Midwest MTB Report
The calendar might say mid-October but last weekend felt more like August! Crazy warm temps on Sunday with temps in the mid 90's in western Minnesota. The incredible fall weather combined with beautiful autumn colors has made for some great late season mountain biking. There have been many trail events to help introduce new riders to the sport, display new product and bikes for riders to test ride. Although the series in both Minnesota and Wisconsin have come to an end, the riding will continue year round with many people making the transition to fat biking and a couple of events left on the high school scene. This report will wraps up the final Midwest mountain bike report for the season with recaps from the Oremaggedon at Cuyuna, MN., the Deer Fly Chase at Hickory Ridge WI., a couple mountain bike related items to note and a look ahead to a couple events this weekend.
Oremaggedon
Cuyuna was it's usual busy place made even more busy with two events over the weekend. Saturday saw the first annual Oremaggedon and Sunday was hopping with high school racing in summer like conditions.
Todd Hale was one of the participants to compete in the 50 mile event and provides a recap:
It seemed like a great idea in April when I registered for the first Salsa Oremageddon, but the months ticked by and as race day came closer and closer, I started to question my wisdom of attempting and hopefully surviving 50 miles of Cuyuna singletrack. The 6am alarm clock rang, and off my wife and I headed to the trail.
The army of volunteers at the race had made the registration quick and painless. As the race gitters began I soon found myself at the Freewheel Bike service tent certain that something was wrong with my shifting. The mechanic assured me all was well, and a quick warmup with fellow High School League coach Anne Ellefson proved him correct.
The 50 mile race started in three waves, I ended up starting in wave one. The race began with a section of ski trail before dropping into Boot Camp for our first dose of singletrack during which I promptly dropped my chain and pulled off to watch a line of 15 riders pass while I got things sorted. A few miles down the trail I pulled a turn a bit too tight in the rocks ending up with a half inch puncture in my rear tire. I pulled over took a bit of a Stans sealant shower and realized that I was going to need to put a tube in. Ten minutes later and after a nice chat with one of the many race volunteers who happened to be nearby, I was off again. (Photo: Todd Hale)
After my two early mishaps, I was a bit concerned how the rest of the race would go. As it turns out, it was fantastic! Rolling over the best Cuyuna has to offer for two laps made for a really fun October Saturday ride. No more issues with my bike, my legs held out, the course was great, the organizers were fantastic, and the volunteers were everywhere and amazing. My concerns about my wisdom of attempting the race were unfounded -- I plan on being one of the first to register for next years edition.
Thanks to everyone who made this event possible.
Deer Fly Chase
Noah Michaelson reports from the Deer Fly Chase, held a couple of weekends ago:
Well the 2015 race is in the books. Long, Short, High School and Middle School races were held. Roughly 125 riders across all the races. For the Long race, the podium looked dang familiar however they shuffled the deck. Ryan Fitzgerald came out on top, Aaron Swanson second again this year, and defending champ Nate Lillie took third (in his first race back after a nasty broken leg during ski season).
Aaron Swanson recaps:
Well, the race takes off in earnest this point with Fitzgerald taking to the front at a nice pace. I'm happily settled into 3rd or so behind Nate Lillie. The climb this year had a Prime of untold value on it, only I couldn't get Noah to confirm if it was Optimus or not.
A few racers whom I didn't have the pleasure of knowing opted to raced to the front and collect ahead of Ryan, Nate and myself. From there its was a nice rolling gravely section that has good speed and stretches the race out a little. So we tooled along that for awhile with Ryan, Nate and myself taking turns at the front.
Noah has a nice breaking point in the race as it detours over what appears to be old logging roads. I find this part of the race course one of my favorites as it's rock-hard fast terrain but with parts to still be mindful of. One can just power down hard, so when Nate looked over at me on the left hand corner I assumed, and correct me if I'm wrong Nate, it was "go time"?? I may have had a devilish smile as my legs were aching to drop the hammer and so I did as I started drilling it, later easing up for Ryan to take the lead on the next incline. This was enough to stretch out the field for good as Nate and Adam Tripp brought in the troops from behind.
