Midwest MTB Racing Report
The UP of Michigan was the place to be last weekend with the mighty Ore to Shore in the Marquette/Ipsheming area and singlespeeders flocking to Copper Harbor for the SSUSA. In addition to reports from these races, a first hand review of riding in the Copper Harbor area and the look ahead in this weeks report.
Ore to Shore
Dry conditions made for another fast race as average speeds were near records and the jump into Lake Superior post race all the more refreshing. Cole House and Jenna Rinehart added another Hard Rock title to the mantle, with Rinehart dominating the field and House just edging Brian Matter at the line. Rinehart and Travis Woodruff file exclusive reports respectively:
Rinehart: Ore to Shore is always one of my favorite events of the year. We had perfect weather for this years race with blue skies and a slight breeze. The course was extra dry and sandy this year. Apparently Marquette missed out on all the rain we got in MN earlier this summer. I lined up 2nd row and focused on having a clean start and staying toward the front of the pack. When we hit the dirt I was in a great position and ended up staying with the lead men's pack longer than I ever have before! It was so dusty that you could hardly see the trail. I stayed glued to the wheel in front of me and trusted they were taking good lines. When we rolled into the town of Ishpeming I looked toward the front and saw the jerseys of the top guys like Brian Matter and TJ Woodruff. I was thinking this was either going to be a really good thing to be with them this long or a really bad thing in that maybe I started too hard. I stayed with them until a little ways outside of Ishpeming and then found myself in a good group of 5 or so other guys. We stayed together until we hit the long pavement section of CR510. We then caught a few others and formed a group of about 10 or so. I focused on staying with this group for as long as possible as I did not want to be left out on my own and risk getting caught by the next women behind me. We stayed together until about 5 miles to go. The guys really started ramping it up and I just focused on staying steady and getting to the finish line safely. I'm super happy to take the win again! After the finish I went straight for the lake to cool off. It doesn't get much better than that!. I'm already looking forward to next year!
Woodruff: The Ore to Shore marked the final of five consecutive race weekends and last stop on what will be a 6500 mile road trip by the time I return home. My dog Maja and I packed the Honda Element and left Prescott, AZ en route to the WORS Cup in Portage, US Nationals in PA, the Catamount Classic ProXCT in VT, and the World Cup at Mont Sainte Anne, Quebec. Chloe joined us for the racing and intermediate travels, but was wise enough to fly in to the first race and then home after the Windham World Cup (where she raced instead of doing O2S). It was a long and scenic drive to Marquette from Mont Sainte-Anne, but Maja enjoyed numerous rivers and lakes to swim in along the way. After the high profile World Cup race, it was a welcome change to revisit the Ore to Shore. The festival atmosphere, fast racing, and plenty of time spent in the company of friends and family makes this weekend in Marquette one of my favorites each year.
I was feeling good for race day and it was largely business as usual once the racing started. We went up Lucy hill as fast as ever (aided by dry conditions) and a fairly large group was rolling along for the early miles. We were moving fast, but the pace was comfortable and it was clear to see who was going to be in the mix later. As we got on the rolling hills that precede Gold Mine Road, the pace picked up and things stretched out quickly. I followed Cole on the run up Misery Hill and from there the pace remained high until there were just seven of us remaining.
After some fast riding on the long paved stretch I was feeling it a bit. Shortly thereafter on the ski trails I fell off the pace of the front group. I knew that I wasn't far back though, since I could still see the dust cloud from the front six. For 30 minutes I chased solo and reconnected with the lead group at the base of the wood chip climb up Kirby's Hill. I was immediately dropped again at the top, but this time Tyler Gauthier was also left behind. With the finish close and the pace of the leaders high, I knew that we'd be racing for 6th, so I finally let up and collected myself a bit. Just a moment to reassess the situation was all I needed to collect myself a bit and finish with a strong kick on the pavement before the final left hander. The front group of five had been in for less than 90 seconds, but after so much solo riding that could have been an eternity...
It was fun racing, but I didn't quite have the effort required to match a few of the accelerations at a critical point in the race. Being out there, testing yourself, and leaving it all on the line is a rewarding thing to do and I loved every mile of it. You have to be 100% on top of your riding and I was just a bit off this time. Congrats to Cole on mastering yet another sprint win, to Brian for making the numerous attacks along the way, and everyone else who was out there racing to their limit. Over the years, the quality of Midwest racing has continued to rise and it's awesome to be in the mix. (Woodruff photo)
A big thank you goes out to my parents for the numerous CLIF hand ups along the course, and to Backcountry.com for the support that keeps me rolling. Up next will be the Grand Junction Off-Road and then the Chequamegon. See you at the races!
