Florida Gravel Grinder series #5 + TT#2 – Jennings State Forest – Middleburg, Fl
The next to the last round and the final TT of the Scarbourgh Bicycle Accident Law Florida State Championship Gravel Grinder series presented by Trek Land o’ Lakes series was set for Jennings Forest just South of Jacksonville and wouldn’t you know it a rain storm was headed that way as well. Fortunately the front moved quickly by and the rain stopped just in time for the Saturday TT to get started at 3pm and all in all the course was in great shape despite the wet stuff. Sunday the sun came out and cooler than normal temperatures dominated the day making for perfect gravel road action.
Some recent upgrades to the road surfaces and the well timed rain made for some awfully fast times on the 16.5 mile course and the Time Trial was a good preview of what was to come as Jos Chalmers hammered out a time of 38.31.06 resulting in a 25.7 mph average for the best time of the weekend and Meggie Schneider would prove to be the fastest of the women and 10th overall.
Sunday the overall win was again Jos Chalmers this time averaging 24 mph over the sixty six mile route thereby taking the marathon win and also laying claim for the first time to the Fields Auto Group leaders jersey. The Women’s Marathon class was won again by Meggie Schneider although the leaders jersey would go back to Jeanine Seeger after the drop race was calculated. Sprint overall was won by Eugen Tomodan and Phoebe Maisto topped the women’s sprint class.
Many thanks to all of the riders and sponsors and especially Champion Cycling that provided the weekend’s prizes and also special thanks to club SORBA JAX for providing the ground work, volunteers and keeping for the riders safe during the event!
Next and final round is Saturday May 9th in Dade City, Fl.