On August 13th, 2022 I left Madison en route to Cumming, IA for the Tour of Central Iowa, specifically the Mann Powered 380 Mile multi-surface race. To date, this would be my largest finish yet. I was super pumped and also a bit nervous! My goal for the event was to simply finish. If I did better than that it would be bonus points.
About a week before the race started I began to feel ill. My wife Emily had already tested positive for COVID and I knew what the signs and symptoms were from having it once already. The first time I had COVID it kicked me for about a week. I was hoping this time would be different. Thankfully about 4 days after testing positive I was able to get back on the bike and see how my body reacted. That first time on the bike my heart rate was still obviously elevated. I continued to still work out but monitored my efforts closely. Three days before the event I was able to push myself like I did pre-COVID and knew I was a green light for race day.
I am very fortunate to have a friend, Daniel Wood, who lives about 7 minutes from the race start. The original plan was to have Emily, me, and another friend Al Christensen stay at Daniel's house. Unfortunately, Emily and Al were still testing positive for COVID and it was only me making the trip. I joked with Daniel that meant more food for me! Side note, both Emily and Al have also made a fantastic recovery.
The night of arrival I prepped my bike and enjoyed some wonderful pasta. 380 miles were on tap and I had to pack much more than I was used to. Three lights, a headlamp, spare batteries, spare CO2 cartridges for flats, tubes, rain jacket, battery backup to charge my Garmin, two taillights, chain links, chain lube, multitool, clear sunglasses lenses, and enough Embark Maple to stock the Pancake House. Remember MATHEWWEMBARKS22 at checkout for 10% off. I'm sure I had more stuffed into my frame bag, Seatpost bag, and Camelbak. One last thing that I packed was a spare SRAM Battery for my rear derailer. This will come into play later.
I woke up the morning of race day, that Saturday, at 4:15 AM. I had already prepped everything so my only goal was to shower and eat a hearty bowl of Oatmeal for breakfast. Daniel woke up with me, helped me get my food ready, and get out the door at approximately 5:00 AM. Race start was at 6:00 AM and I always like to get there plenty early to get my tracker turned on, bike unloaded, and final checks completed. For this race I would be running 42mm Cannonball Teravails on a Reserve 32mm wheelset, my Red Shift aero bars, a Revelate Frame Bag, an Apidura Racing Saddle Bag, SRAM Force AXS 1 with power meter 40t front chainring, and SRAM Force XPLR 12s XG1271, 10-44 cassette. For those wondering, I run Muc Off Sealent with around 35 psi in the tubeless tires. For navigation, I had my Garmin 1030 Plus with the route pre-loaded.
The morning was uneventful with no surprises. Only one minor change to the route, to circumnavigate an angry farm dog, which appeared to be very simple on my end. At approximately 6:00 AM 12 of the 13 registered participants put their wheels and hearts on the start line ready to take off. Race Director Sarah Cooper and a handful of other wonderful volunteers sent us off. Three-hundred and eighty miles.
There were two race categories for the 380 miles. Supported and Un-Supported. I really enjoy the un-supported aspect of racing. Just my bike, me, and the world around me. Early out in front was Heather Poskevich. She was racing supported and pulled out all the stops including bike changes. In 2021 I attempted Race Across the West. I ended up pulling out due to the 120-degree heat and undiagnosed heat exhaustion. Heather finished 2nd overall. That tells you the level of competition Heather and her crew are. GOALS! Pulling up alongside me was another fierce competitor John Whipple. John and I shared a brief moment of conversation where I found out he was also a U.S Marine. I pointed out Heather to him stating, "There is your rabbit!" John took off with me thinking he was also supported. It would be the last I would see of the pair. They would trade the lead back and forth multiple times that first day with Heather taking the overall win.
That morning we were blessed with a vast amount of cloud cover. What we weren't blessed with were headwinds (peak of 17 mph) that were predicted to literally follow us around the course the entire day. They would not become tailwinds until nightfall, which at that point they would dip to 3 mph. The first 40-50 miles were very uneventful. I was riding alone in 3rd place overall at this point racing my race. I had taken the route change without any issues and was approaching my first water stop at around mile 50 at a town called Macksburg. The stop was in Macksburg city hall. The town's population is a whopping 97. I was sure to change the sign when I arrived to 98, and back to 97 appropriately when I left. Mother nature was also calling so Macksburg provided much relief in terms of mental, spiritual, and physical boosts. It did take me longer than expected so leaving Macksburg I was sitting around 5th place. I reminded myself that we were 50 miles into a 380-mile race and that A LOT could happen.
