Event Link: www.bigshark.com/articles/2022-the-tour-of-st.-louis-bicycle-races-3-19-22-and-3-20-22-pg1289.htm

Corondelicious Criterium (1.3 mile winding, smooth circuit with two mild climbs) - Saturday
Masters 40+ Cat 1/2/3/4 (21 total):
Derek Hughes - 16th 

Pro Cat 1/2 (51 total):
Derek Hughes - 36th

Diablo Cycling's Derek Hughes journeyed south for some early season, snow free bicycle racing.
I wasn't there so in Derek's words:
​"Well, it was flippin cold  but I had fun and stayed upright. It was 23 degrees at the start and I decided to show off the guns (legs) instead of insulating the goods from the elements. That wasn’t a good idea, it was actually a terrible idea. But I finished and was able to take what I learned from the race and not repeat for the pro race.
There was a Nashville rider in the Masters race who just gunned it from the front and ended up getting five others to join. I was hanging in there back when all the moves were made and missed the opportunity to take part in the breakaway move. Eventually Jon Lester (gryphonveloracing.com/) formed a breakaway that stuck for the chase group, but I wasn’t about to chase Jon and ruin his day. Besides, Jon was so fast and I wouldn’t have caught him anyway.

Full Results: legacy.usacycling.org/results/index.php?year=2023&id=9566

George Kapitz is already known as a fat bike icon in Green Bay, the surrounding areas, heck, the midwest! This year he dreamed up a new event that included multiple laps of many of the fat bike trails frequented by him and his friends. The Winter Ultra 100 offered a low cost opportunity to pick a day when all or most of the trail venues were open, to complete the provided course.
Use of public "connector" roads were to be kept to minimum.  
When the deadline arrived, only a few dozen finished within the (generous)18 hour maximum time.
Finishers were awarded a stunning mug, a major award if you will!
Details can be read at the Snow Crown Series link above.

Anyway...

Diablo Cycling's Adam Koenig and Jeff Abitz completed the challenge, weeks apart, and here is what they said:

Adam Koenig (first Diablo to finish):
"Welp, I rode 100 miles on my fat bike. With friends. The morning was rough. I hit a wall mentally after some tech and gear issues and basically wanted to quit the entire time at refo. I changed socks, got some encouragement and decided to keep going. The road was a boon. I felt amazing in the pavement and after working with @hoard_dylan we made excellent time from refo to He-Nis-Ra. The rest of the day was about managing gear and effort and making sure to keep nutrition steady. My new homemade hydration mix (powerpacinf.run) was perfect.
Ultimately this was a test, a massive challenge and a day about encouragement and friendship. One of the hardest rides I’ve ever done, and without my friends I never would have continued.
I am so glad I did it, and finished. That’s a one and done for this guy."

Jeff Abitz, you're up!:
"Paul Fagan and I finished this Winter Ultra thing last night. Paul (yes the same Paul that supported me for Marji Gesick, Crusher, Polar Roll) drove the support van. Snow conditions were less than optimal (road riding? I understand it now) but the weather was calm and sunny. So in summary this was a big job, perhaps my most challenging one day cycling event. Oh, and Thanks to Paul F for navigating and inspiring me to, at least attempt, to ride in trail conditions I wouldn’t have otherwise tried. Lessons learned: Don’t forget your toolbox, use lower gearing, leave your dropper saddle post installed!, bring more food choices."​

Sponsors:
The Recyclist Bicycle Co.  https://www.recyclist.com/
Parts Depot http://www2.depotparts.com/
Cranked Bike Studio https://www.crankedbikestudio.com/