The Forty 5

Race - May 9, 2020

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Just a fun XC marathon race! The singletrack is ripping fast, the gravel is gnarly, and the pavement helps connect the two!

Find out more on the Facebook page.

All credit goes to Keith Cottongim for a great race! Park at Sheltowee camp.

Early packet pick up Friday 6pm-8pm. Race morning packet pickup 7:30am-9:30am. Rider's meeting 9:50am. Neutral roll out to the start line 10:00am (Racers will line up and the end of Power Plant RD. From there the race will officially start.

A post event meal is offered for an additional $5. 100% off post event meals funds goes to the AWANA and youth program at church (Victory Baptist).

ROUND 1 of the Appalachian Endurance Series. Welcome to the Twenty Twenty 45! 45 is a marathon cross country race (approximately 45 miles with 4,300 elevation gain).

The course starts with a 1.5-mile paved climb at 4%. This will sort racers out before hitting 8 miles of singletrack. Racers turn into roadies with a 5-mile section of pavement that take racers to the 17-mile gravel loop "Southern Loop". The gravel loop includes the infamous Middle Ridge!

Middle Ridge is an old dirt road with several water holes; choose your line wisely. After completing the Southern Loop, racers return on the pavement to the singletrack in reverse direction with the finish line being in the parking lot of the Sheltowee Trace Trailhead. This course has something for everyone!

33 miles, natural surface (trail & gravel). 11 miles pavement.

This race can be done on a gravel bike, cross bike or mountain bike all have their advantages and disadvantages. That's part of the fun of this race, "What should I ride?" I personally would prefer a MTB. That being said, we've had dropbar bikes finish in top 10 overall!

This year we are offering a 15-mile youth race; the "15" with 2 categories (14 & under / 15-18). Proceeds from this race will go to promote youth cycling. The youth start with the 45 racers. They ride the 8 miles of singletrack, then take some singletrack that only they will use followed by a long gravel climb then back to the finish!

100% of post event meals money goes to the AWANA (www.awana.org) and youth program at church (Victory Baptist). We feed 75-90 kids on Sunday and Wednesday night.