👉 Hey! SUBSCRIBE for free WATTS 👉 / @mi-xc
The Cow Pie Classic has grown into the 2nd largest Gravel Grinder in the state of Michigan, located in Ionia which is just east of Grand Rapids, MI.The race took place on June 8, 2024 and the weather was perfect. I raced the Long Haul/100k version of the race.
Finally a race this season that I was coming into without a ton of fatigue, sick or nursing an injury. I felt good on the day but a little flat all week. The goal was to stay with the lead group at all cost, even if I blew up and had to limp my way to the finish. Also to stay safe, which wasn't easy as there were a few crashes and plenty of sketchy/twitchy riders. Mission accomplished as I was able to hold on to the group through some tough punchy climbs and through the first technical farm, although I did have to chase back on a few times. Unfortunately by the second farm around mile 49 I was cooked and started shuffling back and eventually lost the group midway through (2:13:01). Out of the second farm a few of us were able to chase and eventually form a group of about 9. We would take this group for the remainder of the race to the finish line. I didn't have much left, but managed to hold on to mid pack sprint finish of our group.
Crashes: big pile up at 1:21:15, washout at 1:21:27, minor bumping at 2:10:30 and lastly at 2:13:30.
Very happy with my fitness and performance. I was able to finish 3rd in my age group and 19th overall. I was almost 30 minutes faster this year than last!
👉 Hey! SUBSCRIBE for free WATTS 👉 / @mi-xc