Cheq 100

This past weekend was the first annual Chequamegon 100 bike race.
The race started in Seeley, WI and covered most of the 4 major trails of the CAMBA systems in Hayward, Cable, Rock Lake and Namakagon. Of the 100 total miles, roughly 75-80% was single track. In general a 100 mile mountain bike race is challenging enough. But the directors of Cheq 100 were not satisfied with amount of suffering the course alone presented, so they added another challenge. The race was a self-supported race, meaning there were no aid stations and riders were not allowed to take help other individuals. In other words, “we were on our own”.

I arrived at the Angry Minnow in Seeley around 7:00am with my race companion and good friend Mike Schroden. Once we arrived we grabbed our queue sheets (detailed course directions for the race) and started getting our gear ready. At 7:30 after a short race brief from the directors the riders started rolling out. For the first 20 miles the pace was way faster than I anticipated. Maybe it was because it was early, but I didn’t want to be going that fast that early in a long 100 race.

Eventually the pace settled down and I was in the first chase group of about 7 people. Our group rode together for another 20 until we got turned around and started riding the same stretch of single track back and forth 2 or 3 times. At this point another group of riders caught up with us and we all navigated the remaining 15 miles of single track together until we got to mile 55, the one and only check point where we had our drop bags of food, water, and other pre-packed supplies (ie. Chamois Crème) waiting for us.

The stop was very short and little by little smaller groups started heading back on the course. I was off my bike for about 10 minutes to refuel then Mike, and I took off with one or two other riders. Not more than 5 miles into the single track we took another wrong turn and ran into Heath, a lone LCR rider, who was heading back towards us on the wrong trail. Eventually Heath, Mike and I split from our group and finished the rest of the course together. We didn’t know how many riders were ahead or behind us, we just rode a good pace, stopped at every questionable intersection, and reassured ourselves we were on the right track.

As luck had it, we got lost less and had fewer mechanicals than most of those who left the checkpoint ahead of us. Heath, Mike and I crossed the finish line together just after 5pm. 10 hours of pure single track bliss and a three-way tie for 3rd. The Cheq 100 was an awesome event. I can wait to see what this race evolves into next year.

Salsa Cycles: Ride the Divide premier!

Salsa Cycles will be hosting a premier of Ride the Divide, a film about racing the Great Divide Mountain Bicycle Trail. The premier will be shown at Riverview Theatre, in Minneapolis, on June 15th 2010.

All details can be found on Salsa Cycles site.

Resistance Training

Today I hauled G. with me to work . This is will make it three weeks in a row. She is getting much better in the trailer and is very well behaved at work. Luckily the humidity dropped overnight and it was a beautiful day. My legs are still cooked from the Cheq 100. More info on that later.

Quick update from the past couple weeks. Last Thursday I took an impromptu trip to Seattle to see my brother. I was in Seattle for 4 days and had an awesome time. Day one we went to Shorty's pinball bar to have their signature cream cheese chill dog and washed it down with a variety cheap canned beer. We had the best apple fritter ever at Top Pot doughnuts, went to Roq La Rue Gallery to see some great art as well as a glass blowing studio.

Day two we went to the Fishermans Terminal to checked out all the boats, then to Ballard neighborhood for lunch at Mike's Chili Parlor for a killer chili cheese burger. After lunch we spent the rest of the afternoon walking around town checking out the cool boutiques and flower shops, bars and coffee joints.

Day three was spent around Josh's place in Magnolia doing house work and cooking dinner.

Day four we went to Belview to see Hollie's work, do some shopping, get a professional shave at The Art Of Shaving, and lunch at a nice Irish pub. All before catching my flight home. I got back to Mpls around 12:30 am, light railed it home and then to bed for a full week of work.

Work was typical, rode my bike everyday, except on Wednesday I had company. Gretta Dingo rode with me in the Burley trailer and spend the day with me. She did a great job in the trailer and behaved very well at work. Weather permitting I am going to haul her in every Wednesday.

The Weekend was busy with a trip to see Katie's mom in Redwing, groceries and chores around the house. Luckily I was able to squeeze in a couple laps at Leb with Joe.

There you have it, a quick update on what I have been up to.

Happy Mothers Day to all the Mom's reading this.