Midwest MTB Report
The summer has heated up and so has the racing and riding. This week's report is highlighted by first hand reports from both the Minnesota and Wisconsin mountain bike series, the Otter Creek 55 at Harmon Lake in Bismarck, ND area and the Tatanka 100 which saw a good contingent from MN and WI. A look ahead caps off the report.
Otter Creek 55
The Race to Sunset was one of the most popular races in North Dakota in recent years, well attended by residents of the fine state of North Dakota and out of staters. Organizers of that event switched things up a bit and moved to the new trails at Harmon Lake hosting an endurance event. Long time mountain bike racer Steve Wenzel of Fargo sent in a report:
The Epic guys in Bismarck switched things up a bit for 2015 - exchanging the 10 year run of the Race to Sunset for the Ottercreek 55 held at Harmon Lake. I had always enjoyed getting a team together and spending the day at Sleepy Hallow Park for the Race to Sunset, but I was open for a different venue and signed on for the change.
3 different options for the Ottercreek 55 -- 1 lap (16 miles), 2 lap(26 miles) or the big deal 4 lap (55 miles).
Harmon Park, north of Mandan is an excellent location that I had not been to before. I learned that there was an existing loop around Harmon Lake and a new 5 mile extension loop added to the south west corner of the park. In total, each loop was approximately 13 miles. With a prolog, the event organizers hit it right on with 55 miles. The first three miles were flowing single track in the woods where it opened up and then was the typical area topography of riding the rolling plains of central North Dakota -- minimal tree coverage. No major climbs or technical sections, just a lot of grinding and doing what you can to keep your speed up. The new "Epic" section was more of a flow track that had a few berms mixed in and some longer climbs -- this section was the coolest part of the loop in my opinion.
The day was scheduled to be HOT and it was a scorcher, even with a 9am start time. Unfortunately the Tatanka 100 was the same day down in the Black Hills that kept a number of the usual suspects away from Ottercreek 55. Regardless, the turnout was just fine.
For the 55 miler, Matt Able from Minneapolis pulled in first place male followed by John Struchinski of Fargo. Katie Knoll of Bismarck, first female -- Katie ripped it!
As usual, Nathan Kupfer, Dennis Kemmesat and crew held a first class race with great support, music, food and top notch swag. Next year, the Ottercreek 55 is scheduled for July 16 -- I'd highly recommend participating.
Tatanka 100
The Tatanka 100 was another endurance event this past weekend taking place in the Black Hills area of South Dakota. Ben Welnak files an extensive report and in-depth look to the wild world of endurance racing:
The sixth stop of the National Ultra Endurance (NUE) Series was the Tatanka 100 in the Black Hills of South Dakota on Saturday, July 11th. This year they made a significant change to the course that enticed many new racers from around the country. The course used to follow a 100-mile loop that began and ended in Sturgis, South Dakota. While the race had been included in the NUE series previously, the field remained small. That all changed this year when the race organizers were able to reroute the course to be a point-to-point following the Centennial Trail from Mount Rushmore to Sturgis. About 150 racers overall took part in the various length races, including around 100 starters who tackled the long distance option. Course The change to a point-to-point format starting at the base of the Mount Rushmore National Monument attracted a lot attention and, as a result, this year saw more racers than the first three years combined. There were three course lengths to choose from, including a 10k, 50k, and the long option which was actually around 80 miles instead of the 100 miles that the race name indicates. The distance was shortened because it utilizes the Centennial Trail for nearly 100% of the race and it just works out best for the race course, rather than adding another 20 miles just for the sake of having 100. The 10k and 50k started at different locations and didn't get the great experience of starting at Mount Rushmore. The 10k started at the finish line in Sturgis while the 50k racers experienced most of the last part of the 80-miler. This is important, because I want you to realize that if you decide to race it next year, you don't need to tackle the longest distance to experience some great Black Hills trail.
While it seems that Mount Rushmore grabbed people's attention, the real star of the day was the trail. I don't think a lot of people have experienced what the Black Hills have to offer to mountain bikers. Many have raced the popular Dakota 5-o, but that only covers a fraction of what's available in the area. There are countless miles of trails, doubletrack, atv/dirtbike trails, forest service roads, and paths through the beautiful hills. After racing the 2013 edition of the Tatanka 100, I had a good idea of the trails, the terrain, and the views, but as I tried to convince people to try the race, it was hard to close the deal. Bad for them, but great for all of those who committed.
