Adventure Bike race 3:13:00 [4] 41.39 mi (12.9 mph)
This event isn't really billed as a race.....more like a ride with some Strava segments. Maybe liability insurance is easier on you that way? Anyways, it was a great event! And folks were generally givin' it out there!
The weather was just below to just above freezing, with a brisk, cool wind out of the north. But the sun was shining brilliantly! About 100 folks tackled the 40 mile event, with maybe 160 total with the 15 mile event thown in.
There was quite a bit of pavement, but either on quiet roads or short segments on busier roads that had wide, paved shoulders. At the north end of the course, we were in Amish country, hence the Road Apples. I met several horse and buggy set ups heading my way, and followed one for a while, only passing once there was no one in the on coming lane so I could move right over to the shoulder on the other side of the road. Maybe that was overkill, but I didn't want to spook the horse.
We saw several folks on two wheeled scooter-like devices (say, about 20" wheels), moving through town or out in the rural area. At first, I just saw men using them, and thought "that would be good for the women/girls to use" (thinking that bikes are a bit awkward with long skirts). Then I saw a few younger girls then some more mature women using them. As Paul pointed out, they were all very colourful...bright yellows, blues, greens......
To my surprise, that area had received more snow that we had, and I could've skied across the fields. There were snowbanks along the roads. It was quite the winter wonderland. So the back roads were icy in the shady areas, and snowy in other areas. It was a bit sketchy following folks with 28mm tires as they bounced and skidded around. Ditto for on the sections where fresh gravel had been spread in the last few days. But my 40mm tires were fine. The pot holes were vicious in places (and there were a few flat tires along the way). It warmed up enough to create some slop and the last bit on an old railway bed kicked up enough spray to soak my backside (I thought it was going to stay cold enough to keep everything frozen so hadn't installed the AssSaver). There was quite a bit of snow through this section too, but by the time I got there, there was a path worn down.
I was very happy with my time. Longest and most challenging ride in a few months, thanks to a wet and wintery December/January/February. I ran out of gears on downhills on pavement with a tail wind, but that's a fair price to pay for climbing hills without walking. I pretty well rode by myself. Sometimes a group would pass me on an uphill, then I would pass them on the flatter sections.
Now for the fun stuff: a pint glass filled with a brew from Double Wing Brewing Co and a bowl of chili was served afterwards. After the raffle prizes (supporting the local high school cross country running team), there was an arm wrestling contest. I was coerced into doing it, you know, cuz women need more representation.......(I have NEVER done that before!) and made it past the first round......barely. And was handliy beat out in the second round. If they post pics on their FB page, it will be funny as I sure was trying hard :)
The vintage Hiram Inn in Hiram, home of Hiram College, was a lovely place to stay.