C.O.G. 100 Event report Part 3: Bitter Ends And Champions

Josh Magie powers up another hill to an eventual 4th place finish. Image by Jon Duke.

As the day wore on we found ourselves by the so-called "Haunted High School" in Searsboro, Iowa. The town is about five miles out from the convenience store stop riders could use in Lynville at Mile 83.

As we waited Tony went in to investigate the school. I wasn't a big fan of him doing this, but Tony is a very experienced fireman, and knows his way around compromised building structures. That said, I was quite relieved when he came out. I told N.Y. Roll, "This is how horror movies start".

For some riders, the horror movie was over. I was getting constant texts by this point informing me of drops from the event. It was getting on into late afternoon, and time was running out. It was apparent that even the leaders would be pushing 5:00pm as a finishing time. That left only an hour for anyone else to bag an "official finish".

So, let's dive into this. there were some bitter folks after the C.O.G. 100. I heard about one individual who went on a profanity laced tirade in a public restaurant when one of my volunteers asked a table full of riders how their day went. There were a few bitter comments on social media and some comments from non-participants saying that this was no way to run an event. Passionate folks with strong feelings are okay with me, (but how the passions are handled might be done with more tact), and I would never expect that the majority, or even a large minority of riders, would "like" what I do. In fact, for fifteen years I have stated that the way I do things is not for everyone.

Ian Hoogendam navigates the final miles of the C.O.G. 100 up front where he was almost the entire event.  Image by Jon Duke.

 I am not in this to be popular, (although some claim I am), and I strive at all times to set expectations far ahead of the actual event. I am quite certain everyone at the start line knew the event was 111 miles. I am also quite certain I made myself clear that the event was over at 6:00pm. I mentioned the conditions were difficult, there were a LOT of hills, and the roads were a mess. I asked if anyone had any questions or concerns at the rider meeting and I was met with dead silence. As far as I am concerned, anyone that had a question, concern, or comment had ample opportunity to voice it ahead of the event, for months, right up until the start.

Kae Takashita with the jersey she won for being the Women's champion. Image by Jon Duke.

You know, I've heard it all before. Every one of the complaints. Nothing new at all for me. My answer to those complaints is the same as it has been for years.

Maybe my events are not for you.

There were a lot more positive notes, direct feedback, and social media posts about the event. It was pretty interesting from that angle. It seems weird, but whenever the conditions are super heinous- T.I.v2, v4, v6, v11, v13, and now with the inaugural C.O.G. 100- the riders are generally very stoked about the event, or say they want another crack at it. That's also something I've noted over the years. For a few individuals, this style of event seems to click. Again- it isn't for everyone. It never was meant to be.

Ian Hoogendam with his champions jersey. Image by Jon Duke

The event conditions were severe, for sure, but that didn't stop ten people from figuring it out and being capable of getting it done within the stated time limits. Also, it is true that all riders had the cues for the entire event, and whatever they wanted to do after the event was over was their decision.They are grown adults. Several decided to just keep riding in. I'm pretty certain it wasn't lost on them that the event ended at six o'clock in the evening. Most understood how it worked because I stated that the C.O.G. 100, nor anyone associated with the event was going to bail them out, and that was communicated far in advance of the event.

This sort of thing has been going on for years with regard to Trans Iowa. Countless stories exist of riders riding back on their own recognizance after calling in their DNF, or riding the rest of the route well past the cutoff time if they had the cues. But, if there are enough people who think that is a bad idea, I'll tell  you what I would do. When the event ends, we would go pluck everyone left off the course. No finishing the route. Broom wagon in effect. I figured allowing folks the freedom to do what they wanted after the event was over was a good thing. But if it isn't.........okay. Convince me otherwise.

Mark Johnson, a multiple time single speed champion of Trans Iowa, finished tied for 8th with Tom Claver. Image by Jon Duke.

So, it wasn't all roses and cheers, but mostly- it was. Feed the Eagles- starve the Turkeys. I'm moving on. We had 10 folks who got in under the time limit. Several folks came in afterward, happy to do so, and had a good time. Many did not finish at all, but were appreciative, and understanding.

Kae Takashita was strong and ended up being the lone woman finisher in 7th overall. Mark Johnson, a perennial Trans Iowa single speed finisher, came in tied for 8th with an elated Tom Claver, who was doing his first ever bicycle race! Mark Child came in 2nd overall and made us all smile with his finish line antics. Jeff Osborn, who lost his computer functionality 30+ miles out, had no idea what time it was, but kept on truckin' to get into the finish with two minutes before the cutoff. Amazing!

So, that was the C.O.G. 100. The event went off and mostly it was good. We had champions, we had tough, gritty rides put in whether the individuals finished or not, and I got to meet a lot of great people. That's always the best part of these deals to me anyway. As first time Iowa gravel rider Wilson said to me, "I just want to ride bikes, man. I want to ride bikes, see good sights, and meet people."

Amen to that, Champ.

Next-  A Photo Dump