Midwest MTB Report
Fall definitely making it's presence this week with the windchill word being tossed around after temps in the lower 40's and a touch of wind to give us a hint of colder months to come. My wife Jonell said today, "It feels like a Chequamegon morning!" Indeed, the big Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival is upon us this week where 3100 riders will partake in Saturday's main events, the Fat Tire 40 or the 16 mile Short and Fat. We didn't receive the first wave start lists this year to be able to do a full preview like we have in other years but this weeks report will include some insight of the top riders along with recaps from the Gitchee Gumme Traverse, Inspiration 100, and WORS. Also this weeks report includes info on not only events this weekend but a look ahead to a full plate of fall racing opportunities this fall. Be sure to bookmark this report!
Inspiration 100
We haven't covered much gravel racing action mostly due to the shear number of events and the report focusing more on actual mountain biking but the Inspiration 100 does draw a large number of local mountain bikers. A shout out going to the organizers, Scott Sundby and Derek Chinn, of the Inspiration who put the event on for the final time after five years. Fifth place finisher and endurance specialist Ben Doom had a nice blog post and reports:
Saturday was the 5th, and last, running of the Inspiration 100 near Alexandria, MN. The race is put on by two solid guys that have become my friends over the years. I was super stoked I was able to partake in the events last year.
The weather was perfect! Cool, almost cold, at the start. It warmed up to 70 or so with sunny skies and a slight NW wind. Even the gravel seemed to be on board with giving us it's best! Many times the gravel has been loose, deep, with few good lines...but this time it was pretty dang solid most of the race.
(Photo: Inspiration Climbing in a wooded section, Credit: Derek Chinn)
The race started pretty chill with a few hard efforts but nothing to really break up the field. I'm guessing around mile 10-15 Nick Vetter put in a huge effort the strung the field out quickly. The pace did slow some, letting a few get back on. The hills started to come more regularly and that helped to thin the herd. For sometime we had a group of about 10 riders.
A small attack off the front that Ted and I did was quickly squashed...like in seconds! Nearing mile 55 or so Nick and Ted got off the front. Charlie and I let them go not wanting to drag other riders up to Ted if we were to try and bridge the gap. Another rider went off to get them and we let him go too. When Adam Bergman went we knew we needed to try and cover that. Not easy!!
Gitchee Gumme Traverse
(Photo: Piedmont trail, Gitchee Gumme Traverse)
Duluth and it's ever expanding network of mountain bike trails was host to the Gitchee Gumme Traverse, promoted by Angry Catfish bike shop and Advocate Cycles. Local resident Barry Buhr laid out the course which was just over 40 miles and featured the Duluth mountain bike trail clusters as well as the expanding by the week Duluth Traverse trail. Female winner Eleanor Bacso reports on a social media post: "This was the hardest race I've ever done with extremely technical singletrack and huge descents with climbs right back up again. Piedmont was a big struggle at the end with even more tough sections where I started to bonk really hard. Finished in my neighborhood and able to take the win. So proud of everyone who was able to finish this race!"
WORS #9 Treadfest
WORS hit up the slopes of Lake Geneva resort for it's second to last race of the season. With cross season in full swing and the Chequamegon the following weekend, the elite fields weren't as big but Brian Matter put a statement in the elite men's race showing his form is dialed right now taking a convincing win over Cole House by over 2 minutes. Peter Karinen, Ben Senkeriek and Ray Nelson rounded out the top five.
(Photo: Leia Schneeberger rocks)
The women's elite field featured 8 riders with Leia Schneeberger taking the win. Leia's first race was at Treadfast and reflected back on that race on a Facebook post: "Treadfest 2010 was where the obsession began. Fully geared in soccer shorts, a tank top, tennis shoes, a helmet that hardly covered my head and riding an old hybrid commuter bike, I raced in the Cat 3 division and my legs just about fell off. One and done, I was hooked. Plenty has changed and somethings stay the same. I live for slicing singletrack! Made dozens of friends, met the man of my dreams, found a couple helmets that fit, riding the cushiest speed machine out there aka The Niner Rocket and making the top spot on the podium. My legs still just about fell off. Today was a great day. Broken Spoke Teammates riding their hearts out.
Holly Lavesser and Lindsay Guerra rounded out the top three, respectively.
Looking Ahead
Not only are there events this weekend on tap but a couple of great grass roots events down the trail to take note of we wanted to mention now for folks to put on the radar.....
From the Chequamegon Fat Tire Headquarters:
A total of 3,100 riders will participate in the festival, including a sold-out field of 2,100 riders in the Chequamegon 40, which starts on Main Street in Hayward and finishes at Mt. Telemark. Another 1,000 riders will start at the same time in downtown Cable and race 16 miles in the Short & Fat, which also finishes at Mt. Telemark.
