Midwest MTB Report
The mountain bike season is hitting prime time as we near the end of August. Signs of fall are in the air, hinting that we are approaching some of the best months of the riding season. Probably the busiest weekend of the season, last weekend saw multiple events take place, including the first races kicking off the race season for the juniors as the high school season is now in full swing. This week's report takes a quick look at some of the events from this past week, and a look ahead as the busy schedule continues with Labor Day weekend events.
Seeley Lions Pre Fat
The Seeley Lions were host to the 26th annual Pre-Fat mountain bike races drew approximately 250 riders Saturday to the forest trails and Birkebeiner Trail east of Seeley.
Featuring riding on the CAMBA trails in the Chequamegon Forest, all races started and finished at the Kortelopet start area off Hwy. 00, and the weather was cool, cloudy and humid, with temperatures in the 60's.
Ronnie Lajoie is having a strong season this year, hitting events all over the Midwest, and continued with top honors in the Expert race. After a absence in the racing scene early in the year, but keeping those commute miles going, Jeff Hall took a dominating win over last year's MN state high school champ, Chase Sams.
Related: Seeley Lions Pre-Fat race sparks enthusiasm
Giants Ridge GRIND
Giants Ridge put on the GRIND events last weekend, featuring a 18 and 35 mile race on a mix of the new cross country trails, forest roads, and double track. In the long race, Jayden Siegle took top honors in the men's division, and Ashley Busack was the top female posting a top 10 finish overall.
MNMBS #9: Cuyuna Crusher
Cuyuna was the location of the second to last race in the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series, and saw the largest field of the series, as expected, with over 600 racers. There were a handful of riders who doubled up after racing the day before at the GRIND or Pre Fat.
Daren Czech, who posted a 6th place finish at there Ridge, hit the Comp class:
"My first series race. My legs were still pretty roached from yesterday. Nursed a low rear tire and had a pretty good wreck on the last lap. Not bad otherwise."
The Elite men's race saw a sprint finish after 2 hours of racing, with Dominic Talerico taking the win over Jeff Hall, Brendan Moore, and junior rider Jack McCauley respectively in the four man sprint.
In the female Elite division, junior riders took the top three honors with Chloe League taking the win over sister Phoebe and Caroline Haag.
Related: 3 of the Best Under-the-Radar MTB Destinations in 2022
Great Deer Chase
The Great Deer Chase featured a fun course on the Swedeton trails in Calumet Michigan that included 10, 15, and 30 mile cross country mountain bike races. The event also included the U.P. Singlespeed Championships, 2 and 4 mile youth races, and a 40 yard untimed youth event.
Overall winners in the 30 mile race were Ethel Karinen in the female division and Mattison Brady in the male division.
Breck Epic
Mason Bacso was one of a handful of Minnesota riders to compete in the Breck Epic last week, a multi-stage race in and around Breckenridge, Colorado.
Bacso reports on the last day:
"We did it! None of us flatlanders knew what to expect coming into Breck Epic. I think we all feel pretty accomplished to have just finished the event. It's a lot of altitude, a lot of climbing, and a lot of hard days on the bike. This morning was eventful and held some foreshadowing for the day to come. Minutes before the start, David's front brake started draining fluid. The Shimano support van was on point and gave him an emergency brake bleed. We missed our start by a good chunk, but thankfully had two brakes."
"The day started with 10 miles of climbing. What is this place!! The first half was steady pace singletrack slowly moving up the field. The second half I opened up my legs and was cruising on the gravel road. We hit the top of the pass and took great pride in being the first riders to take a PBR hand up. After a quick beer, I was zooming on the downhill. That is until I caught something ugly. Today I was the bull and the problem child. A double front and rear flat right in the tire tread. Dang! Threw some tire bacon in and pumped em up. Held for a little bit and then continued to leak. Another pump up and we were greeted with 7 miles of gravel road climbing. At the top, we chugged another PBR, floor pumped my tires again, and grabbed some last few bites of food. David was a stud and helped pump my tires as I stood around taking selfies and drinking beer, haha! Last descent, including helping a guy who went over the bars hard, and we were Breck Epic finishers."
Singlespeed USA
Decorah, Iowa hosted the Singlespeed USA championships this past weekend. Josh Shivley reports:
"The rain let up and it turned out to be a beautiful day. The first lap was pretty slippery, but the second was better. Brian Furman rode super strong from the beginning. I started in second, then dropped back to fourth when we took a wrong turn. Eventually I caught back up to get second, but I couldn’t catch Brian. Happy not to have crashed at all, as the course was very technical."
"Superfly SS worked flawlessly with 34x19 and a suspension fork. Fun day with lots of SS shenanigans and Decorah classics. Thanks to all who put on the event!"
Related: Singlespeed USA 2022
Lake Brophy Gets A Polishing
Pathfinder trail builders recently freshened up the new trails at Brophy Park in Alexandria, MN, and the local mountain bike club made a video highlighting their work.
Looking Ahead
Wisconsin Off-Road Series: Treadfest
The Wisconsin Off Road Series wraps up with the final race in Geneva, and race organizers exclaim:
"The TREADFEST course was built by racers for racers. The course brings out the best of the Mountain Top topography as it shifts from tight, technical single track to wide open big ring double-track. The thigh burning climbs are rewarded with fast and fun descents. Hear the roar of the crowd as you finish in front of the spectator friendly Mountain Top Lodge"
Minnesota Mountain Bike Series: Laddies Loppet
Maplelag is gearing up to host the final race in the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series, the 32nd annual Laddies Loppet mountain bike race. Racing kicks off on Saturday with cross country action, and Sunday features the exciting short track race.
Live music, including local drummers from the White Earth Reservation; a food truck; lake activities; a bonfire; and three days of mountain bike community fellowship make for a fun great end of season race.
Copper Harbor Trails Fest
The 29th annual Keweenaw Mountain Lodge Copper Harbor Trails Fest takes place September 2 - September 4, 2022 in Copper Harbor, MI. The annual Labor Day Weekend event features races, music, beer, and good times on Saturday and Sunday! This all-ages event has something for everyone, whether you're a cross-country lover, blazing-fast downhiller, enduro expert, sure-footed trail runner, or aspiring young ripper.
Dakota Five-O
The Dakota Five-O, lollie-pop loop, begins in Spearfish City Park with a mass, neutral roll out, and leaves town to the west up Tinton Road. The three miles of gravel road climbing will give the fast guys a chance to vie for position, before funneling onto the twisty, smooth, Tinton Trail single-track. Great post race activities.
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 32nd 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 |