Ultracycling: Calvin's Challenge 12-hour (2007)

“One of the reasons Calvin's is so special is because, more than any other event, it's a family affair. From the elite racers in tightly packed pacelines; to the HPVs lapping the course at obscene speeds; to the youngsters trying for their first 50 or 100 mile ride; to the high wheelers, tandems, recumbents, and handcycles; Calvin's offers an opportunity for all. The assortment of divisions for colorful machinery and a plethora of age groups for males and females provides everyone a good shot at a coveted Calvin's Challenge medal.”

To John and Ann McKinley, for shaping and nurturing this gem of an event, thank you so much. I hope you feel the love each of us has for you for all you have done.”
— Bill Schwarz

It was bittersweet. Saturday, May 5, 2007, 225 dedicated ultracyclists lined up by 7:20 a.m. for the Sixteenth Annual Calvin's Challenge, the final episode of one of the most popular ultra events of all times. Calvin's Challenge, organized and directed by Ann and John McKinley for 16 years, with attention to every detail, did not disappoint on May 5. The weather provided the challenge along with the course, and competition was electrified with the thought that this was the final run for the McKinleys.

Bill Schwarz echoes the sentiments of many riders, “Before each season begins, there are several “can't miss” races I block out on my calendar. Calvin's Challenge has long been one of them. Scheduled for the first weekend in May, it has for years marked the beginning of my racing season. It's difficult to imagine a May without Calvin's.”

Calvin's has been an ultra racers dream: a meticulously laid out race course, on country roads, clearly marked, with a most convenient check point exactly half way around the big loop, at 25 miles. At 51 miles this year, with a slight change in race lay out, the second checkpoint affords racers an opportunity to add or subtract clothes, get food, water and rest if they so desire, and be on their way for another loop. The volunteers are always plentiful, so no racer ever had to wait in line to “get punched” and be on their way. McKinleys used the punch system, with very little confusion and laps were credited to the rider and verified at each checkpoint.

The family aspect is illustrated with the youngest racer, Josh Pritchard, 13, racing with his father, seasoned ultra man Marc Pritchard. Richard Lawrence, the most seasoned of all the racers at 80 years old, racing with his son, Joel Lawrence. Husband-wife teams, whether tandem or solo, also come out for fun and the challenge each year at Calvin's. Everyone is congratulated for the ride they are able to complete and extra special is the “No Medal” medal, awarded to all riders racing 200 or more miles, but not placing in his or her age group.

The awards ceremony, held approximately one hour after the race finished, was a high spirited celebration. “Was it sunny?” John traditionally bellows. “Yes” the racers reply (Not)·Was it windy? John continued. “No” is the appropriate reply, although it normally was traditionally cloudy and windy. Calvin Congdon, the man who started the race 16 years ago, was there to accept a plaque celebrating the success and popularity of the race. The McKinleys, always the entertaining host and hostess, continued throughout the awards, recognizing everyone, including the “No Medal Medal” category. Multiple records were broken, such as the high mileage Male, at 267 miles, won by Danny Chew and Lawrence Fitz on standard bikes and Jim Verheul and John Schlitter on Bacchetta recumbents.

Dennis Grelk suffered a flat on his recumbent in the first minutes of the race. He returned to the start, asked the McKinley's permission to re-start in his HPV and raced off at least 30 minutes late. Despite the late start he turned in an incredible 297 miles.

Bena Halecky was the high mileage female at 225 miles. Lew Meyer, racing in the age 70-74 bracket, rode a record 209 miles and Nancy Guth in the female 55-59 group set a record of 218 miles.

Josh Pritchard set the bar for the youngest rider, turning in an admirable 114 miles for his first riding ultra event. (Many racers know Josh for his exceptional support, always willing to help other riders besides his dad, Marc Pritchard). Bill Schwarz, on his hand cycle cranked out an impressive 151 miles. The female/female tandem team of Hall and McKay broke the previous record with 160 miles. At 253 miles, the male/male tandems, Schoettinger/Fuson and Provosly/Gillespie, each broke the previous record.

Elizabeth Wicks drove from Massachusetts, excited about seeing friends and racing another Calvin's. Wicks was on her way to a personal best century time, when she touched the wheel of a tandem and went down, cracking her pelvis. As a testimony to the complete care the McKinleys have for all racers, they picked her up from the hospital and took her to their own home for care until she could make her way back to Massachusetts. Merry VanderLinden also took a spill, yet recovered and rode an impressive 181 miles, despite a cracked helmet.

Larry Graham relates how racers shared goals and triumphs at Calvin's final chapter, with his example of the Bacchetta team. “With this possibly being the last year for the event, I invited some of my team mates to come and race. I knew that many of them had more pack racing experience than I have. My record set in 2006 didn't compare to the overall record that I knew was within reach for the right racer. What we saw come race day was that standard frame bikes and recumbents can ride together, work together and race together — All my team mates bettered my 2006 record, which, in some strange way, gives me a stronger sense of success that any of my past Calvin's recumbent results.”

Graham summarizes the feelings of many of the participants in Calvin's Challenge. “No one can ever consider himself or herself truly successful until they have laid the groundwork for those that follow them to be just as, if not more successful. John and Ann McKinley have been directly responsible for so many ultra cyclists' success because of their tireless work as race directors for the past sixteen years. No ultra racer's resume is complete without at least one Calvin's Challenge result. ”