Welcome
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE RIDERS OF THE BESSIES CREEK 24. SEE YOU NEXT YR. RESULTS ARE HERE.
Bessies Creek 24 – 2012 edition Recap
One thing about South East Texas is we may not have the hills but we do have the wind. Sustained winds close to 30 MPH were reported during this year’s running of the Bessies Creek 24/12/6 hour races. One rider said it was like climbing a mountain pass for the seven mile southward stretch of the race, on each lap of the 21 mile course.
Seventy riders from all parts of Texas and many states converged on the race headquarters for the early Saturday morning start. Standard bikes, recumbents, a tandem and a lone HPV made up the field of mostly solo racers but some two and four person teams as well.
The recumbents from Team Bachetta carried the honors of the 24 Hour race, clocking 411 miles for John Schlitter and 400 miles for Jacquie Hafner. This duo together with Kent Polk and Larry Ide will make up the four man Team Bachetta for this year’s edition of the Race Across America.
Kirk Gentle (2011 RAAM solo finisher) amassed 398 miles to win the 24 Hour race for standard bikes and Vickie Tyer took the women’s honors with 336 Miles. The two person Team Tejas of Dan Driscoll and Pam Wright led the field in that category with an incredible 408 miles. Team Petty (Steve and Peggy) soared to 441 miles in the recumbent two person team category, and the recumbent Four Person Team of Nathan Scaggs, Bucky Davis, David Tumlin and Bill Viering waltzed home with 461 miles.
Kurt Searvogel clocked 240 miles for the 12 Hour race (that’s a whopping 20 MPH average) on his standard bike. Kurt will be attacking the RAAM race in a few weeks and we wish him the very best in that endeavor.
Ron Swift carried the recumbent field in the 12 Hour with 227 miles, Michelle Beckley rode 189 miles to take the women’s crown and Team Neptune of Rick and Denise Neptune racked up 189 miles to take first place in their tandem.
It was a pleasure to have 2011 RAAM solo finisher, Dex Tooke making the field and also for the words spoken to the assembled racers by Fred Boethling, owner of the Race Across America.
It was an enormous honor and a privilege to host a race with seventy of the past, present and future luminaries of the ultra-distance racing scene. Ultra distance cycle racing clearly is alive and very much kicking thanks to such a dedicated field of racers and enthusiastic race directors. With many events growing around the country, it was gratifying that so many decided to come and visit us. On behalf of all the volunteers, I want to say, thank you, and hope to see you again next year.
Good luck to all the racers and I wish them great success for whatever challengers they tackle for the remainder of the season.
Ken.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
