Mud, Snow, and Frozen Toes.

The only thing you know for sure going into the Tour de Groundhog is that the conditions are going to be shitty. Anyone who opened their eyes and looked outside today could see the 2010 edition would be no exception. It was raining throughout the day, and while the snow kept much of the course frozen, it deteriorated badly with each succeeding race.

Gene, Jason and I were there, and next to Mack, were probably the most visible team at the event. Gene and I did the Masters race (30+, 40+, 50+) and for most of the race were trading 2nd and 3rd place. Then a Team Mack rider came out of nowhere and passed both of us with a couple of laps to go. Gene ended up 3rd in the overall Masters, and me 4th. The overall winner of the masters was a 50+ rider, so not only did I finish 4th overall, but 2nd in the 50’s. D’OH!

Jason and Gene did the next event, the Open Race, and the only one that was actually paying out. Both finished in the money, which probably covered gas, at least, for the day. Not sure the actual finish in the Open cat, but I can say you could not have paid me enough at this point in the day to do another lap. Both are to be commended for their effort. I know they were suffering throughout the event.

Gene has some pictures, and Mack will probably post some too. However, they will in no way convey the slog or the miserable, yet somewhat exhilarating, conditions of the track. The “Yeah, I can do this” factor was huge for everyone who participated. That’s cyclocross though, love it or hate it, you race against the track/conditions as much as your competitors

Greg