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Hampshire 100 Mile

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Anne Pike and Dylan Johnson Get It Done at Hampshire 100

By Ryan O’Dell

In 1809, General John Stark, a Revolutionary War Soldier from New Hampshire, declined an invitation to a Battle of Bennington reunion because he was ill. Since he could not make the event, he sent a letter with the quote “Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils.” that was to be read for the toast. New Hampshire later used part of this toast for their State motto: Live Free or Die. The tenth annual Hampshire 100, located in Greenfield, NH, decided to use a portion of this motto on their race logo “Live Free & Bike!”

Race Director, Randi Whitney, “The Hampshire 100 is a true community event, with many local civic and non-profit groups from the surrounding area putting a shoulder to the mountain of necessary tasks to put on an event of this nature. Whether it is a 4-H club, a Boy Scout troop, a rescue squad, a school PTO, a recreational trails group, or supporters of a local library, they all help to make it happen.”

Tinker Juarez rarely misses a chance to race the Hampshire 100. Photo by: David Smith Photos

Tinker Juarez rarely misses a chance to race the Hampshire 100. Photo by: David Smith Photos

Whitney also announced that she will be retiring as race director of the Hampshire 100 and as director of the EFTA, Eastern Fat Tire Association.

“As Event Director of the Hampshire 100, it has been a pleasure to bring a uniquely New Hampshire flavor to the world of endurance racing for the past ten years. The opportunity to see both pro level and first time racers on the same course together, and all levels reaching deep into their special abilities that they may not have known they had, has been an experience not to be forgotten.

Sadly, after ten years of dedicated efforts, it really is time for, not only myself, by also for so very many of the most generous of volunteers, to turn some of our attentions and time to other important life pursuits, such as family. Our wish is that many enduring memories of triumph, perseverance, joy, and great camaraderie with fellow athletes will fondly remain part of the Hampshire 100 legacy. May taking the long trail continue to be the right one!”

 

WOMENS OPEN

Pike achieves her first NUE win!  

Anne Pike, Team DNA-Movement p/b Penetron, claimed her first ever NUE win at Hampshire finishing in 10:52:40. “This was my fourth consecutive year of competing in this race and although the course has been slightly different each year, this one, even though a little more tame for us, still certainly lived up to its reputation of being one that is fun yet very tough!

I started out feeling pretty good but quickly knew I needed to settle and take the first lap as it came, knowing that the majority of the energy sucking trails were saved for the later part of the lap. In that first lap I was back and forth in 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and headed out on the second lap in second.

I really had to keep my head strong knowing that it was still fairly early in the day and, if I was to be able to fight back in to first, I just had to focus on myself and my race. That paid off as I caught back up, passed, and managed to gain a fair lead, holding off until the finish!

I am super happy with my first NUE win and especially so as this race has become one of, Dave and my, favorites and as well, learning that it was in its last year. We really love the atmosphere surrounding the race. Thank you to the NH100 organizing team and volunteers for making this a great race we have wanted to come back to each year!

Elizabeth Bove, NEMBA Racing, was second finishing in 12:11:52. Julie Huang Tucker was third at 13:01:09.

With just three races remaining in the NUE best four of fourteen race series, Carla Williams, Joe’s Bike Shop, continues to lead the NUE Series with three wins including Cohutta, Tatanka, and Wilderness 101 plus a second place finish at the Pierre’s Hole 100.

 

Arizona-native Taylor Lideen doesn't mind the unusually high heat out east and showed it with a 4th. Photo by: David Smith Photos

Arizona-native Taylor Lideen doesn’t mind the unusually high heat out east and showed it with a 4th. Photo by: David Smith Photos

MENS OPEN

Johnson gets his third NUE win, now leads NUE Race Series!

21-year-old Dylan “The Kid” Johnson, Giant Co-Factory Northeast, earned a hard fought win against a stacked field to claim his third NUE win of the Season with a winning time 7:49:25. With victories at both Cohutta and Mohican plus his second place finish at Tatanka, Johnson now leads the NUE Series.

“Last year the Hampshire 100 was one of the hardest races for me. Much of the race I battled bonking and fatigue alone out on course. I kept this in mind coming into the race this year and I think it payed off. I stayed on top of my nutrition and rode conservatively until it counted. The lead pack gradually dwindled to five riders by the final lap. This group included Schworm, Tinker, Lideen, Wadsworth, and me.

I had a hard time judging how fatigued the others were so I decided to test the waters on the ski slope climb out of aid station 1. At the top of the climb I looked back and saw a small gap had opened so I decided to continue on alone. By the final single track section I paid for my efforts, battling cramps in my forearms and triceps over the roots. By the end I could feel a bonk coming on but luckily I was close enough to the finish to hold off Schworm and the others. I am thrilled with the result and, hopefully, I can maintain this fitness for the Shenandoah 100 and series final at Fool’s Gold.”

Just five minutes later, Brian Schworm, Think Green-VO2 Multisport P/B, placed second at 7:54:46. Schworm has led the NUE Race Series for most of the season following wins at Lumberjack and Wilderness 101 plus second place finishes at Cohutta and Mohican. Schworm is still in contention needing just one more win to contend for the title at the Fool’s Gold 100, where all ties will be broken.

"The Kid" Dylan Johnson is proving tough to beat in 2016. Photo by: David Smith Photos

“The Kid” Dylan Johnson is proving tough to beat in 2016. Photo by: David Smith Photos

“I was apprehensive about the Hampshire 100 for a few reasons.  First, I had never ridden the course.  I heard that the course was fun but it was also very demanding. That, in conjunction with the high temperatures, had me a bit worried before the start of the race.  I knew I was going to be extremely challenged physically. In addition to this, the list of registered competitors let me know it would be tough.  Tinker was going to be there!  He has always been my hero and I knew he would be fast!  Also, Dylan Johnson and Taylor Lideen were registered.  Up to that point we each had two wins and at least one second in the series so I knew this race would be important for the overall standings.

The start of the race was relatively mellow until a few of the 100k racers caught us (they started about 30 seconds behind the 100 milers). The pace then quickened and we had a fast first lap.  By the second lap a group of seven or eight had formed: Tinker, Dylan, Taylor, and me from the Open 100 mile race, Gordon Wadsworth racing singlespeed, and Drew Purcell and Dereck Treadwell with Alex Pond just behind racing the 100k.  The second lap was also very quick, mostly due to the 100k racers. It was neat to watch Drew attacking in the singletrack and Dereck trying to chasing him down!

The third and last lap started at a snail’s pace. I didn’t mind…I was hurting and I knew things were going to get intense soon. Sure enough, once we hit the ski slope climb, Dylan attacked and the group fell apart. Initially, I was in the back of the group but climbed up to second position by the top with Taylor on my heels. We worked hard to chase Dylan down but to no avail. On the next climb with the “babyheads” (there was a neat sign announcing the presence of these babyheads; aka rocks, along this trail), Taylor dropped back a bit and I continued to try and chase Dylan down. I was getting time checks of about a minute but as I continued to chase to the finish, the gaps kept growing. “Two minutes”, some would say. “He’s just three minutes ahead”, others said later. It just kept growing. In the end, Dylan finished five minutes ahead with me coming in second position.

Overall it was a fantastic race. The course was incredible with all the technical singletrack and I was satisfied with my result since I knew I gave it all I had. Dylan is an amazing racer and great person with an incredible future ahead of him and definitely deserved the win. I guess this now puts him in the lead of the NUE series with me in second. Next up for me is Shenandoah 100 in Virginia followed closely by the series finale Fools Gold in Georgia.”

Three minutes later, and fresh off his second place podium finish at Big Bear, Hall of Fame Mountain Biker and Two-Time US Olympian, David “Tinker” Juarez, Cannondale, placed third at 7:57:37. At 55, Juarez continues to display amazing strength and stamina as an ultra-racer, often competing with racers young enough to be his grandkids. His passion for the sport he started in as a kid in the world of BMX has been an inspiration to NUE Racers and his many fans worldwide.

“I had great race. The course was the best ever since I started racing here. This is my fourth year racing here and I have made the podium three out of the four times. The conditions were the best ever and the course was awesome. This couldn’t happen without many great volunteers to make this happen. I pray for someone with great love and passion for the sport to keep this epic event going.”

Five minutes behind Juarez, NUE Series contender, Taylor Lideen, Pivot Cycles 92 Fifty Cyclery was fourth at 8:02:09. Lideen is ranked third in the NUE Race Series following wins at True Grit Epic, Big Bear, plus an eight place finish at Bailey Hundo.

“I was super excited and am really thankful to have had the opportunity to be able to travel and race an NUE back east this year. I really didn’t know what to expect racing the Hampshire 100 for the first time but I was really impressed with the course!

The first two laps had a small group of us off the front and we all seemed to be having a blast riding together, especially on the amazing singletrack! As we finished up lap two, I knew I was in for a rough finish. You always hope you don’t have “one of those days” during a big race but that’s what happened. The legs just had enough and I really struggled to put out any power for more than half of the final lap. I think my body was screaming at me for some rest.

Singlespeeder Gordon Wadsworth mixes it up with the lead group. Photo by: David Smith Photos

Singlespeeder Gordon Wadsworth mixes it up with the lead group. Photo by: David Smith Photos

It’s been a long 12 months of racing and the legs had enough on the last lap. That is what makes racing excited I guess! You roll the dice and hope it works out on the day but you need to roll with the punches when it doesn’t. A big massive thank you to everyone involved with this race! I don’t think I would have made it out for the event if not for so many kind and helpful people!

Gregory Jancaitus, Bicycle Express Racing, was fourth at 8:20:54. Five minutes later, Scott Hoffner, CIC Racing, was fifth at 8:25:16.

 

SINGLESPEED

Wadsworth crushes the field, earning back to back wins at Hampshire!

Two-time NUE defending Champion, Gordon Wadsworth, Blue Ridge Cyclery/Pivot CYC, earned his second straight win at Hampshire by a HUGE margin finishing 7:58:44, good enough for fourth overall. Wadsworth now has three wins including True Grit Epic and Wilderness 101 needing just one more win or a second place finish to become the NUE Series leader.

“My SS win started with a little bit of drama! Immediately out of the gate my seat post began to slip and I found my knees in my chest before long! I eased up, put my weight on one leg and was able to loosen the post enough to pull over, eyeball the height and go with it from there. Fortunately my Thomson Dropper post allowed me to fine tune it enough to complete the rest of my day with only minimal adjustments along the way. This had me really glad I decided to keep the dropper onboard for the Hampshire 100, although it’s usually a good choice to run a dropper.

Gordon Wadsworth threw down in the SS category at Hampshire. Photo by: David Smith Photos

Gordon Wadsworth threw down in the SS category at Hampshire. Photo by: David Smith Photos

My usual tactic is to remain with the lead group as long as I can, trying to make it a fun ride along the way. This time, it gave me a great front seat to some of the best racing the NUE might see this year. Dylan, Brian, Taylor and Tinker are all always great to ride with and as a group we had some real fun ripping New England’s old school turns and trails.

The race also gave me a front seat to the Men’s Open 100K with an ON FIRE Drew Purcell fighting an, always fit, Derek Treadwell. Their battle and Drew’s two attacks on the second lap put some stress into our leading group which cut it down to just me, Tinker, Taylor, Dylan, and Brian. That group was amazingly cordial on a course known for attrition; agreeing to stop at aid stations and even regular nature breaks, what gentlemen.

The race opened wide open on the third time up the ski hill and I battled back up to Tinker to ride much of the lap with the living legend and friend. We eventually caught a flagging and cramping Taylor before Tinker launched his own attack, distancing himself from Taylor and a little bit from me, not far from the finish.

The SS race had an on-a-roll Kip Biese and an always strong semi-local Will Crissman but I felt comfortable in my ability navigate the course away from these two strong men; knowing the course which brought me a second place overall in 2015. I can’t say enough how much fun my Pivot LES SS continues to be on the technical and varied #BeastCoast course. The LES; like every Pivot bike just rides everything with aplomb. I’ve yet to find a place where it doesn’t feel absolutely at home. Here’s to finishing out another NUE season strong and safe!”

Will Crissman, Dedham Bike, was next taking second at 8:43:56. “After an easy first ten minutes or so, the race took off and a group of about eight riders got a big gap. I managed to stay about 3-4 minutes behind them riding mostly by myself for the first lap with the exception of a short time when the second chase group got me.

I crashed hard about a mile from the lap point and had to take a few minutes to re-group, doubting I would be able to continue and finish. After eating and drinking some after lap one, I decided to keep going and, after a few miles, I managed to latch onto a few guys. We rode together for much of the second lap and then I slowly peeled away from them. Jeff Clayton and I rode together for a bunch of lap three and I managed to get away from him on the climbs. I caught one more rider in the last few miles who seemed upset that a rigid singlespeeder had caught on so he hit the gas and beat me by about a minute.

In the end, I was thrilled with my finish, my best overall result at an NUE – second singlespeed and ninth overall. I rode a 32-19, basically the same gearing as Gordon. I’ll never catch him, though. He’s a true professional racer with a fitness level I’ll only dream about. NH100 was a great event – I’m sad it’s ending. This was the only NUE I could get to this year. Hope to be back at Mohican next year and maybe try out a couple I haven’t done before.”

Kip Biese, KJ Bike Coaching/Old Town Bike, placed third at 9:29:05. Biese continues to lead the NUE Race Series with ten straight finishes, including seven top three podium finishes. Biese is attempting to complete the maximum possible of 12 of the 14 races in the NUE Series.

“I had another simple slogging race; I’m still very tired for some unknown reason. I started fine but, on the very first fast gradual road downhill, I couldn’t hold the wheels of the lead group. When we finally hit a bit of an up and I stood, I realized my front tire was slowly leaking so I stopped to add CO2 and make sure it held. I knew I fell back a long way at that point, but as I’m still racing fatigued, all I could do was simply my own ride.

Afterward, I just counted how many SS’ers I caught the rest of the race (8) and eventually worked up to third, another long hard day on the SS, but worth it because the second half of the course is fun and it’s a cool event. I went with 32/19 gearing on a 29er and have two more NUEs on my calendar; the Volcano 100 and Fool’s Gold.”

 

MASTERS 50+

Clayton wins, now tied for NUE Series lead!

51-year-old Jeff Clayton, Georgia Neurosurgical Institute, earned his fourth NUE Series victory of the season with a decisive win at Hampshire in 8:48:11. With this win, Clayton is now tied with Greg Golet who also has four wins setting up a showdown at the Fool’s Gold 100 Championship race where all ties are broken in this best four of fourteen race series.

“I started the race with ten stitches in my arm from a nasty crash a week before…thankfully I finished with those stitches still intact! Carl Reglar and Roger Masse were two guys I knew to watch carefully.

The first surge of the race came pretty early on a dirt road climb and I managed to stay in the front group. After a few rough descents and climbs, Carl had a gap on me and I had a gap on Roger. Roger found some allies and caught me shortly before the singletrack descent prior to the Croched ski area, but then dropped off again. Carl was ahead, but I soon found him on the singletrack after the ski area. Carl and I marked each other throughout the rest of the first lap but, by not stopping in the pit area, Carl put a sizable gap on me starting lap two….he seems to have a strategy of not stopping for nutrition. I kept my pace restrained on the dirt roads and stayed patient. Eventually, I caught him while he was taking a nature break and decided he looked a bit rough so I surged a little and he dropped off.

I had been pacing with Steven Edwards in the 100k and then Will Crissman, the second place 100 mile singlespeeder. He was a monster on the rough climbs and I could catch him again on the dirt roads. Will and I rode together for much of the second and third lap until I decided to ride more conservatively in the technical sections (no more stitches!). I finished tenth overall in what was the hardest NUE race for me yet. Many thanks to my awesome wife Jodi for her aid station support. I’m looking forward to the Shenandoah 100 and The Fools Gold finale.”

Two-time defending NUE Masters Champion, 53-year-old Roger Masse, Rare Disease Cycling, took second in 9:05:26. With top finishes at True Grit, Mohican, and Wilderness 101, Masse jumped up to third place overall in the NUE Series Standings.

Six minutes behind the defending champion Masse, 54-year-old Carl Reglar, Verge Sport/Test Pilot, placed third at 9:11:47. Reglar got his first win of the season at Mohican plus a second place finish at Wilderness 101. His third place finish at Hampshire means that he can still take the third spot overall in the NUE Race Series with just one more top finish.

“The race started pretty mellow. As soon as we hit the first long climb at around mile ten, the fireworks began. After the dust settled, I found myself in a good group with Jeff Clayton and Roger Masse, feeling pretty good and confident about my chances. I’m not sure why but the wheels started to come off on the second lap, and by the third lap I was running on fumes. The single track was amazing but I think it was also my undoing. It was a great race! Huge thanks to organizers and all the volunteers.”

Seventeen minutes later, 55-year-old David Boyce, Jawbone Racing/Berkshire Bike, finished fourth at 9:28:55. Seven minutes later, 2015 Hampshire 100 Masters winner, 53-year-old Terry Blanchet, North American Velo, claimed the fifth spot at 9:35:01.

What’s NEXT?!

The Kenda NUE Series heads due south to the only NUE race held outside of the USA for NUE #12. The Rincon Challenge, now the Volcano 100, featuring a rematch between USA Champion, Todd Wells and the former Costa Rican National Champion, Paolo Montoya, will roll out on September 1 from Liberia, Costa Rica. The very next day, NUE heads to Virginia for NUE#13, the Shenandoah 100 on September 2.  www.nuemtb.com

Stay tuned here for the latest NUEz and information.

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Hampshire 100k

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Drew Purcell and Karen Potter Escape Hampshire Heat with 100k Wins

By Ryan O’Dell

In 1809, General John Stark, a Revolutionary War Soldier from New Hampshire, declined an invitation to a Battle of Bennington reunion because he was ill. Since he could not make the event, he sent a letter with the quote “Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils.” that was to be read for the toast. New Hampshire later used part of this toast for their State motto: Live Free or Die. The tenth annual Hampshire 100, located in Greenfield, NH, decided to use a portion of this motto on their race logo “Live Free & Bike!”

Race Director, Randi Whitney, “The Hampshire 100 is a true community event, with many local civic and non-profit groups from the surrounding area putting a shoulder to the mountain of necessary tasks to put on an event of this nature. Whether it is a 4-H club, a Boy Scout troop, a rescue squad, a school PTO, a recreational trails group, or supporters of a local library, they all help to make it happen.”

Whitney also announced that she will be retiring as race director of the Hampshire 100 and as director of the EFTA, Eastern Fat Tire Association.

“As Event Director of the Hampshire 100, it has been a pleasure to bring a uniquely New Hampshire flavor to the world of endurance racing for the past ten years. The opportunity to see both pro level and first time racers on the same course together, and all levels reaching deep into their special abilities that they may not have known they had, has been an experience not to be forgotten.

Sadly, after ten years of dedicated efforts, it really is time for, not only myself, by also for so very many of the most generous of volunteers, to turn some of our attentions and time to other important life pursuits, such as family. Our wish is that many enduring memories of triumph, perseverance, joy, and great camaraderie with fellow athletes will fondly remain part of the Hampshire 100 legacy. May taking the long trail continue to be the right one!”

 

East coast domination is the name of the game for Karen Potter and she showed it again at the Hampshire 100k. Photo by: David Smith Photos

East coast domination is the name of the game for Karen Potter and she showed it again at the Hampshire 100k. Photo by: David Smith Photos

WOMENS OPEN

Potter gets her first NUE Series win of the season!   

Karen Potter, Pivot/DNA Cycling, won the Women’s 100k finishing in 6:11:18 in her first NUE win this season. “This was my sixth time racing the Hampshire 100. Course knowledge helps a lot knowing where to use energy and where to save it. It has always been a challenging course despite not having a terrible amount of elevation gain for the amount of miles. The singletrack sections are super fun, gnarly, rocky, rough, but slow going. This year was the driest by far making the singletrack a bit easier since, even when it’s the least bit damp in the woods, the roots and rocks get greasy fast.

I wasn’t sure how well I would perform this year, as the week heading into the race, I felt like I was fighting the potential of getting sick and was not sleeping well. Early in the race, another competitor who I raced a good chunk of the race with the previous year, asked whether I was ‘going for the win’ or what, trying to decide whether he should pace himself off of me. I responded that I was just trying to see what my body was going to give me and work with that, as that’s the way to survive an endurance race.

Thankfully, my body cooperated to have a great race. I admit, coming into the end of the first lap, I was sort of dreading the second one. I started drinking more water since it was fairly warm out and ate a bit more. That did the trick and helped me to finish strong. My Pivot Mach 429SL was awesome for a course that has just about everything in it for terrain.”

Twelve minutes later, Stephanie Baker, DG Cycle Sports, placed second at 6:23:39. Rachel Brown, Bikeman.com, was next taking third at 7:52:12. Thirty seconds later, Robyn Duke, Lapdogs Race Team, was fourth at 7:52:42.

With three races remaining in the NUE Marathon Race Series, Karen Jachow, Team Topeak-Ergon, leads the series with four wins.

 

Alex Pond headed east following 3 NUE wins out west in 2016 Photo by: David Smith Photos

Alex Pond headed east following 3 NUE wins out west in 2016 Photo by: David Smith Photos

MENS OPEN

Purcell gets his second NUE win at Hampshire!

Ohio Mountain Bike Series Champion (www.ombc.net), Drew Purcell, Wooster Bikewerks/Y-Not Cycling, earned a hard fought second win of the season following his seventh place finish at Cohutta Big Frog 65 earlier in the season and his second straight win at the Mohican 100k. Purcell finished 5:10:19 challenging current NUE Marathon leader Alex Pond.

“Being my first time riding in New Hampshire, I didn’t know what to expect from the trails. The rocks and the steep climbing made the course pretty difficult for me. The 100k racers started one minute behind the 100 mile racers. Soon, as they said go, me and two other 100k racers bridged up to the 100 mile group before the double track began. The first half of the first lap was pretty fast. The group slowed a bit for the second half of the lap and a few racers joined the group.

I noticed both of my rivals in the 100k had joined up with us. At that point, I put in a small attack on the second lap and the beginning of the double track, just to see how they were feeling. Alex dropped off at that point and never rejoined. It was down to two 100k riders with the leading 100 milers. I stayed mid pack knowing my chance to win would come in the second half of the race in the single track. I was sure to enter the last ten miles of single track in the front and put my skills to work so I established a nice gap off the first real technical descent of the single track and rode to the finish on my own from there.”

Purcell will challenge the NUE Marathon leader once again on September 1 at the Volcano 100 in Costa Rica. A win there could set up a final showdown between Pond and Purcell at the Fool’s Gold 55 mile Championship race, where all ties are broken.

One minute later, Derek Treadwell, Dr. Naylor-Treadwell Training, rolled across the finish line second at 5:11:18. Five minutes later, NUE Marathon Series leader, Alex Pond, Sonoran Cycles, placed third at 5:16:20.

“Sunday morning, at five am, I was enjoying my breakfast of granola, eggs and coffee under already warm temps. That should have been a clear indication I was going to be dealing with heat during the race but I thought nothing of it. I have grown up in the humid conditions of the east coast and that day did not seem too bad. Lining up at the start, it’s very different being in a new region and out of the group of regulars you are accustomed to racing with. I was feeling very confident and also feeling in good condition to race hard, but my body was feeling otherwise.

The start went out pretty quick and the one minute lead the 100 mile racers had was soon brought together and a group of about ten came together going into the first ten miles of racing. Coming from altitude, my lungs weren’t feeling the pain but I could tell the pace was hard by the searing in my legs on every short and punchy climb. The racing was so unique with a combination of back country roads, old jeep roads, private driveways, and some of the most rooted and rocky singletrack I’ve ever experienced.

Dereck Treadwell took second by just under minute in the Hampshire 100k. Photo by: David Smith Photos

Dereck Treadwell took second by just under minute in the Hampshire 100k. Photo by: David Smith Photos

On our first descent down crotched mountain, I discovered that I did not tighten my headset enough and my bars were coming loose. When I got off my bike, I discovered the zipper on the saddle bag had blown out and all my tools had vanished. Luckily, the aid at the bottom of the ski area had a toolbox and I was quickly on my bike chasing the lead group. After about five more miles, I was back with them and now we were down to about three 100k racers and five 100 mile racers.

I had to make a quick pit stop (thanks Mother Nature) and lost about thirty seconds. Once back through for the second lap, I was back in the group and was restocked with a fresh bottle and my camelback which I was sure would get me through the race and keep me hydrated. We kept the pace pretty civil along the road but, once we hit the next bit of off road, the climbs went hard and I started to lose pace. I decided to let off and see if I could come back but the group kept making gains and my legs began to get tight on the climb out of MT Crotched.

My last thought of getting back with the group was when we hit a self-serve aid. Everyone was getting on their bikes after a quick stop and I still had fluids so I led the chase going out but, once we hit the woods, I was off the back again and the group was quickly getting away. I even had my first bout of “off the bike cramps” at fletcher hill. Thankfully, there was a house stocked with Gatorade with a sign that said free drinks. That was the last thing I thought might get me through to the finish. The race proved to be incredibly challenging, fun, and brought out a great group of racers.”

Twenty-Four minutes later, Warren Gerow, Bikeman.com, took fourth at 5:40:45. One minute behind Gerow, Benjamin Coleman too fifth at 5:41:49.

 

SINGLESPEED

Litzinger gets his fourth straight NUE Series win, now leads NUE Marathon Race Series!

James Litzinger, Napleton Elite Cycling, was the first across the line at 5:47:20 and now leads the NUE Marathon Series in the SS division with a total of four straight wins including the Big Frog 65, Mohican 100k and Tatanka 50k. “I had the pleasure of enjoying the Hampshire 100k with my friend and teammate Scott Williams.

The start of the race was not very SS friendly with the almost five miles of flat road. Scott and I were quickly swallowed up by the sounds of clicking shifters as the road opened up at the beginning of the race. We each took a guess at how many we would catch by the top of first climb as we spun down the road. Scott guessed thirty and I said five. He was definitely more accurate!

I really enjoyed the mix of wild single track and back country roads on my Pivot Les! There were some really cool bridges and rock features that kept me on my toes! Starting the second lap, we continued down the open road leading to the exciting gutter descent making our way toward the ski hill climb. I knew that climb would prove to be more challenging the second time through. After that climb, I rode through the rest of the New Hampshire Wilderness solo only catching up to some of the geared guys along the way toward the finish. I can’t thank my lovely wife and boys, Dirty Harry’s, and teammates enough for all of their support!”

