2012 Iceman Cometh

This is by far one of my most favorite races of the year.  One of the most challenging too.  The challenge is not the nature of the course but instead the late season training, competitive field, and aggressive start.  When your season starts in February the months of October and November can be come mentally challenging.  Especially when the UP turns to rain and 30's.  The Iceman has become a National level race with some of our top riders in the Midwest, America, and in the past the world.  The start! Most way say, "You can't win the race in the start but you can loose it."  This doesn't stand more true than in this race.

I got to Traverse City early this year.  I arrived on the Tuesday prior to the race.  I wanted the the week to be a full time bike racer.  Train, eat, and rest.  I wanted to give myself no excuses when my season ended Saturday afternoon.  All planned perfectly but sometimes things you just cannot control.  Tuesday I arrived at my condo and unpacked in just enough time to stock up on food and supplies.  When I rested my head that night I felt the first sign of the common cold, a soar throat.  I woke up Wednesday dry and stuffed.  The plan was to do course recon and intervals on Wednesday but between the sideways rain outside and the start of the my cold I made the decision to ride the trainer indoors to help along the recovery process.  For the whole day I consumed water, vitaman C, Zicam, and cough drops as if if were my dietary plan.  On Thursday the weather got a bit better but the cold did not.  I needed to ride and needed recon so I rode from Williamsburg Road to the finish.  The course was packed and fast but the better part is felt open on the bike.  Friday I woke up more dry and stuff than the day before but the body wasn't too bad.  I did my traditional out to 7K and back openers and then it was back to the condo for rest.

The Race
Temps were cool but not too bad.  The worse part was the start line waiting for the gun as the chill ate to the bone.  As USA cycling does it, the gun went off in an anticlimactic way.  Within 30 seconds I had made my way to the front. The very front.  Iceman is one of the most aggressive starts I have every taken part in.  The battle at the front is ruthless and the first couple of turns and bottlenecks will make or break your race. So I found myself leading it out into the first corner and I was fine with that effort.  Down the straight stretch I stayed in front until a few moved around.  This happened to be right before the bottleneck and I got shuffled into the middle.  The challenge of riding at the front is fighting off the surges you can't see coming from behind.  Just as we reached the dirt I was farther back than I fought to be and wanted to be.  I had to be 25-30 back.  With the single track coming earlier this year I was not in good position.

Into the first critical single track the race was one very large line.  I got stuck behind 2 riders that allowed that line to get away and I could not find a free and open spot to make a move to join it.  On the first set of two track and I was now digging to attach to the group.  I bridged up to the back of the group but had noticed that their was a front group already starting to form and to get away.  I missed it!  This was about the time I knew my legs were good, my body was fine despite my cold, and my mind was in gear.  So to miss my opportunity in the first 10 min of the race was a huge let down.  I jumped to the front of the chase group and worked with a few to bring back the lead group but we never could catch them.  2 groups were formed which made the rest of the race quite predictable   The front guys were 10-11 strong so they rotated and kept the pace high.  We were also 10-11 strong but only a few did the work.

Eventually our group was whittled down a bit as the course had a lot more single track than years prior.  This pushed the true roadies out the back.  Skill was more important this year.  With about 10k remaining I was still feeling good and had high hopes of finishing at the front of the group.  The problem was so were the other guys I was with.  Tristan made a pretty good move up the final hill before the single track and I went into last in my group.  It spit us out into another hill and before I knew it I was disconnected.  I pounded each of the last hills dropping 1 guy along the way and finished on my own in 19th.

I had a good day.  I couldn't use my cold as excuse.  My legs were strong, my body was good, my bike perfect, and my mind in line.  In a race that you need a good start I did not have one.  Despite my finish outside my race goal I was pleased with my performance.  Sometimes we have to look at the overall picture rather than the finish #.  The season is long and the effort is hard to dwell on a number.  The race is incredibly fun and the atmosphere is like no other.  It is tough to be disappointed when you are involved in such an great event.                

WORS Overall Standings

A couple weekends ago was the Wisconsin Off Road Series banquet.  This is held as a wrap to the season to acknowledge a seasons worth of accomplishments for the overall finishers.  This year my goal at the beginning of the season was a top 5.  I reached my goal finishing 4th so I attended the banquet to celebrate the accomplishment.

Even though the banquet signifies the end of a season I was still not done.  So before I could celebrate I joined up with Chris P. in Amherst to pedal out some intervals on the rail trail in preparation for Iceman.  At this time Chris was in full off/beer season swing but he loves his bike enough to suffer with me one last time.  Crazy old man.  We had a great workout and now it was onward towards celebration and fun.

My goal was a top 5 overall finish for the series.  With the the week in and week out competition that shows up at any given WORS race I knew it would be a tough goal to achieve.  My final position of either 3rd or 4th came down to the last race in a battle with Darrin B. from Adventure 212.  He got the better of me in the final race and pushed me back to 4th overall but this was still within my goal.  In just 3 short years I was able to go 12th, 7th, and now 4th overall.  I'm blessed to have such a great team, coach, and support crew to keep me healthy throughout the 12 races.  Not only do you have to be good on the bike but luck and support have to be on your side.

National Story here.

Video Interview

2012 Mud Bowl - WORS #12 Sheboygan

What would a 12 race mountain bike series be without an annual mud race?  A 12 race mountain bike series!  The WORS series seems to have an epic mud race every year and this year did not disappoint.  Ironically, we had one of our driest riding seasons we have had in a few years but raced in the rain more this year than prior.   4 of the 12 races were raced in the rain this year, Iola, Rhinelander, Suamico, and the most recent Sheboygan.  As any champion would it saved its best for last and WORS did that with WORS #12.

The weather watching started early in the week after rumors of cold and rain emerged on the iPhone, iPad, and even the iMac, each device spreading the same rumor.  In the 4 hour drive down south on Saturday it never stopped raining, rumors confirmed.  The next morning we woke up to sideways rain and a 30 minute rain delay which would do nothing but allow the course to be stirred and mixed with each drop of precipitation. 

