Midwest MTB Report
It's hard to believe we are in the second week of November with the incredible warm and dry weather to start the month. The title "Iceman" was hardly appropriate for the final major point to point race in the upper Midwest this past weekend, the Iceman Cometh, with unseasonably warm temps. This final report includes a first hand recap from Traverse City, home to the Iceman, news and note items, and a short peek ahead to winter and fat bike riding to close out the non winter mountain biking season.
(Photo: Incredible fall riding in November)
Iceman Cometh
It was more like Iceman disapppearith last weekend as unusually warm weather continues to blanket the Midwest. As usual, a strong male and female pro field highlighted the popular end of season point to point race in the Midwest.
2016 Olympians Chloe Woodruff and Howard Grotts took the wins, each going home with $6000 for the victory, among a sold out field of all levels of mountain bikers. Madison, WI resident Cody Condon files a recap of the racing:
The name Iceman was a little misleading for the 2016 edition of this race in Traverse City, Michigan. Five thousand racers were greeted with an absolutely gorgeous fall day with sunshine and weather in the 60's. These temperatures and the nice weather leading up to the race made for perfect course conditions and a fast day overall. The course which is just under 30 miles runs from Kalkaska to Traverse City on a good mix of double track, dirt roads, and singletrack. One of the best parts of the course is definitely the finish at Timber Ridge. The massive crowd that has been drinking Bell's Beer since early in the morning cheers for everyone that comes through, and you really feel a sense of accomplishment knowing you gave it all out in the woods.
(Photo credit: Julie McGraw)
Howard Grotts won the pro category followed by Brian Matter and Carl Decker to round out the podium. Coming in at 1:23, his time was 13 minutes faster than last year which goes to show how fast the course was this year. He went solo with 20 miles left and held on to win by 14 seconds. It is really cool to see a guy with the stars and stripes on, along with his orange Specialized bike from the Olympics ripping a course that the amateurs get to ride just hours before.
For me personally, this was my first Iceman race. I started in wave 31, so there was traffic that I was trying to get through the entire time. Looking at the results from last year I had the goal to get in under two hours, and I finished in 1:55. I am definitely happy with that for my first time, and I will be heading back next year trying to improve on that.
I would really like to thank all the people that organize this race and the volunteers that help make it happen. The atmosphere is different than any mountain bike race I have done, and it couldn't be like that without the countless number of hours that are put into the planning. It is no wonder that they get so many people every year and they have gotten another one that will for sure be back.
Related:
Woodruff Goes Back to Back
Grotts Tops at Iceman
Political Shreds
By the time this report is posted, we will most likely have voted for our next president. Bicycling posted an article on third party candidate Gary Johnson and his mountain biking endeavors. It would be fair to say that while Johnson isn't a avid cyclist, he is pretty hard core one with the events he has done and has planned.
More High School Praise
It's great to see the deserved press of the high school scene and Gear Junkie is the latest to feature the growth in Minnesota.
Strava News
The Strava Ride of the Week fell by the wayside the other month, not that we have anything against Strava, just was hard to pick up unique rides each week. With that said, this final report we will close with a shout out to Dan Swanson who has continued on past 30 days of biking, logging ride #222 this evening. I am sure there have been riders to ride daily throughout the year but haven't seen anyone keep track like Dan via Strava. Nice work Dan, will be seeing how many days you make it in a row, 365?
Cycling UK posted an article, with comments how Strava could possible damage home life with recent challenges offered.
On the flip side, Strava has been great for motivating and encouraging active lifestyles and the Cyclist UK posted an article earlier this fall on becoming a Strava Jedi!
Strava Sends Shirt to Tilford
If you have been following along Steve Tilford's recovery from his accident earlier this fall, you might have noticed the nice gesture by Strava, sending him a signed jersey wishing him well on the recovery process.
Deadly Ned
When I first got into mountain biking, Ned Overend was one of the pros many fellow riders looked up to and admired. Ned is still that rider, putting the screws to the youngans in a more selective race schedule and provides tips for staying strong on the bike as cyclists age.
Mountain Bike Returns to Welch
(Photo: Infamous drop section at Welch, 2007)
Riders who had the opportunity to race and ride at Welch Village, home to NORBA Nationals in the late 90's, were excited to hear the plans for mountain bike trail development next summer. I have great memories racing at Welch which featured fall line wall climbs, the infamous drops and the ridgeline classic and raw singletrack descending. All great stuff. The new trails most likely won't see these trail features as plans are to build more contemporary trails as highlighted by Welch's GM in a recent blog post.
GM's Blog: Before winter starts...some big news about summer!
Related:
Skinnyski coverage at Welch: 2005, 2006, 2007
Science and Math Behind Trail Building
Night Riding
Daylight savings time change and days getting shorter means more night riding. There are some great lighting systems which make riding at evening quite fun. Probably the most exhilarating times to ride in the evening as the days are shorter when there is a clear night, full moon and a dusting of snow to light up the woods with a ribbon of singletrack to help guide you through the woods. If venturing out at night, be sure to not get lost! Interesting story from a few years back.
Looking Ahead: Winter Time and Fat Bike Riding
With the mountain bike season soon to come to an end, the transition will be made to fat biking/oversized/plus bike riding. So many new innovations and options for folks to keep the wheels moving all winter long, regardless of conditions and the grooming for fat biking adds a whole new element of coolness.
Duluth Embraces Winter
With the ever expanding network of mountain bike trails in Duluth, options for winter riding are endless as Duluth is set for snow and winter riding. Business north.com recently featured an article on Duluthonians embracing of winter riding.
Crested Butte Top Mountain Biking Destination
Crested Butte was recently featured in Outside Magazine as one of the top mountain bike destinations in the country which also features a fat bike friendly Nordic center/trail system.
No Place Like Home
It was sad news to hear of the passing of Sue Tibstra of Bemidji this summer, one of the founding owners of the Home Place Bike and Ski Shop in Bemidji. Bemidji was my home for a few summers as I worked at the nearby Concordia Language Camps for a summer job. It was also those summers that I got into mountain bike racing and riding and spent numerous visits to the "shop" picking the brains of local mechanics and the owners John and Sue. That first summer seeded the passion and love for mountain biking, discovering incredible places to ride, meeting amazing people and being part of different eras of mountain biking as the bikes, products and trails continue to improve each year. I haven't kept track how many years I've written this report but thanks to Bruce for giving me the opportunity. I have received all types of feedback good and bad (which is all good in my book) and also want to use this opportunity to clarify the report and skinnyski. Bruce owns and "operates" skinnyski.com and I simply volunteer (not paid as some people have assumed) my time to write this report. I know it could be much better and I appreciate those that keep me honest. A big thanks to all the folks that have contributed over the years and a special thanks to the promoters of races I have attended or have provided information that have been most gracious and grateful.
[ Jay Richards dedication to mountain biking over the years has been unmatched. We deeply appreciate all the hours he pours in gathering and writing up this column each week, keeping us all informed! -- Ed. ]
Think Snow and 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 |