Midwest MTB Racing Report
It was a wild weekend weather wise, especially in northern locales as many areas went from summer like weather to winter like with a flick of a switch. Snow showers and cooler weather didn't damper folks from getting out racing in the Minnesota and Wisconsin cycling leagues. This weeks includes a report from the new mountain bike venue, Game Haven which was host to the Minnesota high school cycling league race #3 and a look ahead.
Minnesota High School Cycling League
Game Haven is a new venue to mountain bike racing and Matt Johnson states: Jeff Robertson did a lot of work to create trails at Game Haven Scout Camp in Rochester. It was a great venue." Robertson is a keen supporter of mountain bike racing, being one of the key board members for the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series.
Ali Killman of KTTC TV reports from Game Haven:
Hundreds of avid cyclists braved the winds at the Minnesota High School Cycling League's race at Game Haven on Sunday.
As nearly 1,000 bicycle tires propelled up the starting hill in Sunday's races, a team of 16 cyclists remembers this is just as much a challenge of the mind as it is the body.
"It's just all about the endurance and the mental game is really important," said John Marshall High School senior, Ethan Depman.
Those minds do have one leg up against the competition -- the home course advantage. "Especially when you hit something really well, and you know everybody else has lost a few seconds on that, that feels really good," says Century High School senior, Claire Ommen.
It's the combination of drive and a fiery adrenaline rush that pushed Ommen to place third in her varsity heat. "It's just a relief to cross the finish line because you can stop which is nice," she said.
A relief, and a reason to celebrate a personal success, that boosts her team. It's an element of mountain biking that sets it apart from other team sports: every person counts.
"Unlike some other stick and ball sports where you have kids that are on the bench and kids that are playing and starting, here every kid races," said Josh Kleve, executive director of the Minnesota High School Cycling League.
It's a team that unites a town, with Mayo, John Marshall and Century high schools all racing together, and learning from a sport unlike any other. "It's a lot riskier than the other sports I do. You don't hit trees in cross country races usually," said Ommen.
While three of the seniors are conquering the hills of Game Haven for their last statewide meet, they hope two years from now they will have left a greater legacy.
"I'd like to see continuing success and an even bigger team when I come back," said team captain and Mayo High School senior, Sam Goblirsch. "And have other people take those leadership roles as well and really make the team something great."
(Photo: MN MTB)
Varsity boys rider, Samuel Elson files a racer report:
Race #3 of the MN High School series was held at Game Haven Boy Scout Reserve in Rochester, MN. It was quite a chilly day, and there was a decent amount of wind. When the varsity boys started at 2 o'clock, it was about 50 degrees. The course was in fine condition with a few slick corners. I thought there was a little too much double track, but it made for good passing. The pace was crazy from the start, with Sam Olsen in the lead right away. Sam Hayden passed me at the top of the first climb, and that was the order of the top three for awhile. The first time we got out of the single track, I was probably passed by about 4 people. The legs were feeling pretty slow that day, which was probably from being sick this last week. I ended up dropping down to 11th place during the race, but I started feeling better on the last lap and finished in 9th place overall.
Back to back weekends for the Minnesota high school racers as the series shifts to the west just a bit for racing at Mt Kato.
Game Haven Photos
Related: Minnesota Cycling League
Wisconsin High School Cycling League
Wisconsin cyclists made their way to Nordic Mountain, made popular by WORS series and it's great course for a fun and challenging course for riders and spectators alike. Look for race recap and results on the league website.
(Photo: WIMTB provided by Brian Burns - Left to right, Abby Gowan, Cam Rock Comp and Avery Luebke, La Crosse Comp HS)
Called by some locals at the "Tour de France for Duluth Cyclists", the Heck of the North went down in truly epic conditions. Many mountain bikers made the trek to Northeast Minnesota to take on some 100 miles of gravel, logging roads and everything in between. Dave Simmons reported on Endomondo: Cold, rainy and snowy. Feet were frozen after getting dunked in first stream crossing. Dropped out at checkpoint. DNF. Some really nice new trail sections that were a blast though. Wish I had a GoPro for those sections."
(heck photo) Jamie Kershaw
YouTube: Video of First 50 Miles
Looking Ahead
If you are a mountain bike enthusiast- or think you want to be one- here is your chance to experience a women's mountain bike retreat, hosted by Locally Geared! Organizers report: Please join us Friday, October 17th at Big Rock Creek Retreat just north of downtown St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. We will gather at 6:00 p.m. at The Clubhouse inside BRCR for an evening of fellowship with local women cycling and adventure enthusiasts, a group night ride will be led by Wendi.
Black's River Crossing MTB Race
It was a wild start to the mountain bike season for the Blacks locals but things coming together nicely in western Wadena with a course in tip top shape for the Black's River Crossing. You can always can expect a well tuned course that features some kick donkey old school type trails. Denny Barry reports "Blacks" is drying up nicely. If you haven't raced or ridden here before, expect an old school type track that features some raw and natural singletrack with a nice passing along a local river and big "black" spruce pines.
From the Race Director: The traditional finale of WORS, the inaugural Sheboygan Bicycle Company MTB Challenge, is to be staged at Sheboygan's Jaycees Quarryview and Evergreen Park. This venue allows for the conveniences of a city, with ample dining choices, showers, real bathrooms, and plenty of parking while allowing competitors to feel as though they are in the Wisconsin Northwoods. The course is mostly single and double track.
Related: Latest WORS racing report
Minnesota Off Road Cyclists 20th Anniversary Gala
In 2014 Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC) turns 20 years old. MORC became an established non-profit organization in 1994 and are inviting everyone to celebrate by attending the 20th Anniversary Gala event on November 9th, sponsored by Penn Cycle! Formal attire is requested at this event, which will include both a silent and live auction, valet parking with fine dining and beverage options. Attendance at the gala not only supports this wonderful event, it will help fund projects at the trails we all love to ride! Check out the link above for more details (including menu & auction items) and to purchase tickets.
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. |