We sprinted out on pavement for 100 yards shooting into grass and that is where the challenge started.  The first blade grass sucked your wheel in as if we were fighting dropping into a black hole.  We were around the first few corners and the bike, kits, and bodies were covered in mud.  Sliding down the first single track I was in 5^th position and the literally slid into 4^th when Nathan G. was forced into a line that threw him and his bike overboard.  It didn’t take each of us long to realize that bike handling would be overshined by any fitness a rider displayed.  Each section had its own and new type of challenge.  Off camber mud slides, uphill tire slips, buried roots, flooded trail, brakeless log jumps, and river crossings that were quickly turning into lakes.  I will allow the enclosed pictures to tell the story rather than making up descriptive words that don’t do the conditions justice.

With each mile of trail the more skilled riders took ownership and rode a race of their own.  There wasn’t much more you could do than just race what you could manage.  Cole H. was immediately up the trail alone and Marko L. was close behind.  The way they were displaying riding skill they were sure to stay away the rest of the race.  Darrin B. and I were behind.  Not so much in chase but riding what could be managed.  Darrin would put small gaps on me in the more technical sections but I allowed my patience to stay intact on the first lap and would bridge them back.  Starting the 2^nd lap I allowed my race management and my patience to disappear.  I attempted to put a move in on a drier part of the trail and pushed my pace.  My chosen pace put me outside of my technical limit and soon thereafter I was sliding, slipping, and falling.  I slid into a tree and caught my hand the wrong way causing an instant throb.  From that moment I lost patience, confidence, and enjoyment.  All huge “no noes” in XC racing.  I knew better but with each wheel rotation the course got worse and I was exposed each time.  By the end lap 2 Darrin had put a gap on that put him out of reach. I was joined by Nathan as he made his way up from his 1^st lap fall.  He too put a gap on me that put him out of reach.  With ½ lap remaining I had another racer ride up and it was Mike P.  We switched spots a few times but he took control in the last ¼ mile as I allowed my mind to beat me ruthlessly. 

I came in 6^th place after riding in 3^rd and 4^th for most of it.  It was disappointing to drop a few spots but after having time to reflect I’m the only one to blame.  Not my fitness, not my skill, but me.  At first I wanted to blame the weather as anyone could blame the weather and conditions for a poor ride but I was exposed just as every other rider was.  I allowed my biggest competitor beat me, my mind.    

The beautiful thing about WORS racing, even in the midst of a Midwest monsoon, is the people involved.  As I allowed my mind to beat me Darrin was yelling encouragement to me the whole time.  My competitor, the one I was racing against to claim a 3^rd overall series spot with was yelling for me to keep going, to keep with it, to stay focused.  I am grateful for what we have even if I’m still cleaning mud from out of my ears. 

WORS #11 Bear Paw

The WORS season is quickly approaching its final races.  As sad as it is to see the season and year reaching its end it is always a great day to be at the final 2 WORS events.  They are 2 of the best courses we do all year and timed perfectly with the best time of year, fall.

White Lake, WI was the race site for this past Sunday and only being 2 1/2 hours from home I was able to sleep in my own bed the night before which is always an advantage.  The ride down south was one of the brightest I've seen in quite awhile.  The yellow on the leaves were vibrant and the air temperature perfect creating a must smile attitude.  Perfect before lining up.


My legs were good in warm up but I didn't know what to expect coming off of my worst week of the year 2 weeks prior.  I had a good week of training and some longer base miles to get my legs back under me.  The first climb came and I settled at the front until Cole took off.  I was happy to see this and knew I could respond.  At the top the attack took 4 of us with including myself, Mike P. and Nathan.  I enjoyed the pace up the climb which set confidence knowing my legs should be good. After the first single track  I let a little gap to to Mike and Cole.  On the next flat I passed Nathan and eventually by the end of the lap attached to Mike but Cole had another 10 seconds on Mike.  I always had them in sight but it took a full lap to get back on.  The course is technical and their skill kept them just out of reach until the two track.  At the end of lap 1 Mike clipped a pedal and was forced off the bike and I was chasing Cole alone.  The start of lap 2 I was with him.  He took the lead in all the single track and I did some work on the 2 track.  Each technical section he would take small lead but nothing I couldn't bring back on a hill or two track.  Although I believe this is where he noticed his advantage  On lap 3 he gave me the lead into some single track.  This ended up being my worst lap and I just couldn't find a rhythm on the bike.  By mid lap Cole took advantage of that and was off the front.  Ending lap 3 I noticed Nathan was coming up behind me with the momentum of a Porsche on a back country road.  He had found his engine and looked on fire.  We were together for a half a lap and I did work on the 2 track as he would shoot in front on the single track.  Eventually his skill rode away from me and left me back in 3rd.  I finished with a descent lap and felt good at the end.

I was happy to come away with 3rd place and some good points towards the overall series.  I wasn't completely satisfied though as I had the legs to win the race but not the skill.  On a course where skill outshines fitness it just wasn't my day up against some smooth riders.  The win would have granted by true wish so I could bring Copper up on the top step with me for his first ever podium visit.  Sunday was one of Coppers last days with us as cancer took the better of him.  I wanted badly to to win for him and show him off on the top step but in true Copper fashion he was just as happy on the 3rd step as he would have been on the top.

National Article

UPCX Iron Cross

This is always a great time of the year, UPCX comes back.  The UP has a growing following which has allowed the series to bring 9 races to the UP this year.  9! CX races in the Upper Peninsula.  The organizers and volunteers have really done a great job bringing this to us.  The best part of it might be that it is only $10 and you still get all the dirt, sand, mud, grass, pavement, and barriers that any other cross race offers.  

I won't be able to make a majority of the races because of my MTB schedule but I'm taking advantage of everyone I can when I can.  The first was this past weekend at Al Quaal.  It sure is nice to be able to roll out your back door and be at the race venue in 2 1/2 minutes.  Makes for a special and enjoyable race experience.  