Eleven minutes later, Litzinger’s teammate, Scott Williams, Napleton Elite Cycling, was second to finish at 5:58:41.

Yianni Pimenidis was third at 6:27:26. “I thought the race was very well organized with great energy. The trails were lots of fun, rocky, and I loved the hills on my 32×20 single-speed. Beautiful weather, scenery, and this was my first time riding on the east coast. My favorite thing was the fact that I was riding my bike for a good six hours, something that I love, and it is fun to do.”

 

MASTERS 50+

Lang wins the Masters!

61-year-old Gilman Lang took the victory over his younger competitors in the Masters field finishing with a winning time of 6:27:16.

Ten minutes later, 55-year-old Mark Vojtko, Claremont Cycle Depot, finished second at 6:37:42. “My race went pretty good. I started off slow and found a good rhythm. Eat-drink-pedal-don’t burn any matches-save the bike-repeat. I ride my race, I pass people, and people pass me. The tea leaves fall where they’re going to fall in the end. I’ve had the great fortune of three podium finishes out of five consecutive NH-100 completions-not bad for someone who started racing mountain bikes at age 47. All races hurt, all races teach you to dig deep, and they’re all rewarding.

While the sportsmanship is amazing, we all really need to extend a huge thanks to the volunteers and race organizers who sacrifice countless hours of their time to make these events happen and that stranger stopping traffic telling you “good job”.”

Two minutes later, 56-year-old Geoff Waite, placed third at 6:39:27. “Taking up racing late in life, this was my second ever endurance race and my second third place finish, but I have been riding since we were all building or owned “tracker bikes” in the 70s! I raced on a more or less standard Santa Cruz tallboy carbon, which worked great for this course. At 28lbs, it could have been lighter, as always. WTB Nano tires were perfect for the course and conditions – fast rolling, robust and predictable in a drift.

While the first half of the circuit knocked off the miles and the bulk of the climbing, the sweet single track sections of the second half, getting more burly as it moved towards the finish, was great, and really favors a strong technical rider, as long as there’s still gas in tank to blast it.  This is where I made up my time on both laps. While I did lose a couple of minutes to route confusion and errors, the course was generally excellently marked. Three liters of water per circuit was just right but, next time, I’m going to have to optimize my pit stop, which is where I dropped a place. I am looking forward to besting myself in the next race!”

58-year-old Thomas Sullivan, State Nine, was next finishing fourth at 7:08:18. Five minutes later, 55-year-old Jose Gonzalez, Gonzalez Framing, was next placing fifth at 7:13:57.

 

What’s NEXT?

The Kenda NUE Marathon Race Series heads due south to the only race held outside of the USA. NUE #9, The Rincon Challenge 100k, now the Volcano 100k, will roll out on September 1 from Liberia, Costa Rica.  www.nuemtb.com

Stay tuned here for the latest NUEz and information.

Click Here For Full Results

Pierre’s Hole 100k – Grand Targhee Resort, Wyoming

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Karen Jarchow and Alex Pond Conquer Pierre’s Hole 100k

Written by: Jen Hanks & Ryan O’Dell

The Eighth Annual Pierre’s Hole 100 has been adding new singletrack each year featuring long, fun descents showcasing jaw dropping views of the Tetons and surrounding mountains. This year’s race included a 100-mile race, 50-mile and a one lap 50k race.

A highlight of this year’s race for many was racing alongside world road champion Peter Sagan who recently won the green sprinters jersey in the Tour de France. Sagan won the 50k race setting a blistering pace and, to the delight of many, stuck around for photos and autographs following the awards presentation.

World road race champion and Tour De France green jersey winner Peter Sagan blazed through the 50k course in just over two hours. Photo by: Cody Downard Photography

World road race champion and Tour De France green jersey winner Peter Sagan blazed through the 50k course in just over two hours. Photo by: Cody Downard Photography

The first NUE Marathon Racer to cross the finish line on a rigid singlespeed at NUE Marathon Series races this season wins a Lauf TR29 or TRBoost fork. James Dwyer, Green Mountain Sports Velo, earned this special award.

The next day, a dedication ceremony was held for the new AJ Trail in nearby Victor. City councilman and NUE SS contender, AJ Linnell, before his untimely death, led a vision for an urban trail that would lead out of Victor to nearby BLM lands. Last year, more than 130 volunteers picked up AJ’s mantle, constructing 700 vertical feet of trail on private property located at the edge of town connecting Victor to nearby BLM lands. The goal is to construct at least 12-13 miles of trail on BLM lands.

George Flynn crests a hill in the 100k event. Photo by: Cody Downard Photography

George Flynn crests a hill in the 100k event. Photo by: Cody Downard Photography

Open Men

As riders toed the start line Alex Pond (Sonoran Cycles), with two marathon wins on the NUE series already, stood out at as the clear favorite. So much so that the race announcers were almost giving him credit for a win before the race even started.

There to foil Pond’s plans most prominently were local twin-powers Bart and George Flynn (Hoback Sports). The Flynn twins started off strong, leading the group on the opening climb and creating an early break, which included Pond.

Pond took over the lead just before starting the singletrack and quickly opened a lead. He built on that lead and stayed clear through the opening lap. Lap two looked to be shaping up similarly until bad luck struck the race leader midway through the second and final lap.

Here’s how he tells what happened next:

“The addition of the Action Jackson trail (in lap two) made for some extra time out on course and I was through my fluid almost before making it back up the climb on Grand Targhee.

After the long descent down 38 Special again my leg started to get tight and so I tried spinning my leg out, which was the biggest mistake of my race.

I clipped a rock and went down at full speed. After unrolling myself from the pile I put myself in I realized I was fairly unharmed, but I had absolutely demolished my saddle. I rolled about a half mile to a course marshal and frantically asked if he had anything I could bang my seat into place with. He came out of his backpack with a machete to which I thought ‘That’ll DO!’

I banged on the seat with the handle and right when I had the seat back into place, the foam snapped and completely destroyed the saddle. I knew I didn’t have much time left and in my head I only had 20 miles left to race. (It was really like 30).

I made it to the road and was able to barely sit on my saddle, very uncomfortably. Once back onto singletrack my seat started bouncing off the rails and I could no longer sit on it. I made it back to the last aid station before the final loop of 13 miles and scored some duct tape, which I secured the saddle with and a couple bottles and started the climb to hopefully hold off the very nearing Flynn brothers.”

Alex Pond somehow rode 30 miles on this demolished saddle.

Alex Pond somehow rode 30 miles on this demolished saddle.

Once back on course, Pond was now in sight of a chasing Bart Flynn who felt good about his chances to reel in the race leader. Almost as soon as he started his chase bad luck took it’s turn on Bart, this time in the form of a flat tire, essentially ending any challenge to Alex Pond taking his 3rd NUE win of 2016.

Bart’s flat cost him a position to his brother George who rolled across the finish line in second just over 4 minutes behind Pond. Bart would cross the line in third.

Behind the lead trio Troy Heathhecker (P-Town Cross) and John Reuter (Elephants Perch) had a back-and-forth battle for much of the day with Heathhecker finally coming out on top to take fourth in front of Reuter.

Alex Pond now controls the open men’s category in the NUE series. He will look to continue his winning ways at the Hampshire 100k in two weeks and the Volcano 100k in Costa Rica.

Karen Jarchow climbs her way through Action Jackson. Photo by: Cody Downard Photography

Karen Jarchow climbs her way through Action Jackson. Photo by: Cody Downard Photography

Open Women

The women’s race also featured a series leader with Karen Jarchow (Ergon) looking to build on her NUE exploits of 2016 with another win.

She was confident about the course profile as it included an abundance of climbing all at high-altitude, which played into the Colorado-based rider’s strengths. Her toughest competition would be coming from a pair of Jens. Jen Hanks (Pivot/DNA Cycling) and Jen Kandolin (Hoback Sports) both have the experience and fitness to challenge for the win.

Jarchow climbed into the lead early and was clearly feeling strong on the steeps at Grand Targhee.

“I was able to put in a couple minutes lead on the opening climb. However, once I dropped into the first descent, 38 Special, I got a little too excited and ended up on the ground within the first 5 of 38 switchbacks, bruising and scraping up my knee and elbow within the first 40 minutes of the race,” Jarchow shared after the race.

Another crash on lap one and a bent derailleur hangar slowed her progress but not enough to lose her race lead. After getting her derailleur issues straightened out Jarchow was back on course and taking no chances with position. “I kept my “foot on the gas” with efforts steady and took zero chances on the descents for the last 16 miles of the race – knowing I had already wasted a lot of time and energy through silly mistakes I didn’t want to lose the race with another. The quality of the trails really kept my mind focused and having fun through the finish!

The race finishes with a short, power sucking climb up a grassy knoll to the finish line – again, taking no chances, I put my head down and pedaled hard to the line. I’ve been sprinted out at the line before and since I have never let up even when I think I have it in the bag. With luck, I wasn’t caught through all of my silly mistakes and was able to secure my fourth NUE marathon win, and hopefully the overall for the season.”

Behind the lone leader a two-person battle was raging between Hanks and Kandolin who traded positions all throughout the race with Hanks opening gaps on the downhills and Kandolin climbing her way back in front on the uphills.

After multiple position changes throughout the race, Hanks took a small lead into the final 13-mile loop through Rick’s Basin. Knowing she had to push it on the climbs if she wanted to hang onto her lead the Pivot/DNA Cycling rider gave her all on the seemingly endless punchy climbs throughout Rick’s Basin.

Jen Hanks battling for a top spot at Pierre's Hole. Photo by: Jakes Hawkes

Jen Hanks battling for a top spot at Pierre’s Hole. Photo by: Jakes Hawkes

“I basically started my sprint 10 miles from the finish,” Hanks said at the line. “I knew if I couldn’t stay ahead on the climbs I wouldn’t beat Kandolin because there weren’t any long descents left for me to attack on.”

At first her strategy seemed to be working until roughly two miles to go when Kandolin closed the gap and made her final move into second place. Hanks had given her all trying to hold off the Hoback rider and had nothing left when Kandolin made her final attack.

Jen Kandolin crossed the line with just over a minute in hand saying this was the hardest race effort of her career.

Hanks held on for third.

Fourth place went to Caedren Harvey followed Ami Stuart (Storm Cycles).

 Pierre's-Hole-2016-Grand-Targhee-055

Men’s Singlespeed

The singlespeed race was won by Utah rider Shannon Boffeli (Pivot/DNA Cycling), who crossed the line in 5:45:15; over 45 minutes in front of second place and the sixth rider to cross the finish line. Despite the big gap at the end, Boffeli’s race wasn’t as easy as it might appear. From the opening climb the lanky Utahn was challenged by long-time Idaho strongman Ryon Butterfield (Pro Leisure).

“I started pretty strong but when we reached the steepest parts of the opening climb I was having a hard time turning my gear (34 x 20) and Ryon got past me,” Boffeli shared after the race.

In fact, Butterfield led for the remainder of the first of two laps before the two riders met up again at the halfway point. Butterfield led by 20 seconds through the Action Jackson trail starting the second lap, finally giving up the lead during a “natural break” just before starting the lap’s big opening climb.

Here’s Boffeli’s description of what happened next: “I got past Ryon and just focused on turning the pedals and staying on the bike. I was turning my gear better than I did on lap one and after a few switchbacks I could tell I was putting time on Ryon. After that I just kept riding as hard as I could. It was an emotional race for me being almost exactly one year since losing my Mom to Leukemia. She was always my biggest fan and I could feel her excitement as I was riding out front. It helped me keep pushing all the way to the finish.”

Ryon Butterfield held onto his second place until late in the race when a mechanical forced him to end his day on foot.

This moved Paul Nash (Benchmark Builders) into the runner up spot, over 30 minutes in front of third place James Dwyer (Green Mountain).

Pierre's-Hole-2016-Grand-Targhee-032

Men’s 50+

The master men’s race was open for grabs until local rider David Saurman (Fitzgerald’s Bicycle) took control of the 50-plus field.

Saurman is a veteran of all eight editions of the Pierre’s Hole 100 and knew exactly how to gauge his efforts to conquer this challenging course. “I started slow but my engine finally warmed up and I started reeling in the field.  One by one I caught up to other riders.  First lap was great due to welcomed rain the night before and perfectly tacky trails and cool temps.”

As Saurman rolled on through the 100k course conditions were getting tougher and his fitness began wearing a bit thin until an unusual inspiration lifted his spirits. “I really was lacking on my long distance training this year, but muscle memory and general stubbornness kept me going.  I did get a bit of a boost when world road race champion and Tour De France green jersey winner Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) tore past me like a freight train doing the 50K race.  That was inspiring and so cool that he would show up to our local race before heading to Rio!  And though I missed him at the finish, I heard he was a real sport to hang out and let everyone (a lot of my friends) get photos taken with him.”

His inspiration held strong throughout the final lap as Saurman took the 50-plus race by over 5 minutes.

Rich Pampe finished second followed by David Caplan (Webcyclery.com).

You can continue to follow the NUE series as it moves to New Hampshire for the Hampshire 100 in two weeks. Check back with MTBRaceNews.com for full coverage and results.

Click Here for Full Results From All Categories

Pierre’s Hole 100 Mile – Grand Targhee Resort, Wyoming

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Jeremiah Bishop Returns with a Win and Christy Olsen Closes in on the Overall Lead

By Ryan O’Dell

With lift service and high end rentals available for both XC and DH riding along miles of pristine singletrack, Grand Targhee Resort has become a cool mountain destination resort for mountain bikers. This is the time of year when the wildflowers are in full bloom and waist high in many places along the singletrack. Timely rains a night earlier made the course conditions more tacky and ideal for racers.

The Eighth Annual Pierre’s Hole 100 has been adding new singletrack each year featuring long, fun descents showcasing jaw dropping views of the Tetons and surrounding mountains. This year’s race included a 100 mile race, 50 mile and a one lap 50k race.

World road race champion and Tour De France green jersey winner Peter Sagan blazed through the 50k course in just over two hours. Photo by: Cody Downard Photography

World road race champion and Tour De France green jersey winner Peter Sagan blazed through the 50k course in just over two hours. Photo by: Cody Downard Photography

A highlight of this year’s race for many was racing alongside world road champion Peter Sagan who recently won the green sprinters jersey in the Tour de France. Sagan won the 50k race setting a blistering pace and, to the delight of many, stuck around for photos and autographs following the awards presentation.

The first NUE Marathon Racer to cross the finish line on a rigid singlespeed at NUE Marathon Series races this season wins a Lauf TR29 or TRBoost fork. James Dwyer, Green Mountain Sports Velo, earned this special award.

The next day, a dedication ceremony was held for the new AJ Trail in nearby Victor. City councilman and NUE SS contender, AJ Linnell, before his untimely death, led a vision for an urban trail that would lead out of Victor to nearby BLM lands. Last year, more than 130 volunteers picked up AJ’s mantle, constructing 700 vertical feet of trail on private property located at the edge of town connecting Victor to nearby BLM lands. The goal is to construct at least 12-13 miles of trail on BLM lands.

Carla Williams gets going early at the top of 38 Special. Photo by: Jakes Hawkes

Carla Williams gets going early at the top of 38 Special. Photo by: Jakes Hawkes

Women’s Open                                                                 

Olsen gets her second straight win at PH100!

Four years ago, Christy Olsen, Fat Fish Racing, attempted her first 100 mile race at Pierre’s Hole describing her effort as “failed miserably”. This year, Olsen finished 9:41:34 in her second straight win at Grand Targhee.

“The Pierre’s Hole 100 race this year went really well. I was coming off of a really bad race at Tatanka so I was quite nervous about how it was going to go. The course was spectacular. It’s a challenging beginning to a race with a tough climb right out of the chute, but you are rewarded with 38 of the ‘most fun you will have on a bike’ switchbacks.

At the start, Carla Williams charged up to the top with a lot of power. I could not hold her wheel, but luckily I was able to slowly catch her on the descent and ride with her for most of the first lap. She really pushed me to my limits that whole lap. I enjoyed the new AJ Linnel trail. That was a great addition to the race. The next two laps were spent just trying to ride smart, smooth and stay on top of my hydration and nutrition because I knew Carla was right on my heels. The weather was superb, so staying hydrated was manageable. The course was well marked and the trails were fun and flowy, so that helped keep me going mentally because it was fun. I had great support at the aid stations so I didn’t have to stop for more than a few seconds each time which helped me keep the lead and boost my confidence for the next section of the race. I felt strong all the way to the finish line, which is all you can ask for in a grueling 100 mile race. Thanks goes out to my Casper support crew, Pierre’s Hole race organizers, and Crazy Pedaler Bicycles-Casper,WY!”

Thirteen minutes later, Carla Williams, Joe’s Bike Shop, took second at 9:54:54. Williams leads the NUE Series with three wins including Cohutta, Tatanka, and most recently, The Wilderness 101.

Pierre's-Hole-2016-Grand-Targhee-037

“I think Pierre’s Hole was the hardest and most beautiful NUE race I’ve done so far this season. It is a course of wildflowers and switchbacks, beautiful mountain views and there were still patches of snow on the course. The course is almost all single track and all of it rideable without any hiking sections.

Looking at results from last year, I knew Christy was going to set a super-fast pace. I had a good start, but even up the first climb, I was breathing way harder than I was used to. I kept pace with Christy for most of the first lap but she got a gap before aid two, and I stopped to refill my camel pack knowing most likely I wasn’t going to be able to catch her again.

After the 1st lap, it was constant battle with my lungs and legs. I was breathing so hard on the climbs, my legs were getting more and more tired, and overall I felt pretty bad. It was my first time racing at altitude so didn’t really know what to expect going in. Very happy just to finish this race! Shenandoah is next on the schedule for me.”

Ivy Pederson, Team Rockford, placed third at 10:58:44. “Pierre’s Hole was a great event. The trails at Targhee are SO FUN! Everything flows well, the climbs aren’t too steep, and the views of the Tetons and the valley are amazing. The volunteers on course and at the aid-stations were very organized and super helpful. The other racers were awesome too. People leaving after finishing their 50k/100k races even stopped to cheer me on when I needed it the most – at hour nine while I was riding up the road in the pouring rain (thanks Bowman Family!).

I rode alone for most of the day, quite happy to just focus on maintaining a consistent pace and ride my own race. I accomplished my goals for the race which were: don’t break my bike, don’t break myself, and have fun riding all day.”

 

Taylor Lideen leads the chase group. Photo by: Cody Downard Photography

Taylor Lideen leads the chase group. Photo by: Cody Downard Photography

Men’s Open

Two-Time NUE Champ, Bishop wins!

Jeremiah Bishop, Team Topeak Ergon, crushed it this year to finish 8:00:22! Bishop was the 2011 and 2013 NUE Series Champion, now focused on competing in World Cup and other large events around the world. Leading for the entire race, a crash on the final descent threatened to derail what had been, so far, a perfect race.

“Pierre’s Hole 100 was the most single track I have ever done in a race. After coming back from Trans Alp and training up for Leadville, I knew this would be a good race for the rocky mountain guys who shred single track. I had an absolute blast dropping in on 38 special’s 38 banked turns! There were only three sustained climbs so that’s where I worked to gain my gap. Knowing anything can and will happen in a backcountry race like this, my goal was to keep steady pressure on from the gun and it worked.

Jeremiah Bishop powers away from the field at Pierre's Hole. Photo by: Cody Downard Photography

Jeremiah Bishop powers away from the field at Pierre’s Hole. Photo by: Cody Downard Photography

I got the buffer I needed to win despite a terrifying side wall cut that was one inch long! Racing to bring back seconds, I slid out on the ‘not packed edge’ of one of the new trails and sampled the local dirt. Indeed, it was a nice vintage. I can’t wait to come back to the Tetons for more amazing single track adventures!”

Taylor Lideen, Pivot Cycles, coming off his first victory at the Big Bear Grizzly 100, went on to finish second at 8:15:40.

Exactly one minute later, 2015 race winner, Josh Tostado, Santa Cruz/Swiftwick, finished third at 8:16:40. Tostado also finished fifth this year at the True Grit Epic and third at the Tatanka.

“I was very happy with my race, got to the front with Taylor, Jamie and Jeremiah. We rode the first half of the first lap together then Jeremiah gapped the three of us. We worked as a trio until the middle of the second lap when Jamie dropped off. Taylor and I rode the rest of the race together and we were able to work well together. In the last ten minutes of the race, Taylor was able to get a small gap on me and couldn’t keep pace with him at the end. I had a great time ripping around a super fun course with Taylor all day, great race!”

Fourteen minutes later, Sam Sweetser, Cole Sport, claimed the fourth spot at 8:30:02. Thirteen minutes later, Gabe Klamer, Fitzgeralds Bicycles, took fifth to finish 8:43:04.

Pierre's-Hole-2016-Grand-Targhee-002

Singlespeed

Smith wins on an SS!

Two-time Men’s Open winner of the Pierre’s Hole 100, 2013 and 2014, Cary Smith, The Hub Bikes, is a local favorite from nearby Jackson, WY. For the first time, Smith attempted the race on a single speed with surprising results. Smith took it to the competition, including last year’s race winner, getting his third win at Pierre’s Hole in 8:28:23.

Last year’s race winner, Corey Larrabee, Kuhl clothing, was next placing second at 8:59:27 on 32×20 gearing. “The single speed field was very stacked this year, with Carey Smith deciding to race single speed I knew that beating him would be a challenge. From the start, I never was able to ride with Carey. I went back and forth with Kip and a couple of other single speed riders through the Peaked climb but, once we hit 38 special, there was just Carey and Shaffer up ahead.

I pushed up the road and was able to catch Shaffer on the road. Carey, on the other hand, started fast and continued to put time on me with every pedal stroke. At the start of the second lap I could see Carey up ahead but wasn’t feeling super great and, by the end of that lap, he had an even bigger time gap. I rode the rest of the race trying to stay motivated and, whenever I would see another geared racer up ahead, do my best to use them as bait. I was happy to hold onto second place with some severe leg cramping going into the final lap. Thanks to my amazing sponsors KUHL clothing, ESI grips, Carbo Rocket, Wolf Tooth Components, and my pit crew of my five kids and wife Amber.”

Twenty minutes later, Mark Schafer, Team Eastside Cycles, took third at 9:18:51. “Pierre’s Hole was my final race of the season and I was coming off a very successful third place finish at High Cascade 100. This race was definitely in my head.  I raced it the last two years and both years I was left a broken man. Noting how stacked the SS field was, my only goal was to get the belt buckle which slipped through my fingers in 2015.” Pierre’s Hole buckles were awarded to all men who finished under 10:15 and to all women who finished under 11:15.

“This year I decided to go with 32×20 in hopes to make the climb up the Peak Trail more bearable. On the first climb I hung back with my friend Matt Woodruff, who I could trust to set a perfect pace. We lost track of Cary Smith right away as he crushed up the climb.

We had a blast ripping down 38 Special, Mill Creek, and Cold Springs. As we spun up Ski Hill Road, we got passed by one of Matt’s Kuhl teammates on a single-speed. I ask Matt “Is that Corey?” and his response was “Yeah, he is AJ fast”. Noted… I will not be chasing him either, I needed to survive lap three.

I finished lap one after having a blast on Perma-grin (such a great trail!) and started into lap two just enjoying Action Jackson when I noticed Trevor Rockwell was gaining on me. Trevor put a hurt on me going up the Peak Trail but I was able to catch him again before More Cowbells on Lap two. At this point in the race, I was feeling really strong; belt buckle was in sight, so I decided to see if I could hold off Trevor and fellow teammate Adam Karch who was nipping at my heels all day.

I kept a steady pace the rest of race while enjoying the amazing views of the Tetons and some of the best single-track around. I came across the line thirty minutes ahead of what I thought my finish time would be and, not only did I get the buckle, but got the honor to stand on the podium with two of the strongest Single-speeders in the nation. Super Stoked! Thanks to (Race Director) Andy Williams and the Grand Targhee crew for putting on an amazing event. See you in 2017.”

Adam Karch, Eastside Cycles, placed fourth at 9:30:55. Six minutes later, Kip Biese, KJBike Coaching, was next for fifth place at 9:36:32. Biese holds the distinction of finishing the most NUE races this season. Pierre’s Hole marked his ninth straight finish including four second place finishes!

Pierre's-Hole-2016-Grand-Targhee-032

Masters 50+

Gardiner wins the Masters race!

Following a second place finish to Greg Golet in 2015, 53 year old Gary Gardiner, Bountiful bicycle P/B Mountain America Credit Union, from Centerville, UT achieved victory this year with a winning time of 9:48:39.

Four minutes later, Sten Hertsens, Muleterro, was next to finish second at 9:42:52, his best finish of the season following a fifth place finish at True Grit Epic, third at the Mohican MTB100, and fourth at High Cascades 100. “The course was is great shape and the rain helped to make it even better.

I had a good start and I think I was in first (Masters) after the first climb. I had a surprise when I came upon a tree that was laying across the course on the 38 special descent but it was gone the next lap. On the descent, Brian Brothers caught me and we rode together for the rest of lap one. I was feeling good at this time and thought I’d ride with him.

At the start of lap two, I went ahead of Brian and, I guess, he decided to let me go. I had a gap at the top of the second climb and was thinking I’d see Brian on the descent, as he seemed to be faster on the downhill sections. I didn’t see him and, later, found out he flatted on the downhill.

I came upon Carla Williams and we rode together for some time. On lap two, at aid station two, I refilled my pack bladder and had my crank bolt tightened. It was making a noise and needed to be checked and it was a good thing I did since it was loose. I was still feeling ok at this point.

Pierre's-Hole-2016-Grand-Targhee-017

On the third lap climb, I thought I may have seen Gary Gardiner and felt like he may be close behind. At the bottom of the last descent I felt a little sluggish then, on the last road section of the day, I turned and looked back to see Gary Gardiner coming up behind me. I tried to hang with him after he passed but couldn’t. Later, I did some refueling and started to feel better. Carla Williams and I came back together and rode the rest of lap three.

