OSWEGO COUNTY – In the skier’s lingo, it was a “bluebird “day, meaning bright blue, clear skies overhead. A perfect Winter day for racing on firm snow, the type of snow ideally suited for fat, low pressure bike tires and snowshoes.
The hardy, ever enthusiastic volunteers of the Winona Forest Recreation Association presented another fantastic event on the morning of Sunday, February 12, 2023, gathering outdoor lovers and Winter racing fanatics for a high energy romp through the expansive forest that has become a mecca for snowsports and endurance racing enthusiasts.
Utilizing a relay style format, fat bike riders and snowshoers took turns navigating a winding course over several linked trails, including the new Norway trail, passing the “baton” at a sometimes chaotic start/ finish area, where a group of onlookers and supporters shouted words of encouragement as racers switched modes of travel and equipment.
Competing as teams of two or individually, athletes in both categories pushed themselves to their aerobic limits, blasting off of the line with a burst of speed, and finishing their laps with the strain of full exertion showing on their faces.
Competitors waiting to head out again compared notes on the conditions of the trails as they kept muscles warm by jogging or slowly cycling around the transition area, some grabbing some nourishment or hydration from carefully arranged stashes of racing fuel and spare gear.
As the last competitors finished and their heart rates returned to the resting range, smiling racers were all in agreement that the WFRA had once again triumphed in putting on another great event, making the most of what Mother Nature has provided in terms of weather this Winter. Many of these fit folks will return to the fabled forest for the running of the Iditafat Fat bike race on Sunday, March 5, 2023.
Race results here https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=305296
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