What a year for the Morganzo. The weather was beautiful, the roads were in utterly amazing shape, a crowd of 60 people turned out, the sun rose over the Bridgers in as fine a fashion as I’ve ever seen. People were excited, people were nervous, people were cold (the thermometer read in the high 30s prior to the start). A group photo was taken and the rules that there are no rules other than those set by yourself out on the course were laid out and the gathered group started off a few minutes after eight a.m.
Bodies warmed up as we climbed Thiesen, then cooled again as we descended Reynolds Creek. The various groups of riders spread out across the course with two riders headed out fast and hot way off at the front. That group was going quick and were intent that their day’s goal was about speed. All was going well into the high speed descent down Dry Creek Rd as they approached the hairpin to Bremer when Mike U. and John R. came around a bend directly into a herd of cattle making their way across the road. Mike and his bicycle, moving at high speed glanced off a cow and ended up down a steep embankment off the side of the road. John R. acted quickly, checking on him, seeing the kind of pain he was in, and made the judgement call to ride back uphill to a spot with cell reception to phone an ambulance. Soon after, Will D. who was riding a fast pace himself came across John and abandoned his pace to set about assisting Mike. Will spends his weekdays as a medical professional and his assistance was hugely appreciated.
John alerted other riders to the presence of the cows as they rode on past and most riders didn’t know there had been an incident as it appeared the bikes at the side of the road were someone off in the woods taking care of business. Hannah C., another medical professional also came to aid of Mike and her assistance along with Will’s were both very appreciated by Mike.
Hi. Today was my first Morganzo Dbl Nickles. I was using it as final prep for Nationals in 2wks. As many know, I slammed a cow going pretty fast while riding with John R. I was pretty out of it and in quite a bit of pain. Will D. stopped and was so helpful. John rode back and forth at least a couple of times to the top of the hill to get cell coverage. So many others stopped and pitched in also. I was pretty scared for a while and I’m sure scared a lot of folks with me. I’m so sorry for that and for ruining the day for so many. But my gratitude extends beyond words. Somehow it seems i got out of it without broken bones but I have a pretty severe concussion and unstable neck ligaments that will require a brace for an undetermined amount of time at this point. In what was one of the worst moments of my life, so many were there for me. Saying “thank you” seems inadequate. Yet that’s what I have. I’ll do my best to pay it forward and I will be back. Sincerely Mike
In the fourteen years that people have been gathering to ride the Morganzo together there have been very few incidents that have arisen. This is due in no small part by the fact that people show up prepared. However, when 50+ people do a thing each and every year, statistically someone will eventually have something happen to them. Especially when that thing involves riding your bike really fast.
I’m bummed that Mike had a big race planned soon and this crash will preclude him participating in that goal. But I’m sure thankful that he has an amazing attitude about such rotten luck and I’m extra thankful for the other participants out there who were able to spot the trouble and throw in an assist for a fellow human out there riding bikes the same as they were.
Thanks to each and every one of you who showed up out there this year. It’s a labor of love to put the pieces together to allow us to gather and ride whether slow or fast, for sport, recreation, or simply the joy of it all. I bid adieu to 2025 and will start thinking about 2026 and the Morganzo’s 15th anniversary.
Director Sportif,
Sam H.
