2022 Morganzo 55: Double Nickels on the Grime

The 2022 Morganzo 55 Riders

2022 Morganzo 55 Double Nickels on the Grime

With right around 25 riders this year’s Morganzo was about as well-attended as the event has ever been. And the riders this year were treated to some of the most sublime gravel conditions the route ever sees. SW Montana experienced a very wet Spring with the foothills remaining green a good month or two longer than usual. Perhaps it was the extra moisture or perhaps the County’s grading schedule lined up just right with the ride. Whatever it was the roads were all time.

The attendance was, as always, also all-time. Friendly faces both familiar and new at the beginning put a big smile on the face of Sam H. the directeur sportif and chief Morganzo instigator. We briefly chatted about being polite road users, how to be safe and not get lost out in the dirt, took a group photo, and rolled rubber a few minutes after 8am.

2022 Morganzo riders starting up the gravel

Temperatures were quite mild, traffic was low, and riders fell into the typical groups of fast-paced, relaxed pace, and party pace. A highlight for Sam was coming out of Bremer Creek road (unfortunately with no sight of the legendary Snake Bear) and finding a vehicle with what appeared to be spectators piled up outside!

The Morgan Family

One of the Morgan families from whom the race takes part of it’s name had found out about the ride through a friend and they loaded up the truck to come wave hello. Sam took a few minutes to thank them for their efforts in keeping the landscape so beautiful and for letting us throw a little dust around on a Saturday morning every year.

Still tons of epic gravel out in the shadow of the Bridgers

Gallatin County continues to grow and 2022 was the first year a not insignificant portion of the Morganzo route has been paved. Riders who enjoy these roads year round noticed work being done on Reese Creek Road and soon thereafter it had a layer of pavement applied to it. It’s a very rough pavement and to be perfectly honest it’s actually not a bad way to come into the final five or so mile stretch at race end rather than the loose, washboard hell that was there previously!

Thanks to everyone who enjoys the Morganzo 55 Double Nickels on the Grime. Here’s to a wonderful 2022 Winter and all the enjoyment it provides. See you in 2023 – – hopefully at the corner of Dry Creek and Thiesen roads sometime in late August.

Sincerely,

Sam H.