Ahh, the Marji Gesick. For 10 years this race has taught people to overcome self doubts, adapt to survive, and bring self proclaimed expert mountain bikers to their limits...and the forest floor. "This freaking race...I can't quit you". - JA Hey, most of the trails are pretty fun. Well some of them are! For the 100 Mountain Bike: Prior to this year, Brian Hansen never understood the appeal of this race. One weekend of Marji Camp 906adventureteam.com/marji-camp-2026/ changed that. Most people start with the 50, working up to the 100, then failing a couple attempts before finishing. Brian "knocked it out of the park" on his first attempt. For the Duathlon: After last year's Suffer Crew volunteer Jeff Abitz took a year off, "the running bug" returned and he opted to give the Duathlon another go. A stick damaged rear derailleur forced him to spin a low, single speed gear the last 10 miles. This 30+ minute delay, in addition to late night short but steady rains, forced him to push the limits of traction, on the slick rocks and roots. His risky efforts earned him a second buckle with four minutes to spare. Adam Koenig already has two 100 bike race finishes. What do you do when finishing becomes "the norm"? Challenge yourself by attempting the Duathlon. Although ride induced fatigue prevented him from finishing the run portion, the opportunity of preparing for a new challenge (he completed a trail marathon in the Dawn to Dusk 6 Hour) was where the real value comes from. The race finish is secondary. One of the possessed? Marquette sticks, also attacked Steve Schreck's front wheel, sending him over the bars (over the handle bars that is, not over to the bars) at mile 19. A damaged helmet and crunchy rib forced him to abandon. Steve (and driver Jamie) made their way to the Jackson Mine Park bag drop to aid, and later the finish, to welcome and nurture, Jeff at the finish line. Tim Patterson put in a solid ride and heroic first 24 mile run (park to park). As he journeyed for the finish, he realized his pace, on the soggy and slick course would put him beyond the 8:30 am time cut. So the hard decision was made to walk Cliff Drive to the finish. Still, what a massive day! When a veteran ultra endurance athlete like Tim drops out you know importance of preparing, training, and pre-riding for any aspiring Marji "Fresh Meat". After finishing the 100 last year John Bessey opted to do the 50 "fun ride" - sarcasm. This is essentially the last 60 miles of the 100 course, and also the most challenging. Mostly uphill and hike-a-bike for miles. Well maybe not for Jon as he finished in the top 16%. 100 Mile Duathlon (59 starters, 23 finishers) (66 mile bike, 43 mile "run", est. 11,732' climbing) Jeff Abitz - 16th. Buckle earned. Adam Koenig - 41st Tim Patterson - 45th Steve Scherck - 49th 100 Mile MTB (540 starters, 296 finishers) (109 mile, est. 11,732' climbing) Brian Hansen 113th 50 Mile MTB (537 starters, 467 finishers) (63.4 miles, est. 6,106 climbing) John Bessey - 77th Full Results/Victims: my.raceresult.com/361605/ 
  2025 registration opens on Friday, October 17th, at TBD - Eastern Time. It will fill up in under 5 seconds. Link is TBD as of 28 Sep. :  This blog was written without the help of artificial intelligence.
- Jabalicious
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Any time a race with the word "Nationals" comes around, some embrace the opportunity to line up with the nations best. Diablo Cycling's John Lichtenberg, Andrew Knickerbocker and Nate Penn took on, and finished, the many long and punchy bluffs in southeast Minnesota. Great work fellas! Diablo Cycling Results: Men Senior 19-34 (50 total) - 100 miles with 7,171' climbing Andrew Knickerbocker - 29th Nathaniel Penn - 43rd Men Master 60-64 (58 total) - 74 miles with 5,040' climbing John Lichtenberg - 51st Full Results: legacy.usacycling.org/results/?permit=2025-13536     100 Mile Course:  74 Mile Course:   - Jeffrey James
The past several years Diablo Cycling's Joe Coughlin has returned to this festival. Mountain bikers have been racing this rolling terrain, of the WI north woods, since 1983. Details: www.cheqmtb.com/ Event history: www.cheqmtb.com/festival-history/ Oh yeah! Terrific race Joe!
 - Jabitz 
The Crusher EX225 is about 240 miles, with 15,300' of climbing, of unsupported riding in the remote Michigan Upper Peninsula. What appears as roads on the map, often is more of a trail, something better suited to a dirt bike, utility or all terrain vehicle, and maybe an aggressively set up four wheel drive vehicle (likely without the ducks on the dashboard). The best way to learn about this, I'll call it a race, as there is a time cut to get a belt buckle (34 hours), and finish (40 hours), is to go to the above link. Diablo Cycling's Adam Koenig, Tim Patterson and Jeff Abitz, planned this day for months. Whatever the weather, whatever the support, the start day would not change. Adaptations, preparations, and adjustments would be made. Saturday they rolled out about 6:00 am. It rained on and off all day. They had no (athletic?) supporters. Two would finish on Monday afternoon. No sleep. Tim, has finished the EX225 in both 2020 and 2024. At about 120 miles, noting his light system was malfunctioning, and his clothing choices were compromised by the day's relentless rain, opted to make the short ride out to the main highway and ride the 20 miles back to the start. Rather then jeopardize Jeff and Adam's finishing buckle goals, he did the noble thing. Adam and Jeff felt better knowing Tim could now track their progress. Adam has been on a four year journey to secure his 906AT Triple Crown Hall of Pain 906adventureteam.com/mountain-bike-events/triple-crown/. A missed checkpoint partially cost him in 2021, and a failed phone cost him in 2024. Life events prevented attempts the other years. This year, he was more motivated, more prepared with gear selection, and more familiar with route features. Regardless of the endless sections of punishing creek crossings, submerged roads, rutted mud trenches and a startled moose & bear, there was no way he would not finish! Finish he did. Buckle earned! Triple Crown Hall of Pain Membership earned! Jeff Finished the EX225 in 2020 and 2021. 2021 was supposed to be his last year, as in his words "I'm getting too old for this". Inspired by Adam's goal of returning this year, convinced him to "do it one last time" (sarcasm?) at the age of 56. With that on his mind, at 55 miles to go, he went solo at his preferred pace, to give him time to address any unexpected challenges) to ensure his buckle earning finish. Buckle Earned! The remainder of the day (now Monday) Tim squired Adam and Jeff back the house, to a restaurant, and the mandatory visit to Black Rocks Brewery. Back at the house, while Tim carried in our bikes and gear, Adam and Jeff celebrated with some top shelf single malt scotch (Jeff's first time). When the lights went out, Jeff dozed off, questioning if the prior 31 hour ride was only a dream. While the Crusher has it's hazards, riders are monitored for progress and safety? sort of) at: https://trackleaders.com/crusher25?fbclid=IwY2xjawLQ-s5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFEOFRXTktoclFMT1Z5cVJOAR5AAZ7OmiFI_vFXEK085znfB2uLqdDU8MAFPOs9iuxC2uXVEjoJ5_3nOEZ5RQ_aem_GFVHhKl9OtdaNabR-VKzNg 2025 EX225 Finishers as of 5 Sep 2025:    Just for "gee wiz" below is Jeff's elevation and speed metrics:   May I recommend hearing from Adam below? The man can tell a tale.  - Jungle Jeff
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