Continuing forward we still had a headwind, we still had cloud cover, and a light sprinkle began to fall. The temperatures were supposed to hit a high of 96 and so I accepted the rainfall with open arms. Cue Africa by Toto. I began to pass a couple of other competitors as I progressed forward to my second checkpoint at mile 77. I had a brief break from the headwinds as I moved north toward a Casey's General Store. I parked my steed out front and grabbed a gallon of water, a Lunchable, and a couple of packets of salted peanuts. While in line a gentleman, I believe his name was Calvin, asked me if I was in the military. He had seen my Semper Fi & America's Fund logo on my jersey. I explained that I was raising money for the Fund. He explained that he made urns for families of veterans. A wonderful conversation we had! He then offered to pay for my goodies. So if anyone reads this from that area, and knows Calvin (I hope that's his name), give him a big thank you again from me!
I continued pushing forward as the wind increased and became a brutal headwind again. My next stop wasn't until mile 127 in Anita at another Casey's General Store. As I rode I found Seth Hockaday receiving some support from his crew. I passed by waving asking," who put this hill here?" Near mile 110 it was starting to get really hot. I knew I wasn't going to make it until mile 127 to refill water so I needed to find a nice farmhouse to let me use their garden hose. I came across a farmer named James who was just about to leave in his tractor. I waved at him and approached. I asked if I could use his garden spicket quick for some water. He stated, "You don't want to drink that. That water is skull and bones!" He then got back down off his tractor and retrieved a gallon of cold water from his house. Like it had my name on it and he was just waiting to give it to me. I thanked him heavily. He then said, "Listen I hope you don't mind but I am very behind schedule. Do you mind if I leave you here?" Not a problem I stated and James took off. I was now on this man's porch filling bottles and dumping water on my head. Remember in a time and world of negativity, the silent majority of Amazing Americans still exist. As I was doing this Seth rode by. It was time to get moving again.
I caught up to Seth. I asked how he was doing. He said, "Honestly not good. I can't keep my heart rate down." I told him that I was in the same boat. My engine had been running hot. Usually, I keep my heart rate in the low 140s to sustain ultra-endurance races. It was running in the upper 150s almost 160. I didn't know if it was COVID symptoms or if it was just the heat. I narrowed it down to the heat, which had reached its peak of 96 degrees. Seth and I rode together for a bit until I slowly pulled away on the relentless Iowa Hills.
I made it to the Casey's at mile 127 and refilled. I also purchased a Body Armour drink and a slice of pizza. I wanted to get some solid food in me and pizza sits very well with me. Sarah Cooper was there looking over her flock as we continued to roll in. She stated that John had laid down on some bags of ice to cool off. That sounded like heaven. I opted for my normal 1/4 gallon of water over the head. After a refreshing stop I was off again. As I climbed out of town there was a 16-year-old young lady riding a moped about to pass me in the opposite direction. I looked up, and she looked at me. Without any facial expression, she raised her hand and gave me the bird. WITH HER THUMB OUT. That is Sass!! I literally laughed out loud as she continued past me. It was absolutely entertaining and the humor I enjoy. I still don't know if I did anything wrong.
I pressed forward to mile 147 where I again stopped and refueled. I again had to use the restroom facilities which was a little soon for me. At Garmin Gravel Worlds a week later I would find out that it was the caffeine in the Embark Coffee syrup that gets to me. I also took the time to lube my chain up which had started making noise. As I was doing this two riders passed me. I got a little flustered wanting to get going and left in a rush. I thought I had everything. I ended up leaving a full Body Armour drink sitting on the curb. Whoops... I caught up to both riders and rode a bit with Damian Wallner. Damian and I enjoyed many laughs! He stopped at mile 156 to get items from his drop bag support and I continued forward reaching mile 183 and my drop bag support. Sarah and some other volunteers were there to lend a hand. I predicted to arrive at this checkpoint just before dark. The sun was just setting and I had made a perfect prediction. I took the time to change into a fresh kit, reapply chamois cream, change out my tinted lenses for clear, and get my lights situated. I was preparing for a full night in the saddle. I also resupplied from my drop bag making sure I had plenty of food in case a gas station wasn't open for some reason. I then departed into the night alone with nothing but a blinky rear light, a front-mounted light, and a headlamp for emergencies.
Just a few miles after my stop I encountered one of my biggest fears riding at night. As I was coming around a corner nice and slow I saw two bigger German Sheppered dogs standing in the middle of the road looking at me, growling. Normally I can out-sprint farm dogs. But these dogs had the upper hand on me and were already blocking the road. And at this point, I was close to 200 miles in. I used my front light to blind them, found a path, and gave it a full send. I was able to confuse them enough to get past them at a decent speed. It didn't deter them from giving chase, but I now had the upper hand. For a good 300 ft. they were right on my heels. Finally, after building enough speed they gave up. Woof... Nothing like a mid-ultra sprint! I had one other moment with a dog during the night. I was walking my bike to stretch out my legs when I heard a dog bark. I immediately got back on my bike and attempted to speed up. A black lab came shooting out from a garage and started to give chase. I turned around and yelled, "GO HOME!" The poor guy stopped dead in his tracks and ran home with his tail between his legs. That line has never worked so well.
