Midwest MTB Report
We are amidst one of the busiest months of the mountain bike season with point-to-point and endurance events taking place among the series races. Also, riders are getting in those last trips out West or checking out the plethora of new trail in the Midwest. It's been a challenging few weeks dealing with air quality due to wild fires in Canada, but hopefully things take a turn for the better with much need rain falling across the border in recent days. Big news on the racing front was the transfer of the Borah Epic to the Birkie. We will feature a bit more insight on this transition in next week's report. This week's report includes highlights from the iconic Maah Daah Heh races in the Badlands of North Dakota, recaps of the MNMBS "Powder Monkey" race at Spirit Mountain, and a look ahead to a busy middle of August.
Maah Daah Hey Highlights
The Maah Daah Hey mountain bike races were held this past weekend and feature distances of 13, 25, 50, 75, and 100 miles. The 100 mile race actually checks out at 104 miles and features nearly 15,000 feet of climbing on the award winning Maah Daah Hey Trail. The weather can be a game changer for this event—from rain creating peanut butter mud conditions, to the heat always playing factor. An early start will take care of the hottest conditions, but much respect to all those that take on this beastly event.
Paulie Glatt provides a recap for the 50:
"I was originally signed up for the MDH100 but switched to the MDH50 due to lack of training time and I certainly made the right decision. This was a challenging ride."
"The first 25 miles were packed with punchy climbs that had my legs screaming. And while the final 25 still had nearly 2500’ of climbing, the descents seemed longer and allowed for more active recovery. By mile 54, I was ready to get off my bike."
"The weather was great, starting in the 60s and just barely pushing 90 by the end. The skies were overcast, protecting us from the sun, and the smoke from the wildfires wasn’t noticeable."
"These folks put on a great race and the volunteers were amazing. Thank you!!! Grateful for the opportunity to spend some time riding my bike in the beautiful Badlands of my home state North Dakota."
"Also a big thank you to my awesome cousin Andy for sharing the adventure with me while riding a single speed, wearing a long-sleeve western shirt with a bolo tie, and jorts . And finally a thank you to our support team for driving us to the start, meeting us halfway, and cheering us across the finish line."
"I hope to return next year."
Kraus-Anderson Duluth Bike Festival
After ultra dry conditions, rain moved into the Twin Ports Thursday evening, setting the stage for a foggy, muddy, and damp weekend of bike racing at Spirit Mountain. The popular year-round ski hill was host to multiple events; from Enduro on Saturday, to cross country and downhill on Sunday. The cross country event was part of the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series. With the wet conditions, the course was altered, using the all weather trail for much of the descent instead of the fall line classic singletrack "knowlton" downhill.
The women's elite field was one of the larger ones this year with 10 racers crossing the line. Top place went to junior rider Chloe Leege, followed by mom Ronnie Lajoie, and another junior rider Caroline Haag taking the third spot. In the men's elite, UMD student Emmet Donohue took top honors, followed by fellow local riders Chase Sams and Adam Swank.
GRIND: Giants Ridge Iron N Dirt
Giants Ridge is set to host cross country races this weekend featuring a variety of trail and terrain.
The Long GRIND (35 miles) mountain bike race course utilizes the most scenic and challenging terrain in Minnesota’s Iron Range. Expect extremely tough climbs, fast descents, varied terrain with rocks, roots, creeks and plenty of passing opportunities. The first third of the course sets up with the Short GRIND but steep punchy climbs on some of the most beautiful cross country ski trails in the state. The middle section speeds up on fast gravel roads and snowmobile/ATV trails. The last third will take everything you have to push through several punishing climbs right to the finish.
Ore to Short Mountain Bike Epic
The 22nd Annual Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic is set for August 14th, 2021 and is on track for the biggest race yet. Over 2,200 racers are registered so far but there is still time to register or volunteer.
The O2S is a point-to-point race, with riders gearing up at the start line in historic Negaunee, wherein 1844 iron ore was first discovered in the Superior region. The epic courses travel through Ishpeming, past towering head frames from underground mining, then move north into the beautiful wilderness. Next, crossing or running alongside of the Dead River all the way into Marquette, racers eventually meet up with the Lake Superior shoreline.
Race day features events for all ages and biking ability. From the 48-mile Hard Rock, the 28-mile Soft Rock, the 10- mile Shore Rock and youth races ranging from 4 miles to 50 yards.
Keep the wheels moving!
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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 mountain bike team and enters his 31st 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 |