 4th in duo I scored a sweet WSD ti-railed Bonty saddle which will end up my new townie project. It's actually more comfy than I thought....but please, no trans-gender jokes!
yeah...tom...just about forgot to say thanks...thanks for coming out in less than stellar weather...always good to see ya!
always gooder to see the pics!
Great job guys and gals on putting on a EPIC event. I had a blast. Count me in next year.......... I'll need a new bike though...............
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