Jay Richards

The first race in the MNSCS opens this weekend of course. The first race is always a unknown where the race fitness is at but always exciting to see familiar faces and get back into the racing scene. It would of been nice to tune up at Sandilands last weekend and enjoy the top notch course but busy here at the resort of course. Up until a few weeks ago, I thought this race was happening on Saturday. I must of missed the conference call on scheduling. Once I realized it was on Sunday I told Jake it Jonell's call on what we were doing on Mothers Day. Last year we had the big UCI event going on over Mothers day weekend and wasn't going to expect Jonell to commit another Mom's day to mtbing.

For sure Buck Hill back in 2002 is my best Spring Cup memory if not one of top all time race memories. Weather was cool, rain the night before and early morning day of making the wood sections greasy/muddy, but rideable, and enough sand sections on the course to make the climbing stiff. Good all around conditions for a mountain bike race. A strong field minus Jeff H and Doug S who were out west racing a cactus National. Some local riders on the sidelines opting out because of the conditions.

Hollywood got the hole shot of course and pulled us up the climb before Brian Eppen went to the front to take the lead going into the wood sections. Once we hit the woods, the race totally blew apart with the muddy conditions and tricky handling.

Eppen out in front coming back around ready to go into the woods.

Hollywood back in second slicing through the mud.
Keeping Hollywood's wheel in sight staying high.
Eppen had a rare crash, grabbed a tree to keep from sliding out.
Dan Swanson with nice red arm warmers.
Tim Norrie with yellow.
Justin Reinhart with black.
Paul Hanson.


After Hollywood and I exchanged riding at the front half the race, Jeff Roy moved up through the field rolling the big 29s and went to the front. He rode away from us. Jay and I continued our back and forth battle for second.


H-Wood attacked the last climb and held me off to grab #2 on the day.
Jay and I still talk about the race from time to time. I miss racing at Buck Hill. In the late 90's etc. there used to be the Spring race and the summer race. One year it was 105 and heat index like 110. (All photos from Bruce and skinnyski of course) He even shot some video clips of the start which featured a crash and the three of us climbing.