The rain and wind started, but didn’t affect my race. I seemed to feel better on the last section of lap three and finished feeling good with my race. All in all, I didn’t have any mental, physical or mechanical issues that really affected my results and I’m happy with the end result. It was a great course that was well organized and had some great volunteers to boot. No volunteers, no race. This was my fourth NUE race and I will be going to Fool’s Gold to finish the season. It’s been a good first year of NUE racing and hope to finish well at Fool’s Gold. Keep the rubber side down and keep hammering. Peace”

John Lauk, Boutiful Bicycle Racing, finished third at 10:17:26. Twenty-seven seconds later, Brian Brothers, Hammer Nutrition, took fourth at 10:17:53, following his first ever NUE win at Tatanka.

What’s NEXT?!

The NUE Race Series heads east to New Hampshire for the Hampshire 100 on Sunday, August 21. Visit www.nuemtb.com for more information and stay tuned her for the latest news, photos and results.

Click Here for Full Results from all Categories

Big Bear Grizzly 100 Race Report

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JULY 23, 2016

Kenda NUE Series #9

Presented by Hammer Nutrition 

By Ryan O’Dell

The third annual NUE Big Bear Grizzly 100 race course received its inspiration from the infamous Terrible 10,000, a ride the local endurance hammerheads have been doing for years. This year’s race included racers from seven different countries and twenty different states. It also rewarded racers in both the Grizzly 100k and 75k with NUE Race Series points.

The race kicked off a week-long cycling festival organized by Big Bear Valley Race Association teamed up with the Big Bear Cycling Association and the City of Big Bear Lake. Big Bear Cycling Association promotes the Tour de Big Bear this next weekend with an anticipated 2000 riders.

2016 Grizzly 100 NUE Tinker Juarez

Located at 7000 feet above sea level, the charming tourist town of Big Bear has long had a solid reputation as a cycling destination, attracting visitors from the LA Valley and hosting some of the largest national events over many years. Nearby ski resorts offer lifts for cyclists during the summer months accessing the newly developed Skyliner Trail. New Belgium Brewing offered several variety’s of draft brews throughout the day in the beer garden welcoming weary racers and fans with malty, hoppy goodness.

 

 

 

Women’s Open – Edwards wins!

Following her fifth place finish last year, Chase Edwards moved up and across the finish line first in 2016 at 6:19:13.

Eight minutes later, Nikki Peterson, took second at 6:27:38 improving from a fourth place finish in 2015. “The Grizzly 100 is a unique event: with 8,000+ feet of climbing that is 75% singletrack, it is extremely challenging! However, at point in time when you are in excruciating pain all you need to do is look around and suddenly you are feeling better because the views are that AMAZING! I was recently signed to Team RideBiker, a professional mountain bike team, and this was my second race with them. Adam Pulford, the director of Team RideBiker and a coach for Carmicheal Training Systems, is my coach so, as of two weeks ago, I am training more than I ever have! I am so excited to have this opportunity, it is a dream come true!

2016 Grizzly 100 NUE Chase Edwards

The Grizzly 100 is not a focus for me as I am focusing on XCO distances (1:30-2hr races) so we decided to not rest up for it and ride it in the middle of a large training block. With this is mind, we focused heavily on my nutrition throughout the race to ensure that I was fueled properly for the latter half, where I bonked hard last year!

I came into this year’s event as the fastest returning competitor from the 2015 event. However, I knew the field was stacked: Chase Edwards, who finished 5th last year only thirty seconds behind me and beat me by 21 minutes at the Whiskey 50 in April; Madeline Bemis, a high school Phenom who happens to be the U23 World Champion in the 24 Hour Solo; Lauren Mulwitz, a new Pro who won Cat 1 Nationals 2 weeks ago; and local endurance legend Rhonda Patterson-Geiszler, who is commonly found on the podium of endurance races.

The race started out fairly fast given the fact that we had 56 more miles to go! I knew it was important to get a good position for Seven Oaks so I went with the quick start, went back and forth with Chase, and had a good spot going into the sketchy downhill. I ended up passing three people going down and felt good about the descent. Shortly after we got onto the fire road Chase was there again. We played Cat and Mouse for a while but Chase ended up getting onto SART ahead of me. I paced myself on SART, feeling my heavy legs but not worrying as I knew there was a lot of racing ahead. I caught up with Chase towards the beginning of Radford. She turned around, saw me, and put in a huge attack! I ended up struggling up Radford, which is usually a strong point for me, and never saw Chase again.

I stopped at the Heaven aid station to fill up my pack and continued on. Skyline was slow going at times but unlike last year when I had to dab and even get off my bike often, I was able to clean everything this year! I kept up with the hydration, sugars, and electrolytes and didn’t even bonk- another success! The best part though? I felt amazing going up the five mile Pineknot climb at mile 50! Some of it had to do with my positive mindset, but most of it had to do with nutrition and training. I finished strong on the fire road and came across the finish line in second place, 25 minutes faster than last year! I ended up about 8 ½ minutes behind Chase, which is also an improvement over the Whiskey 50 results.

All in all, I am stoked on my race given the circumstances. The Grizzly 100 is a very well-organized event and will likely be my next NUE event as I am going to work on getting some UCI points to hopefully compete in World Cups in the next year or two!”

Lauren Mulwitz from Marina Del Ray, CA finished third at 6:50:03.

At the age of fifteen, she was the final finisher in 2014, not long after becoming the 2014 NICA California State Champion. Last year, Madeline Beamis, Bear Valley Bikes, moved up to sixth place. Beamis moved up again this year finishing fourth at 7:01:06. “I took off fast from the starting line to begin the long uphill climb, paying close attention to the women around me, and estimating who would be my toughest competitors. The 7 Oaks single-track is the first downhill, and is particularly challenging because of the sandy terrain being easily influenced by every tire that passed before mine. Large ruts were left in the ground, leaving me holding on tight to my handlebars while sliding around; trying to avoid falling down the steep sandy slopes beside me. I was relieved when I reached the end of the daunting 7 Oaks and a wide downhill fire road greeted me.

Next up was SART, which is a more stable singletrack complete with just the right amount of rocky and technical terrain. At the end of SART, I had moved up from 9th place to 6th, and was determined to continue powering through. Next on the agenda was the infamous Radford climb, which is a grueling six-mile uphill. 5th place was in sight at the beginning of Radford, and I was determined to make a move or, at the very least, keep her in my sights. She and I both stopped at the aid station midway up, so I took off while she continued fueling.

But, as soon as she started again, she began gaining on me. I considered giving up and letting her steal 5th place back, which is something I would have done in my first or second year of the race, but this year was different. I became the U23 24-hour solo world champion in New Zealand this past February, so now I stand for something. People know who I am, cheer me on by my name, and hope to see me succeed in endurance races like these. So I persevered and held on tight to 5th place.

I had paced myself well in the beginning, so I was able to stay strong for the remaining 30 miles. More mountain singletrack and fire roads followed, but nothing as challenging or exhausting as Seven Oaks Singletrack or Radford. Temperatures reached up into the 90’s mid-race, but by the finish it was pouring rain with crackling lightning and dark clouds shadowing the landscape. The scenery was breathtaking as always in Big Bear, and the spirit and energy of the whole event is always memorable. The SAG stations of the Grizzly 100 are what make this race truly special. About every ten miles, an EZ Up sheltering cheering supporters awaited hungry racers, ready to serve boiled potatoes, fresh fruit (the watermelon was especially refreshing), peanut butter pretzels, olives, beets, pickles, trial mix, and even smoothies!

I am grateful for the support of my parents, coaches of my high school mountain bike race team Corona Composite, Empire Bikes, Kenda Tire, and, most importantly, God for the opportunity and ability to race mountain bikes. I ended the race in 4th place for the 2016 Grizzly 100 NUE, and I’ll definitely be back next year to improve my time and fight for another podium finish.

Eight minutes later, Mary Dannelley took the final podium spot to place fifth at 7:09:57.

Men’s Open – Lideen gets his second NUE Win of the season!

Taylor Lideen, Pivot Cycles 92Fifty, from Phoenix, AZ earned his second NUE Series victory with a winning time of 5:05:16. Lideen won the NUE Season Opener at True Grit and was 8th at Bailey Hundo before suffering an injury to his wrist and hand at the Tatanka.

“Oh man! What a fun event the Grizzly 100 was! I was super nervous going in knowing I had to conserve a bit due to racing next weekend at Pierres Hole in Wyoming. I think trying to keep a lid on things was a real test of patience but a smart choice considering that I have heard Pierre’s Hole is a tough race!

A group of eight or so formed right away and it seemed like we were all having so much fun! The first long downhill was such a blast! About half way into our day it was Tinker, Steven and I. Up the long climb Steven kept pushing his single speed gear and pulled away from Tinker and me. It was super impressive to watch Steven crank out an amazing ride on his singlespeed, massive congrats to him! I wasn’t at all interested in chasing Steven down as I was worried about coming across some more bad luck if I pushed too hard. I was happy enough to come across the line with a clean race and no crashes or bad luck like the last few NUE’s for me. Everyone was so dang friendly in Big Bear and it is an event I would definitely go back to! Next up is Pierre’s Hole and the Hampshire 100! I can’t wait for those events!”

Two time US Olympian and Hall of Fame inductee, David “Tinker” Juarez was next, just four minutes behind Lideen to finish 5:09:09. “I was hoping for a better result, of course, but when it is not your day, just go with the flow and be happy with what you get. When you make the podium that is not so bad. The course was awesome with 80% single track and over 8,000ft of climbing. It takes a lot of concentration because of the single track and that makes it a different challenge to race.”

2016 Grizzly 100 NUE Taylor Lideen

Three minutes behind Juarez, Ryan Steers was third at 5:12:10. “This is one of my favorite races of the year and one of the best courses you can ride in SoCal. To race here you have to be able to do everything well. Long, scorching, brutal fire road climb? Radford. Check. Elevation? Most of the race is at 6500-8k feet. Check. Technical single track? About 40 miles of it: Cabin Trail, Skyline, Santa Anna River Trail, Plumbers Trail. Check. Ridiculous loose descent with massive exposure? Seven Oaks. Check. Pavement? A few miles but still a check. To win this race you’ve got to be able to climb, descend, flow, spin, climb some more, shred it, and hammer….and ride a singlespeed?

We lined up at 6:45 for a 7am start. It was already getting warm in the sun, which was worrisome. The start was quick. You have a few hundred yards of gradual uphill pavement on Pineknot and then you hit 2N08 and the race is on. It’s only a few miles but just shy of 1000 feet of climbing and gets the heart pumping. The peloton blew apart quickly. I was in the front with Tinker, Steven Mills, Taylor Lideen, Stefano Barberi, Cameron Brenneman and Alfred Pacheco. I noticed Steven was on a single speed and thought to myself, “Wow, this guy is going to blow up.” Boy was I wrong.

After the climb you roll on the fire road a bit and the hit the singletrack and it’s right on to the Seven Oaks Descent: two miles and 1600 feet of descending a super narrow, exposed, sandy rut. No room for error. Every year I’ve been behind someone that’s taken a tumble- nothing serious but it’s easy to do some barrel rolling. Last year Munoz took a few spills and this year Barberi went toppled over. I play it a little too safe and it costs me a minute or two. Most the guys were out of sight by the time we were halfway down. Barberi and I were together and Alan Laframboise caught us and I let him by. Barberi and I hit the fire road at the bottom and played chase with poor single speed Alan spinning out on the rollers. I pulled ahead and caught sight of the leaders (after watching Tinker add some air to his tire and then speed away again). SART trail is always a blast and seems longer every year. They’ve done some work to it so there are no more walking sections and it’s all ridable. It’s a hard trail to rail because there are so many sweeping turns with exposure but you can get some speed. Lots of sharp rocks (I flatted here twice 2 years ago) so don’t run Schwalbes.

After the Santa Anna River Trail the real work begins. You roll along Seven Oaks road for a bit and then start to head up up up. Bit of advice- make sure you get aid here. Don’t hit Radford without full bottles. Sure there’s an aid station 3/4 of the way up but if you stop there you’ll have a really hard time moving again.

My plan all along was to chill the first 30 miles and then give Radford a good push. I saved the segment in my Garmin and gauged my effort against my time last year. On the way up I was able to pass Pacheco and Brenneman and catch sight of Tinker, and Tayler ahead. I also saw Steven throw the hammer down and take the lead on a single speed at the top of Radford! What a beast. This guy was not going to pop. I shaved over two minutes off my climb from last year but it wasn’t enough to catch the leaders.

The joy of Plumbers is immense. After a hot and brutal fire road you are rewarded with two miles of blissful single track….until you hit 2N10 and have to climb all the way back up to Skyline. Ouch. From there it’s about seven miles of rolling skyline but you’ve got to stay on top of your nutrition or it’s super easy to bonk or cramp here. You’re flowing and rolling along and suddenly you forget to drink and you’re out of water with twenty miles left to race. Miles of single track roll by.

I caught a glimpse of Barberi about two minutes behind me and kept the speed up. I kept getting time checks that Tinker was two minutes up but I was never able to spot him. Cabin trail is a blast but the climb back out to the fire road is brutal. Punchy and steep and your legs will be screaming. However, once you get back to 2N08 its easy street. The race ends with four miles of rollers and descending. Don’t crash. The descent into town (the same as the starting climb) is steep, fast, and loose. You probably won’t catch anyone but you can end your day in sight of the finish.

Big Bear is so much fun this time of year and every year we’ve been treated to a thunderstorm at the finish. The course is amazing and the talent is exceptional. I’m three for three on this race and I’ll be back again next year. So excited to finish fourth this year and win a little cash. Shooting for top three next year!”

Two minutes behind Steer, Stefano Barberi, took fourth at 5:14:29, two minutes ahead of Cameron Brenneman of Sante Fe, NM who took the final podium spot at 5:17:18.

Single Speed Open – Mills smokes the field!

Coming off his first NUE win at the High Cascades 100, Steven Mills dropped the hammer in his home state of California getting his second straight win at 5:01:04. Mills also placed third at True Grit and sixth at Bailey Hundo this season.

Allen“The Rasberry” LaFramboise, Don’s Bikes/Bike for Bender, was next at 5:35:37. The Rasberry achieved back to back wins in 2014 and 2015.

NUE Race Series SS leader, Kip Biese, KJBike Coaching/ Old Town Bike Shop, was next taking third at 6:02:15. Already, Biese has completed eight of the last nine races, including four second place finishes and two third place finishes. “I went in tired so I ran a little gear (32/20 on a 29er). On the very first hill I quickly saw I didn’t have it to keep up with Steven or Alan. So I just settled in and enjoyed my ride (except for the Radford climb).”

Ten minutes later, 50-year-old Rex Merritt, claimed fourth at 6:12:36. Three minutes later, Freddie Espinoza took the fifth spot at 6:15:42.

 Masters 50+ Open – Golet gets his fourth NUE Victory!

Greg Golet, Team Chico, moved UP to the top rung of the NUE Standings gaining his fourth straight win in the NUE Race Series this year. Golet’s time of 5:40:55 was four minutes faster than the blistering time put down by 2011 NUE Race Series Masters Champion, Doug Andrews, at the 2015 Grizzly 100.

“I spent an amazing day at Big Bear racing on fantastically varied trails that tested me in new and ever changing ways. I remember a crazy downhill on off-camber, thick coarse sand, where the only sign of the trail ahead was a transient rut carved by the previous rider, a sweet river trail with blind sandy and rocky corners flanked by steep drop offs, a fairly monstrous (HORS) climb that made me really wish for my hardtail, awesome rolling, flowy singletrack along a ridgeline with incredible views of the San Bernadino Mountains taking me up, around, and over cool sculpted granite towers, then a sweet bermed corner forested descent on relative hard pack leading to a nice late-in-the-game, pin-it-to-win-it singletrack climb up to the final fireroad downhill where the probability of a car appearing around each blind loose corner seemed to increase the closer I came to town (but where I got my only top 10 Strava segment on the day!)… All of that packed into one fantastic sub-six hour experience at a truly incredible place on the planet.

In terms of the actual racing, I spent most of the day chasing Doug Andrew’s ghost. He was registered, but didn’t show, although I didn’t know that until after the race ended. Doug was the 2011 NUE champ who has dominated the Master’s field here in the past, and I was worried about getting crushed by “the Hulk”, as he is sometimes called. So much so, I guess, that I taped a couple of his split times from his last year’s Strava record to my top tube. I thought that this might help me track where I was on the course relative to him. In the end, I finished a few minutes ahead of his last years’ time but, of course, that doesn’t really mean much. Just the idea that he might be out there was motivation enough to work hard until the end.

Thanks to Derek and his team for doing a fantastic job hosting all of us 317 riders from seven different countries and twenty US states! Next up Rincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica!”

Ken Winston from San Diego, CA was second finishing 6:03:55.

 

David Turner was third at 6:23:36. “I really hope that the fast guys in my class that whipped my ass this year share their secrets, as I would really like to go faster next year!

Yes, of course there will be a next year; there was never any doubt from the moment I finished. I was already looking forward to the Grizzly in 2017, maybe even try an out of state NUE like True Grit Epic or the High Cascades 100. The Grizzly race course was incredible, the numerous aid stations staffed with the most helpful people handing out a variety of snacks.  I really cannot thank everyone enough, hats off to Derrick Hermon and the dozens of staff scattered all over the mountain.

Anyone that calls themselves a mountain bike racer should plan on doing an NUE event, this IS mountain bike racing! A long day on the bike away from it all makes the rest of our cluttered lives shut up and just let us be for a good long ride, a total mental and physical reset. I look forward to doing it again.”

Eight minutes later, Dan Bartlett, finished fourth at 6:31:40. David Jolin, Stark Velo, from Belleville, Ohio claimed the fifth and final spot on the podium to finish 6:53:56.

NEXT:

NUE Race Series #10, Pierre’s Hole 100 in Alta, Wyoming on August 6

 

 

 

Wilderness 101 – State College, PA

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Brian Schworm and Carla Williams Win a Scorcher in State College and Take KENDA NUE Series Lead

By Ryan O’Dell

The Wilderness 101 proved to be a major player in the NUE Race Series Standings resulting in three division lead changes www.nuemtb.com. Located near State College, Pennsylvania, Home of the Nittany Lions, W101 has become known for its fast gravel roads and rocky, technical singletrack. Much like Tatanka and the High Cascades 100, heat would be a factor on race day with temperatures soaring into the nineties by midafternoon.

Women’s Open

Williams gets her third straight NUE win and now leads the NUE Race Series!

Carla Williams, Joe’s Bike Shop Racing Team, had a substantial lead winning the women’s race in 8:15:00. Williams has three wins now, including Cohutta and Tatanka, and now leads the NUE race series just past the midway point.  “I was super excited for W101. This was my third year doing the race and, even though the course has changed slightly each year, I basically knew what to expect and had a race plan ready in my head.

The first part of my race plan: be better prepared. My race prep for Tatanka was a disaster. I had to race in brand new specialized MTB shoes from a local bike shop because the Pearl Izumi shoes I like disintegrated on my feet before the race. I also forgot to pack bike gloves, and I found myself scrambling to find a new bladder for my camel pack in Sturgis, SD at 8pm the night before the race. For W101, I had everything packed and prepped two days in advance.

The second part of my race plan: get to State College, PA. I had to work an ED shift on Friday which meant flying up to State College later on Friday night. Jeff drove up with the bikes and met me at the airport at 10pm. luckily; there were no flight delays or cancellations.

The third part of my race plan: Stay with the lead men off the start. I burned a match or two on the first climb, but I was able to stay with the leaders and was able to draft and push the pace with them for the opening miles of gravel road. I was off to a good start!

The fourth part of the race plan: Don’t die on the rocks. I basically pushed up every gravel climb as hard as I dared so I could take my time on the rocky single track and downhill sections. I fell off the bike a couple of times, clipped my handlebars on a tree that sent me flying, but overall, enjoyed the rocks way more on my full suspension then I did last year on my hardtail. I flip flopped with several guys on the course, passing or catching them on the climbs, only to have them zip by me on the downhill sections.

The fifth part of my race plan: stay hydrated! It was definitely a hot day but not too bad compared to the furnace that Chapel Hill has been recently. I stuck with Hammer Perpetuem to start the race and then filled up on Heed and water at the aid stops.

Last part of the race plan: river swimming, coke drinking, eating veggie burgers, and hanging out with friends at the finish. By far, the best and most well executed part of my race plan! Overall, it was a great day, fun course. Christ Scott as always puts on such well-organized events. The aid stations were top notch, the volunteers couldn’t have been more helpful, and the race course was very well marked. I especially like how they have filled water bottles at each aid station that you can grab quickly and keep on pedaling. I’m looking forward to being at Shenandoah in September.”

Linda Shinn, Blacksmith Cycles, was next at 8:55:26. Shinn is a proven competitor with a fifth place finish at Cohutta followed up with a second straight victory at the Mohican 100. “Last year I had gone off course and ended up with fourteen stitches after falling in the river crossing, so I was determined to do well at this year’s race. Because of the heat and humidity, my plan was to start conservatively, make sure I stay hydrated, and push it in the singletrack and descents.

On the first climb, Anne, Simona and a couple of other women blew past me and I was sitting in sixth but I had to keep telling myself to be patient, it’s a long race, and stick to the plan. Between aid one and two, I started to pick it up and jumped on a fast train of guys, picking off a couple other women. At this point, I was in third. Halfway up the long climb before aid 3, Vicki Barclay was there giving out cold water and cheers. She told me that the second place woman was just up ahead, which gave me the extra push – thanks Vicki for the cold water and motivation!

I rolled up behind Simona, was happy for her company, and we rode together for a bit into the next aid. The volunteers at all the aid stations were so amazing, getting us cold drinks and the best was a cold towel for my neck! Simona and I rolled out together and into the next singletrack. The baby heads and technical trails were tough and draining, but this is where I knew I had to attack. We rode together for a bit, and in the long rocky descent, I attacked and opened it up and didn’t see Simona again after that.

I got into a groove and started passing guys that were starting to fade from the heat. The last steep climb and hike a bike section after aid five was definitely the toughest, mentally and physically. I was done at this point but my plan was going well and I was stoked to be in second. I had a blast in the technical trails. It was definitely a really tough day with a tougher course than last year. Next up, heading to Wyoming the following week for Pierre’s Hole!”

Simona Vincenciova, Hammer Nutrition, was third at 9:16:49. “Originally, I wasn’t planning on racing Wilderness 101 but decided to jump in at the last minute before the registration closed. The women’s field looked pretty stacked which would make for an interesting race.

I had a good start and moved into the second position on the first climb, working hard to put some time and distance between me and the other ladies. I got caught by Linda Shinn halfway through the race. We arrived and left Aid #3 together, and rode together for a little bit, until she rode away from me on the next technical downhill. By now the heat was getting to me and I started slowing down a bit but was able to stay in third until the finish. It was a tough day on the bike but it was fun racing with the women I got to know over the years of racing NUE and to see how things shake out. My next stop is SM100.”

Libbey Sheldon, Crosshairs Cycling – CXHairs YO, was next in fourth place at 9:35:52. Anne Pike, Team DNA-Movement/p/b Penetron, claiming the fifth podium spot, adding to her sixth place finish at Cohutta followed by a second place finish at Mohican.

 

Men’s Open

Schworms narrow victory just enough to lead the NUE Race Series!

Brian Schworm, Think Green VO2 multisport/ p/b Sword, got a narrow victory, by just one minute, claiming his second win in the NUE Race Series this season.  Schworm now leads the NUE series with wins at W101 and Lumberjack adding to his second place finishes at both Cohutta and Mohican.

“I heard great things about the Wilderness 101 but didn’t know what to expect since this was my first attempt at this race.  I heard the trail sections were technical and a blast to ride and I also heard that it was 25 to 30 miles of gravel and forest roads before the first section of singletrack. This, together with the forecasted heat for the day, I knew it would be important to start conservatively. Other racers had the same plan for the beginning of the race and the front group consisted of about 25 to 30 racers for the first hour and half or so of the race.

Once we hit the first section of trail there was a bit of a split in the group, and once we hit the second section the group reduced yet again. There were probably seven or eight racers remaining and then Francis Cuddy put the hammer down for a few miles to distance ourselves from the chasers. I can’t remember if it was that second section of trail or the next, but Aaron Synder flew through it and gapped the group by 30 seconds or so. We were able to catch back up but I knew then he was someone to watch!

Just past the 50 mile mark we hit a big climb.  I knew, from checking out the profile of the race course, that it was about four miles long. I decided to apply some pressure and I worked it up this hill. Christian Tanguy went with me and we separated ourselves from the rest of the group.  We rode together for many miles but, after a long technical section, Aaron caught back up. His skills through those trails must have been absolutely incredible!

Just after aid station four, we hit another long climb.  I noticed that Aaron dropped back a bit so I accelerated and was able to get a bit of a gap on Christian. I reached the top with a significant lead but it was all in vain. Christian and Aaron joined forces, reeled me back in, and we rode together through the last aid station.

I knew that there was one last significant climb at the 90 mile mark. I was definitely getting tired but I knew I still had to try if I wanted a chance of winning. I guess I was just the least tired since I accelerated up the climb with no response. I went as fast as I could up that hill but never lost sight of Christian behind me so I was running scared!  I sprinted down the following downhill but then got a bit confused at the river trail and back-tracked to double check the course markings. I regained my bearings but was really running scared now, especially with my legs cramping up on the hike-a-bike section along the trail. Once through that, I rode the remaining railroad bed trail as fast as I could. I thought it would never end! I was constantly looking over my shoulder and giving it my all. Fortunately, I was able to hold on for the win with Christian and Aaron finishing closely behind.

Overall, it was an amazing race! It was definitely awesome to win another NUE race but this one was extra special since my parents surprised me by coming to watch the race! Thanks definitely need to go to my team Think Green VO2-Multisport p/b SWORD and my other sponsors Specialized, Schwalbe Tires, ESI Grips, TruckerCO, and AbsoluteBlack, but most of all to my supportive wife Jennifer for all her help with these races.  Next up is another new race for me, The Hampshire 100 in New Hampshire. “

Exactly one minute later, 2013 NUE Champion, Christian Tanguy, RBS/TREK, rolled in second, his best finish this season following a narrow fourth place finish at Mohican.

Two minutes behind Tanguy, Aaron Snyder, Stans NoTubes/7 Mtns Lodge, held on for third place finishing 7:00:08. Eleven minutes later, Heath Thumel, Race Pace Bicycles/ I9/Maxxis, took fourth at 7:11:38. Four minutes later, Stewart Gross, Griggs Ortho, claimed fifth at 7:16:20.