The actual 80-mile race course started with about a 3-mile road rollout before we reached the Centennial Trail. Immediately it was apparent that the trail was going to be "old school" mountain biking. You'll have to forgive me a little because I don't remember the exact details of every mile of trail -- it's difficult when you'rre at race effort and it's 90+ degrees. But, I'll try to lead you through what I remember experiencing.
Anyhow ... as we turned off the pavement of Highway 244 (the road to access Mount Rushmore) we entered some areas that were probably the wettest areas as we navigated past Battle Creek. There was a lot of tall green grass and areas of mud and some ruts. It was a little tricky in spots, but creative route finding around the ruts as you passed the signature bison skulls trail signs allowed most to get through unharmed. The trail quickly transitioned as it headed up ... and up ... and up.
From mile 4 at about 4,800 feet of elevation, the trail headed mostly up until mile 10 where it topped out at nearly 5,900 feet. That climb includes plenty of rocky, technical ups, turns, and tricky sections, as well as some decent hike-a-bikes. The first 10 miles definitely gets riders nervous about their ability to complete the rest of the race.
MNMBS #6 Mission Creek
Rainy weather threatened the scene at the new Mission Creek trails outside of Duluth but the races went down according to schedule. Josh Bauer scored his first ever elite win in the Minnesota series and sent in a nice detailed report. Women's elite racer Eleanor Bacso reports from the female side with a nice touch of the COGGS scene.
Josh's report:
Voyageur's Revenge was the 6th stop for the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series at Mission Creek up in Duluth. Last year was the first time the race was hosted there, it replaced Mont Du Lac, which is about a half mile down the road. I've been bummed the past two years that Du Lac had been taken out of the schedule because Du Lac always feels like a true cross country race course.
To explain Mission Creek in a nutshell it is a huge road climb right off the start about 250 yards long and then basically one huge flow trail, berms, lots of little jumps/bumps, nothing too techincal, its fast and the downhills are a lot of fun. A great course for anyone that is a beginner or novice rider. I ended up getting 8th last year and not having a such good race so I was ready for some redemption.
Early Sunday morning brought some rain and when we arrived at the venue people were saying the elite race might be cancelled or delayed if we got anymore rain. I waited around a bit before I decided to start putting gear on. The storm was starting to move south and it sounded like the race would be held at the right time. I missed the Cuyuna race so I was called up second for the Pro/Elite field. Announcements were made and the race started. I had a great start sitting behind Paul Hanson, Paul is always a pretty fast starter so I usually try to aim for his wheel. We started to go up the road climb to the singletrack and Paul kind of started soft pedaling, I looked back and we had a gap so I went for it. I hit it up the rest of the climb out of the saddle pushing it to force a gap or someone to chase. I entered the singletrack first and had about a 20 second gap. I uped the pace pretty hard and my gap grew to be over 30 seconds at one point. About 20 minutes into the first lap I wasn't paying attention and my bike somehow slid out from under me and my face went right into the dirt. I hit the ground really hard, probably one of the worst crashes I've had in a while. Vision was fuzzy and my face hurt a lot. I got up and grabbed my bike and continued to ride but the chasers were no where in sight so I thought to myself I will stick this out and see how long I can hold the gap before anyone catches me. The taste of blood was filling in my mouth. My bottom teeth punctured my bottom inner lip causing a pretty big gash, my glasses cut my face and my nose was bleeding a little bit. The whole entire race I had dirt/sand all over my face and was unable to wipe it off very well, I have some pretty good race wounds currently. (Photo: Todd Bauer)
First lap completed I went up the road climb again and someone yelled "15 seconds, Josh" I sat up a bit and waited til I could see the field again and then attacked as soon as I saw the field. I was able to hold that gap which rose to be about a minute until Jeff Hall caught me going into the 4th and final lap. We both went up the road climb and chatted a bit. I was stronger on the climbs than Jeff was and I started pulling away a bit up to the singletrack and caused about a 5-10 gap. Jeff was riding smoother than I was and was able to grab my wheel again. Half way through the last lap Jeff ended up crashing and I put in a mini attack but saved myself because I knew Jeff would be able to latch on again. I punched it up one of the last climbs before the downhill to the finish in hopes I would be able to drop him but he stuck to me like glue. The finish is kind of unfortunate for anyone that is sitting second wheel after the long downhill because its pavement, a sharp right hand turn and then more pavement to a narrow section before the line. We made it to the first section of pavement after the downhill and I hit it as hard as I could, went down the grassy right hand turn and sprinted all the way to the line. Jeff was behind me the whole time but had to sit up before we entered the finishing shoot because it was so narrow. I was able to beat Jeff the first time this year and take my first ever Minnesota Series Victory!
