Speedwagon: Mud, sweat and tears
Bikers start out on the Speedwagon Classic course tightly bunched together but spread out as the mud and hills would take their toll.
Mud? Rain? Wind? No problem.
While weather pushed back the starting time for the 2011 Speedwagon
Classic bicycle race, and also altered the course, it couldn't
dampen the spirits of over 30 riders from around Western
Montana.
Mud? Rain? Wind? No problem.
While weather pushed back the starting time for the 2011 Speedwagon Classic bicycle race, and also altered the course, it couldn't dampen the spirits of over 30 riders from around Western Montana.
The course, which originally looped by the Flathead River on the west side of Polson, crossed Buffalo Bridge and eventually ended with a finishing climb called the REO (rather endless ordeal) near Big Arm, was switched.
"We had significant rain on Friday night and Saturday morning and it turned the clay surfaces on the west side of the river into sticky mud," race organizer Matt Seeley said. "I was tempted to send everyone over there anyways for an unforgettable slog, but the biggest reason for changing the course was to avoid having to transport frozen, muddy riders in clean volunteer cars back from the remote finish line."
The changed course kept the riders on the east side of the river, but didn't make things a whole lot easier as they still had to complete a rather torturous climb up a mud and rut infested Apple Road three times during the race.
"Each time up, this hill separated the riders and tortured the lungs and quad muscles," Seeley said.
While the course changes did mean riders missed out on some awesome vistas and post-card scenery on the west side of the river, the race was still a blast for all. Bozeman's Julie Zickovich finished in first place on the womens' side with a time of 2:50:20 on the 47-mile course. Shaun Radley of Missoula finished first for the men with a time of 2:20:53.
"Riders had plenty of challenge in the mud and wind," Seeley said. "We had lots of strong riders and some great competition."
Riders came from as far away as Bozeman, Missoula and Kalispell.
There was also a large contingent of local riders that represented the Mission Valley well. The best local finishers were Ali Bronsdon, of Polson, for the women, she finished second with a time of 2:53:12. Seeley, from Polson, finished second in the race for the men with a time of 2:21:00.
"Visiting riders always say that the Speedwagon Classic is one of their favorite events of the year," Seeley said. "Probably one of the primary draws is the huge feast at the Sicz family home after the race. Wayne and Kim treat all the participants, spectators, and volunteers to warm showers and an endless spread of delicious food and treats."
Named after Seeley's local bike shop "Speedwagon Bicycle Repair," which is in honor of the band REO Speedwagon, Seeley said that he always wanted to have a local cycling event in the tradition of more exotic international races.
"There is a long tradition of ‘spring classic' cycling races in northern Europe, and they are notorious for nasty weather, rough roads and challenging courses," Seeley said. "We wanted to create a little of that same flavor in the Mission Valley while exposing riders from around the state to the hidden riding paradise northwest of Buffalo Bridge."
WOMEN - 1. Julie Zickovich - 33 - Bozeman - 2:50:20. 2. Ali Bronsdon - 26 - Polson - 2:53:12. 3. Jamie Terry - 27 - Missoula - 2:53:45. 4. Emily Kipp - 25 - Missoula - 2:55:00. 5. Kristine Akland - 24 - Missoula - 3:11:57.
MEN - 1. Shaun Radley - 27 - Missoula - 2:20:53. 2. Matt Seeley - 40 - Polson - 2:21:00. 3. Toby Meierbachtol - 29 - Missoula - 2:21:22. 4. Mike Windauer - 43 - Polson - 2:21:24. 5. Bill Martin - 44 - Missoula - 2:23:50. 6. Alex Gallego - 43 - Missoula - 2:31:21. 7. Pippo Grove - 27 - Whitefish - 2:33:31. 8. Tyler Smith - 32 - Missoula - 2:33:32. 9. Mitch Young - 47 - Polson - 2:41:47. 10. Pat Lake - 46 - Polson - 2:42:12. 11. Chad DeVall - 38 - Hamilton - 2:42:39. 12. Dave Lake - 48 - Polson - 2:45:02. 13. Erik Horn - 37 - Bozeman - 2:45:42. 14. Ely Wilkinson - 33 - Missoula - 2:48:27. 15. Tim Lake - 38 - Polson - 2:49:19. 16. John Azzopardi - 49 - Ronan - 2:51:55. 17 - Norman Singley - 32 - Missoula - 2:55:01. 18. Jeff Kern - 45 - Hamilton - 2:59:11. 19. Jim Hicks - 55 - Missoula - 3:12:33. 20. Jon DePuy - 37 - Polson - 3:16:11. 21. Cory Hardy - 21+ - Hamilton - 3:18:41.