 

Singlespeed:

Wadsworth gets his second NUE win!

Defending NUE SS Champion, Gordon Wadsworth, Blue Ridge Cyclery / Pivot Cycles, crushed the field to finish 7:11:39. Wadsworth, following back to back NUE Series SS Championships 2014 and 2015, now has two wins this season following his opening season SS victory at True Grit Epic back in March.

“Knowing that the Wilderness 101 is fire road heavy on the front end, I rode conservatively and easily on the lead-up to the first aid station; saving matches and biding time until the steeper climbs in the middle of the race course. I felt good about my climbing and my fitness and stayed in smart position on three bridges and all of the fire road climbs, using momentum on the gravel downhills to be right where I needed to be.

Kip Beise was ever present in the front group for the first 25 miles but, in the initial selection coming down Dettweiller trail, I worked my way up to third wheel behind Aaron Snyder as Kip must have faded. I wasn’t sure I could keep up with the likes of super local Snyder all day but I was confident in my ability to hold my own on my Pivot LES SS with Thomson Dropper post when the trail turned down, so when we bottomed out of Dettweiller and Kip wasn’t in sight, I remained calm but felt a wave of confidence. My usual custom of clinging to wheels and helping set pace amongst the fastest open riders would again be my goal.

When Brian Schworm and Tanguy attacked on the steepest of the days climbs around mile 55, I quickly decided to let them go and ride a more conservative race. Aaron Snyder and I rode to the top of this climb together and Heath Thumel joined us at the top when we pitted in the neutral aid station. Thumel and I would lose contact with Snyder on the technical ridgeline trail; comforted by the knowledge that this wasn’t his first round on the #PArocks and that we had held our own. Thumel and I would ride the rest of the day together. I was pushing on the climbs, Heath motoring flats and fire roads, before descending comfortably together through the best that Rothrock and Bald Eagle forests had to offer us.

Arriving at Aid Station four, I found my drop bags had NOT made the leap from Aid 3 to 4 so, climbing away from mile 74, I knew I would have to ride conservative; especially in the heat. Heath and I continued our pacing together and eventually worked through the never ending technical Panther Run descent and down into Aid five. From that point on, it was rail to trail, one steady fire road climb and clamoring our way to the finish line. We continually darted our eyes backwards in hopes we would remain alone and, thankfully did, all the way to the finish line. I told Heath to go ahead and take the fourth place slot so he would be guaranteed that overall result and, as we crossed the finish line, we thanked each other for a hard day’s work. Basking in the campside creek, it felt great to be back on the top box of the NUE SS standings.”

Kip Biese, kJBike Coaching/ Old Town Bike Shop, was next finishing 7:54:49. Completing seven out of eight races so far in the NUE Series, Biese leads the NUE Series SS Standings, earning the mid-season travel award, a trip to compete in NUE #12, The Volcano 100 in Costa Rica. Biese has four second place finishes, including Cohutta, Bailey Hundo, and Tatanka.

Holding on to claim third was Michael Tressler, D-Generation X, at 8:16:12. “The race started off with a pretty casual pace. Fellow single speed frenemy, Dahn Pahrs led the large leaders group up the first climb at a comfortably uncomfortable pace. At the top, the pace ramped up and I was immediately thrown off the back, ping ponging off one chase group after another, hedging my bet that, if I conserved energy early on, the 90+ degree heat would claim some victims on the climbs between aid two and three.

Sure enough, I was able to reel in several SS’ers on the Alan Seeger climb up to aid three and was back in the game. My 34X20 gearing was a little lighter than most in the race, but it served me well on the climbs and didn’t kill me in the heat. I caught up to Dahn at the top of Sassafras DH, giving me the motivation to ratchet up the pace on the killer single track to aid four.

The Stillhouse climb put me into some difficulty, but I was able to bridge up to ally Dan Kotwicki and sketched his mad descending skills down the tooth rattling Panther Run and into aid five, catching Matt Ferrari along the way. From there to the finish, I just did everything I could to not get the living rigormortis death cramps from the intense heat.

Next up for me is the Pierre’s Hole 100 and then most likely Shenandoah and maybe Fool’s Gold, depending on how much I want to continue to hurt myself.”

Seven minutes later, Matt Ferrari, Freeze Thaw/Stan’s NoTubes, was fourth at 8:23:47. Four minutes back of Ferrari was Igor Danko, Fibaro Racing Team, at 8:27:23.

 

Masters 50+

Clayton claims victory and NUE Series lead!

Jeff Clayton, GA Neurosurgical Institute, won with authority, the only sub eight hour finish in the Masters race, an impressive 7:42:52. With this win, Clayton narrowly leads the NUE Masters division following victories at Cohutta and Lumberjack plus a second place finish behind Greg Golet, Team Chico, at the True Grit Epic season opener.

“The mellow pace for the first few miles was nice, my body/nerves like a bit of warmup.  On the first gravel road climb the pace picked up. I saw Carl Reglar, winner of the Mohican in the 50+, right near the front, so I decided to move up and mark him.  Things seemed to settle down until each climb where the pace went up again, but the breaks in tempo between climbs were enough to make it easy for me to keep up.

After passing Carl on a fast downhill road and then flying down the first double track section, the initial group seemed to have broken up and I didn’t see Carl. I even joined in a breakaway and soloed briefly off the front, both firsts for me in an NUE race! Things were going well until I got gapped back about thirty seconds on three bridges trail. I chose to follow Brian Schworm as he bridged back up but that put me into “the red”.  After several minutes with the small leading group, I fell off the back. To make matters worse, I lost my remaining full bottle on the next double track descent.

Leaving aid station two, I pace lined with Ross Anderson, normally a good race companion for me, but still dehydrated and not recovered from the earlier effort, his pace ended up being too much for me after 15 minutes or so and I was now solo and trying to recover on the longest climb of the day. A couple of racers passed me and I was looking back for Carl and Roger Masse a lot. I’d mostly recovered and re-hydrated by aid three and enjoyed trying to match the single-track skills of Madison Matthews as he would pull away and then I would catch him on the flats and gravel downhills.

My legs finally felt really good again on the Coopers Gap gravel climb where I passed a couple of guys before the Beautiful and No-Name Trails where I had a pretty good descent. I caught Madison again at the top of the double track climb after aid four and really hit the gas, trying not to flat (or lose any fillings) on Panther Run/Poe Valley and drill it on the gravel roads/rail trail.  I was solo until the finish finishing first in Masters 50+, 12th overall.  It was great fun and a challenge to race the Wilderness 101 for my first time.”

Carl Reglar, Verge Sport/Test Pilot, who earned his first ever NUE win at Mohican, was next for second place at 8:09:26. “I thought I learned a few things from the Mohican 100 (my first 100 miler) that would help me get through this race with less pain than I experienced in Loudonville. I cramped pretty badly, starting around mile fifty in Ohio so the last half of that race was not that pleasant.

My goal at Wilderness 101 was to focus on nutrition before and during the race so I could delay cramping as long as possible. I did not factor the extreme heat and ultimately did not hydrate as well as I would have liked. However, I did delay cramping.

I felt good at the beginning but had to stop at the first aid station to add air to my rear tire. It was not completely flat but very squishy. Thank you again to the women who went to her car to lend me her floor pump!

A few takeaways: I probably went a bit too hard trying to catch up to the leaders after I stopped (never did catch up). I never really got out of the hole I dug for myself early in the race. I was climbing okay but not really recovering due to the heat. To finish, I knew I had to dial it back a bit. Not recovering on the fun downhills meant I launched it a few times into the woods. The aid stations were awesome, the volunteers are so amazing. A few times in the race (top of that long dirt road climb) I was in a pretty dark place but their enthusiasm kept me going and really made my day! Thank you!

Congrats to all the riders who lined up for 100 miles of very challenging but beautiful terrain! Due to the amazing people I met, how well run these events are, and the great time I had, I will certainly line up for the Hampshire 100 in August.”

Fifteen minutes later, Mike Ramponi, finished third at 8:24:08. Another fifteen minutes later, Adam Linstedt, took fourth at 8:39:13. 56 year old Lindstedt also earned a fourth place finish at Mohican and garnered sixth at True Grit Epic.

NUE Defending Masters Champion, Roger Masse, Rare Disease Cycling / Keswick Cycles, claimed the final podium spot, just 27 seconds behind Linstedt, to finish 8:39:40. In 2014 and 2015, Masse won back to back NUE Series Championships. In the hunt this season toward defending his title, Masse has placed fourth at True Grit Epic then second at Mohican.

 

NEXT: The NUE Race Series heads to Grand Targhee Resort in Wyoming for the Pierre’s Hole 100 on August 6. Pierre’s Hole will host both the NUE Century Series and the Marathon Series offering both 100 mile and 100k options. Stay tuned right here for the latest news and reports.

High Cascades 100 – Bend, Oregon

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Local Superstars Serena Bishop-Gordon and Christopher Jones Win High Cascades Presented by Hammer Nutrition

By Ryan O’Dell

At 5:30AM, Racer’s gathered at Bachelor Village, near Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Oregon in anticipation of one of the most popular races in the NUE Race Series. The town of Bend is a growing destination for mountain bikers thanks to hundreds of miles of primo singletrack trails that can be accessed directly from downtown connecting to other nearby towns including the town of Sisters.

The Eighth Annual High Cascades 100 marked the midway point of the fourteen race National Ultra Endurance MTB Race Series where NUE series hopefuls had just one final opportunity to lead their respective divisions earning a mid-season travel award to compete in NUE #12, Rincon Challenge, the first NUE race held outside of the USA near Liberia, Costa Rica.

Deschutes Brewery, www.deschutesbrewery.com, one of the top rated craft breweries in the US, was on site at the finish line serving up draft brews including Pinedrops IPA and Hopslice, a new refreshing seasonal session IPA. Sagebrush Cycles of Bend, www.sagebrushcycles.net, in addition to offering mechanical services on the race course at every aid station, also offered racers a place to ship their bikes that included getting the bikes race ready and inspected before the race.

Race winner Serena Bishop-Gordon. Photo by: Michael Anderson Images

Race winner Serena Bishop-Gordon. Photo by: Michael Anderson Images

Women’s Open

Gordon makes it two in a row at HC100!

Serena Bishop Gordon, LIV|Giant Co-Factory Team, the local favorite from Bend, crushed the field for a second straight year by nearly an hour to finish 9:08:14.

Jennifer Shultz, Balance Point Racing/TREK/Fresh Air, from Kelowna, BC was next at 10:07:21. Five minutes later, Emily Kachorek, Squid, from Sacremento took third at 10:12:21. Twenty-three minutes later, Amber Bethe, 9:ZERO:7, rolled into fourth.

The youngest woman to ever finish an NUE race at the age of 16, Susannah Hart, Hapi-Go, now 19, moved up to fifth at10:54:14, more than a half hour faster than last year. Susannah’s favorite part of the race course is the climb out of Lava Lake, one of the most difficult climbs in the race.

Overall in the NUE Race Series point standings, Becky Edmiston, Crazy Pedaler Bicycles, leads all women.

Men’s Open

Jones gets his first HC100 win!

With a winning time of 7:53:44, Christopher Jones, the local favorite from Bend, achieved his first win at HC100 with a time that was less than three minutes short of the record set by Barry Wicks, Kona, in 2016. “Winning the High Cascade 100 was a pleasant surprise. I’m a roadie to the core, including my dismal dirt handling skills, but, as luck would have it, sand and my cyclocross skills made the difference on Saturday. The two riders I was with dismounted on a sandy climb about twenty miles into the HC100. I was able to remount quickly and ride away, a move I learned from racing cyclocross in the dunes of Kokjside.

From there it was a six hour ride enjoying some of the best trails my home town, Bend, has to offer. The local trail building organization, COTA, has done a fantastic job building and maintaining the local trails including the new Catch and Release trail that was included in the HC100 for the first time. Thanks to the Mike the Mudslinger, and NUE crews, for putting on such a great race.”

Fastest man on course Chris Jones rallies at High Cascades. Photo by: Michael Anderson Images

Fastest man on course Chris Jones rallies at High Cascades. Photo by: Michael Anderson Images

Less than four minutes behind the leader, a multi time winner of the HC100, Cary Smith, The Hub/VFuel, from Jackson, WY came in at 7:57:23 placing second.

Clint Muhlfield, Sportsman Ski Haus Cycling Team, from Whitefish, Montana was third at 8:22:46. “The High Cascade 100 is by far my favorite 100-mile MTB race. It’s a super fun point-to-point course that has it all: fast and flowy single-track, technical rocky (lava) zones, steep climbs, and power sections.

I’ve done this race several times, and it requires steady pace and not going out super hard at the beginning, saving some gas in the tank for the last thirty miles. Also, it gets hot out there and it’s a long time in the saddle, often in no man’s land, so I tried to focus on the moment, concentrating on the next corner ahead, and keeping the pace high. I had a good race with no technical issues, and, for a Dad with a demanding job, I’m very happy with my podium finish at a national event.”

Less than five minutes later, Erik Bee, The Bike Hub Spokane/For The Veterans of the U.S., from claimed fourth in 8:27:09. Seven minutes later, John ShalekBriski, US Military Endurance Sports, also from Spokane, WA claimed the fifth spot at 8:34:01.

Overall in the NUE Race Series point standings, Anthony Grinnell, Napleton Elite Cycling pwrd by Dirty Harrys, leads the Men’s Open Division.

Single Speed Open

Mills gets his first NUE win at High Cascades!

Steven Mills from Redding, CA held on to get this first win of the season following a third place finish at True Grit Epic and a sixth place finish at the Bailey Hundo. Mills winning time was 8:27:56. “Pedal, Pedal, Pedal the High Cascade 100 was a fun day on the bike. The race started off good. “Just Ride” is what Mike Ripley said and that’s all you can do or else it’s no fun so I stuck with it on race morning. Don’t try racing, just ride at your own pace and you will do well, so I just started pedaling down the trail.

I had decided to wear a camel back for the whole race so I had everything that I needed, water, a bunch of GU, and stuff to repair the bike if it breaks down. I also thought it would be easier to drink water hands free and focus on riding the trail. It worked great and saved my back when I crashed after clipping a log, flying and landing on my back. What I didn’t realize, until I had to refill, was that the lid had broken into pieces and was leaking. I thought wow, so I asked for some duct tape to tape the plastic lid back together so I wouldn’t lose water down the trail. Then, a dude had an extra camel pack so I took the lid off it. He said “What are you waiting for, GO!” so off I went.

For the majority of the race, I was riding back and forth with the fourth place finisher, Ricketts. We had a great time shredding the trails, trying to reel in the next racer, but I ended up alone toward the finish down the road. The 34-19 gearing is not too quick for the road so my legs where spinning. I got dizzy spinning and just rode to the finish line thinking what a great day at the High Cascade 100. I can’t wait to go ride the grizzly 100 in a few weeks! YeeHaaaw!”

2016 HC100 winner, Ben Shaklee, Jack’s Bicycle Center/Homegrown Racing, from Bellingham, WA arrived ten minutes later to finish second at 8:37:14. “I entered the first fire road climb with two other SS riders, Steven and Mark, and a few geared guys. I wasn’t exactly sure on the position of our group, but estimated we were in the top 10-15. I was the first of our group into Tiddlywinks singletrack just before Aid 1 and put maybe thirty seconds on the others but stopped to relieve myself and they passed.

I jumped back on with Steven and Mark ahead; passed Mark in the rocks and never saw him again (he was running 32×18). I bypassed Aid 1 and was spinning my 34×19 well on the fire roads, maybe a little more smoothly than Steven Mills (34×19).  I caught Steven and a couple geared guys, including Jay ShaleBriski. Jay and I worked together, gapped off the others, and wound up riding with or near each other for much of the day.

Jay blew through Aid 2 but I stopped for water. I passed him back as he was stopped trailside on the singletrack loop between Aid 2 and 3. A fast feed stop at Aid 3 and I was into the techie stuff descending to Lava Lake. At Aid 4 (mile 70) I was told I was in fourth overall and four minutes behind the leaders – I was pumped and resolved to ride steadily and smart for a linear effort to the finish.

This fell apart when I took a wrong turn crossing the fire road just above Aid 4, rather than climb over a log into the Edison Lava trail. I went out and back about 6 miles total and was off course for just over twenty minutes. Jay, who came through Aid 4 about one minute behind me, made the same mistake and we met on the fire road before getting back on course. I kept discouragement at bay and, once back on course, I passed back a few of the places I lost, but had no intel on where any SS riders were.

I crossed the line at 8:37:15 for second SS and ninth overall, about ten minutes behind Steven Mills. I was hoping to beat my 2015 time of 8:21 on this same course, and was on track to do so before my 20-minute detour despite slower course conditions this year. I felt good the entire ride and am pleased with the results. I thank, race director, Mike Ripley and his crew for another great HC100, and extend congratulations to Steve Mills for a great ride!”

Nine minutes later, Mark Schafer, Team Eastside, from Boise, ID took third at 8:56:34. Regis Ricketts, Iron City Bikes/Super Relax, was seven minutes back of Schafer for fourth at 9:03:34.

Seven minutes later, Kip Biese, KJBikeCoaching/Big Wheel Racing/Old Town Bike Shop, from Colorado Springs placed fifth at 9:10:35. Biese leads the NUE Race Series in the SS division with six finishes, including three second place finishes.

Masters 50+ Open

Golet crushes the field, getting his third straight NUE win!

Following wins at the True Grit Epic and Bailey Hundo, Greg Golet, Team Chico, was the only sub nine in the Masters division getting the win in just 8:42:59. Golet is undefeated this season and leads the NUE Race Series.

“At High Cascades the course has endless cornering, mostly around trees through the woods. In many sections you can’t see very far ahead, have to really focus, and be ready to react quickly. Constantly changing lighting, as you ride in and out of the shade, adds to the challenge. The trail surface is mostly smooth dirt and sand close to town, interspersed with occasional roots and rocks. Farther out, where the trail sees less traffic, it is more encroached with manzanita, and there’s a lot of loose and welded lava rock.

All this means you’re not going to do well unless you can ride varied singletrack really smoothly and efficiently. This point was really driven home for me last year. Even with 10,000 feet of overall vertical elevation, there just isn’t enough sustained climbing to do well simply by crushing the climbs. I tried that and it didn’t work. Also, unless you are a ripping descender, ideally with local knowledge of the trails (like my main competitor), you’re not going to gain much on anyone by saving energy until the second half of the race—my usual strategy.

So my plan was to eek the most out of every section of trail and get a big lead by Dutchman (mile 57), before the descent to lava lake. When I rode through there I was feeling pretty good, but didn’t really know my standing in the race. I knew I was ahead of Wayne Tonning (2015 Masters champ), who I passed early on, but definitely wasn’t ready to relax, knowing that there was a lot of race left. As it turned out, I was leading at that point, but only about two minutes ahead of Wayne!

Not wanting to flat, I rode pretty conservatively through the lava, checking my speed through blind corners, but still trying to push it where I could. I didn’t have any crashes or mechanicals there or anywhere else all day, and my nutrition was fine. I had energy to push hard through the last steeps and my decent to town was nicely uneventful. After finishing, I was feeling glad about my new “smarter” race strategy, but then I learned that my time was only twelve seconds ahead of last year, when I felt like I had played it all wrong!”

Wayne Tonning, Trinity Bikes, from Lake Oswego, OR placed second at 9:18:45. “Greg Golet, the winner, is a stud. I beat Greg last year and he took it to me this year. I tried to stay with Greg out of the gate, immediately red-lined, and still could not go with him. I ended up paying the price by riding sloppy; going over my handle bars twice, and had nothing the last twenty miles. I also flatted twice and had to run the bike into an aid for a new tire (sidewall cut) but persevered to finish and held onto second. That is what 100 milers are all about – digging deep and not quitting. What an incredibly competitive race, so many studs, and yet, really nice people. Gotta love the mountain bike community.”

Nine minutes later, Tim Phillips, Broken Spoke, from Eagle, ID rolled in to take the third podium spot at 9:27:34. “I got a better than expected start and, soon after hitting dirt, Golet went by with authority, followed by Tonning at a bit slower pace. Both pulled away as I expected.

The race went as planned and I felt pretty good through the Skyliner Aid Station #2 at mile 42. The climb to Dutchman Aid #3 (mile 58) seemed to go on forever. I believe it is the hardest section of this course. I rode smooth and safe on the downhill from Dutchman to Aid #4 Lava Lake. This section has tire gashing lava, numerous rock drops, and has been known to ruin many a racer’s day. I pegged my anticipated split times within a couple of minutes all the way to Lava Lake. However, the climb out of Lava put me under.

I came into Aid #4 at Edison (mile 78) but my legs were somewhere else and the usual cramping culprit wasn’t to blame. In addition, this course tests your upper body like no other. Starting at about mile fifty, the back of my left arm was screaming with every corner and pull of the brake lever. Volunteers at Edison mentioned that I was five minutes behind another 50+ racer. That’s when the mind games kicked in, who is in front?

The final 22 miles were brutal as my upper body, legs, and feet were all toast. The super fun DH sections on Tiddlywinks and Storm King that I rode the day before weren’t quite the same. Despite turning the cranks as best I could, I ended up fifteen minutes off my projected split on the final thirty miles. I ran into Wayne Tonning at the finish to find out he had double flatted.

An inventory of the water and calories consumed revealed I took in about 65% of what I should have, the likely the cause of my demise. I always say these races come down to fitness, mental toughness, and refueling. I failed at the latter. Despite finishing more than forty minutes behind Golet and nine minutes back of Tonning, what a thrill to be standing on the podium with these guys at one of the best races in the country!”

Twenty-two minutes later, Sten Hertsens, Muleterro, from Bozeman, MT took fourth at 9:49:14. Fourteen minutes later, James Coats took fifth in a packed Masters field.

Next: NUE Race Series #8, Wilderness 101 in State College, PA on July 23

Click here for full results from High Cascades 100

Tatanka Marathon (NUE) – Sturgis, South Dakota

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Karen Jarchow and Alex Pond Prevail at the Tatanka Marathon

By Ryan O’Dell

On Saturday, July 9, The Kenda NUE Series headed to Sturgis, South Dakota, home of the world’s largest motorcycle rally. Tatanka, the Lakota word for Buffalo, is the only point to point race in the NUE Series. At 6am, racers began gathering beneath the shadow of USA National Landmark Mount Rushmore.

Beneath the magnificence of mammoth rock sculptures representing four of our nation’s greatest presidents, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, NUE Marathon racer’s rolled out at High Noon, down a short section of pavement connecting them to the Centennial Trail along an 50k course that includes gnarly single track and fast, smooth cruising trail winding all the way to Sturgis. The town of Sturgis is nestled at the base of the northern Black Hills in extreme western South Dakota.

Temperatures this year reached an unseasonable high of 97 degrees, tempered by low humidity and, at times and in places, strong breezes throughout the day. This was the first year Tatanka included the 50k Marathon as a stop on the new NUE Marathon Race Series. There was also an 85 mile race that is stop #6 in the NUE Century Race Series and a 15 mile Sprint distance for first timers that included many kids. Racers must complete at least four NUE races to qualify for series awards that includes cash, prizes and a mid-season travel award to Costa Rica for the Volcano 100 in September.

Quarq, a division of SRAM, located locally in Spearfish, offered race fans live online tracking for the first time this year and Strider Bikes, located in nearby Rapid City, set up a skills park, offering kids as young as 2-3 years old an opportunity to test their bike skills. In addition to crafts and a variety of food and beverage stands, racers were treated to local craft brews courtesy of Crow Peak Brewing and The Knuckle Brewpub.

Women’s Open

Jarchow gets her third straight NUE Win!

Following up on her wins at both True Grit and Bailey Hundito, Karen Jarchow, Team Topeak-Ergon, made it three straight winning the Tatanka Marathon distance in 3:30:57 and getting fifth overall as well. “Going into this race, I told myself that I would take zero risks.

From the start, the top ten or so had instant separation and I found myself exactly where I told myself not to be – second wheel to Alex Pond. That’s when I backed off a little, and let a handful of guys pass up the road that lead us into a creek side trail before the open road to Aid 1. By staying steady and picking my way around the random rock gardens, I was able to work myself back around a few of those guys before Aid 1, and then I stayed pretty settled into in the women’s lead and 5th overall from there on out.

Once on the trail, I focused on just staying smooth, consistent, hydrated, and enjoyed the spectacular Centennial Trail. I really enjoyed everything about this trail, from the steep, punchy climbs, the rocks, and especially the long swoopy descent through the trees before dumping back out by I-90. Next up, Jeff and I will head to Pierre’s Hole – another new location to me that I’m so excited to go check out!”

Ten minutes later, Becky Edmiston, Steamboat Velo, claimed second at 3:40:26. “HOT!  It was around 95 degrees at the Marathon start, though people’s Garmin’s were registering over 110!  The climb was HOT! I focused on Karen Jarchow’s advice (from her coach) “start slow to finish fast” and tried to keep it under control until the Aid Station at 18 miles.

Even though it was roasting I was getting chills, which seemed like a good reason not to push any harder.  After a cold towel on my neck (thank you volunteers!) and a refill at the aid station, I let myself push a little harder until the end. The trails were so fun! Nothing technical, good flow in parts, some rocky sections to navigate and some good, punchy climbs too. Going through lots of different ecosystems, (creek bottom, pine forest, grassland) kept it interesting. Sturgis was a great host town. I camped at the race camping, “Hog Heaven”, and a bunch of racers got burgers at “The Knuckle Saloon and Craft Brewery” (a biker bar), rode the day before and the day after on some really nice singletrack.

That was my fourth and final NUE race of the year! It’s been a blast. The series got me to travel to four races that I wouldn’t have otherwise done, and I’m glad, it was a really fun experience! Barb Fetters took third in 4:03:55.

Men’s Open

Pond goes sub three!

Following a seventh place finish at the season opening True Grit and his first win at the Bailey Hundito in Colorado, Alex Pond, Sonoran Cycles, took the Tatanka Men’s Open and posted the only sub three hour time at 2:58:33. “This year I made the choice to venture out and race some new venues and, with the addition of NUE’s new Marathon series, I was intrigued by the locations and the possibility of an overall title. The latest race brought me to the Black hills of South Dakota, a place I had only passed through once and only knew it for heat and crazy storms.

