Jay Richards

Update: Cyclingnews article.

Wow, what a great Laddies Loppet weekend. It is really hard from a personal standpoint to put into words everything that happens and goes on. When you have conversation and little experiences with almost everyone that is here, it is hard to put it all down.....it would take about 20 pages. I told my self to take pictures of more behind the scenes stuff but of course I only managed a few. Everyone that was here has those memories and that it what is all about. The week leading up to the race is always interesting as we make the transition from summer camps to getting ready for the bike race. There are always maintenance and fixit issues from camp and never enough time to get those things done before everyone rolls in but it always works out. Basically, from a standpoint as a resort operator and a huge fan of mountain bike racing, when you can have a couple hundred people hang out in your back yard for some riding, racing, and fellowship it doesn't get any better. When you compare this weekend to all the other weekends of different events that we do, there is nothing that compares. Everything is all good those other weekends, we would not be here without those things but this weekend really stands out, for me in particular. We really appreciate everyone that comes to the event and supports us. Without you, we wouldn't have the event. (direct photos below taken by my mom and Jonell's dad) Good to have my mom back home and moving around after too much time in the hospital for recovery from hernia repair surgery.




Jonell does such an awesome job with the little things and stuff I would not be able to handle. Monday evening after the race weekend, she starts working on the list for improvements for next year while everything is fresh in our minds. The sponsorship side of things is my least favorite thing to do and she said she would take this over next year. Jonell enjoys visiting with the "moms" whenever she can. Great people.



All four boys raced for real on Sunday. Meaning no kids race. Both Jens and Jack did Kids Comp. Jens did really well and Jack did great too. Jack could care less how he finishes but has a smile on his face and great attitude and thats what matters.

Jon finishing up the Citizen race. Jon said after the first lap he didn't have anyone around him so he waited for some riders to ride with and rode with Jenna Benson offering encouragement I guess. Jon has the heart.
Jake had a great weekend racing Expert for the first time in MNSCS. The timed trial result was maybe the most impressive but scoring the top 10 in the xc in the hot conditions and being only 5 minutes from the likes of Doug Swanson was solid. He was about 5 minutes faster than I thought he would be. TJ's winning time was about what I expected and was shooting for...the first lap though was insane. 33:39 I think it was for Sam. Crazy. Now the rest of the fall, my goal is to come close to that. Almost two inches of rain Monday night and leaves start coming down so conditions not exactly the same but I will give it a go and see what happens.
Jack Johnson and Jack, zipped down like the Pros.
I got goosebumps when Margaret Adelsman sang. Awesome job. Bruce was up to top notch performance as well. If anyone got a picture of him, wading in the water at the bottom of the first lakeside drop, please send it to me.
When Jon and Jordan Horner were not racing, they were hanging out together, swimming most of the time. Sunday night after Jon had been watching a moving with some of the other kids Jonell dropped a bomb and asked if he was holding her hand. What!?! Jon and I both looked at Jonell. No, Jon said. Jonell asked if he wanted to. No Jon said. I just like hanging out with her. That pretty much sums up the people that are here. Everyone is someone you would want to hang out with.
The Alexanders make three trips to Maplelag in a year. Once for the bike race, Beckie brings her Nord team and than they come Prez weekend with some famlies. Always fun having them.
The Fishers after fishing. The bass were hitting good I guess.

Before we got blasted with rain Monday night, Jake and Lars were hitting the jumps. Its cool to see more kids every year hit the track. Next year we will have to flag off this hip jump and the jump in the soccer field so Bensons and co can hit em better.
Lars is staying with us for a few weeks until Cheq. When all the kids are at school, it will be nice to have him around as we make the transition to having no kids during the day for the first time in 15 years. More on that next post. Thanks again to everyone who came to the race.