Dirty Lemming - 2014

The 2014 edition of the Dirty Lemming was a great success this year. Huge kudos and thanks are in order once again for Jim Smith and his devoted volunteer corps. The Dirty Lemming is a one of a kind event and the race that really got me into this genre of racing. Probably because it feels more like a ride with friends than it does a race. So anyways - thanks Jim, and see you again next year!

As for a recap - the course was pretty flat with only a few stretches of deep gravel. The first few miles on the Luce Line were calm & a good size group formed to ride with. Coming out of the Luce Line the tempo quickened and another smaller group of about 12-15 riders got together and pulled away a bit. This smaller group got split even further coming out of a 1/2 mile stretch of deep grass. The trail demanded a single file line and sure enough, the first guys out of the grass decided not to hold up for the group & they pulled away - leaving a few of us stranded. I had to stop (along with others) to pull grass out of my drive train - which really did the trick. So I was isolated out on the course with no real hope of pulling myself back up to any of the lead groups.

Luckily for me I hooked up with a guy named Tim from Excelsior coming out of the 33 mile check point and we stuck together for the duration. We were pulling each other along at a pretty good pace for about 40 or 50 more miles, but the truth is that Tim pulled me through from about mile 80 through to the finish - thanks Tim, I owe you one.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the even for me was being awarded the "Most Improved Lemming" award. Of course last year I finished dead last . . . but still, I had a pretty good day this year and am very happy with the ride. And as for the trophy, well it is one of my newly prized possessions.

Here are some pics...

Luce Line - I lost the lead group early fussing with my Garmin, but caught back up before we hit the open gravel roads.

After stopping to pull grass out of my drive train the leaders were gone for good.

Losing the lead group meant I had plenty of time for selfies.

Checkpoint one - awesome volunteers with home-made brownies & watermelon.

Jim Smith awarding me the Most Improved Lemming. Yes, the trophy has a lemming wearing a cape - it is awesome.

Jim & his backyard are what make the Dirty Lemming so awesome and the reason why I dig gravel racing.