The Jay Challenge

Saturday was an unusual day.

Besides the waking up at 0 dark:30, it was also the day of the first (and hopefully annual) Jay Winter Challenge. This is the first winter race thought up by the madman/mastermind Dan Desrosiers, creator of the Jay Challenge, one of the most gruelling endurance events in our neck 'o the woods. The summer event is a demented triathlon, a 30 mile kayak paddle on Lake Memphromagog (cold, deep & scary), a 2? mile trail run, and a 70 mile MTB ride with 11,000 feet of climbing in it. Yes, 11,000ft.

It isn't for the faint of heart.

This winter race, is a new event. There were 2 classes, a 30 miler that left at 8, and a 10 miler that left at 10. The second wave utilized the same course, that started 10 miles from the finish. The goal was to have everyone finish within the same general time frame.
Turn out was surprising, with a lot of last minute entries. There were about 50 or so racers across both categories, spanning form veterans winter riders, to the totally unprepared.
It was crazy.

When I left my house at 6, it was -13°F. When I got to Newport VT, it was 0°. When the 30 milers left at 8, it was 3°. When the 10 milers left at 10, it was 16°. It was clear, and not too much wind. But still damn cold if you ask me.
And not long after the 10 milers set off, the first of the 30 milers started to show up. And the first bike I saw, was a familiar one.

One gear too.













The second guy was on a 26" full squishy. Third guy on a Misfit 29er.
People started to show up at the finish line around noon. It had warmed up to 25° by then. The 4 hours that the first finishers had been on the bike were taking their toll. At the 10 miles to go point, first and second had traded places. The 10 mile racers were finishing ahead of the 30 mile racers. That long out in mother nature at that temperature is rough.
Everyone was cold, but stoked on the race. It was well run, well planned, and to my knowledge, everyone finished. Thankfully, the weather wasn't too bad. This time of year, it can be "iffy" at best.

I'm pretty sure, that next year, 100 folks will show up.

A big hats off to all those that took part of this event. You are all not right.

While the race was in progress, I got to check out a Surly Pugsley. It was cool.
I want one...