I arrived on Friday to ride the Victoria trail loop and got a nice taste of what the conditions of the area would be like. The heat was already pretty intense and the 15 mile loop had me out riding much more then I would have liked to before a race. After grabbing packets and food to cook dinner, my friend Becky and I made to our sweet private camp site at the Hog Heaven Campground, a site picked by the race organizer for racers to post up at. The site offered showers and ample choices in sites, seeing that it was only open during the Sturgis Bike Week, the place was empty.

The race for the Marathon division did not start until High Noon but Saturday morning I was up with the sun, already baking in the heat that would prove to make many worried for the race. I had my usual breakfast and then tried to find things to do without getting to excited about racing, checking over my bike multiple times and laying down in the shade, trying to stay cool and out of the sun. Thankfully a fellow Coloradan racer was staying at a hotel with AC who invited us to chill out for a bit before the start.

We opted for the Shuttle to the start point, since this race is a point to point, which made for a fun ride, and a chance to meet some of the other races and find out how far others had traveled to partake in the event. We all stepped off the bus, quickly running for a bathroom and shade. I think everyone had been downing the fluids, knowing the thermometer was reading above 95 which had a lot of folks nervous about the cramps that could come.

Joking around with a couple friends, I vowed not to lead out the race, and to see who was going to get out and be a serious contender for the race. As soon as the police escort drove off I found myself exactly where I said I would not be, leading everyone up the paved road and to the singletrack. I felt good, not paying too much attention to my heart rate that was already through the roof, but feeling that my legs were comfortable and my mind was ready to race.

About five racers and I hit the dirt which led us up the singletrack that would eventually lead us to the Centennial trail. We hit some creek crossings right off the bat that caused some bobbling and had me worried about the handling for the day. We made it onto some smoother terrain and up a two track road were I found my rhythm and was able to get in a groove. About three miles in I looked back to see no one was holding pace with me, so I kept it steady to the first aid station, which was only five miles in, and stopped to top off my bottle, knowing I didn’t want to get behind on fluids this day.

After the first aid we hit the main “Centennial Trail” and started to encounter the Epic racers. I was concerned before the race, not knowing how many of them we would be working to get around throughout the day, but after the end, it was not many and it was fun to see them out there knowing they were suffering much more than me. This was weekend number five of hitting the race scene and I am looking forward to a couple weeks of enjoying some Colorado High Country trail riding before getting ready to head up to Alta WY for the Pierres Hole 100k and then heading back to my stomping grounds in the North East for the Hampshire 100k.”

The trail had a fairly decent 2000′ vertical off the start, lots of little punchy hits, and some good rocks and roots thrown in to boot. My biggest limiting factor for the day was my rear brake that was howling and not giving my much braking power, and as soon as we started to descend, there were many hard corners that became tricky and had me worried about others catching me with better handling. Making it to Aid 2 was great, the staff was super energetic and the cold towel on my back was the best thing I’ve had done to me in a race ever!

From there I kept my pace steady and focused my efforts on making it a sub three hour race. Once we left the centennial and had only 5+ miles of trail left, we hit some great new trails just outside Sturgis before putting us onto the bike path to the finish. All in all, the course offered plenty of chunky rock, smooth pine needle covered singletrack and open prairie meadows that, if you could take a moment to enjoy, really made for an epic day on the bike.

This was weekend number five of hitting the race scene and I am looking forward to a couple of weeks enjoying some Colorado High Country trail riding before getting ready to head up to Alta WY for the Pierres Hole 100k and then heading back to my stomping grounds in the North East for the Hampshire 100k. The NUE has been a super fun series and all the races have offered awesome terrain, great venues, and parties that always bring out the best in the Mountain bike Community.”

Brian Stampe was next to claim second in 3:18:04. Jake Aisenbrey, Larson’s Cyclery, was next placing third at 3:31:08. “I felt the Tatanka Marathon distance was the perfect length for the first MTB race of the year. Coming out of a long gravel season, my legs were pretty shot and fast, explosive efforts were lacking.

During the pavement rollout and onto the gravel road, I was sitting somewhere in the top 12 when gaps started to open and I lost contact with the lead group. When we hit the rock sections going up Elk Creek, there was some unwanted hike-a-bike due to the close proximity with other riders. It was pretty hot due to the mid-day start but all systems were in check and I started to gain time back when we hit the singletrack at Dalton Lake.

I struggled with the climbs, having what felt like zero strength in my legs, but my cardio fitness made up for what my legs lacked. The course was incredibly dry, so coupled with the pine needles, the corners were pretty slick. I opened up on the descents and told myself to lay off the brakes. I checked off a couple more riders on the final descents towards the interstate crossing, but continued to keep the pace up until the finish. I really had no idea where I sat when crossing the finish; needless to say I was pretty surprised to see a 3rd Place finish in the Men’s Open!

Having raced the ‘Epic’ length of the Tatanka last year, it was nice to come back and enjoy the part of the course I barely remember. The Black Hills always offers a fun atmosphere and good people; there is no question why I’m down there for so many races. I don’t have any NUE races on the horizon, but if my schedule allows, I may enter into Pierre’s Hole.”

Six seconds later, Bryce Thorman, took fourth at 3:31:14. Four minutes behind Thorman, local Spearfish racer, Jonathan Reth, Spearfish Family Dentistry, claimed the fifth spot at 3:35:48.

 

Single-Speed

Litzinger now leads the NUE Marathon Series with three straight wins!

Following wins at the Big Frog 65 and Mohican 100k, James Litzinger, Napleton Elite Cycling pwrd by Dirty Harry’s, now leads the NUE Marathon Race Series arriving first at 3:23:06. “My wife, three sons, and I drove from PA so that I could take on the Tatanka 50 K.  The views in South Dakota are exceptional!

On race day, while teammate Anthony Grinnell got an early start, my other teammate Scott Williams and I tried to pass the time before our Noon start.  I have never started a race that late and was a little unsure about how it would go considering the heat would be increasing to 95 degrees.

The race started in Piedmont with a police escort out of town on a paved road. Then the race truly began for me on Little Elk Creek Road where the pace began to pick up. I was able to sit in behind some fast-geared riders until we got to the single track. Once on the single track, I was able to get by some geared riders and ride my pace through the technical canyon trail.  After popping out onto the dirt road before Aid Station 1, I noticed that my teammate, Scott, was not far behind me on the road. I stopped at Aid Station 1 for a top off of my liquids due to an extremely hot day then continued the long opening climb, enjoying the beautiful rock and pine forests. Once at the top, Scott and I rode together, enjoying the flowing and rewarding downhill.   I refueled with an apple cinnamon Hammer Bar once!

We started to climb up into Aid Station 2, where I was greeted with a freezing, soaking wet towel, draped around my neck. It was so great! Thank you to the amazing workers at Aid Station 2! I left the Aid Station riding by myself but when I got to the top of the climb, I noticed that Scott was right behind me. He was having a great race! We rode together on the ridge of the mountain, before making one of the final climbs where we were rewarded with an awesome long descent where we were able to fly with our Pivot Les bikes along the ridges flowing single track!  It seemed like this decent went on for an hour!  It was so much fun!

After the single track, we shoot out onto a long fast descent through a prairie before crossing under route 90. I knew that there were only a few miles left so I put the hammer down for the final stretch through the fast prairie, although I was held up for about thirty seconds as I was running a herd of cattle down the trail that would not get off the trail. I was a little nervous with the large group of cattle and small calves mixed into the herd; I didn’t know how they would respond to a rider. The cattle proved to be my final obstacle in taking the win at Tatanka SS 50k!  It was smooth sailing to the finish only passing a few other riders before the finish in down town Sturgis! Congratulations to my teammate Scott Williams on a great ride!  Thank you to all of our great sponsors, Dirty Harry’s, Napleton Auto, Hammer, Bontrager, Maxxis!”

Litzinger’s team mate, Scott Williams, Napleton Elite Cycling p/b Dirty Harry’s, was next just two minutes back to finish 3:25:54. “Three of us came out West from Pittsburgh to take on the bull and the rugged terrain that Tatanka has to offer. I was nervous leading up to race day with it being a terrain I was not familiar with but thought it would be an awesome adventure. Tatanka did not disappoint one bit.

Shortly before reaching Aid #1, which is roughly at mile six of our nine mile climb, I was eagerly surprised to catch Litzinger’s wheel, I quickly rolled in and with the help of a local Boy Scout who topped off my bottles with some cold water and was able to roll out keeping Jim in sight.

Tatanka throws some tough climbs that keep you working for miles but you once you top out, the descents are well worth all the work. There was no shortage of gnarly, fast, long twisty descents and you earn every bit of them. The heat was really starting to get me and Aid #2 was an absolute blessing with ice cold rags that the volunteers wrapped around our necks as we rolled in. In addition to the ice towel, I was greeted with my drop bag, Coke and ice water; it was about as good as it gets with how hot it was on a race day and kept me moving strong.

Jim and I yo-yo’d most the race, I would close the gap on climbs and he would open it back up on descents. By the end of the day, Jim held a two minute lead on me taking the single speed win and we rolled in 3rd/4th overall for the Tatanka Marathon; a solid day for us both. I had an absolute blast on my Pivot Les single speed and would love to be able to come back out here again next year. This trip would never have been possible without the support from my team, Napleton Elite Cycling and local shop, Dirty Harry’s. As of right now, I am signed up for Shenandoah which will be my first 100 miler, very excited to head down there for such an iconic race.”

Robert Herrman, Ridge Riders of the Black Hills, took third at 3:52:31.

 

Master’s 50+

Dickenson Crushes the field, going sub four to get his first NUE win!

Robert Dickenson, Mtn Mania, was the only Master’s racer to go sub four hours in route to the win in 3:59:18. Jerry Hoff was next at 4:59:42 with Mike Dailey getting third just five minutes behind Hoff at 5:04:50

NEXT RACE: The KENDA NUE Marathon Race Series heads due west to the Big Bear Grizzly in Big Bear, California on Saturday, July 30. http://nuemtb.com/series/big-bear-grizzly-100-ultra-endurance-mountainbike-race for more information and stay tuned here for the latest news, results, and photos.

 

Tatanka 100 (NUE) – Sturgis, South Dakota

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Jamie Lamb and Carla Williams Conquer the Heat in South Dakota

By Ryan O’Dell

The Kenda NUE Series headed to Sturgis, South Dakota, home of the world’s largest motorcycle rally. Tatanka, the Lakota word for Buffalo, is the only point to point race in the NUE Series. At 6am, racers began gathering beneath the shadow of USA National Landmark Mount Rushmore.

Beneath the magnificence of mammoth rock sculptures representing four of our nation’s greatest presidents, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, NUE racer’s rolled out at 6:45, down a short section of pavement connecting them to the Centennial Trail along an 85 mile course that includes gnarly single track and fast, smooth cruising trail winding all the way to Sturgis. The town of Sturgis is nestled at the base of the northern Black Hills in extreme western South Dakota.

Temperatures this year reached an unseasonable high of 97 degrees, tempered by low humidity and, at times and in places, strong breezes throughout the day. In addition to the 85 mile race, this year’s Tatanka included a 50k Marathon distance that is part of the new NUE Marathon Race Series. There was also a 15 mile Sprint distance for first timers that included many kids.

Quarq, a division of SRAM, located locally in Spearfish, offered race fans live online tracking for the first time this year and Strider Bikes, located in nearby Rapid City, set up a skills park, offering kids as young as 2-3 years old an opportunity to test their bike skills. In addition to crafts and a variety of food and beverage stands, racers were treated to local craft brews courtesy of Crow Peak Brewing and The Knuckle Brewpub.

100-mile winner Carla Williams cools off at the feed zone. Photo by John Bush

100-mile winner Carla Williams cools off at the feed zone. Photo by John Bush

Women’s Open

Williams gets her second NUE win this season

Following her first big win at the NUE Cohutta 100 in April, Carla Williams, Joe’s Bike Shop Racing Team, achieved her second NUE win finishing 9:08:52, fourteenth overall. “I really had no idea what to expect at Tatanka. I had heard the course was rocky and technical (not exactly my favorite) with a lot of climbing (ok, I might stand a chance of doing well). I was most excited about starting under Mount Rushmore and having the chance to see the famous national monument!

The first 10-12 miles of the course was pretty brutal: lots of rocky steep climbs, lots of hiking, very hard to find any sort of rhythm. Luckily, after aid one, the trails were smoother and I felt I could actually ride my bike. It was my first race on a full suspension, and I loved it! I felt more and more confident on it as the race went on.

Since I had no idea what was around the next corner, I just focused on staying as strong and as consistent as I could. I surprised myself on some of the rocky stuff I was able to ride, disappointed myself in other sections, and really couldn’t quite believe I was leading the women’s field especially since there were so many other really strong women racing. Thanks so much to all the volunteers out on the course and to the race director who did a superb job with course markings. My next race will be WT101, but I definitely hope to be back riding in the black hills at some point.”

Abelyn Broughton, Fitzgerald’s Bicycles, was next capturing second in 9:29:30. Eleven minutes later, Christy Olsen, Crazy Pedaler Fat Fish, crossed the line at 9:40:51. “My race did not go well. I don’t think I was hydrated enough coming into this one. I felt okay for the first twenty miles but really succumbed to the heat after that. It was a really challenging course with some great competition. I wish I had a better performance, but it was good just to finish this one.” Olsen’s next race will be the Pierre’s Hole 100 on August 6.

Kaarin Tae, Bike Monkey Cycling, was next, sixteen minutes behind Olsen for fourth place at 9:56:18. Six minutes later, Mari Chandler, Team Adventure Medical Kits, placed fifth at 10:02:02. A top NUE Contender, Chandler also placed second at Cohutta and third at Lumberjack this year.

Jamie Lamb prevailed at the Tatanka 100. Photo by John Bush

Jamie Lamb prevailed at the Tatanka 100. Photo by John Bush

Men’s Open

Lamb gets his second straight win Tatanka!

Jamie Lamb, Bicisport Calgary, made it two in a row in Sturgis getting the win in 7:20:24. “Walking out of my hotel into 80-degree heat at 4:00 AM, I was worried about both the trio of Johnson, Lideen, and Tostado, and the chance that I’d wither in the day’s 97 degree high.  Once the climbing/rock scrambling started the four of us went clear with me pleased to have made the selection and focusing on hydration for the heat to come.

Unfortunately Lideen went down hard and cut his wrist on a rock, and about 10 miles later, Josh flatted leaving Dylan and me to sort it out.  We kept it mostly on cruise to the climbs on the motorized access portion of the Centennial trail, and with 30 miles to go I leaned on the throttle, happy to create a gap but cautious about melting down, dumping full bottles on myself at Aid 4.

I kept up my shoulder checking at each switchback but the heat must have got to Dylan as I was able to roll into Sturgis stoked to get an NUE win there for the second time. Thanks to race director, Kevin Forrester and his crew for putting on another great event. Next for me will be the Canadian XCM Nationals followed by NUE #10, Pierre’s Hole 100.”

Following big spring season wins at Cohutta 100 and the Mohican MTB100, 21 year old Dylan Johnson, Giant Co-Factory Northeast, arrived just nine minutes later to take second at Tatanka, finishing 7:29:14.

After suffering two flat tires that separated him from the leaders, Josh Tostado, Santa Cruz, Shimano, Maxxis, rode solo holding on for third at 7:55:17. “My race was going great. I was having fun riding with Jamie, Taylor, and Dylan. The pace was really slow off the start but I was in no hurry. About ten miles in, Taylor crashed out then the rest of us rode together until about twenty miles in and I got the first of my two flats so I rode by myself until I got my second flat. Daniel passed me while I was changing it then I passed him at the next aid and tried to push hard to the finish. The heat was really tough and I haven’t really raced in much more than low 80’s this year but, besides the flats, I was very happy with the riding and how I felt.”

Four minutes later, Daniel Matheney, COS Racing p/b Matheny Endurance, claimed fourth at 07:59:43. Two-time Tatanka winner and local favorite, James Meyer, Quark/SRAM, from nearby Spearfish, SD placed fifth this year at 8:13:02, forty-one minutes faster than last year!

Josh Tostado leads Lamb and Johnson on the flume trail. Photo by John Bush

Josh Tostado leads Lamb and Johnson on the flume trail. Photo by John Bush

Taylor Lideen, who placed first at the NUE opener True Grit Epic and eighth at Bailey Hundo, crashed out just ten miles into the race, injuring his wrist. “The race started with Josh, Dylan, Jamie and I up front having a blast on the super raw and technical trail. The Centennial Trail did not disappoint and already has me thinking about racing on it again next year. A little over an hour in, on what seemed to be the smoothest single track so far, I reached to grab a drink from my Camelbak and clipped my left pedal on a stump hidden beneath the overgrown grass.

Dylan Johnson traveled west to experience the Tatanka 100 and came away with a second-place finish for his efforts. Photo by John Bush

Dylan Johnson traveled west to experience the Tatanka 100 and came away with a second-place finish for his efforts. Photo by John Bush

The crash happened so quickly and, before I knew it, Dylan was staring down at me checking to see if I was okay. Luckily, I was really close to a road crossing and waited there until someone from aid station one came and picked me up. After meeting up with my fiancé, we drove to the hospital in Rapid City to get everything checked out. The doctor brought the x-Ray result in and I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I was told there were no breaks.

After a generous scrub and a few stitches later, I was released and headed down to the finish to watch the leaders come through. At the moment, my wrist and palm area are feeling better and I should be good as new and ready to race at Big Bear in a couple weeks.

I want to thank all the riders who checked on me on-course as well as after the race. Even though this was a really unfortunate (and frustrating) crash, I am so grateful for this community and the sport we all love.”

Trevor Rockwell cranks his way through to a SS win. Photo by John Bush

Trevor Rockwell cranks his way through to a SS win. Photo by John Bush

Single-Speed

Rockwell gets his first NUE Win

Trevor Rockwell put it down to get his first NUE SS win this season, finishing in 8:15:43. “Tatanka100 was an awesome race! I came in with high hopes to ride for A.J. Linnell and try to come away with the Single Speed victory! The race was interesting from the get-go as the lead pack of eleven or so guys missed a turn about one mile into the race that put us behind a long line of folks. Once we sorted through the line, it was game on from there. I was able to keep up with Kip and Jeff Kerkove until Aid 1. They got out a little quicker from the Aid station so I was relegated to chasing.

For the rest of the race I thought I was hunting down Kip and trying to get myself back into the lead. Later, I learned that he took a wrong turn before Aid 2 that put me unknowingly into the lead. For the rest of the race as the heat took its toll, I settled in, trying to close a gap that was actually behind me. I pushed as hard as my body would let me. Throughout the second half of the race there were many times I thought I should pull the plug as I was overheating pretty badly but thinking of the name on the back of my jersey kept me pushing on.

In the end it was a hot and a little emotional day on the bike since it was my first race back after taking a year and a half hiatus from racing and pretty much riding my bike at all! If I had to do it again I may drop a gear as my 36×20 was a little steep, but I also know that the heat played quite the role. Next up for me is the Pierre’s Hole 100! It will be great to get back out to the Teton’s and hopefully come away with another victory!”

Kip Biese, KJBike Coaching/Old Town Bike Shop, took second at 8:40:24, twenty-five minutes behind Rockwell. With four finishes already under his belt, Kip Biese leads the NUE Race Series including second place finishes at both Cohutta and Bailey Hundo, a third place finish at Mohican, sixth at True Grit Epic. “I felt good and rode back and forth with Trevor to Aid 1.

After Aid 1, I felt confident and went ahead but twice managed to miss left turns on fast downhills and went off course both times a good ways before turning around and climbing back onto course. I believe by Aid Two, I wasn’t too far back but Trevor is really strong and I knew I had a tough fight to even try and get within sight of him. I went hard climbing out of Aid two but had a mishap descending while dodging ATVs, and, as of today, it’s confirmed I broke a bone in my left foot. Important side note; the ATV riders were cool and they all tried to get off trail as I descended towards them but the last rider slipped off trail trying to give me space. After all that fun, I just rode it out trying to find a way to pedal that didn’t hurt.”

 

Master’s 50+

Brothers gets his first NUE Race win!

Brian Brothers, Hammer Nutrition, earned his first ever NUE victory, first across the line at 9:24:30. “There was the section about seven miles in where it was hike-a-bike, playing to my strength since I do that kind of stuff all the time, I passed several riders there and soon found myself riding alone for the next forty miles. I had no idea where I was in the overall or in my ‘old man’s’ category.

From there it was another awesome section of singletrack and fire roads leading to aid station two. When I got there, I asked where all the other masters men were, thinking they were in front of me. NUE series director Ryan O’Dell, who was following the race answered that I was the first one. Dumbfounded, I couldn’t believe it. I thought for sure that someone made the cut in front with the faster riders.

Knowing I was in the lead, I headed out on the third section of trail towards aid three with renewed energy and promptly started cramping. The thing about cramping and me is that I don’t stop, I grit and bear it and pedal on through softly. It’s always worked for me and within minutes my legs had loosened up and I was cruising again, alone. Within a few miles of aid three at the 50 mile mark, I was caught and passed by a singlespeeder and the eventual women’s winner. No longer alone, I was able to finally have someone to pace with.

When I got to the aid, I proceeded to pour ice cold water over me as I had been cooking out there in the heat. That was the precise moment when the second place Masters Rider, Marland Whaley, would show up, grab two water bottles from his support crew, and head out. I was a bit relieved to finally have someone else in front and worried because I was really suffering and he looked really fresh. I took off after him with Ryan taking photos of us as we headed into the next 17 mile section. I cramped as we headed up the first climb out and backed off the pace to recover. In my mind I knew the two things I had going for me was I had been hydrating all day whenever I wanted due to my hydration pack vs his two small bottle setup and his hardtail bike would have cost him time competing against me on my full suspension Salsa Spearfish.

On the next road descent, I couldn’t believe my luck as he almost overshot a turn onto the singletrack. I was on his wheel as we entered the climb and it was apparent that something was wrong as his speed was much slower than I expected. We both pulled off the trail for a couple faster riders in the shorter race. I deferred to him to go as he was in front and he said “no you go”. Was this a trick I thought?

I decided with approximately two miles of climbing before a big descent to burn my matches and almost doubled the pace to see what his reaction would be. Several minutes later I was all alone with no one in sight. I bombed down the descent throwing caution to the wind as I drifted through switchbacks. I ended up crashing at speed as I slid on the pine needle covered trail and went over some rocks. Only some scrapes, I got up and charged down the descent again, and again the pine needles had their way but it was only a slow speed fall and I was quickly riding again as the trail straightened out. I had my GPS with course overlay showing the elevation profile and distance to the next stop and hammered it out to the aid station. I didn’t waste any time and was quickly back on my bike with the final 15 miles remaining in a mostly downhill trending profile.

I kept on the gas as best I could, feeling much better than I did during the middle half of the race. As I crossed into Ft Meade recreation area, I knew, short of a race ending crash, nobody was going to catch me. I eased off the pace to be focused on the final few downhills as I had crashed here 24 hours earlier. Even then I still struck a boulder with my pedal that sent me in the air. Luckily I landed in control and, with three miles remaining; I relaxed entirely to enjoy my first individual win in a long time. It was surreal as I crossed the line. Ryan was there to congratulate me on a great race. DirtWireTV even did an interview with me. I was like, wow.  Now where’s the beer?

Later, talking to Marland, I found out that when I went by him he was suffering through cramps and had stopped to stretch. Furthermore, he probably hit the same rock I did but was not so lucky as evidence of the blood on his arms and legs. It was such a great course; I can’t wait to do it next year.”

NUE Series contender, Marland Whaley, Red Barn Bicycles/Hammer Nutrition, was back and forth with Brothers through much of the race before finishing 9:39:35. “After racing the Tatanka 100 in 2013, I couldn’t wait to get back to the Black Hills again. This year, once again, it was a very well organized race with incredible volunteers at the aid stations.

I had been fighting an illness for two weeks prior to this, but was so “all in” to race well that I never backed off like I should have to get well. It was such a mistake that, within the first hour, I’m not sure how I’m getting back to Sturgis. All I could do is press on the pedals enough to go forward. As the temps rose toward 100, I became light headed and sicker.

To top off a really rough day, three miles from the finish at speed, I buried my right pedal into a rock, launching me down the hill, breaking my helmet, and having to retrieve my bike thirty yards down the hill. Limping my way to the finish, I was just glad to bring a day to an end that I was so much looking forward to. Congrats to newcomer Brian on his NUE win. I’m sure you will be seeing more of him in the future.”

Roger Clark finished third at 10:56:18.

 

NEXT: The KENDA NUE Race Series heads due west for The High Cascades 100 near Bend, Oregon on Saturday, July 16. Like all NUE Races so far this season, The HC100 is sold out. However, racers can get on a waiting list to enter. Visit http://nuemtb.com/series/high-cascades-100-ultra-endurance-mountainbike-race for more information and stay tuned here for the latest news, results, and photos.

Click Here for full results from Tatanka 100 & Marathon

Lumberjack 100 – Michigan

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LumberJack 100: National Ultra Endurance Series presented by KENDA

Written by: Scott Tencate

Photos by: Jack Kunnen

The 2016 Founders Lumberjack 100 racers were greeted by cool morning temps in the 50’s and brilliant sunshine as the 413 racers toed the starting line for the for the 12th annual race through the Big M trail. The racers knew that the first 33 mile lap would be the most comfortable as temps were expected to reach close to 90 and the humidity would make it feel like a tropical rainforest by noon.  The race directors designed a new start that removed some of the roll out pavement and replaced it with two track and single track that allowed more jockeying and racing from the start.  After 4 miles of positioning the field came through the pits and finish area to cheers and cowbells as they made their way towards the first separator the “Bullwacker” climb.  It was two new faces to the Lumberjack race Dan Yankus ( Team OAM) and Brad White ( United Health Care) that lead the charge with familiar LJ 100 race faces; Mens open champion Brian Schworm (Think Green VO2), Vanias ( Team OAM), Quiring ( Quiring Cycles), Jan Roubal (Velorution), Mike Simonson (The Bike & Tri Shop) Golas, Gross and Catlin looking to make the selection. The women’s open field of  37 was lead by Chase Edwards (Flagstaff Bikes)  and on her wheel was LJ 100 first timer Kaitlyn Patterson ( Team OAM) and last years women’s champion; Mari Chandler ( Team Adventure)

Terry Blanchet Nav-North American Velo 2d place masters 50+

Terry Blanchet Nav-North American Velo 2d place masters 50+

 

The Lumberjack race course is in the Manistee National forest which is just under a million acres of solid hardwood forest. The 33 mile loop is 90% singletrack with hard packed sandy soil  and rolling hills that challenge racers with close to 3,000 feet of climbing per lap.