My season has been going as planned, It was one my biggest goals this summer to take my first win in Minnesota on the mountain bike side of things. I have been extremely pleased with how my season has been going and its giving me great confidence on building up for my huge cyclocross campaign this fall.
I couldn't ask for a better support system then my parents, family, friends, Twin Six and everyone that congratulated me after my victory. It truly means the world to me when people cheer me on, give me a high five at the end of the race and congratulate me. We here in Minnesota have a great community that I think will be really hard for anywhere else to beat.
Eleanor's report:
While driving out to the race course in my Prius topped with bikes and backpacks stuffed in the back I could already tell it was going to be a hard day. The weather had been hot and humid all weekend and it wasn't going to let up anytime soon.
It rained a bit in the morning making the bridges slick and wet for some of the earlier riders. Some fell on them but nobody looked in too bad of shape. The race directors warned all of the riders to avoid passing before, on and after the bridges.
While watching the finishers coming in, most everyone looked pretty happy; but also quite exhausted from the big hill and humidity.
By the time the experts went out it was still slightly damp on the course. My first lap went quite slowly and I was bogged down by some muddy spots and the heat. As my second and third lap came around I was able to get my motor running a bit better and even better yet the trails started drying out. With the last lap to go I was able to hold off Camille who was riding very well. I caught up to Alicia Fiske on the last descent and we sprinted right to the finish. All in all I think it was a huge success for the MN MTB Series and COGGS!
Now a bit more on COGGS. This cycling group is really making Duluth the mountain bike mecca it was always meant to be. They are such a huge asset to our trails here and to Duluth as a whole. All of the volunteers, members, sponsors, board members and directors (Adam and Waylon) have really truly made this city shine through their efforts. I deeply appreciate all of the hard work they have put into our trails and to all of the races they put on. If you haven't been up to Duluth recently, you should make the trek! The trails here are more than worth the drive.
WORS #6 Scarlet Scramble
Brian Burns provides a quick recap on the racing action at MT Morris, known for host to past PRO XCT races:
WORS Mt Morris "Scarlet Knight Scramble" was an alpine change from the Eau Claire's "Red Flint Firecracker" 2 weeks earlier. The Nordic Mountain topography gave race organizers a chance to see who is in mid-season form. Racers were forced to accept a new pain threshold from having to repeat bear down grinding ascents and technical descents. In fact the course looked to model their Subaru Cup Pro XCT course. All races, including juniors, were privileged to at least one grind to the top. And if the course wasn't challenging enough, Mother Nature delivered humid conditions making it critical racers hydrate well if they looked to finish with a smile. (Photo: Brian Burns)
Next up; WORS Cup at Cascade Mountain in Portage, running July 24-26. A prelude to WORS Cup weekend races: Thursday from 9:00 to 3:00 the Wisconsin High School Cycling League with their NICA certified coaches are putting on a camp for kids 12-18. The camp will instruct beginners and experienced riders fundamental skills, technique and MTB racing etiquette. Full camp details.
Looking Ahead
After a most busy weekend, the weekend is relatively light with no xc series racing.
One of the original races in the Midwest Point series back in the early 90's the Thunderdown in the Underdown, continues to provide racing action with 3, 6 and 10 hour races with solo, dual and team divisions. New trail added to this year's course which numbers to 15 miles in length.
Hundreds of the top mountain bikers from across the country will venture to California's Mammoth Mountain for the 2015 USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships. From July 15-19, athletes from ages 6 and up will compete for national titles in cross-country, short track cross-country, downhill, dual slalom and the new addition of Enduro. A handful of local riders will be in attendance.
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. |