Midwest MTB Racing Report

The mountain bike season has made the transition to fall and it's feeling like it with chilly awesome temps at writing after a warm start to the week. The high school season has kicked off with Minnesota hosting its first race at Buck Hill this past weekend as series racing begins to wind down with WORS hosting it's 10th race this past weekend. But the big news, of course, is the mighty Chequemegon on deck for this upcoming weekend. All eyes are on the weather as more rain is expected to hit the area the middle of this week after a storm late last week left a mess on the trail and areas of standing water. This weeks report includes a recap from the High School race at Buck Hill, the look ahead to Chequemegon and another event on tap for those not taking in the big event.

WORS #10 Treadfest

Race #10 in the Wisconsin Off Road Seris (WORS) made its way south to Lake Geneva to take on a spectator friendly course. The heavy hitters in Wisconsin all toed the line along with the up and comers. Cole House showed he is running good form and could be a serious contender for Chequemegon by taking the sprint over Nathan Guerra among a very solid field that included Brian Matter, Tristan Schouten and Mike Phillips who finished third, fourth and fifth respectively. Matter was coming off a great weekend in Grand Junction showing the western boys how it's down Midwest style - read his full blog entry.  (Photo: Eddie Clark)

In women's elite, Abbigail Strigel continued her winning ways taking the win over last race winner, Amber Markey. Anna Ganju, Lori Sable and Madeline Puissant rounded out the top five. WORS resumes its series after Chequemegon in Franklin on September 28th.

Results

Minnesota High School Cycling League Race #1 Buck Hill

The growth in high school racing is nothing short of spectacular. It is great to see all the new kids get into the awesome sport of mountain biking. With racing taking place on Sunday, it allows kids to participate in other fall sports, coaches willing, to get a taste of mountain bike action.

"Race #1 was a huge success. A heart-felt thank you to each and everyone of our coaches, volunteers, parents and athletes - without you, our continued exponential growth would not be possible," said MN League Director, Josh Kleve. "We're all looking forward to another four races yet this season"

The first race at Buck Hill was a swarm of energy, excitement and first race nerves for some riders as seasoned rider Jordan Horner continued her winning ways taking the victory in girls Varsity. Jordan, racing on her "home course", living just a few miles from Buck, graciously provided a nice recap among her busy schedule:

Well this is it, first race of my last high school season. It's a pretty bittersweet feeling but I know the racing won't end when this season does.

To be honest I was really exited to hear the race had been moved to Buck Hill instead of Salem Hills. I have much more fun climbing 350 feet per lap than trying to go as fast as I can on a super flat course. The first race of the season is always fun and crazy. Awesome to see how many new and returning racers there are. To go from three varsity girls the first race of the first year to ten this year is amazing.  (Photo: Todd Bauer)

The day was much like Afton earlier in the year with how I felt and dealt with getting ready. I was ready but probably didn't look so. I rolled up to the start a few minutes before and got a nice spot in the back behind a Lakeville rider (former teammate) Nicole Jensen, and next to Cianna Swanson, another Lakeville rider. It is always so nerve racking and exciting standing at the start line with spectators everywhere. When Josh yells "Go" the cowbells go crazy and you don't hear anything but cheering. I snuck past Nicole and tried to pull away a bit up the first gravel hill. I used the first switchback hill to test this years field of girls and saw that Cianna and Anna Christian, of Washburn, seemed to be sticking with me pretty well and I loved it. I love having a close race much more than winning by a few minutes. I could feel my legs burn from my lack or warm-up and had to convince myself I would recover once I got into the single track so I wouldn't slow down too much. (Photo: Todd Bauer)

The first lap of the varsity race is pretty nice since there is very little racer traffic. I pulled my fastest lap time of he day in that first lap and fell off a bit in the last three due to slight fatigue and the traffic of the many many girls now racing (which is awesome). I couldn't help but keep thinking that they were trying to kill us by putting in every single inch of climbing possible! I'm sure I looked dead coming through the start area each lap because of the final climb before the finish line (all the racers will know exactly what I'm talking about.. Killer right..). Every hill I finished I told myself I only had to do it a couple more times and I was done, which helped a ton.

I had no idea where anyone was during the last couple laps but everyone was telling me I had a pretty good lead. That didn't stop me from going as fast as I could. I do that because I like to see how I can place in the JV boys class since they do the same number of laps. And I just want to get everything done and over with, the pain doesn't last as long if you go faster right? I crossed the finish line in first to a bunch of cheering and met up with my amazing family and boyfriend who are always there to cheer me on. And I remember telling someone something along these lines, I live miles away from Buck and I've ridden here over a hundred times, but it always changes and is never easy. So I have to give a huge shoutout to all who made this their first race ever! That course was not easy and everyone rocks! I promise St. Cloud will be easier if you hated all the climbing, so please don't let this change your love for biking.

I really can't wait to see all the 550 plus riders at the next race and would love to see that number go up even more! Quick thanks to all those who work so hard to put these races on, the league director, volunteers, and all the parents who come and support us each weekend.

Minnesota MTB recap
Results
Todd Bauer photos

Cuyuna Praise

The Cuyuna lakes mountain bike trail system continues to be one of the most popular areas to mountain bike in Minnesota and all of the Midwest. The trail system was recently voted by Bicycling Magazine as the top place to ride, among road and mountain bike routes, in Minnesota. The article features every state and top places to ride which is fun to read. The St Cloud Times featured the trail system in a recent article, including the funding breakdown which includes over a half million dollars for parking and $69,870 for a vault toilet.

