Peter getting ready to eat some weeds. I have never met someone that has whacked the weeds like Peter. Before Peter started on the masonry projects this year, he spent about 6 weeks running the Stihl about 4 hours a day. Solid. Peter has done the chimney and fireplaces here at Maplelag. This is the first time ever we knocked down the path on the north end of Bullhead. What this means is that this trail will/should be skiable 2-3 weeks earlier. It takes quite a bit of snow to get grooming equipment through the north end but looks good now. When I was over there today, I was scoping out the terrain and it would be pretty easy to crank out some singletrack. Not much underbrush and some nice rollers over there.
Beautiful evening for a ride. Just under a hour. Could of gone longer. Getting excited for Saturday!! As far as the 40 goes, I think this is Jeff Hall's year. (He did win in 1995 I believe without checking results) He has been strong througout the whole season and has shown no weakness in the local races. If he is in a group at the fire tower, he better pull away and solo in. Doug Swanson will be up there as well but I think he is a week or two behind his top form which is what he is gearing for with the cross season coming up. WISCO boys Tristan and Matter will be up there as well. Ian Stanford is always there. There is always a unknown rider that will be up there. O2S winner Michael Simonson will be a factor. Top 5? I think Brendan Moore could be a big surprise. He has had a great year, as expected, and could sneak in the top 5. Chris Fisher is a power rider and if he is holding from from the Loppet weekend, he could be top 10ish. Travis Woodruff should improve some spots. Sova, had a good o2s and should be up there. AJ Ettmeyer had a wild race last year with the third spot but I wonder if he can do it again. Can't rule out the crafty Tilford. He won a crit in the NVGP. Can he do a win? TBrown is riding the 69'er but I don't seem him much above the top 10 even though he won the whole jar at Sonoma. As far as the women, I think Kyia will pull it together to take the win. Jenna is on the mend but I think she will be in the top 3 if she is feeling okay. SKJ could take the second spot unless there is the "unknown" rider. Megan Monroe took the win last year but when was the last time a women repeated. Regardless, she will be up there. A MN top three would be very cool.
Like always, the bonk, a mechanical changes things in a hurry. I am hoping to carry my camera in the back and snap some photos of the finish. Will be fun to watch this year!! The past few years it has been tough to prepare for the 40 with things getting so busy around here in Sept. so the S and F will be a nice way to end the season and hope to race the crit on Sunday. Bringing the hardtail for that and will try to talk Jake into the tandem class unless Jonell changes her mind. Lets see, I think it was 14 years ago when it was hub deep mud in spots and I took my most memorable win I can remember, catching Jeff Hall near the end to wind by 40 seconds. Good luck everyone. See you there! 
3 comments:
I didn't know if Paul and Justin would be racing....these guys had a nice run with the National series and Paul won the stage race here at Maplelag. If Cheq. was more climbing and technical like, it might be a all MN top 10 with what I call "pure" mountain bikers. Regardless, if things fall into place, a top 10 isn't out of the question for both of them. good luck guys.
Jerimiah Bishop I know is comming,I heard rummor of JHK and his wife comming too.I think its going to be stacked.I don't know how you got your predictions. I'm going to be the first one to the finish line this year, no problem,Braaaaaap!
Good luck.
Still putting my money on Jeff. All the years when top pros like Dave Wiens, Rishi Grewal, Travis Brown etc. came to town, midwest riders prevailed except the Marty Jamison years. Hmm, 1999 US Postal squad....?
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