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.

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The Race  

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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.

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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.

WORS #3 Wausau Big Ring Classic

I'll give you the recap from my eyes and allow Claire from WORS media to give you the big picture.  She does a great job with the media.

I had 3 scheduled days off in the week leading up to the Big Ring Classic.  I had just ended a 5 week block and a weekend where I did 15 hours and the O2S course 4 times in 3 days.  I was more than ready to allow my body to recover.  I'm usually pretty good after rest weeks and my legs respond well with in a day or two back on the bike.  This time I had run myself so close to the edge the rest days were crucial and truthfully I could probably have used another day or two.  For 3 days my body shut down in attempt to conserve energy it did not have.

It was back on the bike Thursday to get the pooled blood moving again.  It wasn't until Saturday that I felt my legs started to circulate again.  Come Sunday I had felt good but still had the lingering effects of a fatigued body that took full advantage of rest.  One thing I have learned this year is that even when the body doesn't feel right or the legs aren't great the mind can push them into a pretty solid effort. So I was ready.

Fast!!!  That could be the start, middle, and finish of this report.  The Big Ring is always fast but with so many names showing up in Wausau this was one was particular faster.  We have our current WORS dominators, past WORS dominators, and the up and coming wanna be dominators.  All in all that is a big group of riders that can push a pace.  The courses lead out had some sharp turns to start and no one wanted to be in the wrong place so positioning came at a premium.  The premium, hard efforts.  I entered the single track about 7-8.  Not ideal because the first rocky section was sure to split the group at about 4 or 5.  To my surprise at the wall we were still all together.  Up the hill at a chill pace and the group swelled to about 10.  I stayed in about 8-9  the whole first lap which in hindsight, even with so much drafting, was not a good spot because of the yo yo out of the single track each time.

Lap 2 we rolled to the gradual climb together and attack was made off the front by Stelljes which at first gained no reaction.  Eventually a couple followed and it slowly but surely split the group.  I shot out the back but battled my way back up to Neff and M. Lalonde.  I pulled Lalonde away from Neff and we were off on the chase.  I was confident with a steady pace Lalonde and I could pull back some riders if not the front group.  I did my work for the remainder of lap 2 and at the start of lap 3 the single speed turned the pedals up front.  We started to see Maloney and Stelljes and I swear Lalonde tasted blood.  He raised the pace and I was left to suffer and chase my own.  By the end of 3 I had attached with Maloney and once again thinking together we could chase down Lalonde and Stelljes.  Rolling through the rocks Moloney had an accident where I swear I heard his bone shatter.  I felt absolutely terrible for riding away but there was a race to be fought.  Losing some fire power I honed in on keeping position to the end.  1/2 lap left Phillips caught me.  I was glad he did because he pulled a huge gap to get back to this point after dropping a chain early on.  I figured he might be my ticket back to the front.  1/4 lap to go he flatted and I was alone again.  I rolled in with cramps but fairly strong in 5th place.  Just a minute or so off the front.




WORS recap here and results here.  I'll have more on this later but thank you to the WORS series and Claire.  We race in the best series in America, hands down.

NEW SPONSOR - Cylce Soleil

"As a professional Mountain Biker I fully endorse the RealRyder bike at Cylce Soleil.  As a Mountain Biker you need more than cardiovascular strength.  You need core and upper body strength to control the bike through the changing terrain and the RealRyder system allows you to concentrate on those skills." ~ Tyler Gauthier, Professional Mountain Biker

Culvers Racing presented by Meyer Family Vision is excited to announce that we have partnered with another incredible supporter of the sport of cycling, Cycle Soleil.

  

Cycle Soleil will be a supporting sponsor of our team for the remainder of the 2012 season and into the future.  They have expressed a large interest in supporting the sport and have honored us with the support of our Elite, Local, and Jr MTB teams.  "With our partnership I believe we be able to do great things for promoting cycling, health, and fitness." Says Tyler Gauthier, Elite rider and Team Director.  "Our goal with Cylce Soleil is to spread the message of health and fitness through cycling.  It is an activity and sport that can be done by all ages, all skill levels, outdoors and with the beautiful facility of Cycle Soleil, indoors." 

Cycle Soleil is unique to other indoor cycling studios in that the rider is in control of the bike.  It is a bike that allows you to turn, lean, steer, race, and climb.   

Turn, Lean, Steer, Race, and Climb

Cycle Soleil of Marquette is the only dedicated indoor cycling studio, featuring RealRyder Bikes.  RealRyder bikes take indoor cycling to a new level and actually simulate an outdoor ride.  It is revolutionary in that it offers a TOTAL body workout strengthen your core while generating an increased calorie burn like never before.  Their classes offer motivating music, talented instructors and an inspiring atmosphere.

