tatterdemalion

First, a BIG thank you to everyone who came, who rode and who conquered AGGI v2.

Mario Czarnomski once again proved unbeatable, setting a new course record as he crossed the very vague finish line with a finish time of 3:44:30. Unfortunately, Mario was unable to stay for the last finishers (frankly, we think he was just avoiding the GRAND PRIZE), so the GRAND PRIZE (from the Land of Sky Blue Waters) went to Matt Maxwell from Ames who finished a close second. Rounding out the podium was newcomer Charles Showalter. Tops among the women was recent Kona-qualifier, Jenny Lorenz, who was heard muttering throughout the day, “Hot tub, where’s my hot tub? Has anyone seen my hot tub?” All will receive FREE entry to next year's race.

Additional shout outs to:

Das Pitbull for tasty Crucible Jam. If you didn’t get any, you missed out. Morning-after toast just isn’t the same without it. FREE entry for you in 2012.

Tom Gehring for hauling himself and his beautiful Wild Turkey rig all the way from the Twin Cities. (Tom, the Surly Beer didn’t suck! FREE entry for you next year, too.)

Richard Studer for hanging in there and finishing in the dark. Richard had surgery this past week and still decided to show up and ride. FREE entry for Richard.

Zoey’s for great pizza pies, cold beer, friendly conversation and warmth.

Mother Nature for sparing us the rain and offering up wonderful hills, beautiful scenery and dust-free roads. But did you really need to include the wind, and then more wind?

Melanie, you’ll be back.

Lord Nibbles, Patron of the Hamster Clan, for signing in as such.

Big Al, for the sculpture and the host truck.

The spectators. Okay, so they were cattle, but it’s a start.

That dog off Rollins Rd that made us pick up the pace and then keep up the pace. “DOWN, BOY!”

In the end, numbers were up, times were faster and laughs were had well into the night. Another successful - and FREE - American Gothic Gravel Invitational in the books.

Until next year,

C.P.