On Saturday, January 14, 2017, we held the first event of our two-event MLK Jr. weekend series, which has been increasingly popular over the years, especially attracting out of state riders who come for the sunshine and easy riding. This weekend did not disappoint. Sixty-one riders attended the 200K. The route was the last day of the Cracker Swamp 1200K and is named after Big Daddy Don Garlits’ famous dragsters, as the route goes right past his museum in Ocala. A big group of riders got a special treat on this event, as they ran into Big Daddy himself at a stoplight and proceeded to serenade him with a randonneuring rendition of Happy Birthday at the invitation of the woman driving the car he was in (a pretty sweet Dodge Charger, I hear). I’ve heard of a lot of weird stuff on brevets, but this has got to be hear the top of the list. All 61 riders finished. Great job by all.