No lives were lost from exertion, tipping over, getting lost or being impaled by the numerous sticks and branches that lined the course. 

Hosted by Shannon Kochis and Keith Conway (brought in to reach things on top of shelves or the refrigerator for the diminutive Kochis), today’s first official/unofficial race on the compound result in absolutely no loss of life. Even with weather described as “nippy”, everyone seemed to enjoy the bike riding had under sunny skies.

The very short course included threatening logs that required hopping (on or off the bike, or forcibly slamming into it to make it move), tight turns that required solid handling skills, and a sand pit that was really pretty easy once you figure out that it was packed almost solid on the left side.

It was a circuit that heavily favored mountain or fat bikes, which was probably great because that’s what everyone in Northern Michigan has anyway. First place in the men’s race went to Jorden Wakeley by a comfortable margin, with gutsy ride from Nick Weirzba for second place. Cody Sovis took his #SSCX bike for third place, with another ‘cross bike, one located between the legs of John O’Hearn, coming in forth. A Singlespeed Monster Cross was the ticket for Steve “Dr. Pain” Andriese, who  rounded out the top five.

The women’s race was an absolute thriller thanks to an imported cyclocross veteran. 15 year old Claire Reeves made the trek north for the race this morning and was the only woman (or, in this case, punk kid) on an actual cyclocross for the afternoon’s second race. On a course that suited wide tires, she battled hard and was always in contention alongside Hagerty’s Next Big Thing, Breanne Fortuna. Lurking just out of reach much of the day, and constantly jostling spots, were Beth Collins and Katie Tomczyk.

Reeves was by far the quickest over the barriers, but ceded time in the singletrack and on the rough climb overlooking the start/finish. Fortuna was flawless in those same areas, while Beth Collins had the diesel revved up and was making up ground all of the time. Fortuna made a big move with a flew laps to go, just as the race hit the half hour mark. Reeves faded, picked up first by Collins and then Tomcyzk, the fatigue of UCI legal 33m tires finally knocking the teenager back. Fortuna cruised to the win with a look of relief as the hit the line, followed by Collins, Tomczyk and Reeves.

“Unless someone got lost and is still out there in the gathering darkness, no, I think we did it,” commented Keith Conway as he knocked back a cold one. “Everyone looks in good health and perhaps in even better spirits.”

With so few casualties, CX72 will probably even happen again.