Midwest MTB Racing Report
Despite no series racing action this past weekend a couple of opportunities for riders to toe the line in the UP of Michigan and a 40 mile race at Elm Creek Park in Minneapolis. Race reports from both locales plus a review of mountain biking trails on the north shore of Minnesota and the look ahead.
Elm Creek 40 Miler
John Wessling who has discovered the thrill of mountain bike racing after a solid collegiate Nordic ski racing career and a climb to the top of motocross racing, sends a report from Elm Creek:
Now that college is behind me and I am no longer apart of the St.Schoastica ski team, I am officially a master blaster. The first step I took to solidify my status is I started racing mountain bikes this summer. Mountain bike racing is still new to me, but with a motocross and cross country ski background I find it to fit right in the middle of those two sports. I decided to race the 40 mile single track race at Elm Creek last Saturday. My good friend Peter Donars and I made the short 20 minute drive over in the morning for the 9:00am start time. It was a perfect summer day for a hot and humid race. After racing Afton last Sunday, I was ready for a less hilly course. I somehow have only been mountain biking at Elm Creek a handful of times, even though it is basically in my backyard. If you want to go fast at Elm Creek you must follow these three rules: 1) flow, 2) flow, and 3) flow.
First and second place, Jeff Colbert and Dave Hoglund, had the flow figured out as they dropped me within the first ten minutes of the race while twisting through the 10 mile loop. I had to keep reminding myself to keep my hands off the brakes in order to keep my momentum rolling. The narrow and fast sections on the course are what make this loop so great, as there are only a few open sections that you are able to get away from all the twisting madness. I was able to average about 12.5 mph, making this one of the fastest mountain bike races I have done. Laps 1 and 2 went by fast, and as the course dried out the lap times got faster and faster. By laps 3 and 4 the course was completely dry and I was able to lay down my fastest laps of the day, finishing 3rd place overall in the time of 3:17:35. There was nothing but smiles (and a few cramps) as I crossed the finish line. A huge thanks to my sponsor,Dean Bacso, for supplying me with an ultra light carbon race bike, and everyone who helped put this race on!
Related: Mountain Biking at Three Rivers
Red Earth Classic
Husband and wife racing duo Scott and Sara Kylander-Johnson made a return trip to Ipsheming, MI for the second running of the Red Earth Classic. Scott files a report:
This is the second year Sara and I have done the Red Earth Classic and this year was much better than last since there was a lot more singletrack added. If you're looking for a really tough course with a bit of everything, this is the course for you. Even though the race is only 32 miles the average speeds are quite low because of the bumpy, rocky, steep, root filled singletrack. The Garmin claimed that racers climbed almost 3800 ft from start to finish. Best of all this is a point-to-point race that you can easily get back to where you started by bike, eliminating the hassle of waiting for busses, lining up rides, etc.
After finishing last year's race, Sara claimed she would never do it again because it was so tough. Well, this year rolled around and even though we signed up day of, she was at it again. Now that Kiera is five we have realized it is much more fun to have her along whenever we travel to races so I was ready to hand out water and be support rather than race. However, thanks to Sara's former NMU ski coach Sten, I also got to race (he volunteered his son Stieg and his girlfriend Samantha to entertain Kiera).
The race started at 12 (note: in the UP there is a time difference and they are an hour ahead of us) to sunny, warm skies. After a short blacktop loop and bit of Ore to Shore railroad grade, the course turns to tricky single track and basically jumps from long sections of singletrack, mixed in with shorter sections of two-track, railroad grade, a leg sucking wood chip trail, freshly cut trail, some ski hill climbing and a healthy chunk of steep ups and downs at Al Quaal (NCAA Nordic ski venue). One of the most difficult things to grapple with at this race is that you pass through the finish line area but still have another 30 or so minutes of grueling racing before you actually get to go through the chute.
Sara ended up taking the win over teammate Andrea Matter and I limped across the line in 8th. Sara was completely worked over by the end and was as tired as I've ever seen her at the completion of a race. I was fortunate to spend most of the day riding with fellow Duluthian Adam Swank and a gentleman named Matthew Colligan from Marquette, MI. Brian Matter and Tristan Schouten flew through the course and handily outmanned everyone in the field to make it a two person race by the end. It sounds like there would have been a sprint finish between these two if Tristan hadn't had to stop to air up a tire a few miles from the finish.
A huge thanks to the promoters of the event for taking all the time to line up this huge undertaking. They did a fantastic job marking the course and making it much improved from the previous year. Thanks too to our sponsors for helping us do what we love doing: SKIHUT, KUHL and Specialized bikes.
Shreddin' the Shore
Last week had the chance to spend a few days along the north shore checking out the Pincushion and Britton Peak trail systems after first riding the new singletrack at Piedmont trail in Duluth. I hadn't been up the north shore in almost 8 years and ride the new trails that have been built there. The weather was perfect and had some really great riding, made even better with my youngest son Jens really getting in to the riding which was super fun.
Piedmont
Jake took me on a tour again of the Piedmont trails which just opened up some new trail to the south of the main system across the highway. The new trail isn't quite as "raw" as the main loops but some super fun riding nonetheless. As reviewed in a previous report, the Piedmont trail is one of my favorite systems in the Midwest and the new trail enhances the experience all the more. The downhill segments were a total blast. A mix of machine made bench cut trail using the massive bed rock to link the berms and bumps. Once the loop is completed, this is a must check trail in the Duluth area. On a side note, the locals report the new trail, Mission Creek, being built near Jay Cooke state Park which will be used for the Minnesota Series later this month, will "blow everything out of the water".
Pincushion
The last time I had been at Pincushion, mountain bike specific trails were just starting to be built. I have fond memories of the area, racing back in the early 90's when they first had a race out of Grand Marais up on the Pincushion trails and area forest roads. Since then, a major grant for the trail system was a shot in the arm for some serious trails to be built. The Pincushion trail system is highlighted by three different loops, all with a different feel. The Talus loop is a nice flowing bench cut trail with some sweeping berms and fast riding. Jonell enjoyed this the best. The Back 80 is a bit more "primitive" with just a trail cut through the woods with no machine work. The Canadian Shield loop was a technical loop laced with rocks and roots and a few berms and jumps. This was my favorite! We also checked out the new trail being built below the parking lot after being informed by the friendly folk at Superior Outdoor Rec Center in Grand Marais that sections of the trail was open for riding. (pincushion photo) The trail system will be host the first weekend after labor day weekend with the running of the Sawtooth Challenge. If you make it up to this area, be sure to stop in at the Superior Outdoor Center Bike Shop to get the latest run down on the trails and any new stuff that is open.
Britton Peak
On our way back home, we made a stop at Britton Peak. Jens and I did the blue and green loops before riding back down to Tofte. This recently opened trail system didn't appear to be ridden as much as the Pincushion system and not as "polished" but the blue loop was really fun with some good technical rock sections and sweeping berms. There were also a lot of bridges covering the low areas, creeks and streams. The forest was more deciduous and a more open feel in the forest canopy where not overgrown. A nice mix and a must stop if up along the shore.
Looking Ahead
Voted the race of the year in 2013, the course features a mix of fast-flowing single track, roots and rocks, fast downhill sections, wide open fields, leg-torching climbs and a elevated wooden berm. Whitetail Ridge is fast-becoming a Twin Cities favorite for riders looking for an ever-evolving challenge. Each race course is tailored to meet the ability level of racers, yet pose a challenge to keep things interesting. A new section of trail added for the Comp and Expert race. All proceeds from the event used towards new trail development and area mountain bike programs.
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. |