The trail system will be host to the Klunker Festival this weekend featuring a display of early mountain bikes, guided rides, music featuring a headline act of Faith Boblett and a presentation of the master plan for the trail system.  Check out the full schedule.

Looking Ahead

Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival

Of course, the main event this weekend is the mighty Chequmegon Fat Tire Festival. Now under the corporation of Life Time Fitness, the event still features the main event, the Fat Tire 40 along with the Short and Fat, Cable Crit and the long running Rough Stuff Rendezvous. Last week was not kind, weather wise, to Chequammyland as the area was hit with torrential downpours, high winds bringing down beautiful coniferous trees and leaving a general mess on the trails. Of course, this put a lot of folks in high anxiety, especially after reading seasoned vet Steve Tilfords post and seeing other photos and reports on the web. Being close to race weekend added a major plate of stress to race organizers and many volunteers who are doing a fantastic job getting a course ready in the best possible condition before this weekend, all with the potential for more storms the next few days. I remember the first years I did the race back in 1990 and 1991 we didn't have any way to know how conditions might be, just like every other mud race, we just showed up and raced our bikes.

The Chequemegon folks sent out a list of pre-race favorites I copied and pasted below. I will say if the race becomes a mudder, I will have to put my money on Jeff Hall to take the win in the men's division, not, of course, without a good challenge from five time champ Brian Matter who is in the drivers seat. Cole House is showing good form but mud might not be his thing. Any change of course does make it interesting as far as usual race tactics coming in to play. On the women's side, potential change of conditions shouldn't affect three time favorite Jenna Rinehart or Sara Kylander-Johnson. Either way, another great weekend of Chequemegon racing is on tap regardless what may be in store. Don't think or worry about it, just roll to the line and have fun on your bike!!

Highlights from Chequamegon press release:

The Chequamegon 40 will feature about 400 meters of CAMBA singletrack after the turn off Janet Road about 18.5miles into the race. The singletrack will skirt the obstinate mudholes on the two-track leading to Martel’s Pothole.

The Chequamegon 40 will again use seven starting gates and the Short & Fat six gates. New will be an Elite Women’s Gate 1 in both races for the top women.

Several top riders and former champions return for the main events – the Chequamegon 40 and the Short & Fat. Five-time champion Brian Matter returns, hoping for an extraordinary sixth title. He won in 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013. He will be marked closely by Arizona rider T.J. Woodruff and Alabama rider Michael Olheiser, who were second and third to Matter last year. Cole House who narrowly edged Matter in this year’s Ore to Shore event in Marquette, Mich. would love to unseat Matter as would first-time rider Jeremiah Bishop. Bishop has a gold medal from the 2003 Pan Am Games and has been on 14 national mountain bike teams. One-time champ Jeff Hall might factor in the mix as well.

Minnesota rider and four-time champion Jenna Rinehart hopes to regain her title, which she may do since last year’s champ Chloe Woodruff will not race. Rinehart, who won in 2012, will also be chased by former champion Sara Kylander-Johnson, who was third last year, and Abby Ruess.

In the Short & Fat, both men’s and women’s races look to be wide open. The 2013 women’s champ, Jennifer Nowlin, moved on to the long race this year. Josey Wiek, third in 2013, hopes to climb to the top spot on the podium, and local rider Leroy Walters, second in the Firehouse 50, could crack the top three. In the women’s short race, sisters Keely and Kyra Jackson of Hayward know the course well and have been having a good year. Kyra was third last year as a 14-year-old, and older sister Keeley was 10th after a mechanical problem.

In the tandem race, Brian and Kim Eppen of Iowa City, Ia. return to defend their multi-year title. Last year, they faced some fierce competition from Kevin Ishaug and Adam Froemming, who finished within a minute of the Eppens. Abby Strigel and Dendel Cooper, top finishers in the Chequamegon 40, team up on a mixed tandem this year.

2014 Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival Riders to Watch

Chequamegon 40 men

• Jeremiah Bishop: Sho-Air/Cannondale. Harrisonburg, Va. 2003 gold medalist Pan Am Games, eight place 2006 World Championships, 14-time member of USA Cycling national team.
• Jeff Hall: Foundry. Burnsville, Minn. Former champion in both the Chequamegon 40 and Short & Fat.
• Cole House: Cashcall Mortgage. Oneida, Wis. Second in 2009.
• Brian Matter: Team Wisconsin. Sheboygan, Wis. 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013 champion; course record holder.
• Michael Olheiser: Cashcall Mortgage. Huntsville, Ala. Second in 2011, third in 2013.
• Travis Woodruff: Momentum Endurance. Tucson, Ariz. Fourth in 2011, second in 2013.

Chequamegon 40 women

• Sara Kylander-Johnson: Ski Hut/Kuhl. Duluth, Minn. 2006 champion.
• Jenna Rinehart: Nicolett Bike/Specialized. Mankato, Minn. 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012 champion.
• Rebecca Sauber: Velo Longo/LCR. Farmington, Minn. Fifth in 2013.

Blacks River Crossing MTB Race

Cancelled earlier in the year due to wet conditions, the mighty fine folk at "Blacks" has set a new date for their race. Saturday October 11th will be a chance for riders to check their skill on a old school hand built mountain bike course that features some quick drops, roots, and a nice passage along a stream. More info in upcoming report but put this on the calendar!

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.