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I don't know about you, but I'm excited. So many questions going through my mind this year:
Is Stoney gonna podium this time? My $20 says yes.
Will Corey intentionally get himself killed so he doesn't have to get married the next weekend?
Will it be any easier to deal with the heat now that we're not wearing black jereys?
Will Nick pose for any more sexy pics like the one below?
I think we should keep a stockpile of Tallgrass at the final checkpoint. Holy shit, it's almost here.
Way back in August, "The" Bob Jenkins, began the ramblings of hosting one of the most epic gravel races of all time. He definitely had a great idea. Let's face it...mid-MO has some of the gnarliest gravel around Missouri. If people are going all the way to Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska why shouldn't Missouri have one. We're the f'n Show-Me State baby!!!!! Bob Jenkins is a genius!!!!! He put this incredible event together!!!!!!
"The" Bob Jenkins
Rumor had it that there was going to be close to 200 people showing up...well, 120 ain't bad for a first time event. There was definitely high emotions in the air. Let's face it...everyone was freakin' stoked. Single track, gravel, 112 miles, +90 degree temperatures...why wouldn't a person that likes to ride bikes want to take part of this inagural event.
TRW represent
At last Jenkins gave the pre-race meeting. Bob was so amped everyone noticed the massive bulge in his pants...this was going to happen! There were riders from all over the state...even from outside the state. After numerous swear words of excitement were excreted from Jenkins's lips, he hopped in the pace car and we were off. One thing that I've failed to mention is this event was taking place in our back yard. Many members of TRW have ridden these roads thousands of times, but we've never ridden them with 120+ people. Some this route posted some of my favorite roads and some of the best scenary in central Missouri.
The start
Yielding
The tanden from Texas
Every time a person now looks at the picture, Furman owes you a punch in the arm.
My adrenaline was so high during the start, once we hit Oil Well road, I decided to take off and ride my own race. I knew that there was no way that I could keep up with the leaders, but I knew the roads well enough I wasn't going to wait around for people...plus this race is perfect training for the DK200.
Jim Davis
Once we hit the first big climb I ran into Trailer Park Boy officianato, Furmantor. I was in shock he was riding gears, but I was more overwhelmed by the lazers on his bar ends. Continuing the climb I then ran into Casey Ryback holding down the front of a man train...don't worry people...a man train in biking is in reference to a pace line...get your minds out of the gutter. Finally we took the first left on Green Way Rd. This is where Corey caught me. Litte did I know that Corey and I would ride with each other for this entire race.
Man train
Riders were every where...people were getting lost. I was shocked how many people didn't use their cue sheets. We were continuously yelling at people going the wrong direction. When we arrived by to the Dirty Jenkins entrance a Park Ranger was taking pictures along with this other group of papparazzi (I don't know who these dudes were all over the race course, but I sure hope they share some of the pictures...they were every where!). This is where the real shit started to go down. This is what The Cedar Cross was all about!
Stoney
Cedar Cross did this to many of us
A group of about 5-6 of us started riding together. We were riding at a good clip, telling good jokes, and enjoying the first part of the ride. Ginn road has some freakin' awesome downhills...unfortunately it has some treachorous low water crossings. As soon as we turned the corner of a downhill, I saw the water flowing and I started to slow down. I even remember yelling at the guys in the group to be careful, then the domino effect happened. Three of us crashed, Corey and I being two of them. luckily the bikes and bodies were alright...well that was 'til we entered more singletrack. Rumor has it that my wife and Nikki Gaylord were at the trail head swinging around a massive red woman pleasure device...well, I never saw it, but there are pictures. Sorry, they will not be posted. I'm trying to keep this PG-13...but FUCK THOSE DAMN HORSES!!!! Mud, slop, and horse shit doesn't work well on singletrack. Many of us found ourselves walking and cursing Bob Jenkins' name. Oh, by the way Bob, the Stair Case of Pain can be shoved up your ass! (but we still love you for putting on this race).
Singletrack entrance
Team Virtus
Once we finally trekked through the sloppy shit, Turbo caught up with the group. It was good to see the young dude and it was only fitting that he caught all of us when we were on the singletrack. Two more miles of gravel...then Rutherford Cave road. Suprising us before we crossed the bridge was Noelle with bananas...hell yes!
Once we got past the red neck's house, it was time to put the head down and go. I've been on those roads hundreds of times and I was anxious to get to the 50 mile mark. The group paced together and BAM, we arrived at the sag drop. Sir Chadwick of Boston greeted us with cold water and pickles. I didn't want to take long, neither did Corey. We headed out on the last portion of singletrack and left everyone else behind. This last portion of singletrack was miserable. I felt great until I had to hike nearly every little bit of it. My tires were too worn down, I was sliding all over the place, and I didn't want to rip off my deraileur. Some how Corey rode most of it. Once we hit gravel, I caught up with Corey. From there it was pretty much the two of us the rest of the way back into JC.
