Midwest MTB Racing Recap

by Jay Richards
September 14, 2010
A link to Claire Cannon's recap from WORS Treadfest, preview of the top riders in the Chequamegon 40 and a look ahead at a couple of events highlights this weeks report.


WORS Treadfest

WORS is starting to wind down its series as racers headed to the farthest south venue on the circuit, hitting the slopes at Lake Geneva Resort. Radio Shack rider Jason McCartney made an appearance as Tristan Schouten and Abbigail Strigel cruised to another series win and pretty much putting a lock on the series title. The two riders faced tough challenges from within the WORS Series ranks, as well as from out-of-town contenders with serious racing credentials. Claire Cannon reports: "Evening rains late Friday set the stage for beautiful racing conditions on the rocky, technical course. The intense climbing and tight singletrack sections at Lake Geneva afforded Strigel and Schouten a chance to further their winning streaks."

Read Cannon's full report on Cyclingnews.com 

Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival Preview

Riders roll down Main Street Hayward, Chequamegon 40, September 13, 2008

With a cool start to the beginning of September and leaves starting to change in the north-land, it definitely feels like it is Chequamegon time. Like most areas in the Midwest, the Chequamegon trails have seen excessive amounts of rainfall but the race organizers are reporting good trails conditions and another great weekend of racing is on tap. The event will have a different feel with Telemark Lodge closed but what brings most riders to the area is the top notch trail system in the forests of Chequamegon and riders of all abilities are ready to get the wheels moving. Gary Crandall and his excellent experienced staff are set to provide a great event even with the changes at Telemark. 

As of press time, no big names flying in to dice it up with the best in the Midwest (other than one particular rider who is a late minute add, featured below) but the racing will be fast and furious.  We take a look at the top riders shooting for the top prize in the main event, the Chequamegon 40.

Cheq 40 Men
  • Tristan Schouten: Tristan comes in as the top favorite, in my opinion, having one of his best seasons ever in the dirt in his decorated career. Schouten picked up his sixth WORS win this year, scoring the victory at last weekends Treadfest. Other top results that confirm his solid form include a second place at Ore to Shore in a sprint behind TJ Woodruff, (who I would also list at the top but currently is in France on a training study) and was the top Midwest finisher at the Pro XCT Subaru Cup. Combined with some top finishes in local road races, Tristan has the base to climb to the top step after numerous solid placings in Chequamegon 40's past.
  • Tight finish as Brian Matter edges Cole House, Chequamegon 40, September 20, 2009 (Credit: Jay Richards)
    Brian Matter: Last years winner will be in the top group for sure, but he hasn't had the results like other years leading up to the event.  But for a rider like Matter and his resume, it doesn't matter cuz his name is Matter! Ha! Brian has been gearing up for a big cross season and has the experience and savvy to be at the front all the way to the end.
  • Doug Swanson: Doug has been racing in the dirt more this year than recent mtb seasons, rolling 26" wheels again and posting some solid results including the Minnesota state short track title at Maplelag over Labor Day. Doug is probably one of the most likable guys in cycling, whether it be road, mtb or cross yet he is the most aggressive rider I have ever watched and on any particular moment, is the fastest mountain biker in the country. I say that because I'll never forget the National race in Sonoma, CA when he was leading the race for a lap or so. Doug doesn't go in with the attitude "we'll see how it goes", he pins it right off the bat hell bent for election and if all is going well, could score his third win of the decade.
  • Jason Sager: The Texas native Sager, now living in Utah, made a special stop at Maplelag over Labor day weekend posting wins in the time trial and cross country and dicing it up with riders mentioned in this preview in the short track for a second place finish en route to the overall stage victory. I was most impressed with his ability to come in and ride the technical course against seasoned course riders like Brendan Moore, Sam Oftedahl and Swanson. Sager has had a great season dicing it up in all disciplines of mountain biking, short tracks, cross country, point to point stage race epics including a second place finish in the BC Bike race, a seven stage mountain bike race in British Colombia and a top 15 finish (6th American) at Sea Otter this year amongst the top Pros in the world. The pure mountain bikers might argue the course doesn't suit Sager but with the background Sager has, I wouldn't rule him out as a top podium contender.
  • LaLonde Brothers: Like Matter, the LaLonde brothers are focusing heavily on the cross scene this year, scaling back a bit on the mountain bike doings. Putting in some huge miles, they will definitely have the fitness but the high end to punch it at the end might be a question mark.
  • Jack Hinkens: Hinkens has been a bit off the Midwest radar in recent weeks, having competed in World Championships most recently after a World Cup dig the weekend before. Home for the weekend from the college world at Fort Lewis in Durango, CO, Jack stepped it up a notch this season by establishing himself as one of the top U23 riders in the country taking a few wins in the Minnesota series in the process. A skilled rider in the technical trail, I still would not rule him out in the front group until the final miles and by chance the race is a "mudder" the gifted rider would move to top of the list to take the victory.
  • Pat Lemieux: Pat probably had one of the craziest situations last year when his bike flew off the car rack heading up to the race the day before. Taking the win a few weekends ago in the 75 mile Unnamed Epic and dicing it up in the state short track at Maplelag over Labor day weekend, P-Cakes has another year of experience under his belt and could be a podium waver if he can hang on until the last few miles.
  • Steve Tilford: Even though Tilly doesn't spend much time in the dirt, the three time champion and ageless rider knows where to be, and what to do in order to step on the podium. Bottom line is you can never rule out the Topeka, KS resident and for the next 5-10 years probably we'll be saying the same thing. (On a unrelated note, check out the interesting post Tilly wrote a few days ago about diet.  Good stuff.)
  • Michaels from Michigan: Both Michael Anderson and Michael Simonson have consistently been in the top 20 with Simonson taking the mighty Ore to Shore in years past and placing third this year behind Woodruff and Schouten in the sprint. It wouldn't surprise me if he was on the top step, again everything would have to fall in to place proper.
  • Adam Swank: Swank is probably best known in the skiing circles with his top finishes in the Midwest including a third place finish in Birkie 2008. Swank recorded a 16th place finish last year and a rider that could move up a few spots.
  • Chris Peariso: Peariso knows how to suffer and keep pushing through. He has a knack for posting top finishes in the 40 including an 7th place last year and an impressive 5th place in 2008. Having the experience of riding in the front group is priceless and with anything happening near the end, Chris certainly has what it takes to improve on his top five placing.
  • Cam Kirkpatrick: One of the fastest masters in the country. Didn't post the result last year he was hoping for after a top 10 finish in 2008 but has dialed in his training and is ready to rock. Cam might be rolling in the 20's at Hwy OO but never count out Cam to throw down his trademark style of moving up from the rear.

