3/5/2022

Dirty Pecan 80 Mile Bike Ride

Monticello, Florida

Ken Frankenbery

Finish Time:  06:03:00

Ride Recap By Ken Frankenbery:

I’ve done harder rides (Leadville 100-Mohican 100), I’ve done longer rides (Rain Ride 160 miles) but when it comes to great scenery, a challenging course, and awesome people the Dirty Pecan is at the top.  The ride starts at Florida state line and goes north into rural Georgia.  My good friend Glen from Canada joined me, and anytime I would drop my pace he was right there pushing me hard.

The ride begins with a mass start behind a police escort at 8 am.  Temps were cool in the 50’s with cloud cover.  The clouds lifted by 930 am and record temps in upper 80’s were forecast.  Not wanting to freeze for 2 hours or have to carry layers of clothing in my Camel Back later I picked up a heavy flannel shirt for a few dollars at Good Will store.  I used it and cheap work gloves over my biking gloves for first 90 minutes then made a quick stop and “donated” them to first house we passed.

The route is 70% dirt roads weaving thru scenic back country.  What made this year tougher than in the past was hot dry conditions that turned several sections of dirt into a deep sand.  It was like riding on the beech and many people walked through these sections.  The total elevation was over 3000 feet.  No monster climbs but plenty of short punchy hills that were challenging.  Once the sun came out the temps jumped and the heat was brutal.

Even with tougher conditions I finished in 6 hours and 3 minutes which was 32 minutes faster than 2020  so very pleased.  I had a great day!   Put this ride on your must do list!