I didn't have much of a goal going in other than to stay safe and up right so that I could race another day.  Especially that I had WORS #11 the next day in White Lake.  I kept the up right portion of the deal but gambled with the safe part in the 2nd corner.  Only doing 1 warm up lap and not knowing the speed into the 2nd corner I overshot it with Colby just ahead of me.  I ground his rear cable in my spokes which might be the only thing that kept us upright.  The crash averted I was back on the attack.  I quickly moved out front and by the top of the first run up I had a small gap.  I hit the first lap and second lap at top speed giving myself some breathing room for the ramainder of the race.  I put it in cruise control until the last lap where I challenged myself to put out my best lap time.  My first lap was 5:59 and my final lap was 5:53.  I came away with the win but I was just as happy that my effort was still solid by the 10th and final lap.  

Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival

Courtesy and Rights: skinnyski.com

I love amusement parks.  Better yet, I love amusement parks with fast roller coasters that have big climbs and huge drops.  The ones that give you a permanent smile as you fly up, down and around.  It sounds like I’m talking about Great American but this past weekend it was the Cheq 40.

My first attempt at the coveted Cheq 40 was this past weekend.  I have heard about the event for years.  How could you not?  It is a staple in the Midwest cycling scene and part of the Midwest Triple Crown.   I’ve tried in the past to get an entry into the race but I have gotten drawn.  This year I earned an entry from the director himself, Gary Crandall, after winning the Cable Classic earlier in the year.  I was happy to get the win in the Cable Classic but the personal invite from Mr. Crandall was a highlight of that weekend.  It was an invite into the largest mass start race with the strongest riders from the country.  I’m in!

I pre-rode the last 13 miles of the course on Friday with the eventual 2^nd place finisher Mike Anderson and 4^th place finisher Mike Phillips to get familiar with the infamous Fire tire climb and the Birkie rollers.  They were not so scary in the warm-up but I could tell they would both bust your legs and pound your heart after 30 miles of racing.  My next recon session was the morning of the race as I rode across Rosie’s field and over the first couple of climbs.  All of the advice led to the conclusion that you needed to be in the right spot here or you won’t be in the right spot later.

Courtesy and Rights: skinnyski.com

The rollout was good for me.  I started 1^st row and stayed in the front for the first left and right hand turn.  Rolling onto Highway 77 I got shuffled around a bit but for the most part was always in the top 20.  Rolling into Rosie’s field I got sucked down in the spongy grass which moved me back just a bit.  Not too panicked as I was still on the defending champion’s wheel.  Entering the climbs I was amazed at the amount of riders fighting for the front group.  There had to be 30 or more fighting for wheels.  Just as the course turns downwards I was slightly disconnected and this is where my first tactical error and lack of course knowledge hurt me.  I figured the downhill would bring be back to them but the hard tempo by two world class road riders kept me off the back.  Rather than risking a redline effort and a possible blowout later in the race I decided to establish with the 2^nd group on the trail. 

The 2^nd group was about 10-12 riders including the strong Eppen tandem.  Funny thing, I ate dinner with them the night before and joked how I didn’t like to ride their wheel because of the power they put into the bike and here I was 4 miles into the race sitting on their wheel.  The lead group was only about 20 seconds up and the Eppen's and I wanted to dig to catch.  We put in our efforts but the others in the group either didn’t have it or did want it because a real effort was never combined to catch back.  The Eppen’s and I continued to pull and push the pace for most of the 1^st half.  Eventually the strong climbing and the Eppen’s extreme fast descending broke the group down little by little and every so often we would catch a rider or two that was disconnected from the blistering pace of the lead group.  The significant catch for me was when we caught Isaac Neff and Matias Perret.   A move was attempted with Isaac to split the group right before Fire tower but was unsuccessful but it showed me that Isaac wanted nothing to do with the large group as I was also starting to get uncomfortable in it.  We started fire tower and Isaac and Gregg Brandt pulled away.  The horror stories of the Birkie rollers to come kept my pace below what I was capable of, tactical error #2.  Reaching the top I realized I should have went with those two and pushed hard over the top.  I dropped the group in my effort but was not connected to the 2 wheels I wanted and was now sitting in no man’s land.  I put in a huge effort to catch them but never did catch back on.  In my effort I realized I was keeping a good gap to the chasing group.  Whether they would catch me or not, I was not going to make it easy because I didn’t want to pull around a group anymore.  I attacked by myself just as the Birkie rollers began.  Eventually during the relentless climbing I was joined by Pat Lemieux.  This is also where my permanent grin was developed.  Even during a time when each hill was tearing my legs apart I found time to smile as the each up and down felt like an amusement ride.  Approaching the last 3 miles I put my head down and kept forward knowing that the Eppen train could possibly roll towards us.  At 2 to go they did.  I caught the wheel and figured I would get them on the few hills that remained but both the Eppen’s and Lemieux rode away as the Birkie rollers and the tempo that followed proved to do me in.  I took the time to enjoy my entry into the spectacle that the Cheq 40 has created.  I was riding in 15^th place and gave one last dig to delight the massive crowds that you only see at a few races around the country.

I had goals for a bit better result but for my first attempt I am very pleased.  The course, the race, and the hype all stood up to what I had been told.  I enjoyed every moment of my Chequamegon experience.  The changing colors during the ride west, the pre-ride hand waves to familiar faces, the early morning rise to race prep, the rollout, the race, the hills, and the finish.  It all made up one of the greatest race experiences of my career.  Gary Crandall has truly started and continued an event that is made for everyone.  For us professionals all way down to the mom’s and dad’s introducing their child to their first race.  A must attend.  Is it September 2013 yet?

