A surprise appearance by Gravel Jesus and Carrie

fixed gear 40x19

The roads of Oklahoma

Riders navigating a soupy course

Carrie

So I got a little note stating there was going to be a rare sighting of my friend Jay, Gravel Jesus, and his wife Carrie in the Midwest. Stillwater is 11 hours from Chicago but that doesn's matter. He was going to be in the midwest and there was a good feeling about that. 
It seems like he moved away to California decades ago. But in reality it has only been a few years. Jay was my riding partners and a member of the Slender Fungus. We shared many a miles together in all kinds of conditions. 
Jay was never afraid of the weather, the rain, the mud, the cold. I don't ever remember riding with him when it wasn't shitty outside. 
He flew in to Stillwater and met up with his friends from District Cycles. Also friends of the Great Divide, which he also completed on a Single Speed Salsa El Mariachi. Jay and Carrie's bikes were mailed to Ok but never made it in time. Fortunately two bikes were sorted out and they were able to ride. 
As it seems The MidSouth will be the only big gravel race this spring. 
Jay and Carrie finished their rides, cleaned up, flew back and are settling into you know What. It was good to have them in the midwest. It brought me some comfort, something familiar, something good. I hope to see those two closer and for longer. 
Now back to washing my hands,
Ari