Western Wisconsin was the scene for mountain bike racing this past weekend with the Seely Lions Pre-Fat and the combined MNSCS and WORS race at White Tail park just outside River Falls.

Terry Penman reports:

The Seeley Lions Pre Fat Race was held this past Saturday, August 23, under cool, dry and fast conditions.  Over three hundred riders showed up for the three races.  In the Expert Mens Race T.J. Woodruff held off local favorite Jesrin Gaier for the win, with Sam Oftedahl coming in third.  In the Expert Womens Race Kyia Anderson opened up an eight minute lead over second place finisher Diana McFadden, with Margaret Riley taking third.  The Seeley Lions Pre Fat Race is held each year, the weekend before Labor Day.  All proceeds go toward community projects.  Thanks for coming out!

Lot of Nordic skiers hitting the trails for the Seely race with top Midwest skiers Adam Swank and Garrot Kuzzy posting nice finishes.

The Border Battle course was a new venue for both the MNSCS and WORS. Riders hitting the course the day before reported fast and dry conditions with quick flowing singletrack and a few short, punchy climbs. The cold front that worked the northern plains over the weekend made for pleasant racing, albeit it was a bit dusty. Jake and I made the trip south to partake in the fun and dice it up with the Wisconsin folks. Race organizers came up with a scoring system to award the winning state a traveling trophy to be displayed at future races. Although we were battling against riders from Wisconsin, my mindset wasn't too beat the Wisconsin riders, it was a usual race to go as hard a possible, have fun and enjoy the course. Mountain bikers are some of the nicest people I know, no matter what state they come from. Shoot, if your pet poodle walked out on a freshly frozen lake, you could ask any one of them to go get it for you and they probably would, even the Clydesdales.

We drove down the morning of the race and made great time to arrive well over 2 hours before our starts. Pulling into the parking lot, it was obvious large fields were on hand with the multiple lots full with cars. On the day, I think there were over 600 racers!! We watched the start of the Sport race and got ready for the Comp and Expert races, checking out part of the course during the warm up.

Minnesota won the coin toss for the state to have the first riders called to the Expert line, based on current standings after races being held so far. Organizers did a nice job calling up riders from each state as well as riders not ranked that were either Pro or Semi-Pro to provide a fast and clean start as possible. At the sound of "goooooo" we made a sweeping right up to a double track climb that selected riders rather nicely before the open field section and singletrack. Halfway up that climb, Jesse Lalonde "spun" his way to the front and never looked back en route to another win in the WORS. With a fast track and highly competitive field, the racing was back and fourth through the entire race with any little mishap or mechanical costly as it was very difficult to chase and close down gaps.  Rounding out the top five was Seeley winner, TJ Woodruff, a mid to late race charging Brian Matter taking the sprint for third over Mike Phillips and the top Minnesota rider, Sam Oftedahl, in fifth. Lots of "battles" in all the classes with tight, intense racing.

In the women's race, Jenna Zander rode to another convincing win with a margin of victory at 3 1/2 minutes over Abbigail Strigel. Rounding out the top five were Kyia Anderson, Holly Liske and Rebecca Sauber, respectively.

Notes: A handful of riders did the doubleheader with Woodruff, the Oftedahl brothers, Jesrin Gaier and Anderson to name a few, taking on both races for the weekend.

This is the weekend I switch from racing to promoting/running a race, the Laddies Loppet stage race here at Maplelag Resort, race # 9 in the MNSCS. It takes lots of preparation during the summer months to put on a race but its all good and lots of fun. The racers are what makes the race and always a fun weekend with familiar faces, making it feel like a family reunion....but no cranky aunt! We have added some singletrack sections we built a few years ago, that has been missing the past few races, into the Sport/Comp/Expert loop. The Sunday cross country event is a qualifier for the 2009 US Mountain Bike National Championships which will be held in Sol Vista, Colorado.  Racing kicks off on Saturday morning with a timed trial followed by exciting short track racing in the afternoon. Sunday evening we wind the weekend down with an "asado" on the "parilla" and a bonfire, recapping the race.

Look forward to seeing everyone here.

Keep the wheels moving!!