Tyler Gauthier

Professional Mountain Biker

Culvers Racing p/b Meyer Family Vision

www.letsbikemqt.com and www.culversracing.blogspot.com

UP...ing the fun - Riding a low

My days feels like seconds, my weeks like minutes, and my months like hours.  Even more than true in the months of August and September.  It seems that my weekends are stringed together with no time in between. By the time I unpack and wash and service my bike its all back in the truck ready for another weekend of racing.  Since the Ore to Shore I'm on my 6th straight weekend of racing and 3 of them included back to back Saturday/Sunday racing.  It may be the reason for the "low" in the title.

I love racing my bike....so this is a great time of year, but I also enjoy my training. Even though my training has went steady I don't feel like I've had a solid training week in awhile.  It gets jumbled up when you are racing so much and trying to recover from the weekends efforts.

UP...ing the Fun
In order to split the hectic race schedule I opted to join my 212 friends in Copper Harbor this year for the Fat Tire Festival.  Chris dragged me up there last year and showed me how to laugh while racing my bike.  Ever since then I knew going back year after year wasn't going to be a hard decision.

The normal culprits of Chris and Brian were there.  Along this year was the returning Fat Tire stud, Big D (Darrin B.).  He is the only 180# rider I know that can sing to you while going up hill at race pace!  Damn him.

As I expected, the 4 of us were off the front after descending the Flow trail and heading back up hill to the lodge.  Along with us was a Canadian rider that could rip downhill.  Chris only knows 2 big downhill rippers that can climb and one was with us, Big D.  He pounded the pedals and sure enough it was back down to the 4 of us.  Wait.. that was until the bottom of the red trail when the Canadian downhill ripper was back with us.  Dang, this guy could descend.  Thiss time I noticed my teammate Pete K. coming back to us.  I was on the front and slowed the pace a bit to let him back on.  I was stoked to have one of our Jr's in the front group.  Climbing back up to the lodge I felt the need to race... yup race.  I think I broke the rules with that, racing in Copper Harbor.  Anyways, once again it cut the group down to the 4 of us.  Descending the Red Trail to the finish Darrin and I created a gap but lapped riders kept bringing us back together.  Chris made the right move and called it truths until we were off the Red Trail.  It was the right call, it was getting dangerous with lapped riders.  We popped out on the road and Big D went.  I bridged, countered, sprinted, and crashed.  A hard right hand off camber turn to the finish sucked me down as Chris took the perfect line to the finish.  Down and bruised but not out.  I got up and finished 4th.

Riding a low
This past weekend I was back in Munising.  I say back but it has been 4 years since I raced the Tour da Woods.  It has always conflicted with other racing in the Midwest.  I came back and others came for the first time.  I figured they would.  4 of the 6 top 6 finishers were on the start line for the Tour da Woods!! Dang.  Add the eventual winner of the 2012 Tour, Mike Anderson, and we have whats called a stacked field.

We started fast, it got faster, got faster again, and then I popped.  I guess there is no easy way around it.  The pace was too high for me.  Mike Anderson made the first move. The way he rides I figured he would be gone off the front and not coming back so a good one to follow.  I bridged up, using a huge effort.  Got to his wheel and along came Cole and Brian.  Cole countered as soon as I bridged.  I pounded on the back to stay on.  Over some steep climbs I got disconnected a bit.  Jordan W. worked his way back and passed me.  Just before the single track I was back on the group.  The single track was twisty and Mike A. hit each twist with power.  I was at my limit from the effort to get back on so the power out of each corner was too much. 5 fee became 10 and 10 became 20.  I was off the back.  Onto the gravel road I was gaped by 40 seconds.  Right before entering the woods I had it down to 20 seconds but never closer.  Nearing the end did what I never do and regret, I gave in.  I rolled solo and slow the last few miles and finished 5th.  Quite disappointing to me.

A less than stellar result left me with 2 decisions for Sunday.  Stay home to train or drive to Geneva for some racing revenge.  Being a racer, I opted for the race.  3 hours down to Cole's house, a quick nights stay, and 3 more hours the next morning and I was sitting on the start line for WORS #10 Lake Geneva.  Standing on the start line might have been the fasted I moved all day.  Immediately during the start I knew power was not coming from my legs.  The lead pulled away like I had a string attached to my post pulling me backwards.  I went into defense mode the whole race.  Darrin chauffeured me for a lap until I caught Isaac and then he acted as my chauffeur.  I was passed in the last 1/4 mile and finished 11th.  My worst result of the year and broke my goal of not wanting to finish out of the top 10 in 2012.

The only thing to do. Take your humble pill and move onto the next week.  Realizing that the racing is taking a toll on me I took 2 days off in order to find my legs for a race this weekend.  Oh... its only the largest race in the Midwest. Cheq 40!  Stay tuned.  

  

WORS #9 Reforestation Ramble

I am in the dead center of a hot bed of racing.  Time fly's this time of year and with every passing weekend I cannot believe it is the next.  Quality training comes early in the week in hopes to be rested for the weekend and before I know it its Monday and I'm still without a race report, from 2 races ago!  Along with training and racing life still moves around you so the hustle of life keeps any free moment occupied.

Two weekends ago or the day after my victory at the MTU Ronde I took the line in Green Bay at WORS #9 Reforestation.  Unlike the beautiful weather we were dealt the day before the rain greeted us all morning creating a slippery mess for the first part of the race  This may be the rainiest year I've experienced for racing and the ironic thing is we are having a dry summer.  3 of the 9 races have been a muddy mess.  Anticipating the rain I made a front tire change the night before.  It paid off because our first lap was about staying upright.  The succeeding 2nd and 3rd lap were great as the the rain stopped and firmed up the sandy course allowing my semi wet tread tire to grip into every turn.

