Nepomuk Narly brings hundreds of cyclists to the gravel roads of northeast North Dakota

PISEK, N.D. – Regardless of a wet morning, the Second Annual Nepomuk Narly began with the bang of a cannon and the ringing of church bells early on Saturday, July 23.

The tiny city of Pisek, North Dakota, inhabitants 89, was buzzing with exercise as cyclists took to the gravel roads of northeast North Dakota for a sequence of muddy, messy races.

The occasion included 16-, 40- and 100-mile aggressive races, in addition to the Six-Mile Ice Cream Loop, the place any participant that completed bought a free ice cream cone. Races began and completed in entrance of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pisek, and practically $20,000 in prize cash and door prizes was awarded. The races have been accompanied by a avenue truthful down the highway in downtown Pisek, full with meals vans, garden video games, dwell music and native distributors.

Between all of the occasions this yr, round 170 cyclists raced within the Nepomuk Narly, up from final yr’s 150.

The primary finishers of the lads’s 40-mile race stated the course was messy however enjoyable. Teammates Ryan Sobczak from Minneapolis and Dane McCormick from La Cross, Wisconsin, crossed the end line collectively.

“We didn’t discover it simple in any respect. We labored fairly exhausting,” stated Sobczak.

Racers got here principally from the Midwest, like Fargo, Minneapolis, South Dakota and Wisconsin, however some worldwide expertise made an look. Within the combine was Canadian bike owner Adam Roberge, the third-ranked gravel bike owner on the planet, in keeping with Gravel Energy Rankings. He took first within the 100-Mile Professional Platinum race.

He stated he heard in regards to the race when the Rev. Jason Lefor, the organizer of the race, contacted him, and preferred the concept of the small race.

“I form of like these smaller, area of interest gravel races,” he stated.

With the added problem of mud, the course was slower than he anticipated. Initially, he anticipated to be on the highway for 4½ hours, but it surely took him nearer to 5½.

“Everybody that’s going to have the ability to end is a legend,” he stated.

Lefor, who has liked biking since childhood and raced competitively earlier than coming into seminary, was additionally competing within the 100-mile race.

Biking followers and neighborhood members alike mingled with cyclists on the end line, cheering as cyclists crossed.

Victoria and Trac Lewis, together with their 4 youngsters Tiandra, Tate, Tori and Tessa, got here to the occasion from close by Park River, North Dakota, to take part within the Ice Cream Loop. It was their first yr on the occasion; they heard about it from a good friend who competed final yr.

“It’s household occasion,” stated Victoria Lewis.

“And that’s what’s lacking in at the moment’s world,” stated Trac Lewis.

Ice cream for finishers of the Ice Cream Loop was offered by Pisek’s J-Mart, which was additionally one of many race’s largest sponsors. Proprietor Francis Jelinek stated it was thrilling to see so many individuals in Pisek, and expressed his gratitude for neighborhood volunteers.

“It might have been good if it wasn’t overcast and wet, , but it surely’s nonetheless higher than 90 diploma climate,” he stated.

Roberge, who races professionally, stated he was impressed by how effectively organized the race was contemplating it was solely the second yr it was held.

“Hopefully, it can get greater,” he stated. “I feel it has every thing to get greater — wonderful neighborhood, wonderful course.”

Outcomes:
Males’s 100-Mile Professional Platinum: 1. Adam Roberge, 2. Adam Saban, 3. Kenn Pike.
Ladies’s 100-Mile Professional Platinum: 1. Katherine Sheridan, 2. Bernadine Kostyk.
Males’s 40-Mile Race: 1. Dane McCormick, 2. Ryan Sobczak, 3. Jake Vigesaa.
Ladies’s 40-Mile Race: 1. Cathy LaJesse, 2. Lana Meyer, 3. Megan Porter.