"As a professional Mountain Biker I fully endorse the RealRyder bike at Cylce Soleil.  As a Mountain Biker you need more than cardiovascular strength.  You need core and upper body strength to control the bike through the changing terrain and the RealRyder system allows you to concentrate on those skills."

Besides the great workout that the system will allow you to achieve it is a benefit to be part of the Cylce Soleil community because of the unpredictable UP weather.  You will always be guaranteed an excellent ride in an undisturbed atmosphere.  Not to mention during our long winter months this is a perfect get away from the cold.  

Future Events

• Classes lead and instructed by Tyler Gauthier along with the other talented instructors
• Ore to Shore specific training sessions
• Cylcling 101 sessions - including training tips

Indoor Facility

    

 

WORS #2 Rhinelander Crystal Lake Classic

Day 2 of my mini stage race was in Rhinelander at Camp Tesomas for WORS #2.  I love going there, first because it is close to home but most of all because the course is incredible.  For a course that beats on your body over 2 hours it ends up being one my most favorite courses of the year.

Sunday brought me good legs that were not as soar as I figured they would be from the previous days effort.  They warmed up very well and only left me without a small portion of high end power.  The start was fairly calm until Big D hit the front for a Mikey lead out.  I just didn't have the legs to come around enough guys to get in the ideal spot for the single track.  The hard pace up the start climb put me a bit behind on the energy level.  I was in the single track around 7-10.  I knew for this race you have to be around the 4-6th in to get a good spot before the split happens.  Sure enough the split happened at rider 5.

After a short recovery through the opening section of single track I was OK settling into a pace and a group.  Knowing I didn't have what it took to jump with the lead I was confident I would now had the legs to stay steady and smooth throughout the 2 hour effort.  I found a great group of riders in Koenig, Piontek, and McConnell.  McConnell and I shared the load on the 1st lap and then the The Bike Hub teammates shared on the 2nd.  Ben hit the 2nd lap hard keeping our pace up.  I like that he did because for a short period I thought it might pull in the leading group if they were playing games up front.  1/4 way into lap 2 we were only 60 seconds down but we never did make anymore ground.

Lap 3 McConnell and I shared the work load again and 3/4 way into the lap we seen Maloney coming back.  I followed briefly but took the chance to jump to keep the pace up.  Coming up the 2 track Phillips came back to us and we continued on.  Starting the final lap I noticed riders off just enough to entice Piontek and McConnell to keep rotating.  It split us off for a 3 man final lap.  McConnell took the lead and was riding very strong.  I knew by the way he was riding it would come down to the finish.  Unfortunately he burped a front tire and down he went.  It left Piontek and myself.  1/4 lap to go and the rain started pouring down.  I took advantage of my Maxxis Ardent and pushed the pace.  It opened up enough of a gap to finish up 4th.




The bike and tire selection were perfect for Rhinelander:
Bike: Trek Superly 100 Pro
Tires: F. Maxxis Ardent 2.2, R. Maxxis Ikon 2.0    

Good reports here and here.

Cable Off Road Classic

It was a mini stage race for me this weekend with back to back races Saturday and Sunday.  For the past few years the Cable Classic has lined up with one of the Rhinelander races, RASTA or WORS.  This year it lined up with the 2nd stop on the WORS series, Crystal Lake Classic Rhinelander.  Either way it ends up being one of my most favorite weekends of the year.

I was awakened Saturday morning by an incredible sunrise that showed a lot of promise for the day.  It was a vast difference from last years weather of 36 degrees and drizzle.  We were promised mid 80's by the end of this day.

The typical wheels were on the line at including McFadden, Carpenter, Swanson, Johnson, Sova, and even the CX expert Faulkner.  Nerves are mostly always high at a start line and add a good field and it raises it a bit more.  Saturday was a bit different and recently I've accepted the fact that a race is going to hurt and it going to be hard.  It should, it is a race.  So I was fairly calm at the start.  Maybe it helped knowing that they were controlling the start with a roll-out for 1/2 a mile which is very rare for a MTB race.

I jumped the for the hole-shot off of the 2 track and got it.  I heard some rustling behind but today's mission was to race within myself and not by others so I continued on at the pace I was confident with.  The pace slowly opened up a gap on the chasers and as I popped out onto the 3 mile section of rolling dirt road I had a 20-30 sec gap.  I didn't want to be alone the whole race but was OK if that was what was in store.  The chasers were slowly bridging but I wasn't going to make it easy so I stayed tempo up the climbs and flats and rested on the downs to conserve energy for when the joined.  A group of 4 including Sova, Johnson, McFadden, and Swanson were now connected.  Shortly after that another few riders joined including Carpenter and Faulkner.  As if a repeat from last year Sova took his smooth climbing skills down the rolling road and into the 2 track slowly softening the field.  I followed his wheel closely while keeping an eye on efforts behind me.  As a spike in terrain approached I went without looking behind and as I crested I heard Sova say, "You split it, keep the pressure on."  The effort got to me a bit so without him saying that I would probably have sat up.  I'm glad he did.  It was the move that split us into a 2 man break.  From the point of the break it was pretty smooth riding with Sova and I, working together keeping the pace at a respectable speed.  We worked extremely well together sharing the work load.  He made a great breakaway partner and I would ride with him any day.

