The Drivers Club had their most successful Fat Tire Fest yet as six racers were lucky enough to have their names chosen to compete in the 25th annual Cheq 40 Fat Tire Fest.  The lottery style application process draws mountain bike racers from around the globe to compete in one of the largest mass start races.  Every year over 1000 riders are turned away as the race is capped at 2500 riders.

Jim Strouf, Dave Riley, Chris Hannes, and Brian Rummelhart  returned to the event and Dan Allemand and Justin Nale were first time racers.

In the Short and Fat 16 mile race Dan Allemand had another strong performance finishing 508th out of 825 racers in his first trip to Hayward.  His time was 1:31.32.

In the Cheq 40 41 mile race all returning racers had personal best times.  Dave Riley finished 745th out of 1766 with a time of 3:05.43.  Jim Strouf came in 553rd in 2:55.16, despite breaking a chain.  DC Rookie Justin Nale finished 481st also breaking three hours with a time of 2:52.12.

The DC tandem team of Brian Rummelhart and Chris Hannes used a strong final five miles to finish on the podium taking 2nd place for the tandem class and 171st overall with a time of 2:34.01.

Strouf 1 mile from the finish

Riley on the Birkie Trail

Rumme and Chris in the winners circle

Gary Fisher

Overall winner and National Single Speed Champion Jesse LaLonde

Dan almost winning the clunker toss
 

Tandem Podium

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