Even with the crisp morning temps it didn’t take long for things to heat up as Scott Quiring pushed a red line pace on the front for most of the first lap with nine others staying in contact. As the leaders made their way into the support area (16 mph avg. speed) it was Yankus, White, Simonson stopping in first with seven others within a minute. Most riders stopped 5 – 10 seconds to reload with food and hydration but it was road pro racer White who never slowed and grabbed his fuel mussette style and  was the first on the trail starting the second lap. Things got testy as Quiring, Yankus, Simonson and White attacked trying to shake off anyone from the top 9 lead group. Half way through the second lap Quiring and Roubal  dropped off having pushed too hard and Mike Simonson caught a bad break with his tubular tire going flat. The second lap leaders were down to four with Vanias, White, Yankus and Schworm a minute ahead of  Catlin and Gross.  Just after the half way point of the third lap, Schworm decided it was time to make a move and not allow White or Vanias a chance to attack on the two track section with 8 miles to go. Brian Schworm finished four minutes ahead of Vanias and five on White as he tore up the last five miles of the Big M tail finishing just off a race record at 6:30:09 for back to back Lumberjack 100 championships.

The women’s open race saw Patterson and Edwards battling back and forth for the first lap with  Patterson hitting the support area at 2:27 just 30 seconds ahead of Edwards. Last years Women’s open Champion, Mari Chandler couldn’t hold on to the pace and found herself over 10 minutes back after the first lap.  The second lap Patterson decided to push the pace and never looked back as she peddled through the second lap pits with nearly a two minute lead over Patterson and held that gap to finish her first Lumberjack 100 as the Women’s Open Champion at 7:27:27 followed by Edwards 7:29:51 and Chandler 7:51:58.

Chase Edwards Flagstaff Bike Revolutions 2d place womens open

Chase Edwards Flagstaff Bike Revolutions 2d place womens open

The Single Speed race got off to a fast start with everyone going hard trying to get to the fast and flowing single track and first big climb ahead of as many racers as possible.  James Litzinger ( Napleton Elite) in his second LJ 100 appearance saw his last single speed competitior shortly after the “Bullwacker” climb and latched on to a group of geared riders including teammate Joe Fraas and Master’s winner Jeff Clayton pushing a steady pace on laps one and two. Litzinger said ” Joe and Jeff worked like semi trucks pulling on the road and I kept us rolling on the single track while grinning ear to ear!  It was so much fun riding and working with those guys!  I felt like The Lumberjack 100 was a TEAM effort!”  Litzinger got his first NUE series win with an impressive time of 7:13.  The real single speed race was between Alexander Steinhoff ( Treefort Bikes) and Mike Bernhard ( Founders Racing) who was fresh off his single speed win and 13th overall finish at Dirty Kanza. These two spent the day duking it out and exchanging position until the end of lap two when Steinhoff gaped Bernhard and held on to second place by less than a minute.

Brain Schworm Think Green-Vo2 Multisport P/b Sword mens open winner

Brain Schworm Think Green-Vo2 Multisport P/b Sword mens open winner

Lastly the Master division race saw Georgia native, Jeff Clayton ( Georgia Neurosurgical Institute) work with Single Speed winner James Litzinger and Joe Frass to set a blistering pace from the start creating a large gap over competitors Terry Blanchet and Mark Donakowski.  Clayton never faded and ended up finishing in just over his goal time of 7 hours with a time of 7:04 followed by Blanchet 7:44 and Donakowski 7:50.

All results for the 2016 Lumberjack 100 can be viewed here:

http://www.newtontiming.com/results2016.html

Mohican 100k presented by KENDA – Full Report and Photos

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June 4, 2016

By Ryan O’Dell

 

The KENDA Mohican 100 dispatched nearly 600 racers along some of the most popular single track trails Ohio has to offer on a grand single loop, 100 mile and 100k, that spans three of the four counties that make up what is locally known as “Mohican Country”. This year, several hike-a-bikes were rerouted to make them more ridable, including a new and safer crossing at SR97. Mohican offered a $10,000 cash purse, the largest in the NUE Race Series.

The NUE MARATHON Race Series featuring distances ranging from 50k, 50 mile to 100k was introduced this season with a best four of ten race schedule held at existing NUE Races that offer shorter distance options. Equally as popular as the 100 mile distance and now an Olympic distance, The Mohican MTB100k is proud to join NUE.

Women's 100k winner Sally Price gets wet. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Women’s 100k winner Sally Price gets wet. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Women’s Open

Price, the victor, goes Sub-Six, AGAIN

Sally Price, Velofemme p/b Litzler, Bike Authority, The 2015 race winner and ONLY sub-six finisher in the Women’s open has done it again, winning her second her second straight Mohican 100k as the only Women’s sub-six, at 5:47:58, a full ten minutes faster than last year!

The packed Women’s field was just short of 50 this year as Miki Kedo, JTree/Wheels in Motion/ Trek, placed second at 6:05:05. Forty-three seconds later, Becky Edmiston, Steamboat Velo, took third in 6:05:48.

Less than two minutes later, Janet Edwards, Team Bicycle Hub, placed fourth in 6:07:11 with Donna Winters, Bike Zone, taking the fifth podium spot four minutes back at 6:11:02.

Mud and slippery conditions created some carnage on course. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Mud and slippery conditions created some carnage on course. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Men’s Open

Purcell posts back to back Mohican wins

Drew Purcell, Ride On, took his second straight Mohican 100k finishing 4:35:35.

Purcell is currently leading the Men’s Pro/Expert Division of the Ohio Mountain Bike Championship Race Series and is coming off a seventh place finish at the Big Frog 65, making him a top contender for the NUE Marathon Series title. Purcell represented the Ohio Series in 2014, completing the LaRuta de los Conquistadores, a three day stage race across Costa Rica billed as the toughest race on the planet.

“My race on Saturday went very well. Heading into the woods from the dirt road, I was in the top 10 and worked my way up to the lead at about mile 5-6. I continued to lead until mile 14 or so where Lico, the hundred mile racer from Costa Rica, put in an attack but didn’t really go anywhere. We all stayed together with a bit of yo-yoing within the group until the course split at Aid 3, mile 46.  I turned left, following the 100k course, and rode to the finish by myself. I thought the course was great this year and the signage was good along with all the aid stations. I am undecided on my next NUE race, leaning toward the Hamphire 100 but that could always change.”

Eight minutes behind Purcell, Chris Tries, Piney Flats Cycle and Fitness, took second at 4:43:40. Two minutes later, NUE Pro/Expert Masters Champion, Ross Clark, Edge Outdoors, claimed third at 4:45:24.

Less than a minute back of Clark, Ethan Millstein, Nationwide Veloworx, checked in fourth at 4:46:06. Another minute passed before Ryan Krayer, Adventure212 / Specialized, took fifth at 4:47:26.

Mohican pays ten deep in what is by far the largest division, Men’s Open: 6-10 podium finishers were Bradley Kramer, Team Spin/Litzler Automation, 4:48:15, David Pike, Team DNA-Movement p/b Penetron, 4:56:28, Greg Kuhn, RBS Cycling Team, 5:01:36, Brad Rogers, Y-Not Racing Team, 5:02:13 and John Proppe, Lake Effect Racing, 5:02:17.

Ben Michelis hammered out the 100k event on a rigid SS coming in 10th. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Ben Michelis hammered out the 100k event on a rigid SS coming in 10th. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Singlespeed

Litzinger gets the W with a Sub Four

Following his first win in April at the Big Frog 65, James Litzinger, Napleton Elite Cycling pwrd by Dirty Harry’s, powered his way to the top as the only Master’s racer to go sub-4 hours on the day at 4:54:37. Litzinger now leads the NUE SS Marathon Race Series. Unaware that the 2016 race start was lengthened to accommodate a much larger field than the last time he competed here in 2012, Litzenger was surprised from the very start of the race.

“After finishing well at my first NUE Marathon race of the season, the Big Frog 65 in Tennessee, I was anxious to challenge myself at the Mohican 100k. Some of the guys from the Napleton Auto Elite team rolled into Loudonville on Friday evening heading straight to the “new start,” so we thought.

For some odd reason we thought the start of the race was going to be the same as the 2012 Mohican race. We drove up the opening climb and made the first left heading back to the pig farm thinking that was going to be the start of the race. After checking out the start we went down to packet pickup to get all signed in and ready for the race. We had a late dinner after doing a short pre-race spin then off to bed nice and early to get rested up for the Mohican 100k!

After fueling up my bottles with Hammer Perpetuem and my pocket with Hammer Gel we rolled on over to the start of the race.  I was nervous for the start of the race knowing that there were so many strong riders in the 100K SS category! I was in awe when I saw all 600 mountain bikers ready to start a race. I was on the start line with some teammates and an occasional competitor and friend, Don Powers. He is a super strong rider and the winner of the 100 mile SS race. We had planned to ride together until aid station 3 when the race splits to the 100k finish.

After the start, I was trying to stay toward the front of the race so I could get into the single track early, since I thought there was going to be less road in the beginning. Well, that plan went out the window when everyone passed where I thought we were going to turn.  I was really wondering if I was going to have enough gas in the tank to spin all the way to the single track and keep my good position. Initially, I wanted to ride with Don Powers until the split at aid station 3 but after the first climb out of town I was able to hitch a ride on the wheel of my teammate Joe Fraas and Don wasn’t able to join us, #sslife!  Joe was an absolute mule helping pull me all the way to the start of the single track.  Thanks Joe!

With my good position in the opening single track, I thought it would be a good time to push the pace and try to open the gap on the SS competition. My Maxxis Ikons were gripping extremely well on the fine Mohican Trails, so I decided to keep up the pace with a few geared riders!  We had a nice pace, so I decided to continue as planned and skip through the first aid station.  After finishing up the single track, I was lucky enough to hook up with 100k rider, Bradley Cramer and 100 miler, Gregory Jancaitis.  These guys were pulling like horses on the county gravel roads and I was super excited that they let me spin with them!  We stuck together for most of the way until shortly before aid station three were they surged ahead to push up to some other geared competition of theirs!

Leaving aid station 3, I was all alone spinning and tucking my way down the road until the Valley Stream road climb. I knew that when I was finished with that climb the final single track would be coming up shortly! I spun my way down the rest of the rolling roads and through aid station 5. I was thrilled for the final single track knowing that it would take me down to the finish and it would be difficult for others to make up a lot of time on me. The single track was going well, until I was pushing a good pace up a climb and made a wrong turn taking me up a hike a bike, across a ridge, and down into a valley. I ran into some hikers that informed me that I was off course!  Oh No!  I quickly backtracked onto the course.  I figured that I lost about seven minutes with my wrong turn so I was not sure who had went by me at that point.  This made my adrenalin kick in and help me to push a good pace to the finish.

The final piece of single track was just as fun as going through it on the way out! Time flies when you’re having fun! I was so relieved and satisfied when it was announced that I had won the 2016 Mohican 100K SS race! My next N.U.E. race is the Lumberjack 100!

100k SS podium. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

100k SS podium. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

I couldn’t race without the support of my wife and three boys!  They motivate me to always do my best.  Thank you to Dirty Harry’s bike shop, my teammates at Napleton Auto Elite cycling, and all of our generous sponsors.”

Peyton Randolph, Trek Store Columbus, was second finishing 5:03:56. Scott Williams, teammate of Litzinger, Napleton Elite Cycling Team p/b Dirty Harry’s, rolled in three minutes later at 5:06:00. Two minutes later, Aaron Shelmire, NovaCare p/b JMac Cycling, took fourth in 5:08:19.

One minute later, Ernesto Marenchin, Pivot Cycles, Twin 6, WAS Labs, winner of the True Grit 50 in March, took the final podium spot at 5th in 5:09:31. Marenchin continues to be a top contender for the NUE Marathon SS title.

 

Masters 50+

Cozza wins BIG with a sub-5 in his first NUE Series Race

52 year old Craig Cozza, UPMC Cycling Performance/Pro Bikes, made a statement with a commanding lead in his win at Mohican 4:58:09. “My first NUE and certainly the longest mountain bike race I’ve ever done. I’ve had a lot of fun and wins racing time trials, road, crits, CX and mountain bike over the last five years, 2015 CX national champion and silvers in 2014 and 2016.

This race was epic for me, loved the entire scene. So My teammate Don Powers rolls up beside me about thirty miles in on a steep dirt road climb, lays a fist bump on me and says let’s go get this, two wins, you and me, as he rode by me with second place Rege on his wheel.

I got them back on the flats but was amazed at how fast those guys ride those single speeds! Gauging and dosing my effort was important. That Way motivating moment carried me through the rest of the race! I went into time trial mode on the back roads, passing a lot of guys if there wasn’t anyone to work with. Then, I just focused and flowed through the woods. Awesome race, thank you!!! Four of us from Upmc/Pro Bikes raced, Johnny and Matt Crawford placed 4th and 9th respectively.”

2015 Mohican Masters 100k Race winner, 54 year old Robert Goetz, A Gear Higher & Nebo Ridge, was next placing second in 5:20:41. Following a 12th place finish at True Grit 50 and 15th at the Big Frog 65, 52 year old Anthony Hergert, Rescue Racing p/b Reality Bikes, had his best finish of the season getting third in 5:44:21.

Teammate of Cozza, John Crawford, UPMC Sports Medicine/ProBikes, took fourth at 5:45:52.

One minute later, Jeff Doer, Mclain race team, took fifth in 5:46:16.

NEXT NUE MARATHON RACE: The Bailey Hundito 50 Mile June 18,  http://nuemtb.com/series/bailey-hundo-ultra-endurance-mountainbike-race

Click Here for full results from the all categories

Mohican 100 mile presented by KENDA – Full Report

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June 4, 2016

By Ryan O’Dell

The Mayor Loudonville, Steve Strickland, welcomed racers to Loudonville before starting the race at 7am sharp. Now in its 14th year, The KENDA Mohican 100 released nearly 600 racers along some of the most popular single track trails Ohio has to offer on a grand single loop, 100 mile and 100k, that spans three of the four counties that make up what is locally known as “Mohican Country”. This year, several hike-a-bikes were rerouted to make them more ridable, including a new and safer crossing at SR97 that included The Ohio State Highway Patrol. Mohican offered a $10,000 cash purse, the largest in the NUE Race Series.

Last year’s Men’s Open winner and former NUE Series Champion, Christian Tanguy was the first racer to crest at the city limits before going on to finish fourth in the Men’s Open. Tanguy was awarded an additional $200 cash prime courtesy of the Loudonville Visitors Bureau.

Hundreds of racers charge off the start line and through Loudonville, Ohio, at the start of the Mohican 100. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Hundreds of racers charge off the start line and through Loudonville, Ohio, at the start of the Mohican 100. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

 

Women’s Open

Shinn makes it two in a row at Mohican!

Linda Shinn, Blacksmith Cycles, achieved her first Mohican victory in 8:59:35 in 2015 claiming “Mohican 100 is probably my favorite 100 miler.” This year, Shinn set a new PR at 8:59:30.

“We always have a big group of friends that come down for this race each year so I always look forward to it – it’s more like a fun weekend away camping, hanging out and riding bikes. I was motivated for a good race since Cohutta didn’t go so well for me.

Linda Shin makes her way through the dense forests of Ohio on her way to a race win. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Linda Shin makes her way through the dense forests of Ohio on her way to a race win. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

I had a good start and was taking it fairly easy in the first half of the singletrack, really enjoying the fun Mohican trails and passing guys. I knew there were a couple girls ahead of me but wasn’t sure if they were in the 100km or 100 miles so I started to pick up the pace. After the first aid station, me and another rider missed the turn into the singletrack and ended up on the road back tracking to another trail that we had already ridden. We quickly turned around and jumped back in but then became stuck behind riders that I had already passed so that was frustrating. I made my way back through and passed a couple of 100km girls and knew I was sitting in 2nd. I was focused on catching the girl ahead regardless of which race she was in.

After aid 3, I was told that she turned to the 100km so now I was leading the 100mile race which was a strange unknown feeling because this was the first time I’ve ever led an NUE race. I was stoked!

I was going back and forth with a couple of guys but was riding solo for most of the rest of the race and kept a steady pace. I knew I had a bit of a lead, no idea how much but had to keep telling myself that I was being hunted and not to slow down too much. Once I got to the final singletrack, there was no one around and was pretty pumped that I was going to win another Mohican! I couldn’t wait to get to the finish line.

Most of my friends raced the 100km and as I crossed the finish line, they were all there with high fives and hugs, it was so amazing to have such a warm welcoming finish! I had a ton of fun, everything was dialed, from my nutrition to training to my equipment. I had just put on the Lauf fork that I won last year at Cohutta for this race and it was the perfect set up on my Scapin Spektro!

This race has everything, a mix of terrain, tons of singletrack, amazing volunteers and really fun atmosphere for pre and post- race. This was my first year camping out at the finish and it was fun to hang out with everyone after the race. Can’t wait for the next NUE at Wilderness 101!”

Ann Pike, Team DNA-Movement p/b Penetron, placed second finishing in 9:26:30. Fifteen minutes behind Pike, Rachel Furman, CARVE, placed third at 9:41:46. Jacqueline Ledoux was fourth at 10:32:08 and seven minutes later, Beverly Enslow, Hammer Nutrition / Health Solutions Chiropractic, rounded out the podium in fifth place at 10:39:17.

 

100-mile race winner Dylan Johnson successfully navigates a long suspension bridge. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

100-mile race winner Dylan Johnson successfully navigates a long suspension bridge. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Men’s Open

Dylan Johnson gets his second straight win to lead the NUE Race Series

Following a third place finish last year, Dylan “The Kid” Johnson, Giant Co-Factory Northeast, nicknamed for his youth in comparison to most other race leaders at just 21 years old, achieved his first win at Mohican following up on his first ever NUE Series win at Cohutta in April. As a result, Johnson now leads the NUE Race Series. It was a tight race that was won in the final two miles where he posted a blistering time of 6:57:10.

“The Mohican 100 always has a fast start and this year was no exception. I kept myself at the front of the group and entered the single track third. There was a bit of shuffling of position in the singletrack until five-time LaRuta winner, Lico Ramirez, made his way to the front and soon I found myself sprinting up the climbs to keep up. At this point I knew it was going to be a hard day in the saddle. A lead group of eight or nine exited the first single track section but this would be whittled down to five by aid station 3, including Lico, last year’s Mohican winner, Christian Tanguy, Brian Schworm, and Ian Spivack.

The pace calmed a bit at this point as we settled into a more sustainable pace but it wouldn’t last long. At about mile 85, on one of the steep climbs before the final few miles of single track, I made an attack to drop the group. I managed to distance myself from everyone except Lico. As we rolled up on the final aid station, I prepared myself to battle it out in the final single track section but, to my surprise, Lico stopped at the aid station. I continued alone through the single track going as hard as I could so I wouldn’t get caught. I was relieved to finally see the finish and I sprinted in to take the win.

I was ecstatic to take my second NUE win at Mohican and take the NUE series overall lead. It was a hard fought battle and an extremely close race with second place, Brian Schworm, coming in less than a minute behind and Lico and Christian coming in moments later for a sprint finish. Every year it seems like more single track gets added to the course and the race keeps getting better. I can’t thank the volunteers enough. All day they were extremely helpful and attentive, getting my drop bags immediately. Luckily the rain held off until after most racers had finished but that didn’t dampen the post-race party atmosphere.” Johnson’s next NUE race will be in the mountains of Colorado at the Bailey Hundo on June 18. http://nuemtb.com/series/bailey-hundo-ultra-endurance-mountainbike-race

Less than a minute behind the leader, Brian Schworm, Think Green-VO2 Multisport p/b SWORD, Rolled into second place at 6:58:04. “The Mohican 100 race started with fantastic conditions.

The trails were dry and fast, and the weather was very agreeable although the forecast called for rain in the afternoon. As usual, the race started in downtown Loudonville shooting up Maple Heights climb. The climb with the following few miles of paved road were great for spreading out the field before hitting the first thirty miles of singletrack.

Ramarez just after the finish. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Ramarez just after the finish. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

I was around fifth position once we hit the trail.  The race was smooth and uneventful through the trail section until we hit the “hike-a-bike” section towards the end of the initial trails.  There Federico “Lico” Ramirez showed why he has won La Ruta multiple times; he rode nearly the whole section where most were having trouble just hiking! Needless to say, he gapped the rest of the field. Within the next few miles a handful of racers, including myself, bridged up to Federico.

Once we hit the gravel roads and bits of trail that followed, some other riders joined the front group while some dropped off.  This continued until the Mohican Wilderness area where a lead group of five established itself.  The group included Federico, Ian Spivak, Dylan Johnson, Christian Tanguy, and me.  From this point until the Rails-to-Trails section, I was struggling a bit. There were a few climbs I dropped off the group and then scrambled to catch up afterwards.

On the Rail-to-Trails section we worked together, taking turns leading the group, to hopefully extend our lead. There were no attacks or anything of that nature through this trail. I think we all knew that a very difficult section, five big climbs between aid stations 4 and 5, was coming up.  This is often where decisive moves are made. Sure enough, we hit the first climb hard!  I was still struggling a bit and dropped a few seconds back. I rejoined the group just in time to hit the next climb. I believe this was where our group starting falling apart. Dylan and Federico were out front, Christian in between, and Ian and I further back. Somewhere in there I got a small gap on Ian and went all out on the downhill to the swinging bridge to increase my gap.

Next we hit, what I feel is, the toughest climb on the course, the Valley Stream Rd. climb. The climb is just under a mile long and hits gradients of 20% in a couple places. Up this ascent I could still see Dylan and Federico together in the front and Christian in between. I started feeling a bit better and made some progress on catching Christian. On the following downhill and road section I was able to catch Christian, and on the fifth and final climb before aid station 5, I was able to distance myself from him.

On the following five-mile stretch of road before aid station 5, I put the hammer down, mostly to distance myself from Christian but also to hopefully close the gap to Dylan and Federico. Sure enough, I went around a bend and I could see them ahead. This gave me the extra motivation I needed and by the last aid station, I was only 20 to 30 seconds down. I saw Dylan shoot up the trail but was surprised to see that Federico stopped. At this point there are only about twenty minutes of racing left so I was surprised to see him do this. I’m not sure, but I think he might have been bonking and was in need of some food.  Anyway, I went into the trail with Federico on my tail. He hung in there for a while but I dug deep on the singletrack and was able to get a gap. I never saw Dylan again and in the end he was about 45 seconds ahead.”

Christian Tanguy powers through the water early on in this 100 mile challenge. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Christian Tanguy powers through the water early on in this 100 mile challenge. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

46 seconds behind Schworm, Federico “Lico” Ramírez, La Ruta de Los Conquistadores, a five time winner of what has become billed as the toughest race on the planet, took third at 6:58:50 following a risky pass around Christian Tanguy in a sprint finish. In addition to his five wins at LaRuta, Ramarez has won the Trans-Rockies, Trans-Alps, and Breck Epic.

LaRuta has hosted the NUE Race Series Champions for three years now and is now offering package discounts for NUE and OMBC Racers who would like to take on the challenge of this world class three day stage race across Costa Rica November 3-5. Details are available at http://nuemtb.com/laruta-2

2013 NUE Race Series Champion, and 2014 and 2015 Mohican race winner, Christian Tanguy, RBS Cycling Team, was just one second back to take fourth in 6:58:51, twelve minutes faster than his winning time last year at 7:10:03.

“This year I have spent more time pushing the stroller than I do riding my bike. Nonetheless, I felt much more ready than for the Cohutta race. I thought that a top ten would be a very difficult result to achieve but I should have the energy to be competitive to win the prime at the city limit.

Prior to the race, during one of the walks with my 2-year old in the stroller, I laid a plan on how to be in contention to win the prime. I gave him the play by play:
First: lock all the suspensions to eliminate any energy waste while on the road. This is so easy to do on my Trek Top Fuel; one push button locks both front and rear shocks.
Second: not being overly worried to be somewhat far from the front rider on the early very steep pitch. It is important to save energy for later…
Third: Position myself such that nobody is in front of me. Last thing I want is to have to veer around another rider during the sprint.
Fourth: Knowing where the city prime is exactly located. I had no clues during my first three Mohican races where the city line was!
Fifth: Be on the right gear to respond to others starting to sprint.
Sixth: Sprint and not look back until crossing the line!
I managed to perfectly execute my plan and right there I knew it was going to be a good day. Unfortunately, I got a little jammed leaving the open road. I was shuffled back almost to the 20th position. I was very dissatisfied with my position in the field. For the next two hours I had to commit more energy than if I reached the singletrack in fifth position or so…

As the miles went by, I was getting more and more fatigued but thanks to my two chain ring setup on my Trek Top Fuel, I managed to put some good efforts on the climbs. With two chain rings, I achieve finer steps between gears such that I can really dial-in force on the pedal in relation to the pedaling cadence.

I think I am nostalgic of the good old day, where racers were more focused on finishing the race rather than finishing at a good spot. Sometimes the lead group will ride very slow with nobody willing to ride tempo. Maybe to my demise, when that happened, I rode to front and picked up the pace….

After the river crossing, I was still in third place (Costa Rica racer Lico Ramírez and Dylan were at the front and out of sight) but I was running on fumes. The terribly steep dirt road had me on my smallest gear; I was falling apart. Brian passed me and I knew it would be impossible to match his speed.

During the last six miles of single track before the finish; I was worried I would be caught by somebody but it was me who caught back up to the Costa Rican racer. I came within thirty yards but for two miles it was impossible to close the gap. We finally arrived at the 1/4 mile of paved road before the finish. He was still thirty yards in front of me. I sprinted despite my legs absolutely not wanting to spin those cranks anymore. I made a clean pass and was only few seconds away from reaching the finish line. However, my competitor sped up and cut my path to reach the hole in the fence; the finish banner is just ten yards beyond the fence. Our handlebars came into contact. If I had been more aggressive, I would have kept going which would have probably ended up with both of us on the ground; instead, I just braked and lost my chance to finish third. However, that night I was able to drive back home and kiss my kids good night with no injuries to report.

