I have done this race every year but one and have had a
blast every year. Not sure why other
than maybe because it is early season and there isn’t a lot of pressure, as most people don't really expect to feel great. It may
also be that Rick Plite puts on a great event (Read Party!) and his passion and
enthusiasm for the race is contagious.
Whatever it is, this year’s event was no different… probably even
better. The move to downtown Hastings
was a nice addition and helped to alleviate the congestion at the Sager/Shaw
sections of the race which are usually very sandy and nearly unridable.
Mud the day before |
I started training a bit later than last year due to work
travel and wanting to be able to have something left at the end of the year for
CX. So the thought of racing in March
with no form and crappy conditions was not appealing. But as stated earlier, Rick puts on a great
race and I wanted to support his efforts.
Sager/Shaw sections were bypassed for safety as they were all ice and
Rick paid Barry county to spread sand on the other icy sections. So Brad Lako, Dan Bannink, Wayne Harper and I loaded up in the
early Saturday morning hours and headed to Hastings.
Icy Roads |
One of the coolest parts of the race for me was the team
competition. The KLM crew as a whole did
very well with Brad Lako, Joe Seidl, Dan Bannick and Cindi Bannink all on the podium in their respective classes and netting us the win in the 36 mile Team Competition!!
Next up... Yankee Springs on the SS!!