Midwest MTB Racing Report
The mountain bike season is winding down fast with the crisp and crunchy sights and sounds of fall in full swing. This weeks report includes recaps from the Deer Fly Chase and the third race in the MN High School Cycling season, plus a look ahead to the final race in the WORS series.
Minnesota High School Racing
Despite no series racing at the popular Hillside park in Elk River, MN. high school and even middle school racers hit the hilly trails for a great day of racing. Libby Shurley provides a report:
Could it have been any better? Over 300 high school racers under a cloudless blue sky, with temps in the high 60s; it was a fabulous Race 3 at Hillside Park in Elk River for the MN High School Cycling League’s mountain bike racing program. Hillside’s swoopy singletrack, sneaky uphill, rooty tight turns, and long grassy dual track made for a great day of racing. Smiles on racers, smiles on parents, and the clanging of cowbells as racers sprinted through the infield straight made for another epic day of racing for the MN League.
History was made, too. At Hillside Trail in Elk River, MN, 12 years after the high school mountain bike racing movement began in California, 7th and 8th grade students were allowed to participate in a NICA-sanctioned event. 44 middle school racers had their own race at Noon, thanks to a Pilot Program approved by the NICA Board of Directors. Using the Prologue portion of the Hillside course, all but 2 middle school racers completed 2 laps in the designated time limitation.
“Middle school racers tore it up today,” said MN League Director Gary Sjoquist. “We had 7th and 8th graders running lap times that would have been competitive in the Sophmore ranks. No DNFs, no issues, no crashes – these kids can race! What we learned today - as in Nordic skiing, middle schoolers can participate in high school mountain bike races and deserve a chance to become life-long cyclists through NICA participation.”
Deer Fly Chase
Noah Michaelson provides the full recap from the Deer Fly Chase:
The weather looked ominous, but the rain held off for our 3rd Annual Deer Fly Chase. The star-studded field of racers started under partly sunny skies. The equalizer climb on Rattlesnake Hill broke the contenders out early and spread out the racers. Great conditions were experienced, as the racers hit the spectacular singletrack. The racing continued through fast flowy singletrack, broken up by rolling ski trails and gravel roads, as the course wound its way past glacial lakes and through forested ridges. The wind blew and the clouds darkened, but all racers were off the course before the threatening rain finally came. While it rained, the tired racers and volunteers enjoyed a meal and a Fat Tire under the big tent. Awards were received and much Swag was dispersed. Despite the changing weather a great time was had by all. Our smallish event continues to grow, 98 registrants, just shy of 100!
Racers: I want to say thank you for making this a great race. The race has benefited from the return of a lot of the same faces each year. In 3 years we have yet to have an issue that we couldn't solve. Please come back next year for more fun.
Non-Racers: You know who you are. I am calling you out. Unfortunately, you missed out. There is always next year to get in on this great time.
Volunteers: Many thanks go out to those that are repeat volunteers and the new ones that I hope I can ask to come back next year. I hope that you enjoyed the day of racing, helping make the event a success and the food and drink that followed. Let me know how I can repay the favor. Special thanks go out to Bob Schwartz for organizing registration and timing the event; Brian Kelley for the unending hours spent building trail with the mini x; Randy Stearns for the many hours of course setup and take down.
The Organizations of Influence: First, a great thank you to Chippewa County and Mike Dahlby, for the continued partnership surrounding the race, but more importantly on the access to maintain and develop the mountain bike trails at Hickory Ridge. Second, to the Friends Of Hickory Ridge, for being an ally for silent sports in Chippewa County and representing "our voice" effectively at the county level. And third, CORBA for having the members and tools to make great trails possible in this area.
Sponsors: Park Ridge Distributing / New Belgium: Angie Bowe and team once again provided the Fat Tire and plenty of SWAG for everyone. Spring Street Sports: Joe, Dave, Nate and others for their ongoing support of the race and providing winners' prizes. Wisconsin Scale: John Nelson and team provided support for the event. Gordy's County Market: Provided beverages and food supplies. Bloomer Tent Rental: The Young Family in Bloomer continue to provide "much needed" support with use of a tent and tables. Kelley Chiropractic: Brian and Tina Kelley for providing delicious hot dogs, and grilling them too.
Race report from Aaron Swanson
Joe in China
Joseph Maloney had the recent opportunity to race in China and has provides an interesting recap on his blog.
Looking Ahead
WORS wraps up its season with the Wigwam MTB challenge, located on the outskirts of Sheboygan. The Wigam is always well attended by the top riders in the country as WORS caps off its season reign as the largest mountain bike series in the country.
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 23rd year of racing and promoting mountain bike races. |