In addition, this 4th place is much better than I anticipated; I would be satisfied with a spot somewhere between 10th and 15th. My next NUE race will be the Wilderness 101.” http://nuemtb.com/series/wilderness-101-ultra-endurance-mountainbike-race

Just three minutes separated 5th through 7th place. Ian Spivak, 7:04:29, Tomasz Golas, DRT, 7:06:24, and Ronald Catlin, RBS Cycling at 7:07:05. All of these times were faster than last year’s winning time.

USA Army Veteran Charles McDonald representing Paralyzed Veterans Racing finished his second Mohican 100 mile race to the cheers of fans and racers inspired by his effort as the only racer to finish the race with one arm. In 2014, McDonald completed the race without prosthesis, an amazing feat given the difficulty of finishing the race with both arms. This year, McDonald used a new specialized prosthesis that included a shock designed to help absorb some of the vibration. Never give up, never surrender, evidenced by Charles McDonald.

Singlespeed 

Powers to Victory

Donald Powers, Pro Bikes, took the podium following his winning finish at 7:52:44. One of just three SS racers to go sub eight on the day, Powers, finished tenth at the Cohutta 100 making him a top contender for this year’s NUE Series title.

“I had a good start and rode with fellow Pittsburgh SS’er Regis Ricketts for the first half of the race. We were first and second SS for that entire time. I had some stomach issues around mile 22 and emptied all the contents of my stomach all over my handlebars & top tube. Rege was pretty impressed that I didn’t even stop pedaling. On a climb heading towards aid station 2, I passed fellow UPMC Pro Bikes teammate Craig Cozza (he was racing the Masters 100K) and gave him a fist bump and said “let’s win our classes today”.  He agreed and held up his end of the bargain. He got into aid 2 after me but left before me and was never seen again then crushed the gravel after aid 2.

On a steep climb after aid 3, Rege and I were pushing our bikes up a hill and the third place SS’er at the time, John Haddock, came into sight so I jumped back on my bike and started to push the pace. I was able to bridge up to a geared rider that I knew, Dave Parsons, and he pulled me along to help drop my SS competition. Shortly after grabbing his wheel, I emptied the contents of my stomach once again but like the last time; I just kept on pedaling and held my geared friend’s wheel.

I managed to push through some serious leg cramps (due to the vomiting) and even a crash on the downhill towards the swinging bridge that bruised and road rashed my left leg.  Basically, I think these 100 milers come down to who is willing to suffer the most. In the end, I won by about three minutes, but raced like 2nd place was 100 yards behind me for the last 50ish miles. My next NUE race is the Wilderness 101.”

Three minutes later, John Haddock, J. A. King/Farnsworth Bicycles, crossed the line second at 7:55:47. “I wasn’t initially going to make the Mohican 100 this year but was happy when my schedule opened up and made the trip possible. This was my first Mohican and man was it awesome!

In terms of the race, I started fairly fast but dialed it back once on the double track. Due to some extensive riding the previous week, I wasn’t sure how my legs would feel. Surprisingly, I kept seeing Dahn and Rege in the initial singletrack. Keeping a steady pace, I was able to put a gap on Kip and almost catch the other two. When Dahn saw me on a switchback somewhere at Camp Mohaven before the rail trail, he gassed it. Rege flatted and I passed. I was alone most of the rail trail but managed to hook up with some geared guys shortly before Aid 4. After that I just kept moving and looking over my shoulder expecting to see Kip. I was surprised at the end to see that the top three SS finishers were only separated by about 3 minutes – pretty cool!

On another note, I was really impressed with how the local community, especially the equestrian community, rallied behind the race. I think we rode through someone’s corral at one point? That’s awesome! Also, the race provided my best experience at aid stations ever. The volunteers had my bag waiting for me when I pulled up and that really helped keep the motor running. Everything about the event was first class – the venue, the volunteers and the course. Thanks for having me up and I hope to make it back next year! My next race is the Wilderness 101.

Three minutes later, Kip Biese, KJBike Coaching/ Old Town Bike Shop, became only the third sub eight hour SS finisher, placing third at 7:58:29. “I had an okay start and was able to mark the lead SSers for the most. I got a little jammed up with traffic on the first two trail climbs, but after we cut through Mohican Adventures and got onto the long stretch of singletrack, I caught up to a group that included Donald Powers.

Unfortunately, about 20km into the race while on a fast bit of double track, I flatted and saw John Haddock pass me as I fixed it. This left me riding almost all the road sections without anyone to draft. At Aid 3 my wife had me at about thirty minutes behind Powers. The second half of the course I felt pretty strong, except on the stretch of flat bike path before Aid 4; there I briefly slipped back to 5th. I feel I finished strong and in the end was just a little over five minutes behind the winning time. Thanks for a great race.” Next up for Biese? The Bailey Hundo June 18.

Six minutes later, Trevor Grant, Bicycle Depot, took fourth at 8:04:52. Nine minutes behind Grant, Regis Ricketts captured the final podium spot at 8:13:42.

 

Masters 50+

Reglar gets his first Mohican 100 Win 

54 year old Carl Reglar, Verge Sport/Test Pilot, won his first Mohican 100 as the only Masters racer to go sub eight on the day at 7:55:27.

Two time defending Mohican 100 mile Masters winner and reigning two-time defending NUE Race Series Champion, 55 year old Roger Masse, Rare Disease Cycling, took second just six minutes back at 8:01:45. Masse also placed fourth at True Grit Epic, NUE #1, in a bid for his third straight NUE title.

“I love racing the Mohican 100, the 100 mile race that started it all. 2016 was my 7th time doing the event and in the end I was very happy with my finish time of 8 hours. I’ve never met or raced against Masters Winner Carl Reglar so I wasn’t aware there was a Masters rider in front of me… but that’s part of the mystery of racing Masters, being mixed in with all the other open men.

Apparently, Carl made the selection at the back of the front group right after the town prime and I was maybe 50 feet from making that cut… I wasn’t concerned at the time. Normally, that fact would not have mattered much since that large front group gets whittled down once riders hit single track, but in this case it mattered only in the sense that a Masters rider was able to sneak off the front that I would never see… but hey that’s racing!  Congrats to Carl. In the end the time gap was only five minutes so I hope to get another chance to race him again in 2016.”

53 year old Stan Hertsens, Muleterro, took third at 8:38:11, 56 year old Adam Linstedt fourth at 8:40:11 and Terry Blanchet, NAV – North American Velo, took fifth at 8:44:13.

A top NUE Masters contender and local racer from Belleville, David Jolin, Team Y Not Trek, just missed the podium by two minutes to finish 8:46:37. Jolin is a top contender posting a second place finish at True Grit Epic and a fourth place finish at Cohutta 100.  

Next Stop for the NUE CENTURY RACE SERIES #4 and #5: On June 18, The KENDA NUE Series features a double header with races in both Colorado and Michigan. The sold out Bailey Hundo located in Bailey, Colorado is a 100% fundraiser for Trips for Kids and the Colorado High School Cycling League. On the same day, the sold out Lumberjack 100 features a three lap all singletrack race in the Manistee Forest. For more information, visit http://nuemtb.com/

Click Here for Full Results from all Categories

Mohican 100 Results and Photos

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Full report to come…

Hundreds of racers charge off the start line and through Loudonville, Ohio, at the start of the Mohican 100. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Hundreds of racers charge off the start line and through Loudonville, Ohio, at the start of the Mohican 100. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Christian Tanguy powers through the water early on in this 100 mile challenge. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Christian Tanguy powers through the water early on in this 100 mile challenge. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Women's 100k winner Sally Price gets wet. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Women’s 100k winner Sally Price gets wet. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Linda Shin makes her way through the dense forests of Ohio on her way to a race win. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Linda Shin makes her way through the dense forests of Ohio on her way to a race win. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Mud and slippery conditions created some carnage on course. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Mud and slippery conditions created some carnage on course. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Slick conditions caused many falls during the Mohican 100 an conditions would get worse as rain started falling later in the day. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Slick conditions caused many falls during the Mohican 100 an conditions would get worse as rain started falling later in the day. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

100-mile race winner Dylan Johnson successfully navigates a long suspension bridge. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

100-mile race winner Dylan Johnson successfully navigates a long suspension bridge. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Ben Michelis hammered out the 100k event on a rigid SS coming in 10th. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Ben Michelis hammered out the 100k event on a rigid SS coming in 10th. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Dylan Johnson strikes a triumphant pose as he takes another NUE win for 2016. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Dylan Johnson strikes a triumphant pose as he takes another NUE win for 2016. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Gaps were exceptionally tight at the 2016 Mohican 100. Here Federico Ramarez crosses the line just seconds in front of Christian Tanguy. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Gaps were exceptionally tight at the 2016 Mohican 100. Here Federico Ramarez crosses the line just seconds in front of Christian Tanguy. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Ramarez just after the finish. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Ramarez just after the finish. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Gregory Jancaitis celebrates his new growler and an 11th-place finish. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Gregory Jancaitis celebrates his new growler and an 11th-place finish. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

100-mile women's podium. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

100-mile women’s podium. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

100-mile open men's podium. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

100-mile open men’s podium. Photo by: Butch Phillips Photography

Click Here for full results from all categories

Big Frog 65 – NUE Marathon Series #2

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Big Frog 65 Race Report

The inaugural Kenda NUE Marathon Race Series was added in 2016 to include 50 mile and 100k race distances held alongside existing NUE 100 mile races. This year, Cohutta Big Frog 65 is race #2 in this best four of ten race series. Marathon Race Series Winners will receive a share of a $5000 cash purse plus comped series entry for 2017, Custom Voler Champion Jerseys, along with possible travel awards, TBA.

Women’s Open Big Frog 65

Blandford gets the W

Jenna Blandford, Women´s Project Pedal p/b VO2, from Louisville, KY took the top spot by just three minutes at 5:14:32. “My teammate, Mary, actually won this race last year (came in second this year) and gave me a lot of advice on how to pace.

I made it a point to get into the single track as close to the front as possible and go hard as I could through that section. Then I dialed it down a bit for the fire roads and just kept it steady. I’m usually a strong climber and that seemed to be where I made the most ground. When I hit the last section of single track, I basically rode like my head was on fire because I really didn’t know how much of a lead I had. This was really my first “A race” of the year.”

Three minutes later, last year’s race winner, Mary Penta, Women´s Project Pedal p/b VO2, placed second at 5:17:26.

Seven minutes later, Lisa Randall, SuperSport Athletic Wear, captured third place. Randall is also the race director for the NUE Series Championship at the Fool’s Gold 100 in September.

“It was a pretty straightforward race – the girls that were 1-2 were able to get away with the lead men up the initial climb, never to be seen again.  My teammate Carey Lowery and I were both on the slow and steady approach but unfortunately for me, but it wasn’t enough to catch the leaders. I sat in third for much of the race until my teammate Carey Lowery and I ended up coming back together on the Thunder Rock descent so we rode in together for 3-4.”

Tiffany Ballew, Peachtree Bikes, from Atlanta finished 5:43:52 to round out the top five.

Men’s Open Big Frog 65

Collegiate National Champion Dillman wins!

Andrew Dillman, Think Green, took top honors with eight minutes to spare to finish 4:16:35. Dillman is the current Cyclocross Collegiate National Champion and raced on the collegiate US world team.

Michael Danish, NOXcomposites, rolled in at 4:22:45 placing second on the day. Dillman’s teammate, Ben Richardson, Think Green Toyota-V02 Multisport p/b SW, arrived nine minutes later taking third place at 4:31:15.

 

Singlespeed Big Frog 65

Litzinger wins with a comfortable margin of victory

James Litzinger, Napleton Elite Cycling pwrd by Dirty Harry’s, from Beaver Falls, PA took top honors in the SS by nearly twenty minutes finishing 4:32:16.

“Seven of us came down from Pittsburgh for the Cohutta or Big Frog race. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be ready to race after an off season knee surgery. I ended up on the naughty list because of my last minute decision to go down to the race. I’m sure glad I did. With the flowing fast single track, great climbs, amazing views, and fast descents, it was nothing short of amazing! It was super exciting to see a coyote cross the road in front of me. Everyone around the podium looked at me like I told them I saw a Sasquatch!  It was really entertaining.

The race started pretty mild up the first climb, picking up intensity the closer it got to the top. I was able to jump on the rear wheel of the last geared rider to head into the fast, flowing, and fun single track in the lead group. The geared guys were flying through the single track so I decided to let a few ambitious riders past me, in hopes of catching up to them later in the race. Before the end of the single track I was able to catch three of the geared guys on the climb before the first aid station.

I had to stop at the first aid station for some air in my back tire.  I had a few rim strikes in the earlier rock gardens. It was like a NASCAR stop, “25 in the back please!” The young man at the aid station was on it!  All of the aid stations were fast and organized!

Once on the road, I was back and forth with the three geared guys after catching back up from my air fill up. Eventually, I worked my way past them. I wasn’t sure that was a good move at the time. They can be a great asset on the roads and it’s nice to have some company.

I loved the gravel! The fast grinding climbs with the white knuckle descents made the fun race fly- by so fast! I managed to ride briefly with some geared guys on my way to the last aid station. Once I hit the last aid station, I knew that I was in a good position to rail some single track back to the finish! The trail was wide open and just as fast and fun going back to the finish! I was smiling the entire race. I’m very thankful for my family and teams support getting me ready for the race. The guys on my team and shop, Napleton Elite Cycling team powered by Dirty Harry’s know how to get you prepared for your best! I will be at Mohican! I would also like to try Wilderness 101 and Shenandoah. We are also looking into the Hampshire race.”

Peyton Randolph, Trek Store Columbus, took second at 4:51:59. “The first twenty miles of single track was dusty and loose. With the train of riders, we were eating dust for a while. I rode almost the whole day with Brad Rodgers. We had fun swapping positions. The single track was really fast and punchy with very little climbing. When we exited the single track and rode by the first aid station, I was amazed my Garmin read over 20 miles already.

The gravel roads to follow had perfect rollers especially for the single speed. The down hills were screaming fast and the climbs were long and tough. I was so glad to finally hit the last nine miles of single track full of fast flowy down hills and a few short climbs. Overall, the single track was great and the weather could not have been more perfect. I am looking forward to (OMBC) Ohio Series race at Great Seal State Park and the Mohican MTB100!”

Four minutes later, Aaron Shelmire, from Pittsburg, PA claimed third place finishing 4:55:10. Six minutes behind Shelmire, Scott Williams, Napleton Elite Cycling Team p/b Dirty Harry’s, took fourth with NUE SS contender, Ernesto Marenchin, Pivot Cycles, Twin 6, WAS Labs, from Stow, Ohio taking the five spot three minutes later at 5:04:26. Marenchin finished ninth overall in the NUE 100 mile SS Division in 2015.

 

Masters 50+ Big Frog 65

Railey rails it for the W

55 year old James Railey from Oakland, MD was first in the masters completing the course in just 5:11:13.

Thirteen minutes later, 56 year old, Jimmy Karp, from Palm Bay, FL rolled in to capture the two spot in 5:24:04. Seven minutes later, Chris Ready, VeloSports Racing Team, of Arden, NC took third finishing in 5:31:40.

50 year old Matt Rouse, from Fishers, IN took fourth at 5:40:11 with Lou Cataland, Pave Cycling, from Atlanta getting fifth in 5:43:26. Just eleven seconds back, 59 year old Brian Davis, Compass Cycling Racing Team, from Orlando, FL got the sixth spot in 5:43:37.

NEXT UP: The KENDA NUE Race Series heads deep into the backcountry of the Mohican State Forest in Ohio for the 14th Annual Mohican Mountain Bike 100k, a single loop 100k race spanning the four counties that collectively make up what has become known as Mohican Country. For more information or to register, visit www.mohican.net

Cohutta 100 – NUE #2

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Cohutta 100 Race Report

Ryan O’Dell

The KENDA (NUE) National Ultra Endurance Race Series #2, Cohutta 100 and Big Frog 65, now part of the new NUE Marathon Race Series, rolled out from  the Ocoee whitewater center near Ducktown, Tennessee, host of the 1996 Olympic whitewater competition.

The racecourse features more than 14,000 feet of vertical elevation within the Cherokee National Forest, including much of the Tanasi trail system, rated as one of the best in the state of Tennessee by singletracks.com.

Much like last year, the buzz before Saturday’s race centered on the weather forecast calling for the potential for severe thunderstorms.  However, this year would be different than last, allowing racers to enjoy dry and fast course conditions under partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the low eighties. There was even a pleasant breeze that lingered throughout the day.

Eventual race winner Carla Williams on course. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

Eventual race winner Carla Williams on course. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

NUE Century Race Series

NUE Women’s Open 100 Mile

Carla the Crusher

Carla Williams, Joe’s Bike Shop Racing Team, who placed second at Cohutta and second overall in the NUE Race Series last season, crushed the competition to finish 7:29:16, more than an hour faster than last year and nearly an hour ahead of her nearest competitor!     

“My goal from the start was to get in and out of the first singletrack section in first place. I definitely burned a few matches in the first twenty miles of the race, but once I hit the gravel roads, I got something to eat and drink and was feeling good again.

I was by myself for the first gravel miles, but eventually Bradd Cobb, who ended up winning the SS category, caught up to me and we road together for the rest of the gravel miles. We would catch other riders and ride with them for a bit until they would either get ahead or drop behind our pace. We were moving at a strong but steady clip up all the climbs and then would have a blast on the sweeping downhill turns. I had no idea what was happening with the women’s field behind me, but I knew there were a lot of strong riders and that I could be caught at any time.

We hit mile fifty under four hours and I was pretty psyched about that. I figured that even if I did get passed, I was on pace for a great time and that also motivated me on the second half of the course to keep pushing up the climbs. I was pretty tired going into the last single track but I still didn’t see any other women behind me, so I just focused in being as smooth and steady as possible and ended up finishing just under 7:30. It was a great day, great course, and great start to the NUE season!”

Mari Chandler, Team Adventure Medical Kits, rolled in at 8:24:01 to take second. Twenty five minutes later, Simona Vincenciova, Hammer Nutrition, who placed fourth last year, took third this year at 8:49:16. “Right from the start and through the first single track section Linda Shin and I stayed together. I noticed my rear tire was starting to get a slow leak and made a quick stop for air at aid station one while Linda stayed behind with a mechanical. For the next 80 miles I pushed my legs hard to stay in front of Linda but, after aid station three, I got passed by Mari.

As I dropped out of the last single track section and was just about to roll into the grass, Linda passed me and Brenda was just behind. I knew I had only one chance to make a move. Right when we entered the parking lot with about a half mile to finish, I clicked through the gears and made my final sprint and kept grinding it till the finish line. Everything played out in my favor and I came across the line ahead of both of them claiming third place. I felt pretty good for most of the race and my Hammer Nutrition was working well to keep me fueled and hydrated in the higher than normal temps.”

Thirteen seconds back, Two-time NUE defending Champion, Brenda Simril, Motor Mile Racing, took fourth in 8:49:29 on a cyclocross bike. The Simrils have completed more NUE Races than any other racer, now at 57, so why cyclocross bikes for Cohutta? Brenda Simril, “Lee and I had decided after True Grit that we were going to take a breather from the NUE series this year and just do whatever comes up and sounds like fun. So, we’re adding a lot of Pisgah races, camping with the dogs, paddling and as many last minute late season ski trips as possible!

We had no intention of doing the Cohutta 100 but were going to join in on the camping and pre-race party Friday night. Then, on Tuesday before the race, we found out that a bunch of our teammates and local riding (and Growler Enduro buddies) had signed up last minute to do the 100 on singlespeed. So…at that point I started to feel incredibly left out and since we don’t ride singlespeeds, I figured the next worst idea would be to ride it on our cross bikes. This sounded like an even better idea after a couple of beers.

We showed up thinking there was little chance of making it through the singletrack at the beginning without major mechanicals (we had 4 tubes, 4 CO2s, and a pump with us plus tires and tubes in our aid bags). We intentionally went into the singletrack at the very back of the pack so we wouldn’t hold folks up and also so we could ride very conservatively to preserve our tires.

The 100-mile women with race winner Carla Williams second from left. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

The 100-mile women with race winner Carla Williams second from left. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

Miraculously, we made it to the gravel roads with no incidents. We were tooling along the whole time having fun, even taking a beer handoff from a buddy at the half way point (first time for me in an NUE race!). It felt great going down, but by the time we got to the 20 mile to go mark, I was feeling like it was time to get on with business and get to the finish. The fun part was seeing Linda at the top of the final gravel climb then getting to race her through the last singletrack without killing myself. She’s a super stud so it was great to finish with her. Again, by some small miracle my bike held up even though I lost most of the air in my rear tire on the last section.

That was our stupid human trick for the year so maybe we’ll try to come up with something even more ridiculous for Shenandoah. Did someone say “tandem”??”

Twenty-seven seconds behind the NUE Champ, Linda Shinn, Blacksmith Cycle, came in at 8:49:29 for fifth place, getting a PR in the process.

Riders await the start to the first east coast NUE of the year. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

Riders await the start to the first east coast NUE of the year. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

 NUE Men’s Open

Dylan “The Kid” Johnson gets his first NUE victory

Dylan Johnson, Giant Co-Factory Northeast, earned his nickname “The Kid” at Cohutta five years ago. There are not many 16 year olds competing in NUE Race Series let alone having the gumption to try to run with the Big Dogs in the lead pack. That year, he crashed hard early in the race and his finish line became an unanticipated trip to the ER to receive stitches on his face. Five years later, at the age of just 21, this determined young man has earned his first NUE victory blistering the course in 6:42:00, proving that hard work and determination pays off!

“Cohutta has always been one of my favorite NUE races despite crashing my first year when I was 16. The course has a lot of gravel road which means you have to be patient and use a little road tactics.

There was a lead group of eleven of us and, most of the day, I sat in and conserved my energy. Last year I learned the hard way not to go too early when I bonked after a solo break. I waited until fifteen or so miles to go before making a move this time and three others came with me including last year’s winner, Brian Schworm, who proved to be the hardest to drop but I eventually managed to break free just before the single track. Winning an NUE has been a long time goal of mine and I’m thrilled to finally make it happen. I plan on doing Wilderness, Hampshire, Shenandoah, Fools Gold and maybe more.”

Dylan Johnson leading the way in Ducktown. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

Dylan Johnson leading the way in Ducktown. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

Brian Schworm, Think Green-VO2 Multisport p/b SWORD, second overall in the NUE Race Series last season, crossed the line less than two minutes back at 6:43:59, more than ten minutes faster than last year. “I lined up with my teammates Nathanial Cornelius and Brent Goetz for another go at this race. As many are aware, the course starts with a significant road climb to sort things out a bit before filing into the singletrack.  It’s always a gamble for how this turns out. There had been times that it was full-on up that hill and other times is was just moderately paced. This year it was the latter with the exception of Brian Toone’s jumps off the front.

There was a little chaos with racers vying for position at the top but nothing unsafe. We filed into the trail for some pristine singletrack.  Christian Tanguy was leading us up and I was sitting fourth position.  The pace was quick and not intense.  We continued in this manner until we reached the bridge crossing down near the start/finish area about 45 minutes into the race.  Following the bridge there was another significant climb but this time of the singletrack variety.  There was a bit of reshuffling but we continued on the following singletrack the same as before.

Once we reached aid station 1 about 1.5 hours into the race, we hit the gravel roads.  We knew there was approximately 65 miles of this gravel to follow.  This changed the dynamics of the race. There were 10 of us in the front group but nobody really wanted to put forth much effort to push the pace. I guess everyone was thinking it would be pointless to put forth the effort when everyone else could draft and save energy.  It was also too early for attacks; the others could easily chase down a lone leader.  Therefore, the group continued on at the slow pace. In fact, after a while, seven more riders caught the front group which swelled the group to 17.

Riders are treated to the spectacular scenery around Ducktown, Tennessee. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

Riders are treated to the spectacular scenery around Ducktown, Tennessee. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

The race continued this way for a couple hours. Gordon Wadsworth was telling jokes; others were discussing equipment, bikes, etc. There were a few efforts on some of the hills but nothing very serious yet. However, at one point Christian decided to increase the pace. He jumped on the front and led the group up a few hills. A few racers dropped off because of these efforts but still around 10 or so remained in the front.

Things got very serious when we rejoined the Big Frog 65 loop. Dylan Johnson immediately attacked and the group fell apart. I was chasing Dylan with Ian Spivack and Tomasz Golas right behind. Once we crested the climb, the four of us regrouped and worked together to keep the pace high.  This continued until we reached the last significant climb before the singletrack. Again, Dylan attacked.  It was obvious that he was riding strong and was determined to win, and this attack set him in that direction.  The others and I couldn’t hold his wheel and we were spread apart up that climb.

My only hope was to try and catch Dylan in the final 45 minutes of singletrack.  I hammered as hard as I could but never saw him again. Overall I’m happy with second place. Dylan definitely earned the win and I put everything I had on the course. My teammates finished strong as well with Nathanial taking 11th and Brent finishing 15th. We represented Think Green VO2 Multisport p/b SWORD well together with a 1st by Drew Dillman and 3rd from Ben Richardson in the Big Frog 65!”

Three minutes later, Tomasz Golas, DRT, from Bloomfield, IN took third at 6:46:33. Less than two minutes back, Ian Spivak, from Vienna, VA was fourth in 6:48:08.

The next four racers would all finish at 6:50, with just seconds separating fifth-eighth place. 6:50:46 for Scott Hoffner and Defending NUE SS Champion Gordon Wadsworth, Blue Ridge Cyclery/ Pivot Cycles/ Indust, going geared at this race following two straight SS victories at Cohutta. “After last year’s SS win and a good standing in the SS series, I decided to give my new Pivot Cycles LES geared bike a run in Open men.

The bike and body felt great but since I built the bike just this week and didn’t have really any miles on it, some micro-fatigue of working new muscles got the best of me; and rather than push my body into any sort of injury I chose to ride conservative. I also had some shifter cable stretch that sabotaged a perfectly set up 4-way sprint, taking 6th instead of 8th! Dylan Johnson is a man on fire right now and deserved to stand on the top box.

My goal is still a singlespeed victory, but racing bikes is the most energizing and exciting thing in the world to me so I always choose the bike that will give me the chance to enjoy that to the fullest.”

