The BIG 2007 Champ = JEFF ADAMCIK

Jeff Adamcik was apparently undaunted. He came down from Michigan to race on a furnace-hot day, but apparently he was undaunted; the humidity was so thick it was like breathing through a wet washcloth, but apparently he was undaunted; the race started at high noon, but apparently he was undaunted; and apparently the fact that three former Internat'l Clydesdales champs were in the competition also failed to daunt him. For he flew around the five-mile course. It's rumored that one Firstimer racer (who managed to eke out one lap) claims Jeff lapped him THREE times.

How fast was Jeff? The Clydesdales raced three 5-mile laps. The Sports racers did the same, only it was in the relatively cool morning temps instead of the 100-degree afternoon. Jeff's time was more than 5 minutes faster than the overall winner of the Sports (who probably did not weigh 202 pounds). Jeff finished almost 16 minutes ahead of the second-place Clydesdale.

Jeff is from Midland, Michigan. For nine years he has been at Bullock Creek Middle school where he teaches emotionally impaired students. Jeff and his wife coach Special Olympics cycling.

In addition to being the reigning International Clydesdale Champion, Jeff twice won the Expert Clydesdale competition at the Ice Man; is a 3-time winner of the Superior Fest in the Mountain Bike Crit and Mountain Bike road race; and was the Overall Expert winner at the Boyne Marathon this year. For seven years, Jeff has been sponsored by Bicycle Hq of Midland.

And in his "spare time," Jeff puts on some races in Michigan: Seven hours of city forest, and The 30 miles of Pain Haven. Jeff generously offers free entry to any Clydesdales who race Bike Butler. For more information about Jeff's races, go to http://michiganmasher.googlepages.com

HISTORY OF THE EVENT:

DIRT RAG (mega)ZINE is considered to be the grandfather of mountain biking magazines. It started as a mom-pop operation in the 1980s, but has since become popular in many countries. However, it still enjoys the homecooked flavor of a publication written, edited and published by folks who love to ride and race. Maurice Tierney is the publisher. Like many large men who compete in MTB races, Maurice's weight was a handicap. Therefore, he suggested that promoters include a "Clydesdale" race category for riders who tip the scales at 200 lb. or better. That made sense to the Butler folks, and after a couple of years it became apparent that many kingsize racers really appreciated having their own category. But it was a category that the "sanctioning" associations did not recognize, so Butler cried discrimination and established its own championship event. The annual International Clydesdale Championship is the centerpiece of Butler's most popular annual festival, Mud, Sweat & Gears! The championship is for mountain bikers who weigh at least 200 pounds. It began in 1994 and was won by the founding father, Maurice.

Champions of the past