With warm spring conditions spreading across most of the USA, 700 cyclists, plus one abominable snowman, braved the last vestiges of winter at the 12th Melting Mann Gravel race in Michigan on Saturday 22 March.

They traveled from far and wide to Russell’s M40 Speedway to race in 35F on 58, 38 and 23-mile frozen gravel routes wearing full winter kits.

Robert Oehler, 27, won the main event and arctic blue champion’s jersey, finishing the 58-mile route in 2:37:12 with an average speed of 22.1mph. Derek Dotlich and Jim Flora also earned podium places with times of 2:40:06 and 2:43:14.

19 year-old Ellory Clason won the women’s race in 2:55:41, with Maire Noonan in second place at 3:03:59 and Victoria Cane third in 3:21:50.

Tony Fietz (1:46:36) and Sheila Sherwood (2:10:23) won the shorter 38-mile medio meltdown for the men and women respectively.

Complete Melting Mann Gravel results HERE

Photo Credit: Facebook/MeltingMann

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