Jay Richards

Jon had his final game at 8am Friday morning after a week of UMD camp so we left Thursday night. Full plate on Thursday trying to get as much done as possible and I wanted to get at least a 2 hour tempolike ride in so we didn't leave until 9pm. Rolled into Duluth around 1am. Thanks to Jonell for driving the whole way as I was wiped out.


Jons game was almost 2 hours long with no breaks so the score was pretty high. Jon's team won 17-12 and Jon scored 13 goals. It was nuts. He was on fire. Great Lakes Aquarium after that then over to Superior to pick up Jake who rode over with friend Ethan who had a hockey game and caught the third period. Never been in the Superior arena. Nice rink. Good place to be on a hot day.
Seen driving around Duluth. Christmas is right around the corner. Driving back to the hotel the top of the carrier went flying off. Thankfully no harm done and no accident causing situation. Could only laugh when car after car would signal to us that the top was off. Probably the best was the person hopping up and down in their seat pointing up. Turned around and walked on the interstate looking like a mental hospital escapee. Kinda hairy actually.
Zoo in the morning on Saturday. The animals were pretty lethargic but the polar bear seemed to be having a good time and was the highlight of zoo.
Zoo was hot and everyone was kind of dragging so down to the sand beach to the east of the lift bridge for some fun in the cool waters of Gitchi Gummi for the afternoon.
Fun times on the six seater later in the evening. Since it was Jon's 11th birthday he got to drive. Took a corner bit tight and hit the cement wall. Let Jens drive and hit a light pole and almost took out a elderly couple so Jon finished things up. Bumped into the Wenzels and ice cream later bumping into Franken gang.
Sunday race day. Jack did his first kid's comp race. Everyone in the family was super proud of Jack. He was out there for over an hour. Jon won the overall. He probably could of raced Citizen, he definitely has the fitness, training wise he has logged more hours than Jake and I combined but after a full week of camp, 36 minutes of racing was plenty.
Nice size fields for Comp and Expert. Bummer on the Comp course mixup. Will be interesting to see the comments on the message board. A tough deal when something like that happens. You almost have to throw the race in my opinion. Jake had a nice size lead, flatted then caught back up to the leaders. Thought he had won but some guy was way off course and looks like they just adjusted the times. Makes for a tough situation for timer Greg when not his fault one bit whatsoever.
Knowing the course, I knew the start would be key and I got into the singletrack in third position behind holeshoter Charly Tri and Scott Kylander Johnson. Feeling great about the position following SKJ. No worries when the Moore bro's and Sam Oftedahl came up as wanted to ride my own pace. Kept the gap to SKJ and Sam about 30 seconds. Coming into second lap, was a bit closer and wanted to bridge before the singletrack to follow wheels but gapped remained. Last lap riding solo, kept drilling it but Sam rode away and last climbed killed it to almost catch Ben. Great race to SKJ for riding solid to hold fourth. Last lap was riding fast but didn't feel like I ever over the limit. Should of gone harder on the start of the second climb but not like Sam was standing still. Super fun course and good to race in the MNSCS again after missing the last two events and seeing all the mighty fine folks. Jonell was trackside with Kriston and Meredith and enjoyed that. Great weekend in Duluth.
This is the shirt from 92 at Spirit that Joe was also wearing post race. Joe and I were on the Cheap Team way back when. I wonder what Kyle Borchert is doing. Joe said he still has his 91 Tour De Buck. Found mine tonight. I wish they would of named the Buck race this year Tour De Buck revisited or something.