Honestly, the rest of the night went flawless! No problems navigating, no cramps, no sleep deprivation, no mechanicals. A full moon provided great ambient light and listening to the Iowa Wind Farms at night was incredible. The only issue was severe chafing on my underside, and shivering at the gas station stops. It's amazing how a person can go from overheating to shivering in one day. I continued riding knowing that when the sun came up I would have new life. Pardon me while I get a bit emotional. The sun literally breathes life. To ride through the entire night you witness the power of the sun and what it can do. Once it cracked the horizon I literally felt as though I slept the entire night. Amazing, and we should never take a sunrise for granted.
Around mile 300 my SRAM rear derailer battery died. I thanked the heavens that Berry Fast Bicycles had ordered me a spare just for this reason. A quick 7-second swap and I was back on my way until I received a call from Sarah."There is an active shooter in the next town (Winterset) I am picking you up to re-route you." Mind you I have been awake for almost 26 hours at this point. "Umm, what? Where am I?" I think I said. I had been following a line this entire time with a vague understanding of where I was in the world. Sarah repeated the bridge I was to meet her at. I looked down and my GPS showed that the bridge was right around the corner. Ok perfect I stated, asking no more questions than I needed. It was time for extraction! Sarah met me and explained the situation. She would take me roughly 5 miles forward and past the police standoff, which was at a church next to the gas station I was to use. We later found out that it was a double homicide suspect they had pinned down in a church. Nobody was hurt, but I'm sure it was nerve-racking for Sarah knowing we were riding into a storm. At the gas station, I joked with Sarah, stating that I would have been fine because I was armed. She looked at me, and I drew my Dole Banana out like a gun pointing it at her. We shared a good laugh. Daniel also surprised me by meeting us at the gas station. HUGE morale boost.
After the excitement, it was time to continue forward. I had made it to mile 319 and still had close to 60 miles left. Mentally and physically I was doing alright. Besides the chafing physically I could have gone a lot further. It was just so uncomfortable to sit on the seat I found myself standing A LOT. Mentally I had a few emotional moments when a text from a friend or Emily would roll through my Garmin. It reminded me just how lucky I am to have such an amazing support system. As I approached mile 350 ish I found Cory Rood with his support crew. He was taking a much-needed break. Cory had been in front of me from mile 50 and looked solid! Apparently, he needed a moment, and I'm not gonna lie his air-conditioned van looked appealing. I would later find out that passing Cory put me in 3rd overall and 2nd in men's. I pushed forward hitting the last checkpoint at mile 363 which I decided to skip. I was on the homestretch with a beautiful 14 mph wind at my face. I was averaging roughly 12 mph at this point. It is VERY frustrating knowing you only have 17 miles left yet it will take you over an hr. to finish. I pushed that thought aside and came rolling across the finish line with Daniel, John & Bridgette Berry, and countless other volunteers waiting for me. I gave a bike throw just to confirm my 3rd Overall Finish.
It was over. A bit short of 380 miles due to the reroute. I was on cloud 9. My finishing time was 32 hrs. 5 min. with an average speed of 11.84 Mph. I had burned over 17,000 calories and climbed over 25,000 ft of elevation. The hills were absolutely relentless. I secured a 3rd Overall finish, 2nd overall men's, and qualified for Race Across America. I was happy.
I received my plaque and a wonderful apple pie cooked by Connie Mann, the late Joe Mann's wife. For those that don't know Joe was a very inspirational ultra-endurance rider who was struck and killed while riding his bike. While I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Joe, you could tell what type of man he was by everyone's memories of him. It was an honor to finish a race named after him and meet Connie. Out of the twelve that started six finished.
I loaded up the bike and made my way back to Daniel's. There his family shared with me a wonderful meal of salmon, chicken breast, and rice. After a shower and a short conversation, I was out like a light. Twelve hrs. of sleep later I left making my way home in a downpour of rain, thanking the lord it wasn't race day. The Tour of Central Iowa was a huge boost mentally. In a short 5 days I would be at Garmin Gravel Worlds racing against 138 absolute champions in a 300-mile race. It was time to focus on rest and recovery. That race went well as well, and I will cover it in next week's blog post. Until then, cheers and ride on!
Special shoutout to the race organizers, Daniel and your family for your support, and of course the sponsors back home. Berry Fast Bicycles, Taste & See, EXIT Realty Adam Foland and his team, Madison Family Dental, Sunshine Foods of Madison, and Stemper Autobody. Embark Maple has been a huge game changer for me and I appreciate their support as well!
Without them none of this is possible. We are still raising money for the Semper Fi & America's Fund! Thank you all for your support!
Mathew Wollmann
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