SSUSA
Dedicated singlespeeders from 25 different states and Canada flocked to Copper Harbor, Michigan to race on a truly unique race course featuring state of the art flow, raw and natural trails laced with rocks, roots and bridges linking everything together. Kristy Henderson, 2013 SSUSA Champ files a flavorful report:
Unlike most national mountain bike races, the SSUSA is not sanctioned by any governing body. The annual event is loosely orgainized, put on by the participants and individuals that are passionate about it. The hosts decide the course and what event or challenge decides who wins the title of SSUSA Champ and keeper of the Champion's Belt, and creates the contests for representatives of various cities to compete for the rights to host the next years' event.
Copper Harbor won the rights in 2013 and turned a small harbor town with endless miles of hair-raising single track into Single Speed USA 2014. Packet pick-up on the eve of the race/ride was held in a park where participants from more than 25 states plus Ontario, Canada congregated, catching up with friends from year's past, making new ones over pints of free local beer, and rocking out to the Shindaggers as the sun set. The pre-qualifier for the SSUSA title was a narrow teeter totter challenge to win a wristband for entrance into the final games on Saturday. Two rickety old bikes - one with a banana seat and ape hanger bars and the other a BMX bike with loose handlebars - were the weapons of choice. Some made it across unscathed as the crowd cheered, others crashed forcefully and with pizzazz.
The morning of the race was hot and sunny as riders of every style gathered at the start. There were 40-50 some 'racers' in full lycra, ready to go for the XC win, some 150+ riders who wore a mix of costumes and kits ready to give it a hard effort, and another 100-some riders in full costume ready to make the day a party on two wheels. It began with a neutral roll-out up the hill and around a mine along paved and gravel roads. Entering the single track began with trail interrupted by sections of earthy rock and roots, down into Paul's Plunge with numerous rock drops and challenging terrain.
It was followed by the Stairway to Heaven, a wooden bridge that climbed from the Keweenah Mountain base, up into the single track that led to the next major challenge, a gravity section called "Downtown". It was full of formidable rocky drop-offs and decents including "The Wall", a downhiller's graduate drop. As I descended the far side of the drop on foot, a rider came up to take the line on bike, hitting the bottom in a nose-wheely as he plinko'd off the rocks, lucky to land his bike on two wheels as his tin-can helmet sat cockeyed on his head. The small crowd that had gathered roared in disbelief as he continued down the trail. I followed after him only to find him another 20 yards down the trail, standing next to his bike with a glaze of shock in his eyes as if it was all just sinking in.
We were rewarded with the Garden Brook trail that followed, an oasis on single track, filled with old pine trees towering over thick ferns that lined the brook. The flow of the trail was great for recovery and the views were stunning. At the top, we got to look out over the end of the Earth on "The Edge", a view right off the side of the mountain that led into a descending shicane of wooded bridges. Some riders rode the bridges without as much of a blink while others maneuvered down a small 'goat-path' that edged the obstacles.
For 30+ miles and 3,100+ ft of climbing, we tackled rocky climbs and descents, twisting bridges over ravines, and epic views of natures finest. With 3 or more miles to go, it was heavenly to hear it was 'all downhill to the finish', but the exhaustion from the climbs and terrain made even decending a challenge as muscles threatened to cramp as you coasted and your hands just needed a break from grasping the bars and brakes so tightly. But the beers and pasties at the finish line made the hard effort all worth it.
We celebrated our finish by gathering some friends, beers, and music and retreating to what we renamed our 'grotto' in Lake Superior. It was off the end of a rock formation that jutted into the lake with a small rocky reef just below the surface of the water that we bathed in and cooled our aching joints and muscles. It was over an hour of laughter and recaps of the ride before we removed ourselves to return for the after party and contests.
Unfortunately for me, I missed the derby to defend my 2013 title as SSUSA Champ, but it was awesome to know it'd be coming back to MN on Fiona Lockhart's shoulders, along with the XC wins for both the Men and Women thanks to Jesse LaLonde and Megan Barr! MN defintely has a strong and talented group of mountain bikers.
The party lulled in the afternoon heat, but began to pick up as the beer flowed and the rowdy adventures began. The Host Contest began with a swim relay that forced contestants to swim from one dock to the next, slam a beer, swim back, then shoot the beer down with a BB gun. We moved back to the park for pasties, brats and beer afterwards. Then, the Minneapolis contingency took over the party by creating the next round of antics, derbies, and feats of strength.
In the bar across the street, the Host finalists competed in a game that required two opponents to sit on 5 gal. buckets, holding hands, while trying to kick out their opponent's bucket without rising off their own. Steve Bobush of 29nSngl won the final round to win the Host State bid for Wisconsin, celebrating 3 years of the upper Midwest taking the contests by storm.