A quick transition of some singletrack where I took to the front again and I had a gap over everyone, but knowing it was a long race opted to ease up as I assumed we'd regroup for the next gravel section. Only, the pace put all but Ryan in the hurt locker and we had a 30-50 yard lead coming out of it. Looking behind a few times, we hemmed and hawed over keeping up the pace or easing off. Without trying to pull away or ease up, the gap stayed and it appeared it'd be a two-man race for all the marbles. As we could only later see Nate and Adam were working on catching but not closing the gap. (Photo: imageslike.com)
Then an early race agreement was struck between riders, Ryan opted to make his efforts on the gravel and open sections, allowing me the pleasure of taking the lead in some of the most fantastic singletrack the State of Wisconsin has to offer. This stuff holds a cherished place in my racing heart, a close second to the Seeley Pre-fat race course trails. Tight, twisty, not all the artificial man-made jumps and bumps from machine building and the ever growing "Starbucks singletrack" IMBA world. Rather it's more like real world - ducking, weaving, corning, diving, twisting and turning thru the woods.
Continue reading Aaron's full report
Minnesota Closing Notes
The Minnesota Mountain Bike Series will hold it's award banquet recognizing all the top accomplishments and also announcing the races for next years series this Saturday, October 17th.
The Minnesota high school season will wrap up on October 25th at Mt Kato outside Mankato, MN. The growth has been nothing short of phenomenal and talk is already in the works on how to manage the rider fields that will most likely be approaching 1000 participants next year.
Wisconsin Closing Notes
The banquet for the Wisconsin Off Road Series will be held in Stevens Point, WI, at the Holiday Inn, celebrating another great season with an open forum for discussion of guideline and/or rule changes as well as all things related to WORS. Race director Don Edberg will present changes that the WORS race directors have discussed and open the floor to a question and answer session along with open discussion.
The Wisconsin High School Season will wrap up this weekend at Cascade Mountain near Portage, WI, capping off another successful high school season.
Looking Ahead
Although we are enjoying some great fall riding, we all know much colder weather is soon to come along with hopefully lots of snow (although I know some will disagree ha!) If you are looking for a break from the cold this winter and a chance to ride with an Olympian, check out the winter camp riding in Tucson, AZ with Todd Wells in early January for a super fun week of riding single-track sponsored by the Cycling House. This is an opportunity to get on your mountain bike in the winter and spend time becoming a better rider with one of the most accomplished American mountain bikers in history. Tucson and the surrounding mountains offer the ideal mountain bike terrain with a variety of routes, sunshine and beautiful scenery. Tucson, AZ is Todd?s winter base location so he?ll be sure to take us on his go-to rides.
The Cycling House reports they are "happy to offer a mountain bike camp in a beautiful place with a good friend and rider who has been at the top of his field for his entire career. We'll enjoy the best trails that Tucson, AZ has to offer. We will hit everything from fast flowing singletrack to technical climbs and incredible views."
Black's Grove Crossing Mountain Bike Race
This Saturday Black's Grove, just west of Wadena, MN. will be host to its annual mountain bike race. "Blacks" is host to probably the most dedicated Wednesday night group ride in the area with locals meeting up every Wednesday night when riding is possible throughout the entire year. This same group is the lead force behind organizing the event and maintaining the old school trail system. If you like tight and twisty singletrack with some fun drops near the passing creek, this is a race to check out! Junior riders race for free and the course have been set up to challenge and entertain all ability levels. (Photo::Thad Schulz)
The Sawtooth Mountain Challenge is Superior Cycling Association flagship race. There are numerous racing categories and routes from 6 to 21 miles providing options for everyone. Beginning at the Pincushion Mountain Trailhead, the race weaves in and out of the forest above Grand Marais on pristine singletrack and ski trails providing a challenging arena for experts as well as a fun race for beginners.
A true family experience, the Sawtooth Mountain Challenge has a set of kids races as well to highlight the growing skills of the next generation of riders.
Thanks to everyone who helped make it another great year of racing from the trail builders, race organizers, support folks, sponsors and the riders!
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. |