Jay Richards

With another wedding on tap last weekend here at the resort, I wasn't planning on making it down to Afton but Jake was looking for a ride so worked it out so I could take him down.


Jake had a great race, finishing 14th out of a huge field of Elite riders. Rode a nice steady race with Dave Oachs and Devon Curran, just outside the top 10 for most of the race before losing touch at the end. The Elite races for JR riders are too long, imo, so we approach the MN races as training races and it works out fine. With that said, excellent racing to Michael McBurney who posted an very impressive 4th place finish. Another tune up at Mon Du Lac this weekend before the big stage race in WI later in the month.


Jack came along with us and hooked up with Jack Johnson. I was in the feed zone with Matt and Cole Johnson. Devin Curran in the photo who was sharing some awesome strawberries post race. Thanks man! There were 8 Maplelag/Paramount riders in the Comp and Expert race so I kept busy keeping everyone cooled with shots of water and hitting as many other riders as I could. It was fun for sure. Afton is the hardest race, I feel, in the series with all the climbing. There is no faking it and great job to everyone that took on the slopes. Good luck to Matt and Meredith btw who are doing the MS 150 via tandem this weekend.
Jack's bike leading a nice imprint after first few sprinkles leading to torrential downpour. Reminded me of one of the first WORS cups where the skies opened up at the end of the race and there was this guy that was tripping/freaking out and Doug or Dan Swanson was making fun of him or something, thinking the guy was goofing around. For a moment we all feared for our lives because he wasn't. I remember Jake saying it was the scariest race he had ever been to.
Its nice having Jake helping out with the driving. I had to have Jake drive a bit on the way down, normally I don't have a problem hammering it out solo but nights of 3-4 hours of sleep leading up to Sunday catching up with me. Made home safe and sound with some great scenery along on the way.

This week is probably the craziest of the summer with hockey camps, football camps, basketball camps, band, car appt. etc. bike practice of course and getting the resort ready for language camps. Looking at the week you don't know how it will happen but it always does and all good.