Stage 4: Easter Eggstravaganza

A bright and sunny Easter Sunday attracted just a handful of participants for the final stage of the 2008 Gravel Rouser Classic: the Easter Eggstravaganza. While the overall Gravel Rouser event saw an increase in attendance this year, it was clear on Sunday that family gatherings were taking precedence over bike racing.

Those who did attend, though, enjoyed some wonderful Easter treats. In the wee hours of the morning the Easter bunny (who came to the race!) had hidden eggs in the woods at Strouds Run State Park. So when the race started, people headed into the woods and were greeted with colorful eggs hiding in the nooks and crannies of trees, leaves and rocks.

This Easter egg hunt/race combo was a sight to see. It's counterintuitive to see a racer jump off his bike, throw it down, and run in the opposite direction of the race in order to nab a plastic egg before some other person gets it. Some folks chose only to attend for the Easter egg hunting, but 9 hardy riders were in for even more of a treat. Before entering the woods, the Eggstra Special Joey Boyle passed out handlebar cards that featured a mini laminated map and cue sheet. After grabbing a few eggs and exiting the first trail section, we were off for a super-tough gravel road course that featured crippling climbs. In the middle of the course was an oasis of singletrack. We beat it around the roads, through the woods, up some more gravel hills and back to the beach for some snacks and podium awards.

Scroll down for results and photos. Thanks to Tom Chambers and Kate Erlewine for the photos.

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