Nepomuk Narly brings hundreds of cyclists to the gravel roads of northeast North Dakota
Jul. 23—PISEK, N.D. — Despite a rainy morning, the Second Annual Nepomuk Narly started with the bang of a cannon and the ringing of church bells early on Saturday, July 23.
The tiny town of Pisek, North Dakota, population 89, was buzzing with activity as cyclists took to the gravel roads of northeast North Dakota for a series of muddy, messy races.
The event included 16-, 40- and 100-mile competitive races, as well as the Six-Mile Ice Cream Loop, where any participant that finished got a free ice cream cone. Races started and finished in front of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pisek, and nearly $20,000 in prize money and door prizes was awarded. The races were accompanied by a street fair down the road in downtown Pisek, complete with food trucks, lawn games, live music and local vendors.
Between all the events this year, around 170 cyclists raced in the Nepomuk Narly, up from last year's 150.
The first finishers of the men's 40-mile race said the course was messy but fun. Teammates Ryan Sobczak from Minneapolis and Dane McCormick from La Cross, Wisconsin, crossed the finish line together.
"We did not find it easy at all. We worked pretty hard," said Sobczak.
Racers came mostly from the Midwest, like Fargo, Minneapolis, South Dakota and Wisconsin, but some international talent made an appearance. In the mix was Canadian cyclist Adam Roberge, the third-ranked gravel cyclist in the world, according to Gravel Power Rankings. He took first in the 100-Mile Pro Platinum race.
He said he heard about the race when the Rev. Jason Lefor, the organizer of the race, contacted him, and liked the idea of the small race.
"I kind of like those smaller, niche gravel races," he said.
With the added challenge of mud, the course was slower than he expected. Originally, he expected to be on the road for 4 1/2 hours, but it took him closer to 5 1/2 .
"Everyone that is going to be able to finish is a legend," he said.
Lefor, who has loved cycling since childhood and raced competitively before entering seminary, was also competing in the 100-mile race.
Cycling fans and community members alike mingled with cyclists at the finish line, cheering as cyclists crossed.
Victoria and Trac Lewis, along with their four children Tiandra, Tate, Tori and Tessa, came to the event from nearby Park River, North Dakota, to participate in the Ice Cream Loop. It was their first year at the event; they heard about it from a friend who competed last year.
"It's a good family event," said Victoria Lewis.
"And that's what's missing in today's world," said Trac Lewis.
Ice cream for finishers of the Ice Cream Loop was provided by Pisek's J-Mart, which was also one of the race's biggest sponsors. Owner Francis Jelinek said it was exciting to see so many people in Pisek, and expressed his gratitude for community volunteers.
"It would have been nice if it wasn't overcast and rainy, you know, but it's still better than 90 degree weather," he said.
Roberge, who races professionally, said he was impressed by how well organized the race was considering it was only the second year it was held.
"Hopefully, it will get bigger," he said. "I think it has everything to get bigger — amazing community, amazing course."
Results:
Men's 100-Mile Pro Platinum: 1. Adam Roberge, 2. Adam Saban, 3. Kenn Pike.
Women's 100-Mile Pro Platinum: 1. Katherine Sheridan, 2. Bernadine Kostyk.
Men's 40-Mile Race: 1. Dane McCormick, 2. Ryan Sobczak, 3. Jake Vigesaa.
Women's 40-Mile Race: 1. Cathy LaJesse, 2. Lana Meyer, 3. Megan Porter.