The race started fast as Cole H. had the idea of a solo race from the beginning.  A lead group of 7 broke into the single track and surprisingly stayed together for awhile as we twisted through the woods.  This course will usually break the group fairly soon because of the snake like turns.  The course turns so much it is tough to concentrate on the wheel in front of you much less 6 guys in front of you.  Mentioned because, as I floated on the back Cole broke away and was up the trail with a 45 second gap.  This explained our crazy fast pace at every opportunity, we were chasing.  I tried to move my way up the group before each piece of single track but didn't have it and got stuck on the back each time so every time we exited on to 2 track I was forced into red line to bridge the gap.  In a 2 hour race you can only burn so many matches before the legs tell you "No" if you want to survive.  A lap and half into the 3 lap race I let go of the group.  I spun into a short recovery and hooked up with Corey S. for the remainder of the race.  Nearing a 1/2 lap left I was recovered enough and riding smoothly to put in a last dig to the finish.  I was able to secure a 5th place with the effort.

I was pleased with my weekend of racing and happy to nab another WORS podium.  Things are going better than the goals that were put into place in the early season.  The racing season starts to get long this time of year so resting in training becomes more important each day.  I hope to keep finding the correct formula as I finish up this 6 week stretch of racing that started with the O2S.  I'll finish it up with the Cheq 40 in 2 weeks.  I'll follow that up with a short break and prep the body for the last 2 WORS races and some UPCX.    

         

Clean sweep at MTU Ronde for Culver's Racing

Courtesy - Rights: xMatic

Houghton, MI 
Tyler Gauthier of Ishpeming and Cooper Dendel of Marquette captured the men's and women's editions of the 2012 Michigan Tech MTB Rondevous this weekend. Contested on the hilly and technical Michigan Tech Trails under hot and humid conditions, there was no place to hide. Downhills taxed nerves, uphills seared the lungs and the wide open fields in the lower reaches captured the sun's midday rays like a giant solar collector, delivering it's payload of photons onto the lycra clad bodies of the two-wheeled competitors.

An elite selection of three went clear early in the first of the two 12-mile laps. Pete Karinen (Atlantic Mine) set pace for fellow Culver's rider and team captian Tyler Gauthier. Also in the mix was defending champion Tom Carpenter of Marquette. The deck was shuffled several times before Gauthier made his move and set off for victory on his own early in second lap. Riding solo, Gauthier put over four minutes on his nearest competitor, Pete Karinen. Tom Carpenter finished third, just over three minutes down on Karinen. Jeff Squires, riding singlespeed, took fourth and is sure to be a factor in the singlespeed divison of this weekend's Bells's Beer Copper Harbor Trails Festival.

In the one-lap 12-mile race, it was Red Jacket rider Tim Kostner of Dodgeville who took the win. Michael Brothers of Houghton took second with Ken Wikgren rounding out the podium. Cooper Dendel of Marquette, riding for Culver's Cycling, made it 2 for 2 after her win in the Great Deer Chase with another victory. Second place in the women's division went to Kate Waring.

Story Courtesy of www.bikethekeweenaw.com

Tyler's Race Report

Courtesy - Rights: xMatic

With most of the team on the line for the MTU Ronde it was my goal to include as many blue jerseys at the front as we could.  This was perfect day to throw the Jr's and woman's team to the front to gain some experience.

Our outstanding Jr. Pete K. and rising Jr. Cody M. were on the line.  I told them follow me and we will get to the front.  I also told Cooper, our knar shredding woman, to work hard to be with us.  Pete took the challenge serious and led the lead out for quite awhile.  I jumped in front to give his hard effort a break and then right before the single track Tom C. took the lead.  This stretched the group out a bit and Pete K. and I were the only ones of the team to make the break.   

Pete dug deep to stay with us but by the end of the 1st lap he was leading us through the single track.  It was an incredible feeling to see one of my Jr's at the front and wonderful to race with a teammate.  Starting lap 2 I went to the front to do some work for my guy and slowly noticed a gap was forming.  This was a good setup as it allowed Pete to learn how to race at the front with a teammate and then create a race of his own when a teammate has developed a lead.

Courtesy - Rights: xMatic

On the 2nd lap I found a good groove and rode to a victory.  The win was good but I waited patiently at the finish line to see if Pete could make a race of his own.  Sure enough a few minutes later Pete rolled in by himself to secure 2nd place.

A perfect day! 

WORS #8 - Subaru Cup

It has been a week since Subaru Cup. We even had another WORS race since. That is the month of August for mountain biking in the Midwest though. It heats up and goes fast with racing every weekend.

Subaru Cup is quite the event. A large National Series race combined with the largest state series. It brings in a lot of local riders but because of the National tag brings most of the National guys too. It is also one of the only races we do in a year where the separate just us Pro's to duke it out on a mountain.

Another unique feature of the weekend is it is 2 days of racing. Cross Country on Saturday and Short Track on Sunday.




Cross Country
Coming off a good Ore to Shore and having good fitness for it I figure I might be able to carry over a ride into the Subaru Cup. What I didn't expect is my mind and body to tell me you put me through too much the last 8 weeks and I'm not coming today. Ore to Shore was such a target of mine I put a lot of physical and mental preparation into it and I suffered an Ore to Shore hangover duruing the XC race.

I had a decent call up for not having any UCI points. Somewhere around 20th out of 50 riders. My start wasn't too bad but I wasn't all that aggressive as I didn't want to burn the first match before the start climb. At the top of the climb the race was one long line of riders from 1st all the way back. I must have been around 20-25, not too bad. We stayed in the line and I followed TJ Woodruff and Mike P. for the entirety of the first lap. I didn't want to let a wheel go because that meant a several guys coming by. I had to ride outside of my comfort level too many times and the 1st lap zapped the little I had. Lap 2 was a decline, lap 3 was a disaster, and lap 4 was recovery. I had last quite a few spots up to that point but I continued to dig for what I had. Finally I lap 5 I found some juice and was able to get a decent final 2 laps. My middle laps dropped me down to 30th. At the end I was happy to make the cut and not get pulled. This was a small victory in the end as I had day where you battle "how good can you be when your bad."

