Tag Archives: Minnesota Mountain Bike Series

Fixed Juncture

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+++++wise man once said “time is of the essence.”

Border Battle “Juncture”

+  5 weeks since last race

+  99 riders toed the line

+  3 fast laps

+  1:22:46

+  3:24.6 minutes back

+  14th overall

Happy Time

Seeley Pre Fat Juncture

The 2011 Seeley Pre Fat was a race I had highlighted on the calendar back when the ‘10 season ended.  It’s a race the boasts a great venue (downtown Seeley), a great field of riders, and an atmosphere that many riders will tell you is the reason they race.

As we toed the line you could tell this years race brought out some top riders from the Midwest including some pro roadies.  The roll out was calm and relaxed for about a half a mile and that is when the roadies took advantage of the mix of ski trails and logging roads.  The attacks started and the pace quickly picked up.

By the time the race hit the first single track section three groups had formed; the lead group of 6 or 8 that included hometown boy Chad Sova and the always-fast riding Todd McFadden.  I found myself in the third chase group of about 15 riders.

With the perfect amount of open sections and single track we were able to work a bit catch riders who had popped and to drop riders as well.  The pace fast but nothing that made me feel that I was on the verge of popping.

By the second lap of the single track our group was down to four.  Daniel Logan and I attacked on the single track and traded pulls to gap the riders behind us.  We spilled out onto the final ski trail section and chased onto the wheels of two more riders before we spilled out onto the railroad bed for the final sprint to the finish.  I  latched onto Daniels wheel and that was all I could do.  I rolled across the line with a top 20 spot and was really pleased with the race that I had.  Pat Lameiux took the win by three seconds over Todd and Chad rounded out the top three.

Another Pre Fat in the books and it didn’t disappoint with a fast course, tight single track, and tough competition.

Single Swizzle

Sturgie

Alps….

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Afton, MN that is.  In the Midwest we don’t have those “huge” ski hills that you you find, say, out west.  Some would say our down hill ski hills are more like bumps.  But when you are MTB racing on a ski resort, it doesn’t matter if it is a “hill” or a “bump,” it hurts no matter what.

The Afton Avalanche was the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series’s #3 race of the season and was only an hour from my front door.  Can’t miss an opportunity like that.

The venue is nestled in beautiful midwest country along the St. Croix River Valley.  The Avalanche was all climbing, crazy and tight descents, and a lot of rocks.

By the time the Expert and Comp were called up the sun was out and baking us as we started in the bowl of the hill.  Standing water from the nights previous storm made it feel like you sitting in a sauna.  Announcer yells go and we are off on a three lap climb, descend, climb, descend, climb again, and descend kind of race.

By the time we hit the single track I was eight wheel back and was focusing on a steady pedal stroke as we were being baked in the son on the grassy slopes.  I came through the first lap in seventh and riding extremely patient and conservative.  I thought maybe I could work a bit harder on the 2nd lap but I was worried I wouldn’t have anything left for the third.  I was thirsty, dripping, and tired.

I started the long and fast descent down into the bowl to complete my 2nd lap when I hit something hard and heard the dreaded psst pssst pssst psst psssst.  My legs were getting peppered with Stan’s and I new I had a hole in my front tire.  I was hoping for the Stan’s to do it’s job but when I came out of the last switch-back, my tire lost so much air that it folded and down I went.  Game ever.  And that was my race.

We all have em, right?  This was my second DNF due to mechanical.  My race ends in disappointment but my day ends with a great Father’s day supper back home.  Nothing like your son to make the memory of a disappointing race fade fast.

Off to the bike store for another tire!

IKEA Racin

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For a more in depth race report simply GO HERE 

On Saturday we loaded up the car and drove over to the Cities and take care of a couple of things…racing and IKEA shopping.  The racing was fun and muddy and Ayden had a blast riding around the race venue on his own bike.  By the time we loaded up the car and pulled away from the race he was out.

The main reason for the IKEA trip was because Ayden needed a “big boy” bed.  And I am here to attest to the fact that shopping at IKEA with Ayden was harder than racing through the mud.  Seriously.  By the time we made it home we were all cashed and ready to spend the rest of the night on the couch and chillin.  (Putting together the bed will have to be another blog post all together.  Let’s just say it was very entertaining for Ayden and Nikole).

It is now Tuesday and Ayden has spent two nights in his new bed and he absolutely loves it.  It is fun hearing his little fit jump down from his bed and the little pitter patter of his feet as he comes down to say good morning.  Greatest way to start the day.  But we are hoping that he continues to stay in his bed throughout the night.  Fingers are crossed…

Nikole’s pregnancy is going great.  She has been sick and tired quite a bit but she is looking forward to getting through this first trimester and feeling like a normal person again.  Thanks for everyone’s encouragement and prayers.  Life is good and God is good.

Single Swizzle

The Sturgis Family