Another year of rain and pain!
4am. 40 degrees. Hard rain. Dark. That was the scene as our volunteers put up tents, constructed the start line and brewed coffee. By 7am, riders were checking in and getting their timing chips. The rain stopped briefly and many fingers were crossed.
In case you missed it, Sunday was the 3rd annual Rollfast 8×8 Challenge. Despite the the wet and cold start, 41 riders toed the start line. Similar to last years conditions the 8×8 is like many of the European Spring Classics where weather is always a factor.
While in the pits, we were impressed with the riders attitudes as they came through on the first lap. We continuously heard “Awesome route!” and “This is insane!”. After riders went through the rest stop and timing strip we would say “You guys are insane!”.
Around 10am Qdoba arrived with hot burritos for the riders and volunteers. I think I ate 2 or 3 immediately as my first bite of food for the day.
A 3 man group formed rather quickly consisting of last years first finisher Mark O’Leary, Luke Steinborn and Jesse Johnson. They stayed away the entire ride and finished at 5:27:49. We also had our FIRST EVER woman rider finish the 8×8 Challenge! Congratulations Abigail Snyder on a strong ride at 7:01:59. Way to stick it out!
Post ride, athletes were treated to massage and stretching from our partner Methodist Sports Medicine.
Results have been posted, and if you have any corrections please let us know! http://trinitytiming.com/results/#/race/Rxa5TQ/1/results/
Photos from the event are on our SmugMug account and are FREE to download. https://rollfast.smugmug.com/Rollfast-8×8-Challenge/2019/
AND if you want to join us next year, registration is open and limited to 100 riders! https://rollfast.us/rollfast-cycling/rollfast-8×8-challenge/8×8-challenge-registration/