Angela Horton Gapay
Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2013 Lewis and Clark Ultra. I feel we were very lucky with the fine weather and lack of wind. The absence of thunder, lightening, hail or gail force winds was unusual. Of course there was a little light rain the first morning and some more rain on the second, but it never got too cold; So to mother nature I am so grateful.
It was an honor to see to it that the LaCultra continued in 2013 and I want to thank you all for participating as you did. Thanks for racing/riding and encouraging your friends to try it out too. It was great to see some novice ultra racers out on the road as well as those who have been at this for a while.
As I drove the course I was struck by how gorgeous the route is. I hope you were able to take in some of the beauty along the way. Glenn Johnson really put together something wonderful when he created the Lewis and Clark Ultra. I think we can expect the race to continue next year.
I want to thank you all not only for racing but for being so kind and cooperative about abiding by the rules of the road and the spirit of the event.
The lap times and results for LaCultra 2013 are on the race website: http://www.lacultra.com/
Two new records were set this year.
Bill Booth did 227 miles in 12 hours and Travis Biechele put up 380 miles in 24 hours!
Jonathan Penfold never let up staying on his bike for 24 hours and riding 333 miles!
Bukie Mabayoje stayed in the game tempering his pace and finishing 200 miles in 24 hours.
Michael and Jed took a break in during the morning hours while it drizzled and rained but where still at it when the sun came up. They rode 285 miles.
The twelve hour riders were impressive too.
This year James McKee had his family around to enthusiastically support him and that was about as beautiful as Jame's "happy to be racing" attitude. He surpassed his goal with 201 miles.
A few folks who traveled far to be with us ran into insurmountable trouble and had to drop out early on. That was definitely the saddest thing to happen throughout the race this year. I hope to see you fellas again at another race.
It was great to encourage Mark Bailey 170 miles! Scott Gerwig rode 150 miles in 12 hours as did another first timer Izette Swan of Seattle rode 170 mile.
Susan Otcenas considered going for 24 hours, which she could have done but settled on 12 and 153 miles. This was not her first rodeo. No longer a novice, Tess Weir raced LaCultra for the 2nd time in a row. When I pulled up to check in with her during the day loop to ask how it was going she explained, "This is better than Disneyland!" and I could see that was true. The ride from hell came when she got a flat and had but one tire iron; Certainly robbing her of an extra short loop. Just the same she finished happliy and rode to the end 160 miles.
There were some outstanding 2 person 12 hour teams at the race this year as well. Mark Miedrzycki and Peter Buco are always trying to break the record, whatever it is, and seem to have a good time working together as they try. They managed 242 miles in 12 hours this year. Experienced ultra racer Neil Gregory and his smiling partner Brock Sipe ,whose ages might be twice that of Mark and Peter, managed 198 miles in 12 hours. The mixed team of Mike Olson and Gina Kavesh weren far behind with 192 miles because Mike was not going to standing around talking when he had time to get one more lap in.
Way to go!
Congratulations to those who succeed in reaching your goals and condolences to those who were prevented from doing what you came to do.
If you weren't there consider joining us next year.
Angela Horton Gapay