Short Track
With little motivation from yesterdays blow up and tender legs I didn't know what to expect in the Short Track. The good thing is no matter how my legs feel after a hard effort I'm usually pretty strong on day 2. Because of my finish on day 1 my call up for the STXC was near the back. Immediately after the gun a pile up happened near the front. This is one time that being near the back was beneficial. It allowed me to react to the pile up and go around. I was instantly shot into the top 15 on Chris P. wheel. Chris had felt good the day before so I figured he was a great wheel to hold onto. Slowly the strong riders from the pile up started to make up ground. As they were coming around I was feeling pretty good but was close to my limit. I was tempted to go but figured I better ride my race for the first 1/2. Chris jumped one of the wheels to give it a shot at moving up and I had to let it go. A good decision on my part because as the race continued on I got a bit stronger. The final few laps Isac N. caught me and pulled me around for several laps. With 2 to go I sold my legs to failure and went for it. I gained 3 spots on the last lap making it up to 21st.


The best part of the weekend was the company that was kept. I stayed with great people over the weekend. I could have finished DFL both days and the weekend would have been just as fun because of them all. Thank you to the Peariso's and the Adventure 212 crew for making me a part of the team and family for 3 days. A crew that knows how to make hard racing fun.

Ore to Shore Recap

The month of August is always a big one.  Not only for me but the Midwest. In other places where the cycling season is rolling to an end ours in the Midwest is hitting its stride.  The sprint starts with Ore to Shore which happens to be my home race and a target for the year.  Those of you who know me or have talked mountain biking with me know that this race is always on my radar, right in the center.

The 2011 edition was contested between 13 guys for 38 out of the 48 miles until it was finally broken down to 5.  Last year is last year but I mention it because 2011 had a part in the 2012 edition.  It made this years competitors anxious and aggressive.  It seemed as if we were on the gas for 48 miles with a lot of attempts to split at every mile.

The group went over Lucy Hill and immediately we were back on the gas over the top.  We probably had a group of 20 or so.  Typically down the snowmobile trail the pace comes back but Brian had the idea from the beginning to keep the pace high.  Coming up to Snyders I found a good line through the tracks and then Mike Anderson kept the pressure down to the power line.  The power line proved to be the breaking point for most this year.  Whether it was a mechanical or fatigue most got split off from the brutal pace of Tristan and Brian.  Their pace created a 2 man split that at the time I figured to be very dangerous.

The power line took its prisoners and spit out 4 of us to chase Tristan and Brian.  Mike P. and I took the work as we slowly pulled them back.  We were a group of 7 with the above mentioned, Cole House, Jordan W. and Christian T. for the remainder of the race.

Misery Hill

Even though we had a decent 7 man split the attacks came for most of the day trying to make it smaller.  Brian and Tristan deserve the most aggressive rider awards because they went off the front attempting a break most of the race but the strong head wind and complacency of others made it tough to make it stick.  There was an attack by Tristan I figured was going to work.  As he was off the front I noticed others were leaving wheels go as we rolled to the Noque trail.  I bridged up to Tristan taking Mike P. with me.  When I got to Tristan I went to the front trying to make it stick but Brian is to savvy to allow that to happen and he was back on our wheels.    

The final punch came at Lucy Hill.  Cole went hard over the top and created a small gap.  Tristan bobbled the climb and I cramped.  Tristan and I chased but Cole went hard over the next climb too and neither of us had the legs to pull it back.  A 20 sec gap was created with 2 miles to go.  It was myself, Tristan, and Jordan.  We gave one last attempt down the pavement but couldn't close.  Jordan nipped me at the finish and I rolled in 6th place.

letsbikemqt.com

More of an official announcement to come , but I have partnered with letsbikemqt.com and the Marquette Convention and Visitor Bureau to grow the sport of mountain biking in Marquette County.  They will be working with the team to promote our trails and increase biking tourism.  I am extremely excited to be working with such a powerful group.  I will be writing stories from time to time for the website and will soon be officially moving my blog to there sight.  In the mean-time, here is a pre Ore to Shore story I put together.

  LARGE FIELD OF PROFESSIONALS EXPECTED AT 2012 ORE TO SHORE

Posted on 08.10.2012

By Tyler Gauthier

While the weather may be cooling in the Upper Peninsula as Fall starts to roll in, mountain biking will bring some heat into Marquette this weekend.  August 11, 2012 marks the start of the 13^thAnnual Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic.  Hailed as the largest mass start point-to-point race in the state of Michigan, it is a staple in Marquette County, the Upper Peninsula, and the Midwest.  It is also the first race of the Midwest Triple Crown, which includes the Chequemagon Fat Tire race in September and the Iceman Cometh in November.  The Ore to Shore will bring 2,300 racers, from all over the country, to the start line on Saturday. This year’s event includes a 48 mile Hard Rock, 28 mile Soft Rock and 10 mile Shore Rock.

Photo by Jeni Jewell

The Ore to Shore has grown in almost every year of its existence.  Race director, Scott Tuma attributes the geography of Marquette County to that success.  “We have great terrain here in Marquette County. It’s not flat by any means, but it’s not as undoable as the Colorado Mountains either,” said Tuma. “With Lake Superior as a backdrop, magnificent views are provided as some racers descend practically 1,000 feet. Sometimes I know it doesn’t seem like it, especially at Kirby’s Hill, but from 20 or so miles out, you’re on a gradual decline towards the lake for the duration.”

Photo by Jeni Jewell

As the race grows, so does the number of professionals who compete in the 48 mile Hard Rock.  The professionals provide an exciting and highly competitive race for all spectators.  In the most recent years the race has seen about five to ten professionals start.   The list includes past winners, Brian Matter, TJ Woodruff, and Michael Simonson, along with annual attendees like Mike Anderson and Chris Peariso.  These names have been part of the Midwest mountain bike scene and the Ore to Shore for many years. The 2012 edition of the race could see as many as 20 professionals wheel the line.  This could arguably make the 2012 edition the most competitive race in its existence.

