Braving stinging ice pellets and freezing rain, 86 cyclists took to Carver Lake Park on Sunday for the second annual Cold Catfish Cup winter bike race.

Spirits remained high despite a steady downfall of sleet that began just as racers grouped at the starting line.

As the race progressed, a crowd of at least two dozen spectators and volunteers endured rapidly changing weather to cheer on bikers as they passed. 

Racers came prepared with a variety of winter apparel and gear, including specially designed “fat bikes” with oversized tires for better control on the occasionally treacherous trail.

       Related: ‘Fat Bike’ Riders to Descend on Woodbury

Woodbury Recreation Specialist Reed Smidt, who helped organize the race with Angry Catfish Bicycle and Coffee Bar, said he was pleased with the turnout for the event.

The race was divided into two sections: a two-lap intermediate course of 10 miles, and a three-lap advanced course of 15 miles. Each lap took around 30 minutes for top finishers.

Starting a few minutes after the bicyclists was a third section of eight unicyclists, featuring members of the Twin Cities Unicycle Club.

Race results can be found on the event’s Facebook page. 

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