Jay Richards

A great day for mountain bike racing at Mt Snow. 42 degrees before the start of Jake's race. Didn't get much above 60. The sun was pleasant and course was dry except the running streams and what not from heavy rains previous during the summer making mud in a few spots which is something we have been longing for.


Jake started with about 15 other Jrs. The 15-16 and 17-18 were combined.

Jake rode most of the race with Kenda rider Chase Dickens. Last lap, super steep climb, Jake was one of the few Cat 1 riders to ride the hill. Nicely done Jake. He and Chase caught two riders on the last major climb.
Chasing Chase. Jake stuck to his wheel than attacked near the end to pass him and take 1st in 15-16 and 6th overall. Bit disappointed with the field size but this course is awesome and Jake had a blast on the course. Laps were a bit shorter with top laps around 20 minutes making for tight racing and course included the "best of" with punchy climbing and technical descending with rocks, roots and the little mud keeping it pure. It was hard not racing but fun to catch the action in the Pro races and try to figure out the settings a bit more on the camera. Beautiful course though. Hope to get back here again and rip it up some shape or form.
If I am walking around Laddies Loppet weekend with a loudspeaker, you know where I got the idea. Guy did a awesome job announcing and keeping the race "live"
Small Pro womens field but solid riders.
Kathran Pendrel en route to the win after a flat by Katrina Nash.
Early marking.

Start of Mens Pro race. Nice size field of 85 riders plus.


The 26 hardtail is not dead. Geoff Kabush getting it done with the two six ht. Sid Taberlay chasing.
2009 National marathon and xc champ JHK coming on strong in the end for 4th.
Local rider Ethan Gilmour having a solid race. Would have to say he was ripping the downhill faster than anyone.
Carl Decker keeping as dry as possible.
Lead moto taking my signal to catch some air. Think he got a bit closer to me than he thought. Nice roost when he landed.

Ben Moore having a great race then got pulled at 35th place. Not sure why they didn't let him do the last lap. Lots of mud racing this year he said. Hoping to make it back to MN next year. Jonell did water handoffs for him.
Todd Wells top American, third overall.

Sam Schultz having another solid, consistent result coming in 5th. Getting it done for cyclingdirt.com He is running all over the place and right there at the finish for post race action. Saw him at Sea Otter and Sol Vista and must run 8 miles a race getting coverage. Nice guy.
View at hogback mountain. Didn't make it to the coast since we watched the Pro races but a great day and fun trip and awesome to have Jonell along. Traveling to different lodging situations you learn more how you don't want to treat people and the places you are taken care of, really stick out. Jonell picking up some other ideas along the way as well.