The Upper Peninsula and Marquette County has even bred a professional of their own, Ishpeming rider, Tyler Gauthier.  Tyler, who rides for Culver’s Racing, compete in the Hard Rock 48 mile, Pro field.  He has finished in the top 15 in the past two years and is competing in his 8^th Ore to Shore in 2012, his 2^nd as a professional.  “To compete as a professional is an honor, but to do it in such a big race in your own back yard is a privilege.  I ride with U.P. pride on my shoulders,” says Gauthier.  “It has been a dream of mine since turning professional to keep the Ore to Shore trophy in the Upper Peninsula and more importantly Marquette County.  My goal is to win the title for the U.P.”

Photo by Jeni Jewell

What brings so many Professionals to the Ore to Shore? According to Vision – Wheel & Sprocket rider, Nathan Guerra, “It is the most beautiful race in the Midwest with the hardest competition.  Guerra, a native of Oconomowac, WI finished 4^th in the 2011 Ore to Shore.   “The landscape is the best, it provides all of what mountain biking is,” he said.  As for the race organizers? “They understand bike racing for Pro’s.  They pay for our effort.”

Here’s a quick race prediction from Culver’s rider Tyler Gauthier:

“The race starts in Negaunee and moves West towards Ishpeming.  The race usually splits on the always-painful power line through West Ishpeming.  Exiting West Ishpeming and starting the trek towards Marquette, expect that many Pro’s might be thinking a like. After exiting Misery Hill and completing the first 25 miles, a larger group than normal may come through 510, with each one chasing the same goal.  With so many past champions and pro’s in the field, sitting in a large group can be discomforting.  So expect attacks to come swift and often as the riders exit 510 back on to the Noquemanon Trail Network.  This is where a large group may be split to a select few.  In the recent years the race has come down to the last mile.  If the same is the case this year, be ready for fireworks.  Only time will tell who will be there to shine in the end.”

Tyler Gauthier rides for Culver’s racing and Meyer Family Vision. He is also supported bywww.letsbikemqt.com, a huge promoter of the mountain biking in Marquette County. Check out his blog at www.letsbikemqt.com

Ore To Shore Pre-Ride

Ore to Shore only a week away!!

Those of you looking to pre-ride the course, this day is for you!  Whether it is your 1st time or 100th time join me in a pre-ride where I will share with you every detail of the course.  In a race where seconds matter I'll show you where you can shave them.

The ride is in combination with the 4 week Ore To Shore Clinc I have lead at Cylce Soleil.  This is our 4th and final week.  If you would like to join us it is $20 and we will provide a guided ride, instruction, transportation, and food/water supply.

Email me for more details:  tygauthi@alumni.nmu.edu

MTB National Championships - WORS #7 Sunburst Showdown

I believe I say this every year, but it is hard to believe that it is the end of July already and just past the mid way point in the MTB season.  This last month has been loaded with great training, good travel, and better racing.  In the past July has been a good rebound month after, typically, a down June.  I like to take June a bit easier and start coming back in July preparing for the largest month of racing, August.

MTB USA National Championships

In my pre season planning I did not intend on adding National Champs to my schedule.  With a little encouragement from family, sponsors, and a fellow competitor I pulled the trigger on a plane ticket to Boise. I was going back to Idaho but this time for a run a the Pro field.  My juniors were driving out a week prior so I shipped my bike with them making my travel and decision of going much easier.

XC

The XC course is set at the base of Mt. Baldy.  They send you around the mostly flat venue, then shoot you straight up the middle of a service road, and send you back down a single-track switchback descent.  The climb there is brutal.  10-15% grade (more in some places) for 3/4 of a mile.  In other words a steep wide open climb for 8-10 minutes.

I had high goals coming in but soon realized on the start climb, finishing the race would be an accomplishment.  I had a good start but faded quickly on the opening climb to about 1/2 way back in the field.  At the top I remember thinking, "I can't believe I have to do that 5 more times"  My negative thought drew out the fight in me and I was determined to make the cut.  My race does not have much to write home about.  The climb took me roughly 8-9 min each time and the descent another 8-9 minutes  Starting lap 5 of 6 I could hear the moto coming behind.  You do not want to get passed by the moto.  It means the leaders are coming and mostly likely you will get pulled.  I dug deep on the climb and just edged out the moto to the top securing that I would be able to finish the race.  I gutted the last climb and was happy to see the finish line, even if it was in 31st place.  50 starters and 19 riders were pulled or DNF'd.  I made the cut and I'm happy to call a positive a positive  

STXC   

I had much higher hopes for the Short Track.  I believe Short Track plays to my strengths.  I was able to play to my strengths but unfortunately also my weakness.  The weakness?  Being assertive.  I haven't learned to be aggressive enough in a large field, learned to bumb some elbows, offend a rider by cutting them off, or just plain old not caring but anyone but yourself.  The start of Short Track is so fast that you have to defend your position and take when you can.  I did not.  My legs were really good and once I established a posistion I was able to keep good but too little too late.  I was pulled with 3 to go in 32nd.  

WORS #7 Sunburst Showdown

I took the prior weeks WORS #6 off to get some specific training in and take a weekend off of traveling after returning from ID.  I was incredibly happy to be back on the WORS scene as it had been about a month since my last line up.

The words, "Gooooo." and I was right back at home.  The race strung out fairly fast and up the start climb a group of 8 was formed.  I got gapped slightly a couple times on the first 1/2 of the lap but eventually bridged to Nathan, Brian, Tristan, and Cory.  Big D and Issac were just off the back.  Nathan pulled through the pines and the field so I took the time to recover a bit in the draft.  Rght before climbing back up the ski hill I put in a dig.  I got some time on the group and they didn't seem to chase so I decided to keep digging.  I knew I wasn't staying away but I was happy to put in the effort to establish a smaller group.  Lap 2, I stayed steady up the climb as 3 chasers were pulling me in.  Tristan caught me in the single-track portion of the start climb and I was happy with it thinking we would combine to put some time on.  It didn't happen, it passed me and put a small dig right past me.  Brian bridged up and eventually passed me at the very top and Corey was next.  