With 6-7 miles remaining the turning, switchback, bumpy singletrack starts and goes on for a few miles.  It is part of the course that just beats on your body.  At this point I noticed the slightest of gaps opening.  I didn't attack but instead decided to ride a tempo keeping the bike smooth.  Slowly the gap inched its way open and by the time we reached the end of the singletrack and the finishing 3 miles stretch of 2 track I had opened enough of a gap to start seeing a victory.  I enjoyed the best of victories and rode in solo for my 1st ever Cable Classic win.

This race has dug into my competitive core for the past 2 years so the victory was bitter sweet.  A victory I was very pleased to have but at the same time expected myself to win this year.

At the awards ceremony I was presented with 2 incredible surprises.  One, that this race has been titled the border battle between MI, WI, and MN.  My victory this years has claimed the title on the 2nd Annual Border Battle for MI and more importantly the Upper Peninsula.  Tow, I was also introduced to Gary Crandall, race directory of the Chequamegon Fat Tire.  All the good I have heard about Gary and his race were true, a great guy.  He extended a personal invite the Cheq 40.  I humbly accepted.

Results

Race Report

Flying Solo

It is not very often I tackle a race weekend alone as I have the best support crew on the Midwest MTB scene.  But this weekend I'll be racing solo. I'm leaving today for Cable, WI and on Saturday night I will be driving east to Rhinelander, WI.

I will start my weekend at the Lakewoods Resort in Cable, WI for the Cable Off Road Classic.  I've done this race for the past few years and have really enjoyed it.  It has a competitive and good scene and good course that improves every year.  It has been stuck in my back pocket though for the last two years.  2 years ago I took a wrong turn while racing in the top 5 costing me several minutes and a top 10 finish.  Last year I was in the break with Moore and McFadden and I dropped a chain getting back on course after once again our group taking a wrong turn.  I finished 20 seconds down from the podium in 4th.  I've been there 2 years in a row but I need to be a bit more tentative as the last 2 years were my fault.

After the conclusion of the Cable Classic I head 3 hours East to Rhinelander.  I'll head straight to the course and get an easy pre-ride in.  I had one of my best rides in the WORS series in Rhinelander last year placing 6th so I'm excited to return.  Its ironic because I'm not a very technical rider and Rhinelander is a fairly technical course offering a lot of bumpy and turny single track.

This is one of my favorite weekends of the year so riding solo is fine by me.  Small family rumor is this guy might join me on Sunday for the kids race.  That would make my weekend.

            

A Good Life

Elephants, Intervals, Long Rides, Dark Chocolate, Core Work, Espresso, Mothers Day, Sunshine - That is a good week of training.

I had originally planned to race 3 weekends in a row starting with WORS #1 Iola and ending with WORS #2 Rhinelander with the RASTA and Cable in between.  If I would have stuck to the schedule this past weekend would have been the RASTA Rally in Rhinelander, WI.  The race was on Sunday which I hope everyone remembered was Mothers Day.  I used my better judgement and bagged the race to spend it with my mother who without I would not be racing at all.  Her support week in and week out is endless.

My decision to pass on the race ended being a rewarding one.  I had an amazing day with my mother and would not have exchanged any race to replace the day.  The morning was beautiful for a bike ride so my gift to her was taking her out on single track for a 101 session.  She has Mountain Biked in the past but hasn't really had the lessons or the time to experience single track.  She has always wanted to but has feared the unknown.  I spent 2 hours with her and it was amazing what she could do with a few pointers.  I've known where I got my competitiveness and athleticism from but her determination to learn reiterated that.  A morning single track session completed by a perfectly balanced spread.  Thank you to my brothers for cooking while I did the training.  Happy Mothers Day Mom!

Missing the race allowed for a great training weekend.  Saturday I saddled up with a teammate and we did some early season O2S recon.  A ride on the course and back on the roads gave me 5:15 in the saddle.  Sprinkle in some intervals and I was a perfect day in the UP.  The ride gave me a sign of prior and this years base work.  I can say I finally feel like the long hours are paying off because efforts later in rides are feeling much more comfortable.

This week was filled with plenty of sunshine and made each ride a complete enjoyment.  Bonus, I even had a run in with some Elephants.  Yes, Elephants.  Transplanted from Africa living in the wild.  Pretty crazy experience.  OK, not quite.  The circus was in town but it is not usual that you pass an elephant on a training ride.

Here is evidence of the sunshine.  I think I found a new way to melt chocolate over espresso beans, naturally.  The week ended with a great core session at Mattson Park.