Laddies Loppet 2015

I've been getting a few messages regarding Laddies Loppet for 2015. Maplelag Resort will be hosting the race once again for the 25th version on Labor day weekend 2015! The biggest change is we will not be part of the Minnesota series. Below is text from the Maplelag site that was posted about a month ago:

 Laddies Loppet 2015 will be the 25th anniversary!! We are excited to celebrate many years of great racing, old school course and most importantly…the people who have supported the Loppet over the years!! We are returning to our grass roots beginnings, offering a different format of events than recent years with two race distances on Saturday and short track racing and other events on Sunday. More specific details will be posted once planning has been finalized but expect the usual fun riding and racing in a great family atmosphere with home cooked meals and down to earth scene. We will no longer be a part of the Minnesota series and want to thank all those involved with the series for their tireless efforts to promote and maintain a wonderful mountain bike series, one of the best in the country, for riders in the Midwest. Keep the wheels moving!!

Racing has changed in recent years and it is all good with more people getting in to the sport and all different types of trails, trending more towards the flow or purpose built trail. We feel we are a bit unique with the course at Maplelag and "flow" of the weekend. As mentioned above, we wanted to go back to the grass roots feel like we were when we started. Operating a privately owned family resort the last few years has changed. Escalating operating costs from increased added and excess taxes. We receive no outside assistance for trail building or maintenance and handle it all internally. We want to continue to provide the same things like a free t-shirt with registration and be able to comp all team riders and other folks that we feel deserve a free entry. It isn't about the money but we do need to at least break even. Stepping away from the series will allow us to do some things differently to make the break even point but still provide some great racing on old school type trails during a unique race weekend atmosphere. I've been building some new trail this fall I hope to include in next years version that is different than the usual trail built at Maplelag that should add a nice mix to the current loop. Longer endurance type events has see the biggest growth in mountain bike racing and we are going to venture in to this with the 25th version. 

 

Exciting short track racing will return, this time on Sunday. Honoring requests from riders and mixing things up again. Matt Johnson was a big help with last years event, lining up some new sponsors and helping promote the race and all our sponsors. Matt is back to help again and we look forward to another awesome weekend! Matt has experience running a bike shop, racing and managing a race team and has a load of experience. There aren't many days that go by I don't think about the event, mainly with the course and what not but mainly all the people I have met over the year from racing. Having the race has been priceless and the main reason why we want to keep the event going. With that said, thanks to all the riders, family, friends and sponsors that have supported us over the years. Devoted to keep the wheels moving!