Despite a continuous onslaught from a cantankerous South Dakota wind the seventh edition of the Highway 212 Gut Check has been peddled to completion. Actually, if you want to get nitpicky, the 412 miles was peddled to completion by some and peddled to various “I’ve had enough” points by others.

The “Hell and Back” division, 824 miles of peddle power bliss, was won by Jason Harms of Ortonville, MN with a new record of 54 hours and 34 minutes. After riding across the state and back again Jason and his wife hung out at the border and greeted each finisher with cheers, beers, brats, burgers, and friendly hospitality.

The solo division was a battle for the first 16 hours between two riders. Then at three in the morning, after nodding off on his bike several times and fighting thick fog, one rider decided to take a cat nap and was passed in the night as he slumbered.

Forgoing sleep and ignoring bodily discomfort in areas where bodily discomfort generally demands immediate attention, Pete Ellis, of White Bear Lake, MN rolled across the finish line in 25 hours and 20 minutes. Very impressive accomplishment with the wind conditions as they were.

The Mud Butte Merger leapfrog team, consisting of riders Tim Chrest, Jay Stevens, Susan Dixon, myself, and crew Donavon and Joann Ellis, put up a good fight but were not able to ignore bodily discomfort and the relentless taunting of the wind. At mile marker 320 we gave into the temptation of the brats, burgers, and beer waiting at the finish line and called it quits.

Although our team didn’t finish the race we did raise more money for the Crohn’s and Collitis Foundation of America than any other riders or teams. Mud Butte Merger raised $3,350.33 of the $6,306.33 brought in by the event. Jay Stevens was once again the top fund raiser bringing in over $2200.00. It seems that our team was so busy raising money that we didn’t have enough time to train sufficiently for the race. Not an excuse…a reason.

We raised the most money and I would hazard a guess that we had the most fun as well. Laughing with each other, laughing at each other, always laughing. It seems that our team was so busy laughing that we didn’t have time to train sufficiently. Not an excuse…a reason.

I’m always a little nervous the weekend of the Gut Check. Since I’m the knucklehead that puts this event on I feel responsible for each of the participants and am always relieved when the weekend passes without any major incidences. Thankfully everyone stayed safe and other than a few aches and pains had nothing but good things to say about their experience.

Thank you to everyone that contributed to the success of this event in some manner. My mom is trying to put together a 413 member relay team. She plans to be the 413th member poised at the finish line camera in hand. If you’re interested she’s currently reviewing applications.

Gut Check 2014…see you there. www.GutCheck212.com