Archives: FOLLYCROSS 2014

This weekend killed all other weekends! So much fun having everyone out racing these gravel grinding endurance races!

Last year I hosted this race the weekend before the BAMACROSS series took off. Everyone had a blast and loved stretching their legs over the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge 12 mile loop for 3 laps. I wanted to host it again this year and as I was planning, continually exploring my area for farm lands/refuge sections that are acceptable to race, I came across a second location that was perfect to add on as a second race day.

The new race route was pretty secluded and GPS/Phone service was not present. I’m thankful for all that stuck it out and fought through the poor directions to race Saturdays race. Next year I will make it much less challenging to locate.

With that said, everyone was amped to go dominate new gravel roads! I don’t think anyone at that point had ridden this area. I know very few locally that even knew of the spot we were at… and that was the point. Bring folks out to race the unridden! BAMLast year I hosted one race. This year two. “Consistent x Progressive” is a motto that Kyle and I live by with this thing we call FOLLY. I have no background in race directing and maybe that’s why this was so much fun. There was no pressure or guidelines for the race other than, go out, kill it! and win cool stuff from our very rad sponsors!!  I think we ended up raffling off 10 bad ass prizes and that’s after everyone’s podium prizes!

Below are the race results for both days. The images in this recap are some of my favorite from the 55 film shots that made the cut. Go to FOLLY x FILM and check out the rest (DAY ONE, DAY TWO)!

Race results are as follows:

Saturday October 11th Race

Men’s:

1. Chris Edmunds
2. Chad Hubbard
3. Terry Jacks

Last night I got the FOLLY x BRYANT FaTRoB #getradmachine completed with the help of Blevins Bicycle Co. As soon as it was finished I darted out the door headed for anything off the road. I smashed through a construction site, rode the grass, and had the biggest smile on my face the entire time! I’VE BEEN OFF TWO WHEELS FOR 2 MONTHS!!! It was an explosion of pent up energy transferring through my legs into this snappy cross, road, rando! It was glorious!!

I ride for a few hours, taking snaps as I go, just thinking of how the next morning was going to play out. Do I wake up at the butt crack of dawn and hit up the FOLLYCROSS race routes or do I wait till the sun sets and enjoy that… WHY NOT BOTH?! I get up at 5 a.m., make coffee, eat a small breakfast, and head out to the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge where FOLLYCROSS 2014 will be held.

The humidity here in Alabama is through the roof and this morning was no exemption. It’s my first legit ride back. I take my Yashica FX-3 Super along for the journey to photo document smashing gravel on this beautiful black beauty. The fog was everywhere, peacful and quite, I take a few shots before I get out to Wheeler. As I’m peddling through the woods I see streaking light that would be a solid shot! What I didn’t focus on was that every shot doesn’t necessarily needed f/1:2. I was too excited to pay attention to what my aperture was set at and that’s ok. Things got a little tight. Lessons learned for next go around… PLUS my lens and view finder were fogged most of the time. This fall I’ll have a lot more experience and it won’t be magma hot/humid.

The photos below were taken this morning, processed locally, and now up for your viewing pleasure. It shows the pre, during, and post ride.

I hope you enjoyed!

Did you know that the FOLLY x BRYANT FaTRoB is available for pre-order? Check this out for more details.

 

Are you ready?

FOLLYCROSS is right around the corner. Be prepared! More details next week.