Oh the difference a year makes. After last years Polar "Stroll", where deep snow forced most the finishers to hike most of the course, riders were greeted to near perfect trail conditions. It was like a rolling "sidewalk in the woods". 
There was, however, a high of 14 degrees and up to 20 mph hour winds. Such is fat bike racing in the U.P. 
Jeff took advantage of a 3rd row start, while Jon Lester and Tim Patterson joined the party in the back.
 With a snow? eating grin Jeff experienced these familiar trails in a new way...no roots and rocks to deal with like the Marji Gesick race in September. He was very satisfied with a top 10% finish.
​ Jon patiently picked his way  thru dozens of riders until he came to the wide open Iron Ore Heritage Trail where he could unleash THE POWER, helping him gain over a hundred more positions.
 Tim Patterson's return to bike racing shows he's still got it with a solid mid-pack finish. 
As is typical of a Danny Hill designed course (blame him!), the actual mileage (39) exceeded what was advertised.
 Mike Lester ripped out a top third finish in the all out hammer-fest that is the 15 mile distance.
Honorable mention to Steve Schrek who needed to withdraw midrace (it was COLD!) but chaperoned the Diablos about the town after the race. 
Full results below:

Full Results: www.superiortiming.com/2020/02/polar-roll-2020/

Participating Diablo Results:
​www.racetecresults.com/Results.aspx?CId=16541&RId=465&fbclid=IwAR3w1x0jrEA5dLvvniTkejQKkrPIYwF5HHA1PdvwavtyfYgYZowuRV0Qxxg

Two Hour Male (41 Total):
John Lester - 13th
Brian Davis - 19th

One Hour Female (9 Total):
Megan Lester - 4th

A couple of Diablo's stepped outside their normal disciplines for some snowy fat tire fun.

Advanced Category - 28 total:
Jeff Abitz - 14th

Intermediate - 55 total:
Scot Rajsich
​
Full results: http://results.itsracetime.com/results.aspx?CId=17095&RId=690&EId=1

Jeff Abitz's lessons learned / takeaways:
- Practice riding in loose snow prior to trying a race. Riding in snow is its own beast. It took me about a half hour to get re-accustomed to the the techniques required to stay upright and "in the groove" of the packed down racing line.
- Experiment with tire pressures on practice rides. I dared drop my pressures too low (less than 5 PSI) thus "burped" my rear tire flat out the sidewall. Riding most of the 2nd six mile lap with a flat tire does not make for efficient racing.
- If you race the longer duration categories, the post race free beer may be gone when you finish.
​  Bring your own beer in case (see what I did there, "in case"?)

​Upcoming Fat Bike Races include:​

Snow Crown Fat-Bike Series (last race of 2020)
https://snowcrownseries.com/kewaunee/

​



​RACE 04: 1/25 - REGNER PARK (WEST BEND, WI)
hughjass.bike/races/race4

Participating Diablos: 
Elite Category 3/4:
Brian Davis – 15th
 
Masters 35+ Category 1/2/3:
Brian Davis – 12th (2nd race)
Brent Rohrs – 17th (2nd race)
 
Masters 50+ Category 1/2/3:
Jeff Abitz – 13th
Brent Rohrs – 15th
John Lichtenberg – 18th

Participating Diablos (top 10 places noted):
Elite Category 3/4:
Michael Sullivan 

Masters 50+ Category 1/2/3:
John Lichtenberg – 10th

Full results: https://legacy.usacycling.org/results/?permit=2019-257

Multiple dropped chains was the norm as the muddy course packed the racer's drivetrains.

Participating Diablos (top 10 places noted):
Elite Category 3/4:
Michael Sullivan
 
Masters 50+ Category 1/2/3:
John Lichtenberg – 10th
Brent Rohrs – 7th

For full results: legacy.usacycling.org/results/?permit=2019-3106

​Participating Diablos (top 10 places noted):
Masters 50+ Category 1/2/3:
Jeff Abitz - 5th
Brent Rohrs - 7th
John Lichtenberg
​
Full results: legacy.usacycling.org/results/?permit=2019-3056

Participating Diablos (top 10 places noted):
Masters 35+ Category 1/2/3:
Brian Davis

​Elite Category 3/4:
Brian Davis – 9th
  
Masters 50+ Category 4/5:
Mark Framness

Full results: legacy.usacycling.org/results/?permit=2019-2762