Well it was only a matter of time. As we cyclists evolve, we all eventually succumb to the allure of gravel racing...sort of like mountain bike racers switched to road in the early 2000's? Maybe not. Snacks, beers and scenery, combined with a road that moves beneath your tires, are a great way to energize the zest of bicycle racing. Did I mention the snacks? Diablo Cycling's criterium aficionados Andrew Webb and Brian Davis, took on 100 miles of the remote back roads of northwest WI. When asked for comment, Brian Davis requested I mention that "he beat Webb". Race details: hungrybeargravel.com/ Race images: hungrybeargravel.com/gallery Diablo Cycling's Results: Hungry Bear 183 total: Brian Davis - 36th overall Andy Webb - 40th overall Full Results: endurancepromotions.com/ResultDetails.aspx?id=1688   - Jabitz
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With only a couple gravel races, within a two hour drive of the Fox Cities, several Diablos made the early morning journey up to the Bear 100.Gently rolling gravel back roads and recreational trails, including a tasty helping of puddles, potholes and STICKS! There was even a flowy little 4 mile section of smooth singletrack. Some raced, some rode, one suffered?, all finished. 113 Miles (64 total) Andrew Knickerbocker 2/14 in Male 30-39, 5th overall Adam Koening 7/14 in Male 30-39, 30th overall 80 Miles (60 total) Jeff Abitz *2/23, 5th overall 61 Miles (182 total) Matt Eckstein 13/22 in Male 30-39, 93rd overall Andrew Eckstein 2/2 in Male Under 20, 94th overall 31 Miles (136 total) Joseph Coughlin 2/21, 7th overall Full *Results: www.performancetiming.com/2025/05/bear-100-gravel-bike-ride-2025/ (*accuracy in question as some riders opted to do a shorter distance, mid race) Below images provided by: www.michaelkoppenhoefer.com/       - Jabitz
100 miles and over 10,200 feet of climbing! Diablo Cycling's Andrew and Brian conquered the land without glaciers. Driftless 100 - (110 Total) Male Open 49- (65 overall) Andrew Knickerbocker - 16th, 20th overall Male Masters 50+ (30 overall) Brian Hansen - 11th, 42nd overall Course Description: www.driftlessgravel.com/_files/ugd/a412fa_11f788e9c2de4df2984c20f781e1530b.pdf Full Results: https://www.driftlessgravel.com/_files/ugd/a412fa_5fae506a1eba41168042dff87ce6a025.pdf      - Jabitz
When it comes to racing, Diablo Cycling's Andrew Knickerbocker can't get enough! Even with the warmer temperatures, the "snowy tarmac" held up, providing the racers with a fast, rolling course. Way to represent the Diablos Cycling team Andrew! Big Fat (47K or 29 miles) - 235 total Male 30-39 - 31 total Andrew Knickerbocker 9th (41st overall) Full Results: my.raceresult.com/329007/
 Jabitz 
By now, most fat bike racers are entering their offseason break. Jeff Abitz is on week two of this. I would have thought Brian Hansen would do the same, yet he got sweaty, with the Sweaty Yeti. In Brian's words: Levis Mound in Central Wisconsin is a trail system with some amazing single track and spectacular views. This trail system hosts a WEMS event and a FAT bike event - The Sweaty Yeti. Growing up in this area, I learned how to mountain bike here and I helped build some of these trails 35 years ago when mountain biking was just becoming a thing. No snow again for this years race, the course was mostly frozen dirt and a little ice to keep you on your toes. The course was fast and flowy with around 2500 feet of climbing over 31 miles. - Brian 3 Hour Solo Men (50 total) Brian Hansen - 5th Full Results: www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=382077   - Jabitz 
Diablo's Adam Koening and Cranked Bike Studio's Andrew Rosenthal recently finished the 2025 Polar Roll EX30. Forty-four miles of snow covered trails and roads, some were groomed, many were not. Finishing times are pointless with the EX version. With eleven weeks to finish the route (subject to change due to conditions), this cannot be considered a "race". It is about completing a provided course, on your terms and time frame, and conquering the challenges as they come. Adam and Andrew conquered for 8 hours and 13 minutes.  Full Results (so far): docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vR1XdGjy8zZFoQKJqte4nVUdmH0lqyz-06eB3AcuOGu_HY12cHE9Gg3WEBgoyJMmA/pubhtml?gid=33622416# Interested in the Polar Roll? Here is a link to the Field Manual: 906adventureteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PR25-MOD1-polar-roll-field-manual-20250210233pm.pdf - Jabitz 
