Midwest MTB Report

by Jay Richards
August 30, 2016

Hard to believe August is in the books! It's been a great summer of mountain biking and soon fall will be here and some of the best riding of the year! Labor day weekend is upon us with many events on tap. This weeks report includes a recap from the Cuyuna Crusher, a few news items, the Strava Ride of the Week, and the look ahead.

Cuyuna Crusher

The popular Cuyuna trail system was host to race #8 in the Minnesota Mountain Biker series. The flow trail system has been the most popular destination trail system in the state of Minnesota and a large turnout for racing on Saturday as a result. Second place female Eleanor Bacso files and exclusive report:

As my husband Mason and I got our bikes ready and all packed up into the car we couldn't wait to get to one of our favorite areas to ride and race in- Crosby/Cuyuna area. The weather was slightly dreary as we left the Duluth but it stopped raining as we got closer to the course. I was pretty excited as quite of a few of my really good friends were racing this weekend.

The place was absolutely packed with everyone buzzing around getting their pre-ride in and/or warm-up. We got to see the Sport & Marathon class crushing it with most everyone either smiling or gritting their teeth on the long slow flat paved path.

About an hour before the race one of the main officials found my friend Jenny Beckman and I and asked if we would be okay doing 2 laps instead of the slated 3 (they had decided to knock down the men's race a lap). We told them that we were completely fine with 2 and it seemed that the rest of the women were as well. Soon we had to start lining up, it was a huge field –with 15 women competing! It was awesome.

As the gun went off everyone tried to hop right into a pace line jockeying for positions. We sped out onto a very long stretch of gravel/grass. As we neared the single track I was sitting in an okay spot in 6th place. Right away I noticed that my new daily contacts that I picked up the day before were super dry and blurry. I was hoping as soon as we slowed down they would clear up. About 2 minutes into the single track one of the women had a really bad crash right over the edge of the trail. I asked if she was okay and she said yes. I hammered on to stay right on the tail of another Fix Studio gal. As soon as we got to the second section of gravel I sprinted to enter the single track in third place.

I could vaguely see Kyia Anderson and Megan Barr riding really well up ahead. I was mostly riding by myself but I could still hear the other women not too far behind. I was continuously blinking trying to get my contacts to refocus but it was to no avail. I was taking my downhills more slowly than I would have liked because I was a little bit nervous about crashing.

As soon as we were beginning to head back to the start I ran into Megan who unfortunately had a bad dented wheel and a flat. I didn't have anything on me but I told her that I would let Charlie know if I saw him that she was having issues. I made an effort to take a look around for him when I went through but most people were fuzzy, with not seeing him I sprinted toward my mother-in-law, Kathy. I could make her out in her bright yellow jacket. I told her, "I can't see anything!" And she told me that I was doing a great job and to keep on going.

The second lap I felt mostly good but was nervous as I could still hear the chains of the other women's riders about 30 seconds behind. I did my best to blink as much as I could and keep the rubber side down. As I came up to the last descent I could feel a smile spreading across my face. I was so happy and I had finished 2nd overall! One of my best finishes yet. It was so fun to see all of the ladies coming in racing as hard as possible to the line.

(Photo Credit: Adam Emanoff)

I waited at the finish to see Jeff Hall finish with my husband Mason (2nd) and his brother Kasey (3rd). We waited for the comp men to finish (who also did 3 laps) and my father-in-law Deano finished with a great race as well. Everyone seemed really happy with their races especially because Cuyuna is so much fun to ride. It was another enjoyable Saturday race and a great atmosphere. I wanted to say thank you to all of the mountain bikers who make this sport so fun to be a part of.

I am looking forward this weekend —Maplelag!

Results

E Bike Buzz

Copper Harbor is the latest trail area to put a ban on e bikes. The Copper Harbor Trails association stated on a Facebook post:

Hey you on the e-bikes, sorry the Copper Harbor Trails are human-powered non-motorized. Yes we know all the arguments for and against but the Copper Harbor Trails cross a variety of land-ownership and our agreements are for non-motorized use. Please don't risk everyone's access to the trails or potentially other's enjoyment of the trails through unauthorized e-bike use. Don't be that person. If you are unable to climb to the top of the trails there is shuttle service available,

(Photo: Non motorized air catching at Copper Harbor)

Rock, Pedal, Fire

In probably one of the most interesting if not bizarre mountain bike news items, the US Forest Service determined a forest fire was a result of a pedal hitting a rock. Statement from US Forest Service:

The cause of the Rock Creek fire that started on August 5th has been determined. Investigators have concluded that the fire was started from a bicycle pedal strike to a rock. Conclusive evidence was found in the fire origin area that was on the Lower Rock Creek mountain bike trail. A fire ignition from this type of trigger is a testament to how dry the area is right now. All residents and visitors are asked to be extremely careful with anything that may cause a fire while you are out in the forest.

Grind TV has a full article with comments that question this statement.

Strava Ride of the Week

This past weekend, Twin Cities mountain bikers were allowed access to a new trail system outside Rockford, MN, at Lake Rebecca. The trail system which will be host to the final race in the Minnesota Series. Reports were the trail being similar to Elm Creek with a bit more climbing. The trail was still a bit soft but firming up each day and riding faster. For the ride of the week, Jeremy Myrum gets the nod, the first one to get the KOM on the full lap.

Looking Ahead

Many events on tap this coming holiday weekend including the Dakota 5-0, Copper Harbor Trails Fest and Race the Grind at Giants Ridge.

(Photo: Testing out the rock garden on the Maplelag Twin Lakes singletrack last weekend)

Personally this weekend is one of the highlights of the mountain bike season, promoting the Laddies Loppet mountain bike weekend here at Maplelag. We enter the 26th year and I couldn't be more exited for the weekend. The cross country race on Saturday is part of the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series and Sunday will have racing as well with the always exciting short track. Other events making it a fun filled weekend include lake jumping, yoga, stand up paddle boarding, bonfire, live music and kids games with the biker moms. Home cooked meals to keep everyone nourished and five bottomless cookie jars to boot. It has been a crazy summer of trail work clearing hundreds of trees but a time trial Tuesday evening found the course in great shape and should be fast racing on Sunday. The course has been set up to accommodate the marathon class with two of the harder sections of singletrack removed. Tons of great swag for all riders with the really good stuff given to the Citizen classes. Look forward to seeing mountain bikers roll down the driveway for fellowship and fun!

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/LaMere/Paramount/Jake's Bikes mountain bike team and enters his 26th 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