Marji Gesick - Mountain Bike Race (of misery?)

Saturday, September 18, 2021
Ishpeming MI
marjigesick.com/
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The Marji Gesick mountain bike race has been crushing hopes and dreams for the six years of it's existence. Even though it starts out mean and finishes miserable, moments of jubilation can be found sprinkled about. I'm not going to babble you with details.
For the stories refer to: marjigesick.com/stories/ . If you can accept the the disappointment of probably not finishing, try and enter in 2023 or get on the Marji Gesick Talk Registration Transfers Facebook page.  All 666+ categories, of the 2022 event sold out in two minutes.​

Diablo Cycling Results:

100 Mile Mountain Bike (521 total)
Tim Patterson (past finisher) - 104th - GREEN DOT! 
Andrew Webb (past finisher) - 71 miles 
John Bessey - 59 miles

100 Mile Duathlon (34 total) - 64 mile bike / 40 mile foot
Jeff Abitz (past 2 X 100 bike, 1 X 200 finisher bike) - 5th - GREEN DOT! Buckle earned.
Steven Scherck (past 100 bike finisher) - 46 miles

Full results: my.raceresult.com/180178/​

Following up last years Crusher EX finish, Tim Patterson was back in the UP earning his 2nd 100 bike finish. He is one the Diablo tough guys for sure.
With a hard deadline to be back home by midnight, past 100 bike finisher Andrew Webb rode hard and fast from the bang of the starting bottle rockets. The realization that a sub 12 hour (buckle cut-off time) was probably not going to happen, forced him to abandon at 71 miles.
John Bessey's failed (see image below) rear wheel hub took him out early at 59 miles. He is young. He'll be back. 
Jeff Abitz spent the last two years trading cycling power for running fitness, with one goal. Earn a buckle!
Drawing upon his decades of running marathons, combined with his mountain biking experience, the Duathlon was the way he did it. 
Past finisher Steve Scherck has nothing to prove. He starts this race year after year and rides until he doesn't want to ride anymore.  There is something noble about that. 

- Jabitz