Midwest MTB Racing Report
No lack of mountain bike racing in Wisconsin this past weekend. Racers hit up the Cable Area Off Road Classic in Hayward lakes area, the Wisconsin Off Road Series had their second race in Rhinelander area and the Minnesota series kicked off in St Croix Falls. This weeks report includes recap from all three events, mountain bike items to note and upcoming events for the weekend.
Cable Area Off Road Classic
Due to the late spring and soft condition of the trails, the US Forest Service advised organizers of the CAORC to not use the single track course for this years Cable Area Off Road Classic despite reports from local riders riding on the CAMBA singletrack over the weekend. Instead, the event was deemed a "Gravel Grind" Long race winner Chad Sova provides a report where finishing times were under one hour including female winner Sara Kylander-Johnson who cracked the top 10 among all racers:
The Cable Area Off-Road Classic is a true classic and signals the start of northwood's racing. It was back in the late nineties that I first rolled to the start line near Lake Namakagon. Historically, it makes the race calendar frequently and fosters a healthy dose of fat-tire nostalgia.
As in the past, cheerful volunteers and the signs of spring warmly greeted the anxious racers. Unfortunately, due to the late spring and wet conditions, the race was shortened and appropriately named the "Gravel Grinder," as its path traversed the gravel roads and fire lanes of the greater Cable area.
After a smooth rollout, the pace quickened as riders jockeyed for position on the opening climbs. I kept myself near the front, as the goal for this CAORC was to stay out of the trees. Following some hard climbing we had a small group of riders working the front and a decent sized group in tow.
At around mile 7 Scott Kylander-Johnson put in a solid climb to pull five riders free, including those riders doing the lion's share at the front. Ryan Fitzgerald, Aaron Swanson, Nikolai Anikin and I made the cut. The following miles our group worked together. It would be remiss not to mention Aaron's "Spartan-like" pulls as the gravel miles ticked on.
Near mile 12 I felt the lactic sear as Aaron had me pinned in the red. At one point I thought I was cooked, but somehow managed to eek out a couple extra efforts to stay in contact. I was on damage control for several miles, passing on pulls and recovering for whatever efforts were needed in the closing miles. Aaron, Scott and Ryan continued to push the pace.
In the closing miles the speed slowed. Nikolai rejoined our group as we questioned the remaining number of miles and the exact location of the finish line. No one knew; if they did, they were wisely not sharing.
Suddenly, and seemingly out of nowhere, Aaron jumped hard out of a corner and into the next. He was quickly marked, but I could sense he was anxious and strong. Unknowingly, I made the turn onto the final stretch of pavement. I glanced down at my computer and then lifted my head. Fortunately, the flash of orange traffic cones caught my attention through the trees. We were a hundred yards from the finish. Aaron took a quick glance back to assess the group. I jumped hard from fourth wheel. It was gangbusters up the slightly paved incline. 10 yards from the line I could sense SKJ on my left and gave one last push to cross the line a half-wheel ahead, exactly 0.1 of a second. (Photo: Chad Sova)
Woolly Mammoth Classic
The Minnesota series kicked off in St Croix Falls, WI. New singletrack was added to this years course and perfect weather made for a great day to be in the saddle. Matt Johnson, long time mountain bike racer, promoter and volunteer, provides a recap:
This past Sunday my family and I made the trek to the St. Croix Valley Woolly mountain bike race, race number one in the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series. We had all been looking forward to this race for months. We have attended multiple Woolly events and we knew from experience that their club would be pouring their love of mountain biking into this event as usual.
When we arrived we quickly connected with our mountain biking friends, many whom we had not seen since last season. I chatted with Brendan Moore who was sporting some new Wolf Tooth Components clothing. Brendan is part owner and will be racing in the company's black and white colors this season. He arrived early to line up for the new Marathon class, which Wolf Tooth also sponsors. He would later complete his first 4 of 7 laps at a pace even faster than he did in last year's Elite race on his way to this year's Marathon win.
I also spoke with Kyia Anderson on the start line of the Marathon class. Kyia retired from racing professionally a few years back and started a family with her husband Kris. She now works for Podiumwear clothing and as expected was sporting some fashionable colors. On Sunday she said she was taking a quick vacation from home by lining up for a mountain bike race. She went on to win the 5 lap Women's category.
