Midwest MTB Report
A relatively quiet fourth of July weekend on the racing front will be followed by one of the busiest weekends of the summer with many races and events happening in the Midwest this coming weekend. This weeks report includes a special first hand report from Chris Benson of West Hawk Lake Manitoba Canada who participated in the British Columbia Bike Race (BCBR), a handful of mountain bike related items to note and a look ahead to a busy weekend that includes the grand opening of the trails including new gravity runs at Detroit Mountain. as mentioned in a previous report.
Manitoban Takes on British Columbia
Riders in the Minnesota series might recall the name Chirs Benson who has competed in Laddies Loppet at Maplelag in recent years, posting a top five finish last year in the Elite class. I have gotten to know the Benson family over the years and had a chance to visit their beautiful location in West Hawk Lake just an hour east of Winnipeg and drool over the classic old school singletrack Chris, his brother Scott, his dad Bill along with area mountain bike enthusiasts have built. On my list to rider proper in the near future. On these trails along with some serious trainer time Chris prepared for one of his biggest events on his racing calendar, the British Columbia Bike Race. Chris had a most impressive week mixing it up with some very strong riders in the elite group en route to meeting his goal of a top 8 finish overall. Chris provides an insight in to this epic event:
My name is Chris Benson. I'm an avid mountain biker who grew up in Canada's Canadian Shield. I started out racing the Manitoba Cup Race Series, as well as select Canada Cups and the Laddies Loppet in Maplelag, Minnesota.
As a teenager our family supported my dad as he competed in the Trans Rockies Challenge 3 times, as well as the Trans Alp Challenge in 2008. Being exposed to multi-day events at a young age stuck with me as I grew older and searched for the ultimate adventure.
After my inaugural multi day event, the Trans Rockies in 2013, BC Bike Race appeared on my radar. BC Bike Race is a 7 day stage race held in costal British Columbia during the first week of July. It attracts racers from across the globe to experience some of the worlds best single track.
In 2014, after my first year of dedicated training, I placed 13 overall. My week was highlighted by an 8th place finish on stage 4 and 4th overall in the enduro/timed descent. I thoroughly enjoying the event, and signed up for the 2015 edition before I arrived home.
After a good winters training and 4 warm up races in Manitoba, I was ready to get back to the coast for another grueling week in the saddle. I set a goal of 8th place overall, which I knew would be a challenge given the caliber of racers at BCBR.
On average, the stages are 30 miles with 5000 feet of climbing. They consist of mostly purpose built single track, using double track and gravel roads to connect the trails together.
Starting out the week in Cumberland and Powel River, I put down two solid 10th place finishes. These trail networks house some of the best single track I've ever ridden, with an emphasis on pump and flow. Often needing several days of racing before I get into my groove, I knew my goal of 8th was attainable.
Up next were the race's two monster days. They connect the towns of Earls Cove, Sechelt and Gibsons. Both stages are point to point, with 5500 feet of climbing over 35 miles. Capped off by a 25 minute descent on stage 4, I was happy come out alive with 7th and 8th place finishes respectively.
We then headed to North Vancouver, where we'd face the race's most technical trails. Infested with roots and rocks, my Canadian Shield pedigree was able shine through. Another 7th place and I was able to slot into 8th overall.
Onto Squamish, my favorite stage in 2014. After my coach telling me I probably had another gear and just didn't know it, I went hard off the line, giving it all I had to stay with the leaders on the first climb. It worked! I looked back after entering the single track and a group of 5 of us had a gap. I continued to push and stayed with them for most of the next ascent. On the first technical section, I was able to overtake the rider ahead of me after he tore a sidewall. Pushing hard in 4th place, I suspected one of three pro riders trailing was bound to catch me. Sure enough, he did. We were able to work together, and hold off the pack trailing just 40 seconds behind. I was the 5th rider across the line, a placing I only dreamed of entering the week.
Day 7, Whistler - a short stage showcasing Whistler's Lost Lake trail network. At 13 miles with 2500 feet of climbing, it was a big change up after 6 days grueling, epic days. Crossing the line in Whistler's Olympic Plaza, my goal of 8th was achieved. More importantly, I had one of the most memorable weeks of my life. Sharing grimaces and smiles, and every facial expression in between with 600 cyclists from across the globe- what more could you ask for?
Safe to say I'll be back next year.
Latest WORS Report
The most recent race report from WORS was released after last weeks report but here is the WORS recap from The Red Flint Firecracker:
The Trek sponsored Wisconsin Off Road Series (WORS) made their fifth stop of the 2015 season this past weekend at Lowes Creek in Eau Claire, WI. Named The Red Flint Firecracker, the race featured a long, fast lead out that then tossed racers onto the Whoops for their first taste of fun. Afterwards racers were thrown into a short pine forest with twisty but flowing singletrack. From there on it was a mix of roots, rocks, boardwalks and rolling ski trails that kept the racers engaged and ready for anything. This race course provided a fun and fast Sunday for everyone.
The Belgioioso Pro/Elite Men's race took a hot start with a fast lead out but then shortened down to a group of 5 off the front. Cole House, Nathan Guerra (Vision Cycling), Tristan Schouten (Rolf Prima/Attitude Sports) and teammates Corey Stelljes(Motorless Motion/Cannondale) and Issac Neff (Motorless Motion Bicycles/ 5 Nines) all came through together after the prologue lap. To start the second lap, House took a wrong turn which in response, Guerra surged. Shortly after his surge, Guerra went down in the singletrack leaving the lead group scattered with others trying to bridge up to the front. By the start of the third lap, the top 5 riders were back together. As the lap continued, Guerra and House slowly pulled away from the group, an all too familiar position for the two men. On the last lap, House attacked Guerra on the final hill of the race which gave him just enough for the win. Guerra finished shortly after with his third 2nd place finish of the season. As for the other men, Stelljes finished 3rd, Schouten 4th, with Neff closely behind rounding out the top 5.
