2004 Cruise The Blues Wrap-Up Message
"112 mountain bikers rose to the fun and the challenge of our first Cruise The Blues 6 hour ride and race. Bikers ranged from 48 highly competitive endurance champions racing for glory and $2,400 in prize money to 64 families and friends out for a fun Saturday joyride.
The mix of riders and racers made for a unique, family-oriented weekend in the Blue Hills of North Central Kansas. Non-competitive “Joy” riders tested their skills on the twisty, 7 mile timber portion of the course. Some continued the Joy loop for the entire six hours, while others rode several laps, then retired to the pit / log in area and cheered for their favorite Glory riders, who were gutting it out over 14 miles of single track bliss. An unusually cool August afternoon was a welcomed surprise as the Glory guys and gals climbed and weaved across the open rangeland.
The last of the Glory riders finished up around 8pm, then everyone refueled with a country pork barbeque dinner. And they needed that fuel, because once the sun went down and the awards were handed out, one of Arkansas’ finest blues bands, The TableRockers, kicked off three blistering sets that had the dancers on their feet until the wee hours.
Proof that the event was a smashing success could be found in the number one topic of conversation around the camping area - Next year! Everyone had a great time, and the few scrapes and sprains only made for great campsite tales of overcoming adversity. Thanks to everyone who came out to the Palen farm to ride and to share friendships and some good-natured competition."
- Greg Horstmeier
