Preliminary Recap

The dust is still settling on the Inaugural 2012 Odin’s Revenge gravel race.  The terrain and weather in Western Nebraska proved treacherous for those who took the challenge this year.  Of the 28 riders who were brave enough to take the starting line, only six were still on their bikes by the end of the day.

The morning began with a cool fog and the distant rumble of thunderstorms to the South.  Within a few hours, the morning gave way to high humidity and triple-digit temperatures.  The stifling heat began to take its toll as rider after rider dropped from the roster.  Although, only six individuals finished the race, many individual tests of strength showed that this field had strength of character in spades.  It’s the shared suffering and respect for each other’s efforts that take a group of cyclists and makes them a community.  Gravel Racers; Thanks for allowing Odin’s Revenge to become a part of that community.   

A full account of the events is in the works, but for now this will have to suffice.  More pictures and commentary can be found at the Odin’s Revenge Facebook Page.

A selection of pics from the day:

Of course, bike ogling is expected.

The Team DSG brewmaster, Nate Bell at work.

"Sprite" ran a great support crew.

More stories and chatter.

CQ and MG

The Weatherman (Dennis Phillips), back in Nebraska.

Mike Johnson, pre-race.

Berly Brown, pre-race. 

Lane Bergen and others assemble for the start. 

Some of the field awaiting the start.

Early leaders setting the pace.

The field . . . between fields.

Into the abyss.

MG, Cornbread, and Mike 

Matt Wills on his SS on Deer Creek Road.

Noah from NY 

MG in the powder of Government Pocket

Mike Johnson was on a steady pace all day.

DSG member Lane Bergen settling in.

Dennis Phillips working the single speed.

Noah Schabacker 

The North Platte crew on Cottonwood Creek late in the day.

Odin’s Revenge 2012 Results
Mike Marchand - 1^st  Men’s Open- 12 hrs 48min - Kearney, NE
Matt Gersib - 2^nd  Men’s Open – 13 hrs 20min - Lincoln, NE
Mike Johnson - 3^rd Men’s Open – 16 hrs 13 min - Cedar Falls, IA
Ben Cooper - 4^th Men’s Open – 16 hrs 37 min - North Platte, NE
Jeff Caldwell - 4^th Men’s Open – 16 hrs 37 min - North Platte, NE
Randall Smith - 4th Men’s Open – 16 hrs 37 min -  North Platte, NE
Craig Schmidt  - 1^st Team Relay – 14 hrs 40 min - Lincoln, NE
Andrew Keffer - 1^st Team Relay – 14 hrs 40 min - Lincoln, NE
Shane Bappe - DNF - Cozad, NE
David Beattie - DNF - Wildwood, MO
Delley Bergen - DNF - Paxton, NE
Lane Bergen - DNF - Paxton, NE
Paul Bradsby - DNF - North Platte, NE
Berly Brown - DNF - Lincoln, NE
Ashley Frear Cooper - DNF - Lincoln, NE
Robert Dyer - DNF - Cozad, NE
Mark Falloon - DNF - Lincoln, NE
Corey Godfrey - DNF - Lincoln, NE
Emily Grace - DNF - Lincoln, NE
Dennis Phillips - DNF - Fruita, CO
Elisabeth Reinkordt - DNF - Lincoln, NE
Michael Rhodes - DNF - Boulder, CO
Robert Sack - DNF - Grand Island, NE
Noah Schabacker - DNF - Brooklyn, NY
Aaron Schnee - DNF - Lincoln, NE
Martin Stoddard - DNF - Cozad NE
Matt Wills - DNF - Lincoln, NE