Peate Goode
Turbo
I'll be honest...we didn't say much. There were only sounds of tires rolling through the gravel and our cranks turning. Oh yeah...and dogs barking. It was starting to get miserably hot. We kept hydrating ourselves, but we really didn't want to stop at Hams Prairie. We wanted to roll on through and keep going, but it was pretty evidient we were going to refuel. Once we pulled up to HWY 54 I couldn't tell if it was a mirage or if was for real, there was an old beat up truck that said water. What the hell!?!?!? Well, we drank it and filled up. There was no doubt we weren't stopping at Hams Prairie now.
The Lead Pack
Pete
On our way we continued to roll. I started to wonder where the hell everyone was. We hadn't seen a soul in the last 25 miles. We past Hams Prairie, came to the biggest hill in the state of Missouri (well maybe not the biggest...but if sucked. Corey road it. I'm not going to lie, I walked it) rolled past the Power Plant and Noelle came rolling up on us honking her horn. I nearly shit my pants. At this point it was so damn hot the only thing that was functioning was my legs...my brain definitely was not. She came through with some much needed food and Gatorade and told us she hardly seen anyone with the exception of one guy who said he was in 7th but took a wrong turn. Corey and I both thought...Oh shit, we may make the top 10. At that moment there was massive surge of adrenaline.
It ain't a cross race w/o beer
We turned on the Katy and Corey was crushing an 18mph pace. I felt good at this point, but I knew I wouldn't be able to keep an 18mph pace all the way back into JC. We both took turns pulling. Corey assured me we were fine rolling that fast and if I got tired he'd continue to pull. PFSSSSSS...Corey flatted. It may have been one of the fasted tube changes I've ever seen...well it was teamwork. Corey repaid me with helping him by ripping a dirty fart on my face while zipping up his Camelpack...I will get him back. At this point the dude that took the wrong turn caught up with us. He was freakin' fast. We weren't going to keep up, but we were going to keep rolling.
right before the boulder field
Adam
Everything was great until we reacked CR 4010. This was not a gravel road...it was more of a boulder field. We went from 18mph to 11. This was awful. At this moment I didn't know whether to high five Jenkins when this was all over, or punch him in his love cane. Finally we rolled into JC being thankful it was finally over. Tall Grass was needed...so was food. Thanks to all the Hoosier Daddies for the awesome brats...thanks to Bob's mom and brother for all the other food.
Bob's Mom
Food!
crused by cedar cross
Congratulations to all those that finished. THIS WAS A FREAKIN' HARD COURSE! How Corey pushed through after doing an adventure race the day before, I'll never know. It was nice having another person to ride with and thanks for helping me push through. Once I saw Bob he started telling stories of those DNF'ng and people needing rides to the hospital. You know this race is no joke when people are dropping like flies. Hell...my hands have finally stopped cramping, my ass has finally stopped hurting, and my brain is finally functioning properly.
Not enough thank yous can go to "The" Bob Jenkins and all of his help. This freakin' happened. It was awesome watching this entire event evolve into the beast it has become. Nice work dude. I can't wait 'til next year. I also have to thank Noelle for the sag help and as always my awesome wife. Let's do this shit again next year!!!!! Next up...DIRTY KANZA BIZNITCHES!
Nice suit! I did not know that you had some psychedelic days? Love the white shoes. You would think that would bring back memories, but those years where all a blur for me. Did you use that Gerbera Daisy as a boutonniere? All I can think of is Incense and Peppermints.
Here's a couple pictures from my ride this weekend.
Crossing the Missouri river heading out of Jefferson City.
The Cedar Creek bridge on the Katy trail. Was I doing a recon ride for The Cedar Cross or The Carnage at the Creek? Nope, not today. I kept my happy little behind in the river bottoms. This ride was about putting in some time in the saddle and practicing my nutrition plan for Kanza, not working on my climbing legs.
There's just something I like about riding over one lane wooden bridges that have just enough boards missing to keep you on your toes.
No bridge in this pic, but this is one of my favorite side roads off the Katy. I've noticed other blogs having contests for their readers and giving away prizes. I think we should do the same. I will pay the entry fee to The Cedar Cross for the first person to respond with the name of this road.
I'll give you a hint: The road is named after something you can see in the pic.
The I-70 bridge crossing the Missouri river near Columbia.
The bridge and tunnel in Rocheport.
Crossing the Missouri River again in Boonville. (Dang, the Missouri river must really be long) I feel bad for the cyclists in Boonville. They don't have a chain-link fence to protect them from rednecks if they throw things out of their trucks.
The old railroad bridge in Boonville.
My turn-around point - the Boonville Veterans Memorial.
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