Last year, La Grind participants dealt with hot and windy conditions. This year’s conditions were decidedly different.
A cool weekend and a wet Sunday offered their own tests for the nearly 300 cyclists involved in the two-day stage race, which involved race lengths of 100 or 65 miles Saturday and 65 or 50 miles Sunday, along with options of challenge or fun rides. Emporian Ryan Balkenhol says this helps him get ready for Unbound Gravel in less than a month.
While the conditions were challenging, especially south of Emporia on Sunday, the objective was to raise money for Handlebars of Hope. Organizer Lacie Hayden:
Handlebars of Hope raises funds to have bikes available for people in need, both in Emporia and in Mexico. Prior race organizer Matt Brown and his family have moved to Mexico to meet the need there, while the Hayden family has taken over the local mission.
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Photos by Chuck Samples/KVOE News