Celebrations and rowdiness continued deep into the night as shouts of "Cappa Habba" (with a heavy Boston accent) filled the air and smiles lit up the faces of all the participants. We dispersed to our various campgrounds and accommodations, happy to wake the next morning to yet another beautiful day in the harbor. The Copper Harbor Trails Club served breakfast burritos on the trail in the morning as the heat crept in for another fabulous day.
We headed out early, filled with memories and the joy of having shared the best week of the year with some of our closest friends plus the new ones we'd made. Now it's only 360+ days until we get to do it all again.. close to home in Wisconsin! Single Speed USA made not be understood by outsiders, but it's loved and coveted by everyone involved. It's that passion and simple joy that keeps this event coming back each year, and I'm happy to say I've caught the fever.
Kristy Henderson is the 2013 SSUSA Champ and loves racing bikes year 'round, whether it be mountain, road, cyclocross, time trails, fat bikes, or ice races. She spends much of her time working at Hollywood Cycles and races for and manages Girl Fiend Cycling Team p/b Podiumwear and Hollywood Cycles, one of the largest all-women's team in MN.
Video
Single Speed USA Photos
Photos and Info
Mountain Biking Copper Harbor
Days leading up the to SSUSA, my sons Jake, Jon and I took a three day trip to Copper Harbor to check out the IMBA designated "Ride Center" trails for the first time. With the top notch rankings and good press, I had high expectations going in but either way was set to be a great trip being with two of my boys. Over the three days of riding, we checked out all the trails except for the double black laced with jumps trail, "Overflow". The riding did not disappoint and out of all the places I have ridden, ranks up near the top, for sure.
The flow trails were state of the art with relentless up and down, high speed bermin' switchbacks and smooth fast riding. The bridges garner the most attention, with photos posted everywhere on the web, and rightly so as they were extremely fun and for the most part placed perfectly between dirt and rock. Just a few times coming in to some bridges at speed we had some close calls and piling it up HARD!
What provided the most fun, entertainment were the trails Red Trail, Downtown, Daminal and short and sweet "Paul's Plunge" All the trails mentioned besides Daminal were more raw, natural type terrain challenging our skill set to the full extent with rocks, roots short steep drops and off camber turns. Impressed they had these trails blended in to the entire system as they were not your typical IMBA trails. Jake and Jon particularly enjoyed the jump trails "Daisy Dukes and the fore mentioned "Daminal". Having a dirt jump and bmx background enhanced the experience all that more. The town of Copper Harbor is a nice quaint town and every business is supportive of the ride scene and the impact mountain biking is having on the community. Overall it was a great trip being with the boys topped with fantastic weather and refreshing post ride swims in the warmer than expected lake Superior and lake Fannie Hooe. Definitely an area to put on the bucket list. (jonch1 photo)
Photos
Video: Mountain Biking in Copper Harbor
Looking Ahead
After a long break, series racing cranks back up in Wisconsin and Minnesota hits up a fresh new trail (Mission Creek) near Duluth by Jay Cooke State Park and North Dakota series racing heads a bit east to Jamestown.
WORS #8 Scarlet Knight Scramble
Nordic Mountain is well-known in the biking community for hosting the Subaru Cup since 2007, which was the first mountain bike race in Waushara County, hosting the Midwest Regional Championship. Nordic Mountain attracted some of the nation’s best riders (as well as international professionals) to compete, and drew even more spectators who wanted to watch the pros ride.
This year, the Nordic Mountain bike race is returning to its grass roots as the Subaru Cup changes venues. There will be a new name, the Scarlet Knight Scramble, but the same great features that drew the pros to the hill will remain! The course will challenge novice as well as advanced riders with its rigorous uphill climbs and demanding twists and turns. The switchbacks make for multiple viewing opportunities, which is a spectator’s dream!
New for 2014, the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series' second stop in Duluth will head to the newly constructed Mission Creek trail system. After seeing the successes of the Great Hawk Chase on Duluth's eastern end, COGGS is eager to showcase the amazing trails found elsewhere in the city. The Mission Creek Trail system marks the western terminus of the Duluth Traverse System, and is being constructed by Progressive Trail Design of Fayetteville, AR and Rock Solid Trails of Copper Harbor, MI.
Racers can expect fast and flowing singletrack with many bridges, berms, and rollers. This trail traverses through a dramatic, heavily forested, landscape with spectacular views of the St. Louis River Valley and Jay Cooke State Park.
The Voyageur's Revenge is part of the weekend long Kraus Anderson Bike Duluth Festival, which will showcase the expansive trail system that Duluth has to offer.
One of the longest running races in North Dakota, Gear Grinder, is host to race #3 in the Dakota Off Road Cycling Series taking place at the Pipestem dam just north of Jamestown. Classic prairie singletrack greets riders on a challenging course in and out of the coulees along the reservoir. T-shirts to all participants and some great prizes and cash for the expert racers.
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. |