Several top riders and former champions are returning for the main events – the Chequamegon 40 and the Short & Fat. In the 40, six-time defending champion Brian Matter returns, hoping for an extraordinary seventh title, after being beat last year by Jeff Hall. Hall too will return this year. Keep eye on David Flaten, who finished a convincing second last year. One of the races top contenders, T.J. Woodruff will not return for this year's competition. Others to watch are Cole House (2004 Short & Fat champ), Jesse LaLonde (2007 champ), Tristan Schouten, Corey Stelljes, and Steve Tilford (2000, 2001 & 2002 champ).
Minnesota rider and five-time champion Jenna Rinehart, who came in third last year even after crashing earlier in the race, will not return this year, nor will last year's Women's 40 champ, Chloe Woodruff – but keep an eye out for riders Sara Kylander-Johnson (2006 champ), Corey Coogan Cisek, April Morgan and Jennifer Nowlin.
Two other key riders to note that won't be on the start line for the 40 this year include Jorden Wakely who will be competing in the Marji Gesick and Kyia Anderson who is on a cycling vacation in Denmark.
In the Short & Fat, both men's and women's races look to be wide open.
In the men's, last year's winner, Samuel Elson isn't returning this year, nor is second place-getter Caleb Swartz or third place-getter, Samuel Olsen. Among this year's top contenders are Gavin Abric, Adam Altmann, John Lirette, Tom Meyer, and Calvin Sandberg. Short and Fat 2014 champ, Josey Weik has moved over to the 40.
In the women's Short & Fat, keep an eye out for Sophie Farrow, who won last year's event. Other strong contenders include Hayward's hometown girls, Kaelin Jackson and Kyra Jackson, and Hanna Mork, of Wausau.
Kappels' Challenge Mountain Bike Race
Detroit Mountain will host it's second mountain bike race of the season put on by the Detroit Lakes Noon Rotary and feature three different races on both the flow trails and the new purpose built trail created this spring. Heavy rain last week caused some major erosion but the trail crew has been working hard to have the course in tip top shape come race day.
Race directors of the Marji Gesick report: 100-miles of the most rugged singletrack you'll find anywhere in the country. Prepare to be challenged by 11,000 feet of vertical gain. You'll experience views you won't soon forget and brutal climbs your legs will feel for days. This is an extremely technical course - be prepared. Our racers abide by the "Self Supported Ethos" which means simply - You are on your own. You are responsible for you. There is no one to save you. We do mark the course but anything can happen - signs fall down, signs get torn down by knuckleheads. We HIGHLY suggest a GPS with mapping capabilities. If you choose to do the race without one, don't blame us when you get lost. It is important to note you cannot win anything. We don't do awards. You can, however, earn something. The coveted belt buckle.
Future Events
White Tail Ridge, which was host to the MNMBS Border Cross race mid August but had to cancel the Sport, Comp, Marathon and Elite races due to rainy weather, has rescheduled the event to coincide with the high school race that weekend which is October 15th.
Home to a vibrant mountain bike community, the riders from "Black's" are eager to showcase their classic singletrack along a scenic un named creek. Host to the popular Wednesday night rides, the old school trail system features plenty of challenging features including rock gardens, roots, quick steeps and drops and fast flowing twisty singletrack. There are events for all ability levels however and a great grass roots race sure not to miss. Ages 18 and under race free!!
(Photo: Rock Garden at Black's Grove)
Although the deer fly season is long gone, thankfully, there will be plenty of fast chasing at the Deer Fly Chase located at the Hickory Ridge trail system. The event is hosted by "CORBA" on a course offering scenic trails with beautiful scenery. Race director Noah Miachelson reports: Looks like I will have the past three winners back to battle it out this year - Swanson, Lillie, Fitzgerald."
(Photo: Twisting along the Red River at MB Johnson Park, Moorhead, MN)
The FM Area Trailbuilders have been working hard the last three years including this past weekend where a group of 15 volunteers came together to help build yet more trail along the north flowing Red River on the Minnesota side in Moorhead. New trail was added to the "Goose" trail and along with the MB Johnson trail north of town, will be host to races on both Saturday and Sunday. The emphasis is FUN to encourage new riders but provide a challenging experience for the seasoned riders.
Scott Putman reports: we are planning to do a night short track Halloween race under the lights associated with our Stump Farm Trail races. We did this prior to the WORS race here and the riders were so freaking excited we are going to do it again.
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/LaMere/Paramount/Jake's Bikes mountain bike team and enters his 26th year of racing and promoting mountain bike races. Have an event or mountain bike related information to share from the Midwest? Feel free to contact Jay at |