The first 10 years or so we held mountain bike races at Maplelag, we did without any affiliation with NORBA/USA Cycling. Hand held timing, two races and simple classes. Poster boards to keep results. Low key and about as grass roots as you can get. Being part of the series has been great as it has brought a lot more people to the resort and each year seems to get bigger and bigger. There are still races throughout the country that are run pretty low key and I enjoy hitting these events like the Prairie Rose games in ND and the Manitoba Series race in Sandilands Manitoba Canada to name a few. With an open weekend and a conference group coming in Sunday afternoon (lodge was going to be cranked up), we decided to hold a short notice race that had a feel like the early days. We also had a team camp for the
Maplelag/Paramount team and
Kyia who is a Maplelag sponsored athlete.
The turnout was about what I expected. Making money on a race is the bottom of the list. Its about getting a bunch of like minded folks together to have some fun in the mud. We definitely needed the rain that fell Saturday night......but I am sure it turned away a few folks.... but the ones that came enjoyed racing in the conditions with smiles on their faces. For Jake and I, conditions on Sunday are pretty much perfect in our book. Back in the 90's it seemed like every other race was a mudder. We didn't have the internet to see what the weather was going to be like or if trails were closed etc. we just went to the races and had a good time. Training in muddy conditions is like skiing on ice/slushy conditions, if you don't practice in it, you won't know how to race in it.
Jake hitting berm on last section of singletrack. I tried to get to this point earlier but Brendan, Sam and Eric ripped that first lap about 3 minutes faster than I expected. The slower conditions didn't slow them down for sure. All three of those riders are seasoned on the Maplelag course and pretty much float over the roots, rocks and the off camber. Jake has been starting out a bit slower with the training this year, focusing on races mid to late season and bit more ski specific training this year. After a harder first lap, sat up a bit the second. Fun racing in the mud, all good.
Good to see Paul Jacobson out rolling the track again with a smile on his face. Just getting in to mountain biking last year, took a pretty hard digger last summer on the Maplelag course, breaking some bones and what not and was down and out. Some people take a spill like that and never come back but he defines grin and bear it.
Celebrating Anderson's b-day with the team Saturday night. Good conversation and plenty of laughs to go around.
Maplelag staffer Ben doing the timing. All the events besides the series race is hand held timing, and Ben has it dialed in now. Jens and Jack had a piano recital and amazingly Jens stayed clean before getting dressed on his own before.
Poster board scorekeeping. Keeping the tradition going for 35 years now. Easy to read, easy to write and about 2k easier on the pocket book. If conditions allow next year, we will do it again and probably do one big lap, using the new singletrack to the west and other ski trails. We could do a 50 mile loop no problem but for now would be more in the 15-20 mile range and one of the tougher point to point type races in the Midwest. Thanks again to everyone who came making it a fun weekend.
The turnout was about what I expected. Making money on a race is the bottom of the list. Its about getting a bunch of like minded folks together to have some fun in the mud. We definitely needed the rain that fell Saturday night......but I am sure it turned away a few folks.... but the ones that came enjoyed racing in the conditions with smiles on their faces. For Jake and I, conditions on Sunday are pretty much perfect in our book. Back in the 90's it seemed like every other race was a mudder. We didn't have the internet to see what the weather was going to be like or if trails were closed etc. we just went to the races and had a good time. Training in muddy conditions is like skiing on ice/slushy conditions, if you don't practice in it, you won't know how to race in it.
Jake hitting berm on last section of singletrack. I tried to get to this point earlier but Brendan, Sam and Eric ripped that first lap about 3 minutes faster than I expected. The slower conditions didn't slow them down for sure. All three of those riders are seasoned on the Maplelag course and pretty much float over the roots, rocks and the off camber. Jake has been starting out a bit slower with the training this year, focusing on races mid to late season and bit more ski specific training this year. After a harder first lap, sat up a bit the second. Fun racing in the mud, all good.
Good to see Paul Jacobson out rolling the track again with a smile on his face. Just getting in to mountain biking last year, took a pretty hard digger last summer on the Maplelag course, breaking some bones and what not and was down and out. Some people take a spill like that and never come back but he defines grin and bear it.
Celebrating Anderson's b-day with the team Saturday night. Good conversation and plenty of laughs to go around.
Maplelag staffer Ben doing the timing. All the events besides the series race is hand held timing, and Ben has it dialed in now. Jens and Jack had a piano recital and amazingly Jens stayed clean before getting dressed on his own before.
Poster board scorekeeping. Keeping the tradition going for 35 years now. Easy to read, easy to write and about 2k easier on the pocket book. If conditions allow next year, we will do it again and probably do one big lap, using the new singletrack to the west and other ski trails. We could do a 50 mile loop no problem but for now would be more in the 15-20 mile range and one of the tougher point to point type races in the Midwest. Thanks again to everyone who came making it a fun weekend.
6 comments:
Thanks for hosting us Jay. Always a great time socializing and racing at Maplelag. Oh, can't forget the great food too. I never lose any weight when I go up there. :)
Jay, thanks again big time!
Great conversation in the lodge on Saturday night. We were talking smart and had most of the worlds problems handled. And I have to thank Kriston for bringing the awesome beer cooler! Cheers
Thanks for hosting Jay! Sue and I enjoyed the weekend!
Jay, Thanks for throwing a "spur of the moment" race. These short spring races are just what I need to get the legs going!
Awesome time as always! The falling rain and cooler temps made for perfect sleeping conditions in the Red Caboose, and two laps of the Maplelag single-track were an added bonus. Keep the wheels turning! Thanks!!!!
Thanks for the comments!
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