Rain or shine, Calvin’s Challenge thriving in 18th year

The SUN rises through the early morning fog as Bill Ingraham, on his vintage high-wheeler bicycle,
catches up to a fellow racer on a modern recumbent bike.
​

SPRINGFIELD, OH — If you can’t enjoy the weather, at least laugh about it. That seems to be the attitude of all involved with Calvin’s Challenge, the 12-hour bike race that begins at 7:30 p.m. today, May 2, for the 18th straight year at Shawnee High School.

On the race’s Web site, CalvinsChallenge.com, a link titled Calvin’s Weather takes you to a drawing of a smiling, yellow sun with one word, “Perfect!,” under it.

A story on the history of the race on the site by longtime participants Ann and John McKinley begins with, “Calvin’s Challenge has not been known for great weather.”

What the race is known for is being one of the better 12-hour ultra bike races in the country. This year’s event will draw more than 225 bikers, some competing in the six-hour race, from 18 states and Canada. Their goal will be to complete as many miles as possible in six or 12 hours.

“It’s at a good time of year, and for ultra endurance people, 12 hours is sort of palatable,” said Jeff Stephens, who is one of the race directors along with his wife, Julie, and Christine and Larry Graham. “It’s all in the daylight. You don’t need lights.

“It’s on nice, rural, low-to-no-traffic roads. It’s safe. The people who have discovered it just keep coming back, and it’s really beginning to attract attention from outside the immediate area.”

That was not the goal when the first race took place in 1992. Calvin Cogdin designed the event to be a training ride for the 24-hour national race that takes place every year in Grand Rapids, Mich.

“I had high hopes for it from the beginning,” said Cogdin, 82, who now lives in Portland, Ore. “Everyone decided 24 hours was too much that early in the year. I cut it to a 12-hour event.”

Cogdin lived in Beavercreek at the time and knew the back roads of Clark and Greene counties well. He devised a 50-mile route that passes through Pitchin, across Ohio 42 just east of Cedarville and then east to South Solon. From there, it takes a winding route around South Charleston, through Dolly Varden, past Locust Hills Golf Club and back to Shawnee.

Cogdin remains proud of the route. The weather is another story. But rain or shine today, the wheels will turn.

“Once you’re wet, it doesn’t bother you at all,” John McKinley said.

source Springfield New Sun

 

A friend fo mine from central, Ga named Marshal rode that ride along with a few other Bacchetta riders I have riden with. Marshall managed to finish the century in 4 14 and rode 242 in the 12 hours. On a Corsa I might add which he has only been riding about 2 years I think.

Ward

 

Well Ward, the Corsa isn't all bad. Even JS ended up riding his Corsa more then the Aero in RAAM 2008.

 

Your right Dennis, its a great bike. I think its the fastest bike for the money out there. I even owned one for a short while. For me the Carbon seats work better for my back and I need a little more forgiving frame like titanium or carbon. (thats the story for my wife )