Notable absentees: Cole House, who provided the exciting sprint finish with Matter last year, will be in Europe racing. Bjorn Selander, former winner in the Short and Fat like House and top 10 finisher last year, will be racing at Nationals. And, as previous mentioned, TJ Woodruff is in France conducting a research with a training group.
One other item to note is the sanction brought on by USA Cycling and the lifetime ban from racing for last years 6th place finisher in the 40, Dewey Dickey. There are a lot of articles floating out there and the bottom line I find it very sad of the number of Master athletes that have turned to doping to put themselves ahead of their competitors and feel sad about the situation in general reading what Dickey has gone through.  I always tell young riders including my own sons that I rather see them finish back in the pack clean knowing they gave it their all than make the choice to dope to be at front. Dopers suck.

With some of the top Minnesota riders sitting out this year, a couple of last years top 15 racers not racing and the above mentioned not racing, riders who have been on the bubble cracking the top 20 should have a good chance to move up a few spots and go home with the fancy plaque from the awards ceremony.

Cheq 40 Women

The womens race has the makings to be one of the more exciting races with Minnesota riders and former 40 winners Sara Kylander Johnson and Jenna Rinehart coming in as the top favorites. The unique situation with the women is they aren't grouped like the men so sometimes keeping racers in check can be difficult and communicating with spouses, family and friends is key.

  • Womens champion Jenna Rinehart, Chequamegon 40, September 19, 2009
    Sara Kylander Johnson: Adapting nicely to motherhood as much as a mom can, SKJ along with her husband Scott, has had a fantastic season winning most of the races she has entered including the Seeley Lions Pre-Fat a few short weeks ago pulling top men along the way. SKJ finished second to Rinehart at the Ore to Shore, dealing with some mechanical issues.
  • Jenna Rinehart: Jenna didn't race as much in the dirt this year indulging in some road events, the Nature Valley Gran Prix and Tour of Oregon to name a few, which should be a nice prep for the fast Chequamegon course. She was the cross country winner at Laddies Loppet stage race over SKJ.
  • Catherin Walberg: Three time winner must be drinking from the same artesian well as Tilford. Not getting older but keeping fast. If for some reason SKJ or Reinhart have issue, she should be right there.
  • Abbigail Strigel: Strigel has been the dominating force in the WORS. She hasn't seem to crack the Minnesota force but like Walberg, if any troubles come up front, she will be there.
  • Rebecca Sauber: Sauber continues to improve each year and could easily improve on her top five finish from last year.
  • Anne Grawboski: Anne has been keen to racing WORS like races, always solid in the top 10. Good to see her on the start list after I freaked her out about deer ticks and Lyme disease at the Cable Off Road Classic.
  • Lisa Krayer: Another solid season in WORS, posted top five finish at Treadfest last weekend.
  • Linda Cooper: Spends most of her time getting the racing fix doing cross in the fall. She always hangs with the guys in the fast paced Rollag rides in the hilly country of Lake Agassiz shores, she certainly could improve on her 9th place finish from last year.
  • Dianna McFadden: Having a good year in the Minnesota series and the points to points in the upper Midwest. Should be in the top 10 this year.

Cheq 40 Tandem Teams

Tandem champions Kim and Brian Eppen, Chequamegon 40, September 19, 2009

As long as the Eppens roll the bicycle made for two, they will be a favorite and race to be in the front group as long as they can. Always a good battle in the mix tandems with Wallace and Beckie Alexander and Paul and Janna Krawczyk battling for podium spots.

Short and Fat

In addition to the riders previewed in the Chequamegon Press Release, look for Evan Hartig, Matt Wenzel and Casey Hildenbrandt to be in the mix and John Thompson will be setting the pace early and hoping for a podium finish.  Kristi Henderson is one to watch in the female division (and will be paced by Hollywood!).

Although the top male and female riders were previewed, the racing is tight and exciting top and bottom in all age classes and divisions.

Good luck to everyone racing and have a fun and safe race!

Looking Ahead

Retired professional rider Kyia Anderson, who during her career was considered one of the best technical riders in the pro women's cross country field, will be putting on a free skills clinic at the Graystone trails north loop (site of the upcoming MNSCS Single Track Escape) on Monday September 20th at 5:30pm for riders of all ability levels.  Come join Kyia and learn the skills to ride this years race course faster and more efficiently.  Kyia's clinic will focus on learning foundational skills and then translating those skills onto the trail.  For more information on the clinic please contact Revolution Cycle and Ski at 320-251-BIKE.

The Red River Bicycle Festival will be held the last weekend in September featuring cyclocross and mountain bike races on the new MB Johnson mountain bike trail. The Moorhead Police Department will also be hosting a bike rodeo.

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 mountain bike team and enters his 20th year of racing and promoting mountain bike races.