I settled into 4th and chased Corey.  Corey would put time on me on the climbs but I would gain most of it back on the descent and in the pines.  I was glad I had to chase because it kept me moving forward as Big D and Kevin chased me down and for 2 laps put time into me.  At the end of lap 3 I caught Corey and I jumped to the front for most of lap 4.  Start of lap 5 and the mountain goat came out of Corey.  He instantly gapped me on the climb and I was never able to pull it back even with an all out effort on the other sections of the course.  Finshed 4th.  

Incredibly happy with the result for where I am at in the season.  It is a positive end to July and keeping the motivation high for August.  A hard week of training ahead and then the prep for the Ore to Shore.

WORS #5 Redflint Firecracker

I'm going to allow the media to give the race report and I will be allowing you inside the moment every professional strives for, victory.  I want to reveal the moment from this past weekend.

In a sport where victory's come few and far between, even for the best, I am incredibly grateful to have reached the top step in the greatest race series in the country.  This sport takes more than the effort of one.  In the end, only one steps up to raise his/her hands but behind every win is God, family, friends, sponsors, fans, and the race.  Without the support of each the strenuous work put in does not come to fruition.

This is why when the top is reached the moment is surreal, incredible, and a complete joy.  The most genuine smile you will ever find on my face is shared with my mother in this incredible moment.  This moment drives my passion to train and race harder so I can see the joy on her face again.

We race in the best, strongest, and largest race series in the country.  The effort of the race directors, WORS staff, and the athletes have developed an extremely competitive series that brings the best to the start line 12 times a year.  A win in this series is extremely difficult to come by and the first may be the toughest.  It is because of this I feel blessed to have the health and ability to even line up for a victory on Sundays.  They say that the 1st WORS win is the best, at this moment is sure feels that way.


Thank you to all who are with me, in front of me, and behind me.  Cheers to more to come.


Resluts


     

Keweenaw Chain Drive 2012

The Keweenaw Chain Drive is the kick off to the 2012 Upper Peninsula MTB race scene.  The Upper Peninsula has developed some great races and the Chain Drive is the front runner.  I would love to see all the Upper Peninsula races create a UP series but that is for another conversation.

All UP races are special to me, even if it is not in my back yard of Ishpeming. When I'm on the UP race course I feel at home.  With that, I put the extra pressure to represent the UP and my sponsors on my home turf.

Besides the great competition and incredible course one of my favorite parts of the Chain Drive is the neutral roll out.  It is rare in MTB to be moving and not racing.  Its enjoyable and a nice change of pace.  The competition is highly competitive.  In the past it has seen Professionals in B. Matter, C. Peariso, M. Anderson, and D. Braun.  Along with other regulars in T. McFadden, T. Carpenter, and A. Swanson.  The combo makes for an incredible scene.

brockit.com

The Race  

brockit.com

They flipped the course this year to introduce some new trail.  The biggest change was the first 1/4 of the race where it is mostly 2 track and steady climbing.  B. Matter and R. Baumann took the jump at the KOM prize so I followed them into the first single track.  Baumann led us to the 2 track and I quickly took over and put in a small dig up a hill.  No response from the field so I allowed it to come back and stayed on the front at tempo.  Eyes and mind forward I tapped the pedals and when I did take notice it was only Brian and I on the 2 track climb.  I upped the pace a bit to solidify the gap.

With a pure and natural grin on my face from the single track we were cutting I rode the front until the about the 1/2 way point.  I was feeling decent and kept a cool pace in the single track and dug a bit at each incline.  With the legend, B. Matter, on my wheel I gave up the front to monitor his efforts and get a feel for how he was feeling.  I was not under pressure so I didn't worry about any hard efforts by letting him take control.  He controlled the same pace up to 4 miles to go where we entered the final single track.  It drops you down to the bottom of the river and you climb back out until the finish.

Rewind:  Brian and Chris P. dropped me on a downhill last year at the finish of the Copper Harbor Fat Tire.  I took some constructive criticism for it and made an effort the remainder of the year to better my handling so it wouldn't happen again.

brockit.com

Fast forward: I figured Brian might do the same on the final single track and he did, making his dig.  He put small 3-5 second gaps on me as he handles technical trail so smooth.  You can see the experience with every turn.  Unlike last year the gaps were manageable and I would pull them back on the incline.  We got to the river bottom and Brian washed out as we crossed the river.  I made my dig to see if I could create a gap but his experience and strength kept him calm and he shortly pulled in back.  Feeling good I kept the speed high as I figured we were in for a game of cat and mouse.

The leadout:  I didn't want a straight 1 on 1 sprint so when I got to the pavement I made a move but shut it down quick seeing his response.  Hindsight, the strength of Brian in the sprint I wish I would have put all my cards in on that move.  I didn't and peaked over the should anticipating his move.  With no sign, at 250m he shot forward creating a 1 sec gap.  He kept and and I rolled through 2nd.

The After
The race was over but a lot to look forward to.  All my nephews raced in the Jr. Chain Drive.  Each one of them road a different distance but they all rode single track.  It was an awesome scene and keep my motivation high to see them follow in such an incredible sport for a lifetime.  The look of determination on their faces will keep me pedaling forward for a long time to come.

Sunday morning I joined up with Brian Matters JR. MTB camp for some Tech Trails single track.  Brian has a great thing going with this camp and it is encouraging to see so much particiapation and even more encouraging to see such talent at a young age.  After the camp concluded we (Brian, Ryan T., and Billy S.) got our time in at being Jrs.  A lot of fun and a great way to end the weekend.
      




Pictures:  Photos marked with brockit.com are pictures courtesy of brockit.com.  Please do not print or produce these phots without the permission of brockit.com.  If you would like to purchase Chain Drive photos visit their website.