The Dakota 5o, a 50 mile mountain bike race, will be held August 31, in Spearfish SD. Several local riders have made this an annual event, and there is a contingent of EVCC riders going this year including Tim Powell, Todd Jochum, and Jon Downey. Norfolk will also be represented by Joel Moritz and (possibly) Steve Vincent. This will be Tim's third year for the event. Tim over 90 minutes off his 2006 finish time in the 2007 event so his 2008 finish time will be interesting to watch for.

The Cornhusker State will be well-represented as a whole, with a large group of Omaha/Lincoln area riders attending, including 2007 Womens Champion (and future Mrs. RF) Roxzanne Abbott. Roxzanne also raced the Firecracker 50 in Breckenridge Colorado, finishing 4th in her category and 8th woman overall. I asked Roxzanne if she was doing the Leadville 100 but the answer was a resounding "No."  Omaha power riders Kent McNeill and Steve Jarrett are registered though; Kent finished 28th in his class and 53rd overall out of 663 entries in 2007.

Speaking of the Leadville 100, Lance Armstrong is registered to race this year and is said to be in serious training for the event. He is also rumored to have chosen a Trek Top Fuel to ride instead of a Gary Fisher Superfly 29r. A crushing blow to the 29r boys I'd think.

Hmm, Lance riding in the dirt. Duane Blair and Richard Hake riding in the dirt. Do I see a pattern emerging?