Midwest MTB Racing Report
Another Chequamegon is in the books. For many, it isn't who crosses the finish line first but just finishing. Summed up in similar words by Denny Barry: "to all of you that ride and race... we may never finish first like Brian Matter did, but what really matters is that we put our name on the registration application for next year, because we know how hard it is to get from Hayward to that sandy slope in the background and get to the finish line and you do it anyway.." This weeks report includes a special first hand report from Brian Eppen of the unstoppable Eppen tandem team and a couple other reports and highlights from the big race. Also, a look ahead to the final race in the Minnesota series which includes the second Minnesota High School Cycling League race.
Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival
Conditions reported as good as it gets as riders rolled out of Hayward under crisp conditions for the 31st annual fat tire festival. Ben Olson, first time 40 rider was seeded in the last wave and reports on the challenged and exhilaration from moving from the back to pass nearly a 1000 riders! Ben's report:
Being in the last gate was tough and fun at the same time. Lots of people to pass… Started on the outside and must have passed 1,000 people by mile 10. Continued to catch and pass a few until around mile 30 (just after Fire Tower Hill). Then I seemed to be with the group that I would finish with. Did the yo-yo thing with them until the finish. I could tell my endurance was running out a little in the last 5 miles. Wanted to stand up and push through the last hills, but felt the cramps start every time I rose off the seat. Didn’t want that massive cramp from keeping me from reaching the finish so I didn’t attack the last 5 miles like I would have liked.
Never thought I would ride a mountain bike that fast! Clicking away for more gears screaming down the hills, but there were no more gears to be had.
Finished in 2:45:18. I thought that was pretty good for first go and starting where I did. I am guessing the 18 seconds may keep me from bumping up to the next gate.
Very fun race! Can’t wait until next year!
Once again in the mixed tandem race, the husband wife duo of Kim and Brian Eppen rolled the line first, not without mixing things up with their bike choice and other mixed riders. Brian's report:
This year Kim and I thought why not try something new? Chequamegon 40 on a single speed tandem! The thought crossed our mind a week before the race and we took the bike out for a couple rides and decided to give it a go. I figured if we were going to take advantage of our speed on the downhills we had to gear our bike big. Real big. 50-18 was our choice. We got up to Hayward Thursday for a couple days to pre ride and practice dismounting and mounting the tandem at speed. All seemed good.
Race day came and after our usual warmup we were off. We did alright on the road funneling into Rosies Field in the top 100. We had our work cut out ahead of us. Our single gear did not give us the usual advantage on the downhills but had the same disadvantage on the uphills, or even worse not be able to ride them at all. We slowly starting picking off people working into the top 50 by 00. Around mile 25 we caught the leading tandem. We exchanged blows all the way to the finish line each taking advantage of each others weaknesses. Not being able to turn over our massive gear on the firetower climb forced us to run almost the whole thing.
When the dust cleared we were able to take the tandem win, just, and also the first single speed to cross the line! We were a little off our goal of a top 20 overall finishing 36th, but all in all a great day. It was by far the most challenging adventure Kim and I have had in tandem racing, and always a blast riding/racing with other friends on single bikes along the way.
Our bike is a cannondale mountain frame, 26" wheels, rim brakes, tires with tubes at 55psi, fully ridged 50-18 gearing. Old school, but light around 29 lbs.
Other interesting posts about the race:
Mike Hall's run on a dirt bike, running ahead of the lead quads's as son Jeff battled for the overall win.
Kristen's Velaski battle with the mind and the trail.
Tom Held's report, including a neat story on Jeff Austin who fixed two flat tires and four broken chains over the 40 miles - none of them his own – and enjoyed the satisfaction of being an on-course good Samaritan more than being one of only two people to have completed all 31 Fat Tire races.
Exclusive interviews with 40 winners Chloe Woodruff and Brian Matter on Mountain Bike Radio
Looking Ahead
The final race in the Minnesota series wraps up in St Cloud at the fast and fun flowing singletrack known as the Jail Trail. The venue also features the second race in the Minnesota High School League the day before. Mid Min Cycling Club. Kyia Anderson adds a nice touch to the event by hand crafting special awards for the overall winnners! Other highlights include a Salsa frame being raffled, and the unofficial single speed state championships!
The Deer Fly Chase is set for it's third year of racing action at Hickory Ridge Trail. The race will start at 10am on Saturday September 28. It features a mix of gravel roads, ski trails and singletrack. The race will have two race options, 26 miles and 16 miles, plus a tour. Proceeds will go towards maintaining the mountain bike and ski trails.
Deer Fly report from last year
Keep the wheels moving!
 | About the author... Jay Richards maintains a very active lifestyle. He somehow finds time between managing a full-time resort (Maplelag) and bringing up a family of four boys with his wife Jonell, to compete in both mountain bike and a few cross-country ski races. Jay rides for Maplelag Resort, manages the Maplelag/Paramount mountain bike team and enters his 23rd year of racing and promoting mountain bike races. |