Midwest MTB Report
After a cooler than normal start to July for most areas in the Midwest, the end of July is shaping up to be hot ... just like the racing! This week's report includes a first hand recap from the Lumberjack Singletrack fundraising event in Bemidji, MN, a report from the Miners Revenge in Greenland, MI, quick highlights from both the Minnesota and Wisconsin series, another Brian Matter JR MTB camp at the new WinMan trails in eastern WI, riding in elevated AQI levels and a look ahead as August approaches with an even busier schedule.
Lumberjack Singletrack
Movil Maze just north of Bemidji, MN. was host to the Lumberjack Singletrack, a fundraiser event for the Bemidji Composite High School team. Organizers had laid out two courses, a short and long course that utilized the meticulously prepared singletrack and the rolling hills on the ski trails that featured Birkie-like climbs.
The “Maze” is a meaningful place for me, having spent the first summers I got into mountain biking back in 1990, I spent a lot of time on this trail system riding the ski trails. No singletrack at the time but like a lot of rides back in the 90’s, bushwhacking on deer trails to connect the dots was common. Always a great place to visit in the winter as well with the super fun rolling trail system.
The field was peppered with energetic high school kids and everyone else in between. Grassroots racing at its finest on a well marked course that featured old school loops and crossing, all flowing smoothly with great volunteer support.
Had a fun battle with local resident Louis Morrissey and Section 8 Nordic Ski legend, from start to finish as we battled for position and spirited sprint finish. Kerri Berg put in a great effort to cross first for the female overall and go home with a big Lumberjack Singletrack mug that Paul Bunyan probably used when he was young.
Post race was fellowship with the participants and volunteers and tacos in a bag, or walking tacos for my Wisconsin friends. A dip in the nearby Turtle River capped off a great morning.
Miners Revenge
Rain and wet conditions added to the already challenging Miners Revenge which went “deep into the mountain and through the pits of ancient miners who spent their lives chasing the red metal. Some say the men who died still live in the mine protecting their claim, we can’t say that’s true but we can say that anything can happen when you are 300 feet below the surface and there’s nobody to hear you scream.”
Cross Country , DH, and Enduro Races!
The course featured steep climbs, gnarly rock, rolling singletrack, fun descents, and riding with bats. The race takes place at the Adventure Mine in Greenland, MI. Part of each lap is through the underground mine. Because of the total darkness, a good light is required for the XC and Enduro Races.
Tom Miller made the trek from Duluth to participate and reports from the Enduro:
“Had a great race despite dealing with torrential downpours throughout the day, roots and rocks that felt like frictionless ice and a couple of crashes. The underground mine stage was surreal…riding in 47 degrees and complete darkness before emerging into the July heat and daylight to complete the stage. P4 overall marks my best LSGS finish to date, and I know I had some luck on my side with this one. “
Minnesota and Wisconsin Series Racing Highlights
MNMBS
The Minnesota Series is on a July marathon, hosting back to back races four weekends in a row! After a trip up north to Duluth, riders shifted south to the WOOLLY trails and last weekend even farther south to Mankato to compete on the slopes of Mt Kato. This coming weekend the series shifts back north to Detroit Lakes racing on the lower flow trail.
Wooly highlights saw comeback kid Cole House make a surprise appearance in the Elite class and take the win. Cole posted:
More racing is what the coach ordered (I am the coach), relearning all the things I used to know. It's the middle of July and I have 6 race days? HA! That's not even close to what's needed. Decided to head over to check out some Minnesota action. Had a good race against some new competition and took the win.
In Mankato, Jenna Rinehart, who we have been covering as she takes on the Lifetime Grand Prix cycling series, raced in the marathon division taking the win completing around 44 miles in four hours and placing in the top five among men as well! Jenna used the race to prepare for her next big race which is the Leadville 100 in Colorado.
WORS
The Wisconsin Off Road Series has had a bit lighter race schedule the month of July but hosted the big state championships at the Trek Red Barn Classic outside Waterloo, WI.
The competition was fierce in the Pro/Elite fields with series leader Gabriella Guerra taking home the state title in convincing form over Jamie Zarda. Shelby Spacial, Lyllie Sonnemann, Sherry Mix and Amy Schultz rounded out the top five.
The Pro/Elite men saw the return of Wisconsin native Daxton Mock who has had international success and put his form and skill to work to take the win. Series leader Nathan Guerra took second with a hard fought battle over Cole House, Ben Senkerik and Casey Hildebrandt.
The series takes a short break before resuming again in August with the Refo Ramble in Suamico, WI.
WinMan MTB Trails-Jr MTB Camps
The freshly built WinMan trails in northeast Wisconsin is excited to be hosting another JR MTB camp led by Brian Matter. The 3-day camp is limited to just 24 riders and is exclusively for kids ages 13-17. Participants will stay overnight in a Yurt and bike to/from WinMan each day. Participants will be riding for 3-6 hours each day and organizers recommend riders should be in good riding shape prior to camp and have some experience mountain biking to get the most out of the camp.
This experience will be led by Brian Matter. Brian grew up in southeast Michigan riding the Potawatomi Trail. He’s since turned that passion into a successful career of racing professionally in both Mountain Bike and Cyclocross. He’s represented the USA in both disciplines at the World Championships and has competed in multiple World Cup races throughout the world.
Joining him will be former NICA winner and current professional mountain biker, Daxton Mock.
Training When the Air Quality is Bad
This summer has been less than desirable for poor air quality. The culprit is wild fires from Canada. Thankfully the fires out west have not been an issue. Training Peaks has an article on training when the AQI is poor, highlighted with this component: “AQI is a composite of all of the measures listed above and other airborne hazards. AQI is scored from 0-500. Any value above 100 is hazardous. Above 100, athletes with breathing considerations should limit outdoor activity. For healthy athletes without breathing considerations, AQI under 200 is ok for reasonably strenuous training outdoors for shorter durations.
Above 200, even healthy athletes should dial it back to indoor, easier effort, and short duration. Above 300 means take a rest day. If that is not possible, relocate to somewhere where the air is cleaner. Because AQI is a composite, similar scores on back-to-back days may be due to different hazards.”
Looking Ahead
20-15 years ago 24 hour racing was at its prime. There were multiple events and many riders were only focusing on these endurance challenges. As more point to point races popped on the scene, 24 hour racing slipped aside but one event that has continued strong and the marquee event of the Midwest is the 24 hours of Wausau.
Riders both on teams and individuals will be putting the endurance fitness to test on the 9 mile trails outside Wausau enveloped in mountain bike community of music, story sharing and food in the “Dirt Town”
Test ride all of the latest and greatest bikes and gear on the world-class trails of Duluth, MN.
For three days, the world’s premier bike and gear manufacturers set up at the Outerbike expo site. You can browse the latest innovations, pick a bike you’d like to try and take it for a ride. Repeat as needed
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 33rd 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 |