Midwest MTB Report
A quiet Holiday weekend of mountain bike racing with little action to report about but that didn’t stop people out riding, putting in some big rides as Mother Nature foiled some riders plans with steady rain on Sunday . This weeks report includes information on a few new programs and trails and a look ahead to a busy last weekend in May.
RAMBO
Last week I visited with Jake of Jake's Bike Shop in Alexandria of new mountain bike trails to be built in Douglas county which is host to the city of Alexandria. The county recently purchased over 200 acres of land on two different parcels to build flow trails. A new IMBA group named RAMBO (Rhinestone Area Mountain Bike Organization) has formed. Follow their Facebook page for updates.
Shredding Saints
This past weekend I had the pleasure to ride with recent St Scholastic graduate Paul Schommer who competed in NCAA Skiing Nationals this past winter Paul was in the area for a wedding and we hooked up for one morning for a singletrack shred on the Maplelag trails. Not bringing his bike along, he hopped on flat pedal bike and set out shredding some quite technical trail nicely. Impressive. Paul is one of many former and current Nordic Skiing Saints that have taking a liking to mountain biking and high level mountain bike racing. Bacso brothers Kasey and Mason are regulars in the top 10 Minnesota series with John Wessling in the mix as well. On the female side is Eleanor Bacso who is moving her way up the ranks. Matt Lee is another rider that has toed the line making the non cycling program college one of the top schools in the country to unleash some of the top post college mountain bikers in the Midwest With a plethora of trails in the Duluth area, the former Saints used mountain biking as part of the overall training plan during college building a solid skill set along the way. Jake Richards who entered Scholastica with a seasoned mtb racing background has focused on the enduro scene having good success last year in this discipline that includes a mix of mostly downhill and a few climbing sections.
Jason Kask MTB Program
Jason Kask reports on a new mountain bike junior program in the Duluth area:
Year round training is crucial in endurance sports. Seasons can be won and lost during the pre-season. Mountain bike specific training will lead you in your path to success next fall.
The Superior Performance 2015 MTB Jr. Summer Training program is here to take you to the next level. This program is for all high school athletes that plan to compete in mountain biking this summer and fall and have one year of experience on their high school team. The group will meet at various locations around Duluth depending on the venue that is needed for each particular workout.
(photo: Hansi Johnson)
This program was created to mesh seamlesslywith the Nordic Summer Training. Athletes are encouraged to do both, if they compete on both the MTB and Nordic team for their high school. More program details.
Wild Goose Chase Update
Lead goose Patrick Crary sent a updated link on the Wild Goose Chase endurance event featuring 20 and 40 mile event.
Looking Ahead
(Photo: CAMBA)
The Borah Epic features 30 miles of point-to-point singletrack. The EPIC prides itself on all funds going back to CAMBA (the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association). Since 2013 the Epic has raised over $20,000 for CAMBA! These attributes have led Borah to stage a race that pays tribute to the trails and offers a one-of-a-kind race experience found no where else but Northern Wisconsin. Skill, endurance and perseverance will be asked of each rider as they challenge the Epic. Every section of the course holds its own key to success. Racers will traverse rocks, roots and navigate through pine groves, all while enjoying the single track that has inspired Borah to stage this race from the very beginning. Registration is closed, having reached the 500 rider limit a few weeks back.
Battle of Camrock Race #3 WORS
(Photo: WORS)
Series racing in Wiscosin resumes in Rockdale, WI. The trail system at CamRock is a blend of wide and fast flowing single-track that runs through open fields of prairie grass, wooded single-track with bermed turns, and more technical single-track with a touch of roots and rocks.
Bluff Riders Charge Race #3 MNMBS
Mt. Kato has played host to several MTB races each season since opening 7+ miles of wooded singletrack trails in 1996. This venue was designed, built & is maintained by riders for riders! The course starts with a nice warm-up climb to the top of the ski area. Once on top, all racers make a large traverse along the front of the ski area. The course has a good balance of climbs, descents and technical sections with switchbacks. The approximate vertical gain per lap is 500 feet. This year all proceeds for this event are going to support NCIA/Minnesota High School Cycling League!
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 25th year of racing and promoting mountain bike races. |