Surprisingly Pleasant Drake Doubleback 200k!

A good turnout of 28 riders for this season's first brevet, especially given the soggy p.m. forecast.  That forecast seemed to incentivize riders to keep a move on ... but things started out bright and clear!

Tailwinds gave riders a push up Big Thompson Canyon.  Leaves and blossoms are two to three weeks ahead of normal, making for an especially scenic ride.

JLE, Bradford Towne, and Dan McDonald pause at the Drake info control.

It's clear sailing through the Big Thompson Narrows.

But just behind, a cloudbank is already building.

Fortunately, it was sunny even to Platteville, and though the winds picked up, sprinkles held off until late afternoon.

Dan McDonald, Peter Hoff, and John Mangin nice and dry at the finish.

Tim Foon Feldman sails over to greet everyone.

Henry Snavely, Todd LeBlanc (in his Colorado High Country jersey), and Jeff Hillis bask in the chilly but non-soggy conditions.

Thanks to everyone who came out, and hopefully you'll enjoy the Falcon and Stove Prairie 200k's later this month.

-jle