Diablo Cycling's Andrew Knickerbocker earned a podium finish in this hilly, twisty race! Long Course - 25 Miles (21 total)    - Jabitz 
Brian Hansen has been racing for decades but has never experienced the unique qualities of a 906 Adventure Team event. That all changed when he found himself at the start of the 2025 Polar Roll Fatbike race. It was a race to the single track as Brian, Jeff Abitz and Steve Scherck spiked their heartrates, on the leg searing climb out of town. Brian and Jeff were both in the top 25, awarding them good (not great) snow conditions, as in not yet stamped into "mashed potatoes", for the duration of their race. Jeff stopped twice to air down his tires, which was a necessity to navigate the deep snow. Steve stopped for about 20 minutes to assist a fellow down rider. Jeff matched his best Overall Rank with another (this makes three) 19 place. Perhaps a deep snow specific tire will help in the future. Brian's fantastic 23rd place, on this unknown course, is more impressive than Jeff's "six year race veteran" result. Steve's upper midpack finish, is a solid result, especially considering the aid mentioned above, and being forced to ride/hike on the rapidly degraded trails. Interested in this race? Take note: Deep snow fatbike racing is a unique discipline. You have, maybe, a foot wide trail to work with. Let a front wheel wander and you will auger in, often with a trip over the handlebars. Here are our results:
Full Results: my.raceresult.com/326090/     - Jabitz
There was snow! It was no snow, or all the snow!, in the three race Snow Crown Fat Bike Series this year. Race #3, brought all the snow! and wrapped the series on the fancy Ariens Nordic Center ariensnordic.com/ Nordic ski trails. The lack of wider, deep snow specific tires, tortured Diablo Cycling in the 4-5" base layer. Jeff Abitz participated his way on to the Elite 50+ podium with a 3rd of 3. Brian Hansen earned his way on to the Advanced podium with a 2nd. Andrew Knickerbocker was reminded that drop bars, and deep snow, don't mix well. There were no DNF's! Thank you to George and Sarah Kapitz, owners of www.brokenspokebikes.com/ who continue to organize and direct this series. Here are Diablo Racing's results: Elite Men (14 total) - 5 laps (1-49) 11 total Andrew Knickerbocker – 11th, 14th overall Masters (over 50) 3 total Jeff Abitz - 3rd, 12th overall (not great but he won some shorts at the raffle) Advanced Men (15 total) - 4 laps Masters (over 50) 4 total Brian Hansen - 2nd, 7th overall Full Results: results.itsracetime.com/results.aspx?CId=17095&RId=1391    - Jabitz
Before their annual party, Cranked Bike Studio delighted us store fanatics, with the 1st Annual Frozen Fiasco Fat Bike Race. The course consisted of a .41 mile lap around the Studio, with lots of tight twists, a pinwheel, and a gravel straight. The faster people completed over twenty sub 2:30 minute laps. About a dozen racers raced, with the last 1-2 people to finish the lap getting pulled until there was one person riding. Fresh? off the prior night's two hour Snow Bully race, Diablo Cycling's Brian Hansen, Andrew Knickerbocker and Adam Koenig brought their fatigued legs and hearts to make it a race, for what Jeff Abitz was heard saying, was his "A" race of the the year! Really Jabitz? As the laps ticked off, Brian and Jeff found themselves rounding the last hairpin corner, with Jeff immediately opening up a two up sprint. Jeff's fresh legs, and two earlier PBR's, gave him the couple feet to win. A jacketless? Evan Benoit came in third. Adam Koenig was close behind, but the official results are unknown. Andrew Knickerbocker suffered from an early flat tire, forcing him to run a few laps. (Did I mention he rode 21 miles to this race?). Following the race, Cranked hosted a terrific, and well attended party with food, bartender, and beverages. This was a fundraiser, for Friends of Hartman Creek State Park, to purchase a snowmobile, to groom the winter trails. On this day, Cranked Bike Studio gave back to the cycling community, with a donation of $625...Amazon will never do that. To donate, see: friendsofhartmancreek.square.site/product/donation-snowmobile-for-trail-grooming/88    - Jabitz
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