The fifth Balltown Classic — held May 31 in DeWitt, IA — provided at least one first that everyone could appreciate — no rain! This 200-mile race has been rained on since the first running in 2004, but not this time! It was cool but clear at 5 a.m. when a field of 28 riders gathered in the parking lot of the Super 8, just off highway 61 in DeWitt. The group headed east out of town before turning north to rejoin the traditional Balltown route through Welton and Lost Nation before getting to Baldwin, IA — where hills begin to become a factor.

The Balltown Classic is a fairly tough race that consists of over 11,000 feet of gain over 200 miles — not what you would expect in Iowa. Although there are no long ascents that go on for miles like you find in the mountains, the repetitious steep climbs — many of which are over 15% — fast descents and rough, winding roads that have not recovered from a long winter make this event a challenge for everyone. It is a UMCA Ultracycling Cup event and there are always a number of serious racers who are joined by UMCA Ultracup riders and local cyclists out looking for adventure. The field Saturday consisted of 28 riders — not a big group perhaps, but this is a 200-mile race.

For the first 50 miles the leaders – facing an increasingly stiff wind — stayed in a tight group, including the Quad Cities couple Mike and Paula Winters on a Cannondale tandem. The riders came from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri. After the first 65-mile checkpoint the leaders started dropping a few and the hills became steeper and more frequent. At the 100-mile mark, most took a few minutes to recuperate, but Big Dogs Bill Ford and Larry Ide made it a short stop and rocketed down the huge hill out of Balltown, grabbing a few minutes lead on the rest of the pack. These two hammered on together over the biggest climbs of the day and reached the 150-mile checkpoint at the same time. Shortly after that, Ford dropped Ide and turned east for a 12-mile tailwind run before arriving back in DeWitt in 10 hours and 11 minutes. Nearly 20 mph for the 200 miles, but not quite fast enough to break the record set in 2004 by Jim Amelung.

Randy Love, of Nashville, IL, was a woman with a mission! She rode nearly nonstop on a lime green Kestrel dead set on breaking Merry Vander Linden's 2007 time of 14 hours and 51 minutes. And break it she did! Despite a flat and going off course, Love finished in less than 14 hours.

Congratulations to all the finishers of the Balltown Classic and Balltown 100 in 2008! And see you all in Metamora, IL on August 9 for the MM4X50!