Midwest MTB Racing Recap
This is the final report of the Midwest MTB Report. Thanks to everyone who has followed along and provided information, comments and feedback. We conclude this years report with a trail report from Black's Grove near Wadena, MN and a quick look at a couple dirt related items coming ahead. (Note: A special interview with Piotr Bednarski is in the works and will be posted soon.) Have a great "off season" and keep the wheels moving![ And we'd like to say thank you to Jay Richards for yet another outstanding season of MTB reports, treating us to all the first-hand accounts and inside "skinny"; Thanks Jay! -- Ed. ]
Black's Grove Trail Report
Earlier this week I finally had a chance to check out the mountain bike trail built by Wadena area mountain bikers at Black's Grove. "Blacks" is a park donated by the Captain John Black family back in 1944 who first discovered the area in 1888. Awesome! I met up with Maplelag teamer, Denny Barry, who provided a nice guided tour of the trail, and explained how the trail evolved and the efforts put forth by the locals to make things happen. Denny also showed me throughout the ride plans for future trail. The trail is well marked, starting just to the left of the parking lot at the park and is just over 7 miles in length. The trail is entirely "singletrack" with quick ups and drops along the river that passes through the park. Other features including tight singletrack in the Spruce woods, a rock garden and a maximum use of the terrain with fun berms and flowy twistiness. It is a beautiful area, just off of highway 10, west of Wadena and completely different feel from coming off of highway 10 to the park. Super easy to find and if you are passing through the area on highway 10 and need a fix of mountain biking or just want to stop and listen to the sounds of a gurgling creek, be sure to check out this area. A shelter was built in recent years using a few of the local massive spruce trees with a big fire pit so be sure to bring your wieners along to roast.
US Cyclocross Nationals to Wisconsin
The big buzz last week was the naming by USA Cycling for Madison, Wisconsin as the host city for the 2012-2013 Cyclocross National Championships. Additionally, the national governing body announced that for 2012 and 2013, the event will move from its traditional dates during the second week of December to the first week in January. Because next season's national championship will take place in January of 2012 and this season's is scheduled for December of 2010, there will not be a cyclo-cross national championship event held during the 2011 calendar year. Organized by the Madison Area Sports Commission and Team Sports Inc., the 2012 event will take place January 4-8 in Madison's Badger Prairie/Reddan Park where warming tents and plenty of shelter will help ensure the warmth and safety of racers and spectators. More information on Mad Cross website
Race Across the Sky
The Race Across the Sky 2010 movie will be showing in select theaters this Thursday, November 4th, highlighting the Leadville 100 mountain bike race. Mountain bikers are joined by the toughest elite field the high-altitude century mountain bike race has ever seen, riders are tested by one of the most brutal courses known to the sport. From the center of the little mining town of Leadville, Colorado, to the 12,570-foot top of Columbine Mine, get ready to be inspired all over again.
Jake and I will be catching the show at the historic Fargo theater and looking quite forward to it. The event will be LIVE November 4 with a panel discussion featuring key participating athletes Levi Leipheimer, JHK Rebecca Rusch, and more and then the documentary Race Across the Sky 2010 - all beginning at 8:30PM ET / 7:30PM CT / 6:30PM MT / 8:30 PM PT (tape delayed). An encore presentation will show November 9 at 7:30 pm (local time).
Looking Ahead
The MNMBS end of season celebration and awards party will be held at QBP on November 6 from 5:00 - 8:00. It will be an informal family setting. There will be light snacks, beverages, and SWAG. Series directors and race organizers will be getting together to discuss the next season and set up the schedule. Also, series directors are asking racers to vote on their favorite Race of the Year which will be recognized at the awards ceremony.
WORS has pretty much set their schedule for next year and used an online poll to help organizers determine the race for September 25th. Read the full press release.
Keep the wheels moving and THINK SNOW!!
 | 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. |