The BelGioioso Pro/Elite Women's field was small but fast. The long lead out proved dangerous for the women as there was a crash. Racer Lindsay Guerra (Vision Cycling) took a hard fall along with a Junior Elite competitor shortly after the start of the race. Guerra was pretty shaken up but managed to finish with a solid third place. After the crash, Leia Schneeberger (Magnus) and Sarah Agena (Cider Boys) rode together for the first half of lap until Schneeberger began to ride away. Schneeberger put over 5 minutes on the rest of the field on her way to her first ever 1st place overall. Sarah Agena also had one of her best WORS finishes with second place. Rounding out the Pro/Elite field, Rachel Jensen(Team Wisconsin/ KS Energy) finished fourth overall.
Next stop on the WORS 2015 calendar is the Scarlet Knight Scramble on July 12th. This race held at Nordic Mountain in Mt. Morris is best known for hosting the USA Cycling Pro XCT in years past. This course will bring all the same fun with the challenging climbs, and demanding twists and turns.
Fast Women
Chris Schotz wrote a great article published in Silent Sport on what makes women fast Here is an excerpt from that article:
On a good day, women make up just 15 percent of the field at a mountain bike race. Who are these strong women, and what makes them show up at events that are so dominated by men? A secret society of warrior princesses they are not, and they certainly aren't there for a peek at guys in tight shorts.
To find out who they really are, I assembled a panel of the toughest women on two wheels and set out to discover what brings them to the front. These are the ladies who turn heads at races because they ride in front of the majority of the guys.
What makes them so fast? Is there some impenetrable mystique totally indecipherable by men? Alas, I discovered no mysterious sisterhood out to neuter mankind. Their secret has nothing to do with chromosomes.
While these women are definitely competitive, they also have perpetual smiles on their faces whenever they ride. It's not that they share some private joke that they keep from the men. No, it's the simple fact that they have a ton of fun on their bikes, and that is the main secret to their success.
Junior Crank Sisters
June 30 was the final night of the Jr. Crank Sisters camp hosted by the Minnesota High School Cycling League. Sixteen Jr. Crank Sisters learned biking skills and confidence in their riding while having FUN on their bikes.
The last night was Crazy Outfit night with started with a parade around the paved biking trails (since dirt trails were closed due to rain) and ended with build your own singletrack contest in the open field.
The City of Woodbury and the Carver Lakes Trail Crew were hosts for the event. For those still looking to check out the sport, Try it Out Sessions are occurring every Wednesday in July including tonight!
Bike Tourism
With a plethora of new mountain bike trails and paved trail riding activity at a all time high, an interesting article was published in StarTribune on three areas that have done well.
Barry Stander
The South African taxi driver who was responsible for the death of Olympic mountain biker Burry Stander in January 2013 has been handed a six-year jail sentence. Magistrate Charmaine Barnard conditionally suspended three of the years of Njabulo Nyawose's sentence for five years, according to News24, and imposed a further 5,000 Rand fine for disobeying a road sign, but also suspended that fine.
Nyawose was found guilty in April of culpable homicide after causing Stander's death on South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.
Stander was cycling with his wife Cherise when he was struck by Nyawose's taxi on January 3, 2013. The court heard that Nyawose overtook stationary vehicles at peak time to turn into a side road when he collided with Stander.
The Money Flows for the Flow
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will receive approximately $35 million dollars from the Parks and Trails Legacy fund. This money funds various projects throughout Minnesota's state parks and trails system. Included in the DNR's plan is $600,000 for the mountain bike trail system within the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area (CCSRA). This will fund phase one of the MN DNR and Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew's Master Vision for Trails. Phase one includes making the entire system one-way, thus improving safety, and developing a true beginner trail.
This weekend there will be a celebration of the funds received at the crew partner Town Tavern where a special announcement will be made regarding the new funding.
Looking Ahead
A full plate of mountain biking in the region with series races in Wisconsin, Minnesota and epic events in North and South Dakota.
Minnesota series riders stay north, heading to the new trail system in Duluth, Mission creek, which debuted last year. A fast flowing super built singletrack express will challenge riders to stay in control as they navigate bridges and berms.
Next stop on the WORS 2015 calendar is the Scarlet Knight Scramble on July 12th. This race held at Nordic Mountain in Mt. Morris is best known for hosting the USA Cycling Pro XCT in years past. This course will bring all the same fun with the challenging climbs, and demanding twists and turns.
The Tatanka 100 is a point-to-point race stating at Mount Rushmore and finishing in Sturgis! From the shrine of democracy to the city of riders, racers will test their mettle as they navigate South Dakotas Centennial Trail. For those who are not quite ready to tackle 100 off-road miles there are both 50k and 10k mountain bike options too. Both riders and spectators alike will enjoy the finish line venue in Sturgis and the BAM (Bikes, Art, & Music) festival where family friendly activities, a vendor fair and live music will be featured throughout the day. There is even a chance to give trail running a shot as the Brandon Delzer Memorial 5k/10k Trail Races are also happening on this super Saturday in Sturgis.
One of the most popular races in North Dakota has moved to a new date and location, heading north and west of Bismarck taking on the new purpose built trail at Harmon Lake. A beauty of a lake for post race dips as riders weave in and out of the bays on classic coulee prairie singletrack. Tons of event festivities to keep everyone smiling!
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/Podiumwear mountain bike team and enters his 25th year of racing and promoting mountain bike races. |