Tag: gravel

2023 was a nice, mostly smoke-free year for the Morganzo. Thirty-three riders lined up for cool morning start to the 12th annual Morganzo. I think there may even have been a couple more that headed out earlier. There were some racers present and a small pack broke away pretty quickly with the usual groups interspersing out along the route with some folks going fast and some following up at a party-pace.

The Morganzo is a self-supported ride with participants responsible for their own well being, food, water, and tools. This means there are no aid stations on course. But in 2023 there was a rider who had injured themselves earlier in the season and wasn’t riding who took it upon themselves to set up a mid-ride “Fun Station” at the corner of Dry Creek and Bremer Creek roads. what a treat that was to round the corner and find!

Fortunately the legendary Snake Bear that lives on Bremer Creek Road has a fun spirit and didn’t attack any of the riders making use of the tasty treats being handed out at the Fun Station.

Riders came in hot to the end and spread out with their arrival for a goodly amount of time. Everyone the race director saw come through had a smile on their face – albeit a dirty one. Gravel isn’t for people who like clean white gloves and prefer their smiles earned.

To the riders of the 2023 Morganzo 55: Double Nickels on the Grime I say, “thank you”.

Sam H., Directeur Sportif and Chief Instigator of the Morganzo 55.

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.

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!

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.

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.

The year 2016 was a great one for the Morganzo 55 riders.  Temperatures were Photo by Diane Tremblay

Although this isn’t technically a race, a crew of folks headed out of the gate at a hot pace and held it up for the entirety.  Other groups scattered behind at more leisurely paces.  The entire crew made it around to the Finish in under five hours however and beers, good laughs, and high fives were shared in thanks to the great gods of gravel.

Lookin’ forward to seeing you all next year.