Next, I got my kids numbers zipped and pinned on them. They are both racing in the Citizen Class this year and I expected they would be pushing one another. They got a clean start and were off into the woods. They love the singletrack the Woolly course has to offer. When they came through on lap one Cole was leading by about 20 seconds. Each took a swig of water then were off for lap two. They crossed the finish line within 11 seconds of one another with Jack getting the win over Cole. Both acknowledged that they pushed one another harder than either would have ridden without the competition from a brother.
I lined up for the Sport race with more competitors than I remember seeing at a race in a long time. I started deep in my wave and my plan was to maintain a moderate pace through the first section of tough singletrack climbs and then try to move forward. Racers were nose to tail as expected in the singletrack with most showing patience. The trail was in excellent shape, the dirt had plenty of traction and the trail crew left in just enough of the natural rocks and roots to keep your skills sharp.
Soon enough we hit the passing zone and I moved into the left lane. I was able to move up throughout the first lap and settled in with some strong riders as we started lap two. I was trying to keep an eye out for others in my age group when a rider behind me put in a great attack at the top of the toughest doubletrack climb. He had me on the ropes and by the time I responded he had a good gap. I chased him solo for the remainder of the final lap, catching glimpses of his jersey through the new section of singletrack. I was not able to catch him, I respected his move, which pushed me to my limit. I was happy with my effort for the first race of the season and I am looking forward to race two at Mt. Kato.
The entire Woolly Mountain Bike Club put in a huge effort, working for weeks to make this event successful. There were a number of issues with timing and scoring that were completely out of their control, which the Series Executive Committee is addressing. I know a number of the club members set aside their opportunity to race on Sunday to make sure those who did had a great experience, including both Matt Fisk and Keith Valaski. You may want to give these guys a clean passing line at the next race. (Photos: Matt Johnson)
Crystal Lake Classic
Race #2 in WORS trekked north to the Rhinelander for the Crystal Lake classic. Second place finisher Nathan Guerra provides a recap:
Plan was kinda up in the air 50/50 to just go hard Schurter style or play the flat course tactics. Focus is on a few bigger races in July so I needed to just push myself as hard as possible and with the competition so high it is great to battle and get the best effort out of each race.
When we hit the first climb I felt like I was really moving by everyone and before the race i had kinda thought about just accelerating through that first climb so I went with that, plus I got a slight lead out from David Flaten. I got the hole shot and felt really good gunning it and so I just didn't stop going full board. About 1/2 way thru lap 1 Brian says "pressure is on" as a small gap was forming, so I just kept the pace high and we got out of sight. I missed a feed on the first lap which I paid for later, we worked together well for lap 2. 3rd lap I pulled pretty much the whole time, going into fourth lap my feed got a little messy just when I really needed a wheel and needed the fuel. Brian went hard just then into a head wind and I just could not close it down. I crashed chasing a bit over speed and that was all she wrote for a great 2nd place battle with B-Matter! If you watch the WORS report video a lot of what went down is in there as well.
Three Rivers Mountain Bike Camp
Three Rivers Park District will be holding a mountain bike camp the middle of July at Murhpy and Elm Creek Park Reserves. Learn the basics of single track trail riding. Riders spend the mornings learning the importance of balance, reading trails, proper riding position and technique. Campers must bring their own bikes to camp every day. Helmets are required.
Wisconsin High School Cycling League launched at Frost Bike
NICA High School teams are now forming all over Wisconsin and Northern Illinois with racing to commence this fall in the new Wisconsin High School Cycling League. All parents, teachers and mountain bikers interested in coaching or helping to form teams are encourage to join the Leader's Summit.
Looking Ahead
Rain on Monday delayed another day of drying out in the Cable area but plans are still moving forward for the MT Borah epic. Course runs primarily on the famous CAMBA singletrack and has received solid reviews in its young career. Tom Held provides a nice preview on his website.
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/Podiumwear mountain bike team and enters his 24th year of racing and promoting mountain bike races. |