Two Seconds behind Wadsworth was former NUE Men’s Open Champion, Christian Tanguy, Rare Disease Cycling, at 6:50:48. Two seconds later, Heath Thumel, Race Pace Bicycles/ LRC, claimed 8th at 6:50:52.

 

Christian Tanguy is back at it taking 7th at Cohutta. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

Christian Tanguy is back at it taking 7th at Cohutta. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

NUE Singlespeed Open

Cobb on top!

By just over one minute, Brad Cobb, Motor Mile Racing, took the top spot in the Singlespeed open to finish 7:26:09. “The race started off really fast, and sudden for me. In fact, I took my helmet off for the prayer, and before I could put it back on and buckled, Charles yelled GO.  The chase up HWY64 was a normal fast start, and the field immediately spread out.

This is the first hundred miler I have done in four years (Leadville was the last time), so I knew to push hard, but save as many matches as I could.  The single track was sweet and fast, and I started picking off racers pretty quickly.  When we hit the fire road, I teamed up with geared racer, John Wiygul, and we time trialed to the third aid station.

Single speed winner Bard Cobb. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

Single speed winner Bard Cobb. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

At the turn, he spent a little too much time restocking, so I went ahead and kept pressing.  I eventually came up on Women’s leader, Carla Williams, and we climbed Big Frog and passed a lot of folks.  She was under the impression there were a couples of SS up ahead, so we both put our heads down and pushed for the next twenty miles until we came up on one of the SS.  We passed him on a downhill and were able to gap him enough so that he couldn’t catch us.

Soon thereafter, we came on what I thought was the first SS, and we used the same approach, but he was having nothing of it.  In fact, on several hills, he (I think it was James Thompson) appeared to be pulling away from me, and I kept digging and digging to stay on his wheel.  Eventually, Carla and I dropped him and couple of others and then put the hammer down.

We blew through Aid station five knowing aid six was only a few miles away.  Making the left on 221 was a very welcome sight as I have ridden this stretch many times.  As Carla and I approached, the wonderful aid station manned by the Scotts Bike Center Team, I was told I was the first single speeder to come through among hundred milers. So, with about 30 miles to go, Carla and I got back into our groove and made some pretty good time back to the single track.  When we hit Quartz, Carla was gracious enough to let me around, and knowing how close I was to the barn, I totally let loose.

Upon coming across the finish line, I was told I was the first SS doing the hundred.  I was pretty damn happy, but about five minutes later, I was told there were two single speeders that missed the 221 turn and went a few miles out of the way (and one of them was a good friend).  So, I volunteered to the race director to do whatever he thought was fair, and in the end, I remained on the top of the podium.  In my mind, there is an asterisk by the win, but it was still an amazing day to ride a mountain bike.”

Kip Biese, KJBike Coach/ Old Town Bike Shop, from Colorado Springs, was next at 7:27:32. “I was still a little over geared, but not nearly as badly as at True Grit. The start was rough; I barely got there in time riding from camp so I got a little boxed in and didn’t notice the wheels I was following hadn’t held the lead group on the road climb. I was stuck behind slower trail riders until the bridge crossing coming off Old Copper. After that I felt decent and, I believe, at Aid 1 leaving the singletrack I was second SS.

Over the course of the long gravel grind I gradually slipped back and lost motivation. I don’t know how far back I went and, like most of the lead riders, I either went off course or rode backwards on the course. My Garmin had me at almost 105 miles. Once I turned around from going the wrong way, I soon caught my wife doing the Big Frog 65 and knew I was headed the right way.

When I caught John Haddock on a dirt road climb, I realized I might still be in the hunt. After that, I picked up my tempo and picked off lots more riders (SS’ers and geared riders in both races). In the last stretch of trail I felt strong and I know I caught at least two 100mile SS’ers, maybe 3. I caught Stewart Gross just before leaving the trails and sucked his wheel until almost the finish where he had to sprint for his place. I also sprinted as a SS came from nowhere to sit my wheel, but he was actually a DQ from accidentally cutting the course.”

Two minutes later, Scott Rusinko, Nox Composites, from Chattanooga took third at 7:29:04. Two minutes behind Rusinko was James Thompson, Red Eye Velo, at 7:31:17. Two minutes later, Michael Tressler, To Live and Die in PA, rounded out the top five finishing 7:33:37.

Gordon Wadsworth applying his talents in the Open 100-mile category at Cohutta. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

Gordon Wadsworth applying his talents in the Open 100-mile category at Cohutta. Photo by Sara Kristen/SaraKristen.com

NUE Masters 50+

Clayton gets back to back wins at Cohutta!

Jeff Clayton, Georgia Neurosurgical Institute, achieved his second straight Masters victory at Cohutta, coming off a second place finish behind NUE contender Greg Golet at True Grit Epic earlier this season. Clayton finished with a commanding lead with a final time of 7:27:25, the only masters racer to go sub eight on the day.

“I was sorry and disappointed to get the news, shortly before the start that NUE defending Champion, Roger Masse, was sick and unable to attend. But, you never know (as Roger is fond of saying) if/when a new “freshman” talent will show up in Masters Class.

I did know that my new acquaintance Randy Kerr, who I met at another 100mile/100k mountain bike race called Skyway Epic a few weeks ago, would be a very formidable competitor. Randy is a super climber and it seems he prefers to crush the competition on a single speed regardless of what class he is racing. As I expected, about two thirds of the way up the pavement climb at the start, I dropped off the rather large lead group…and, as expected, Randy was in that group.  What I didn’t expect was a small chase group, including eventual women’s winner Carla Williams, to rocket by! I gave an extra effort to jump on the wheel of the last guy and he towed me back to them just as we entered the singletrack.

After passing a couple of (obviously blown up) riders, I ended up in a chain of riders behind Carla.  She held a great pace, but eventually it was time to get back on the gas and a few of us separated ourselves off of the growing chain of riders and held that all the way to the bridge across the Ocoee River. It was there that I saw Randy again (unbeknownst to him).  It seems that a rigid bike has its limitations on the rooty-rocky old Copper Road trail! I also knew that he would disappear again on the long climbs ahead, and he did.

The race settled in for me with a small group of the lead singlespeeders and a couple of us geared riders always clustered around each other, but often not riding at exactly the same pace. Such is the dynamics of long races with the need to ride within one’s own limits, both climbing and descending. I was determined to catch Randy before the last section of singletrack before the finish, so with each rider I would catch who had fallen off of the lead group, I would ask about Randy—it seemed that I was getting closer all the time, and I knew patience, good nutrition, and hydration were key to success.

80 miles into a race the ability to do simple cognitive tasks is (for me at least) quite diminished. So, even though my memory from 2015 and logic told me that I needed to turn left onto FS221 to begin the long climb toward the finish, there were no signs directing a left turn, nor did I see any blue paint arrows on the road, so I continued straight.  Besides, my drafting leech singlespeeder companions (I’d do exactly the same on a flat road!) didn’t say anything.

About five minutes later, having passed a bunch of riders going the other way, and questioning them and myself if they were outbound 100 milers or inbound 65 milers, I raised the question with my companions—they had no idea if we should have turned. We continued on hesitantly until the next road intersection (I measured it out after the race at another 2.33 miles one way) where I saw no signage for our direction of travel–so I announced I was turning around.  Of course several riders I had passed/dropped a little earlier were going the wrong way too so I shouted to them to turn around.  Lots of confusion…and I’m sure some riders originally ahead of me also missed the turn.

My hopes of catching Randy were obviously much diminished, but I soldiered on regardless.  It really helped having some of the singlespeeders  I had been racing with from very early around me (including Scott Rusinko, Kip Biese and James Thompson—all who I believe had been in the lead until the missed turn) fighting each other for position into the singletrack.  I enjoyed the singletrack and was pleased to re-pass a very fast Carla Williams.

Still going as hard as I could along the highway toward the finish, I was amazed to see the green “GO” logo that identified Randy’s jersey back. He was behind a couple of other riders and spinning like a madman.  Randy is hard of hearing, so I knew a sneak attack coming into the finish might work. As we entered the parking lot, I decided it was time and went full attack in my 34-10 gear and had a good gap. I even caught Stewart Gross who had dropped me way back on the last gravel climb. Randy did not respond and victory was mine!

However, my excitement was somewhat diminished when Randy informed me that he’d also gone off course, but didn’t finish out the prescribed course—so he DQ’d. It would have been much better to have a legitimate contest.  All in all I was happy with my race, having taken a course misadventure adjusted ~ 1 hour off my 2015 time—watch out you top open class racers.”

John Schwab, US Military Endurance Sports, placed second at 8:11:09. A little over a minute later, Stephen Lebovitz, Motor Mile Racing, finished third at 8:12:49.

David Jolin, Team Y Not Trek, who placed third at True Grit Epic behind Clayton, took fourth at 8:17:08. One minute later, Alan Miner, Banks Bike, rounded out the top five at 8:18:54.

NEXT UP: The KENDA NUE Race Series heads deep into the backcountry of the Mohican State Forest in Ohio for the 14th Annual Mohican Mountain Bike 100, a single loop 100 mile and 100k race spanning four counties. For more information or to register, visit www.mohican.net

Click Here for full results from the 2016 Cohutta 100

True Grit Epic (NUE #1) – Santa Clara, UT

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Taylor Lideen and Angela Parra Take NUE Series Opener in Santa Clara

Written by: Jen Hanks

With the 2016 National Ultra Endurance (NUE) series set to kickoff Saturday morning things were not looking good in Santa Clara, Utah. Following a dry winter in southern Utah, rain began to fall just past midnight Saturday morning, the rain came down hard for several hours. Water ran down many of the same washes the True Grit Epic would be conquering just a few hours later.

The rains finally stopped about 90 minutes before race time and just before the 100-mile competitors were about to start they received news that the course was draining quickly and the muddiest sections should be clear by the time racers would arrive.

With good news fresh in their minds the more than 100 riders entered in the 100-mile True Grit Epic left the quaint, peaceful setting of Santa Clara for the rugged desert of the True Grit.

With the roads still damp and temperatures in the 40s riders hit the road out from Santa Clara and the leaders were soon stringing the pack out behind them.

As many as 15 Costa Rican riders traveled to Utah for the first race of the NUE series. The “Tico Invasion” served to drive the pace in the early stages as did Cary Smith (The Hub), Josh Tostado (Santa Cruz), and Taylor Lideen (Pivot/92 Fifty Cyclery), who finished second, third, and fourth respectively in 2015.

When the dust settled the lead group, included the three Americans and two Coast Rican riders Luis Anderson Mejia and Jonathan Carballo, teammates on the Coopenae Extralum Economy team.

Luis Anderson Mejia and Taylor Lideen. Photo by Ryan O'Dell

Luis Anderson Mejia and Taylor Lideen. Photo by Ryan O’Dell

These five riders stayed close throughout the entire first 50-mile lap. After the halfway mark the fireworks began as the Costa Rican duo broke away. What appeared to be the most significant move of the day was rather quickly neutralized as one of the leaders suffered an untimely flat and his teammate made a wrong turn getting him off course.

This put Lideen in the driver’s seat and the Pivot rider proved more than capable of steering his way to the finish. Lideen has a unique history of racing ultra-endurance events and enduro/downhill races. The technical skills he’s acquired in his downhill pursuits served him well in conquering the tough, technical terrain of the True Grit 100.

Taylor Lideen proved untouchable for the rest of the race and crossed the line in just under 7 hours to take a very emotional victory – his first at an NUE event.

Mejia and Carballo recovered from their unfortunate turn but it cost them a chance for a race win. Mejia rolled in to the finish in second place just in front of Cary Smith.

Carballo ultimately took fourth with Josh Tostado claiming the final podium position in fifth.

The women’s race provided some South American fireworks of their own with Angela Parra (Coopenae Extralum Economy) representing the Tico squad up front.

Parra appeared to have no concerns about the long mileage or technical terrain of the day as she set off with a fast pace right from the start. She got out front early and proved formidable on the early climbing sections of the course.

Christy Olsen (Crazy Pedaler Fast Fish) limited her losses in the early going occupying the second spot on course for the entire day.

Behind the lead duo a rotating group of Liz Carrington (Pale Goat), Chase Edwards (Flagstaff Bike Revolution), and Marlee Dixon (Pivot/DNA Cycling) battled for who would occupy third spot on the podium.

Dixon opened up a lead toward the midway mark leaving the others behind on the Barrel Roll trail.

Just a few miles into lap two Carrington and Edwards got off course accompanied by several male racers. Edwards decided to backtrack to rejoin the course while Carrington searched around and after seeing some course markings returned to the course. In doing so Carrington had unwittingly cut out a significant climb and after finishing realized her mistake and was disqualified.

Despite all the action back in the pack Angela Parra continued to power her way through the course and ultimately took the win in just over 8 hours.

Angela Parra crosses the finish line. Photo by Ryan O'Dell

Angela Parra crosses the finish line. Photo by Ryan O’Dell

Christy Olsen proved up to the challenge riding steady in second and claiming a few hundred dollars for her efforts.

Marlee Dixon stayed strong for the second half of her race taking a satisfying third place after she had to DNF in 2015.

Chase Edwards’ decision to backtrack cost her some time but ultimately paid off as she claimed fourth on the day with NUE series champion Brenda Simril (Motor Mile Racing) coming home in fifth.

Of all the days racing the 100-mile singlespeed event may have been the craziest. It started early as NUE series champion Gordon Wadsworth (Pivot/Blue Ridge Cyclery) and Steven Mills powered away in the lead group.

Wadsworth flatted early on, losing serious time to Mills and the large chase group that included Mike Montalbano (Ride 4 Rescue), Kip Biese (KJ Bike Coaching), Corey Larrabee (Kuhl/Fezzarri), John Haddock (JA King), and Shannon Boffeli (Pivot/DNA Cycling).

Mills was well off the front and by the end of lap one had well over 10 minutes on the chase group who in turn had another 10 minutes on Wadsworth.

By this time the lead group had winnowed it’s way down to Montalbano, Boffeli, and Larrabee. But Wadsworth quickly spoiled the party by turning in an impressive surge of speed that saw him eat up those 10 minutes in no more than 15 miles.

The defending champ was now in second with Mills off the front and seemingly out of reach, which is when things really got out of hand.

Mills held off Wadsworth for the rest of lap two and cruised into the finish assuming he had won but he and race officials quickly discovered that he had inadvertently missed a section of the course about 10 miles from the finish. So Mills rode back out onto the circuit to complete the missed section of trail, backtracking many miles to do so.

This meant Gordon Wadsworth was now in the lead with clear sailing to the finish line. No mistakes or missed checkpoints would derail his day as he rolled into the finish taking another win at the True Grit Epic.

Corey Larrabee couldn’t hang with the race winner but stayed well clear of the other competitors to take a resounding second place on the day.

Corey Larrabee and Gordon Wadsworth congratulate each other at the finish. Photo by Ryan O'Dell

Corey Larrabee and Gordon Wadsworth congratulate each other at the finish. Photo by Ryan O’Dell

Meanwhile Mills rejoined the course on the Barrel Roll trail not far behind third place rider Shannon Boffeli. The almost-race-winner Mills had plenty of juice left in his legs to pass Boffeli and secure a third place finish despite the extra mileage.

Boffeli held on for fourth in front of North Carolina rider John Haddock.

The master’s 50+ proved to be a truly epic competition as the top spot wouldn’t be decided until a last final sprint to the finish line.

Eventual winner, Greg Golet (Team Chico), got off to a good start jumping in front of top competitors Roger Masse (Rare Disease Cycling) and Jeff Clayton (Georgia Neurosurgical Institute) early.

That is until he encountered a vicious clay bog that had claimed several riders in it’s deep, sticky goo. Golet, like other riders, diverted around the worst of the clay but confusion about some downed course markings led to him rejoining the course on a climb he had already completed.

After riding the climb for a few minutes he realized his error and backtracked again. By now he had lost several minutes and found himself chasing Clayton, Masse, and David Jolin (Stark Velo).

He caught Jolin first, followed by Masse but Jeff Clayton still stayed out front.

With just a few miles left in the 100-mile race Golet finally made contact with the leader and the two raced the last several miles wheel-to-wheel back to the finish.

As they approached the line it appeared Clayton would lead out the final sprint but he missed the turn onto the final chicane leading to the finish allowing Golet to slide through for the win.

Clayton ultimately crossed the line in second.

David Jolin overtook Roger Masse to claim third with Masse fourth. Sten Hertsens (Muleterro) took the final podium spot in fifth.

New to the NUE series for 2016 is the 50-mile classification. Several races on the NUE calendar will be offering a 50-mile option this year that will be part of the NUE overall series titles. True Grit is the first of these 50-mile events.

Since the True Grit 100 course consists of two 50-mile laps the 50 milers would simple complete one. And as the open groups left the start line it was obvious that one lap would be a fast one.

Endurance racing grandmaster Tinker Juarez (Cannondale/360Fly) and Justin Lindine (Hyperthreads) were the first to take off, getting a solid gap on the chase group until Drew Free (Kuhl) bridged up to Juarez in the technical rocks of the Zen trail.

Lindine was out of sight as Juarez sped away fro Free on the smoother trails following Zen. Another Kuhl rider, Chris Holley joined Free at this point and the teammates rode the second half of the race together but were never able to close the gap to Juraez or Lindine.

Justin Lindine was clearly the class of the field taking the win with a healthy margin of around 2 minutes. Never really being challenged for most of the day.

Juarez had no problems hanging onto second place while Chris Holley dropped his teammate on the final techy climb of the day to finish third.

Drew Free held on for fourth place with Roger Arnell (Endurance 360) finishing out the podium in fifth.

Jen Hanks and Karen Jarchow celebrate after the finish. Photo by Ryan O'Dell

Jen Hanks and Karen Jarchow celebrate after the finish. Photo by Ryan O’Dell

The women’s 50 included several strong contenders who got things going right from the start with Karen Jarchow (Topeak-Ergon) climbing away early with Jenny Smith (NoTubes) and Jen Hanks (Pivot/DNA Cycling) close behind.

Unfortunately for Smith, a fast downhill led to a flat tire and once that was fixed a malfunctioning dropper post would ultimately bring a premature end to her day.

While all this was going on Nicole Tittensor (Scott/Reynolds) moved into the second spot ahead of Hanks.

Once out front though Jarchow could not be stopped. Karen made several trips to St. George this winter to dial in the most challenging sections of the True Grit course and it showed. The Ergon rider breezed through the drops and slickrock on Zen and charged through the remaining miles of the lap taking a well-deserved win.

Nicole Tittensor finished second followed by Jen Hanks.

KC Holley (Kuhl) and Isnaraissa Moir (Juliana/MRP) took the final podium spots in fourth and fifth respectively.

Whether completing the 50 or 100 mile race the True Grit Epic again proved to be every bit the long, tough, and technical challenge it is advertised to be.

Next the NUE series heads east for the Cohutta 100 in Tennessee on April 30th. Be sure to follow MTB Race News for full reports and results from Cohutta and all the 2016 NUE series.

Click here for full results from 2016 True Grit Epic

NUE Announces ’16 Schedule & New Marathon Series

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NUE celebrates a decade of NUE CENTURY Racing and Introduces a NUE Marathon Race Series for 2016

 

The 10th Annual KENDA National Ultra Endurance (NUE) Series www.nuemtb.com announced the 2016 schedule this week, including the addition of a new NUE Marathon Race Series, complementing the NUE CENTURY Race Series Schedule.

“On behalf of The NUE Race Series, I would like to thank all of our sponsors, many who have been with us for up to a decade now, for believing in our vision and supporting NUE. We are proud to promote our title sponsor, KENDA Tires and the following supporters who have made NUE Possible including Hammer Nutrition, Velocity Wheels, Sigma Sport of Germany, Darn Tough Socks of Vermont, and KMC Chain. Thanks to our newest sponsors, Lauf Forks, Voler, Squirt Lube, and former NUE Champion, Chris Eatough Coaching, providing training plans for all NUE Racers, many tailored to specific NUE race courses based on his success with NUE.

Born in 2006, the Kenda NUE Series began with just six races growing over the last decade to include thirteen races held within thirteen different states. For the first time, in 2015, NUE made the leap to the International stage by introducing the Rincon de La Vieja Challenge, held in Costa Rica, as its first Latin American venue. Race attendance doubled this year.

Rincon Race Director, Juan Carlos, “…The Rincon de La Vieja Challenge 100MTB race has gathered momentum being the first 100 miler of Latin America. It is truly a giant step forward to become part of the NUE (National Ultra Endurance) Race Series. We are honored and thankful for the opportunity and look forward to growing with the NUE, helping the NUE grow and promoting this wonderful sport of endurance MTB cycling internationally.”

“The NUE Race Series would like to welcome the many racers who compete in our shorter distance races held alongside NUE CENTURY events. For the first time, Marathon distance racers will be offered NUE Series Points and national Rewards and recognition within The NUE Marathon specific race series. Racers have been increasingly requesting the inclusion of 50-100k distance races and NUE has responded with a best four of ten race schedule.” Ryan O’Dell, NUE Race Series Director

For 2016, The NUE Race Series will introduce the new “NUE Marathon Race Series schedule”, complementing the larger “NUE CENTURY Race Series”.  For its inaugural year, The NUE Marathon Race Series will be made up of ten well known races held at existing NUE venues. Distances will vary ranging from 50-100k. Like the NUE CENTURY Race Series, the NUE MARATHON Race Series will be governed by the same rules and will require the same number of races (BEST 4) to become eligible for series awards and recognition. It is important to note that these are two separate race series. Points will not transfer between the Century and Marathon Race Series.

To claim the NUE Race Series Century title, racers best four finishes will count. NUE requires a minimum of four races to receive a national ranking. ALL racers who complete four of the NUE 100 Mile distance races will receive a national ranking and qualify for series awards, including a share of a minimum $12,000 cash purse, Custom Voler NUE Champion Jersey or discounted NUE Finisher Jersey plus prize packages for virtually ALL NUE Race Series finishers.

Additional Travel awards for NUE Division leaders and/or Champions, including The LaRuta de los Conquistadores, will be announced publicly soon.

To claim the NUE Race Series Marathon title, racers best four finishes will count. NUE requires a minimum of four of the listed Marathon Series races to receive a national ranking. ALL racers who complete four races will receive a national ranking and qualify for series awards, including a share of a minimum $5,000 cash purse or prize packages for virtually every NUE Race Series finisher.

All ties will be broken at the Fool’s Gold 50 and 100 in Georgia on September 17, the final race of the season in Georgia on September 17, the final race of the season. An attractive feature of the NUE Series is that there is NO LICENSE REQUIRED in order to participate. Everyone is welcome to compete on a level playing field alongside top Pro’s. ALL finishing racers receive a score based on their race finishes with a “lowest points wins” formula. The best possible score is 4.

Despite the addition of eight new venues since 2006, nearly ALL NUE Race Series events sold out again last year, some within mere minutes.  The NUE Race Series presents racers with a balanced schedule, east and west, with seven races in the east, six races in the west, plus Central America. Costa Rica is now served by Southwest Airlines making airfare to San Jose and Liberia as affordable as traveling across the US.

NUE is currently soliciting the support of additional partners to promote products and services that racers can use. Potential sponsors can receive more information by contacting Ryan O’Dell at nolimit@mohican.net

2016 NUE Century Race Series

Race                                                             Date                                           Location                                 

  1. True Grit Epic                                   March 12                             St. George, UT
  2. Cohutta 100                                    April 30                                Ducktown, TN
  3. Mohican MTB100                           June 4                                  Loudonville, OH
  4. Bailey HUNDO                                June 18                                Bailey, CO
  5. Lumberjack 100                             June 18                                 Wellston, MI
  6. Tatanka 100                                   July 9                                     Sturgis, SD
  7. High Cascades 100                       July 16                                   Bend, OR
  8. Wilderness 101                             July 23                                   State College, PA
  9. Big Bear Grizzly 100                     July 30                                   Big Bear Lake, CA
  10. Pierre’s Hole 100                          August 6                                Alta, WY
  11. Rincon Challenge                         August 20                              Liberia, Costa Rica
  12. Hampshire 100                            August   21                            Greenfield, NH
  13. Shenandoah 100                         September 4                          Harrisonburg, VA
  14. Fool’s Gold 100                           September 17                        Dahlonega, GA

2016 NUE Marathon Race Series

Race                                                             Date                                           Location                                 

  1. True Grit Epic 50                                March 12                              St. George, UT
  2. Cohutta Big Frog 65                          April 30                                 Ducktown, TN
  3. Mohican MTB100K                           June 4                                   Loudonville, OH
  4. HUNDitO 50                                     June 18                                 Bailey, CO
  5. Tatanka 50k                                      July 9                                    Sturgis, SD
  6. Grizzly 75K                                       July 30                                  Big Bear Lake, CA
  7. Pierre’s Hole 100k                             August 6                               Alta, WY
  8. Rincon Challenge 100k                     August 20                             Liberia, Costa Rica
  9. Hampshire 100k                               August   21                           Greenfield, NH
  10. Fool’s Gold 50                                  September 17                       Dahlonega, GA

 

Below is a brief on what is new for each of the fourteen races on tap for 2016

The 2016 NUE Series will roll out on March 12 in the southwest at the True Grit Epic and True Grit Epic 50 in St. George, Utah.  According to Race Director Cimarron Chacon, “The True Grit Epic is long, tough, and technical. The first twenty miles are along rocky and steep terrain that requires excellent bike handling skills and upper body strength. This course is a roller coaster of desert riding with over 70% of the 89 miles on single track and slightly over 13,000 feet of elevation gain.

From southern Utah, the NUE Series heads southeast near Ducktown, Tennessee for the Cohutta 100 and Cohutta Big Frog 65 on April 30. According to race director Charles Nelson, “For 2016, the Cohutta 100 takes on a fresh route, drawing up the southern end of the course that went into Georgia and displacing it west across more of Tennessee’s Cherokee National Forest and the Ocoee region.  Staging for the race takes place along the banks of the beautiful Ocoee River — site for the 1996 Olympic White Water Events.  Our 100 miles of race course traverses the mountain terrain by world class single track and fire roads. Our single track is fast and flowing, but can get tight and technical in spots. Our fire roads are demanding but rewarding with long ascents, fast descents, and spectacular mountain views.

Out of the gate the race makes about a 3 mile climb on pavement up highway 64.  This warm-up serves as a good field displacer and pole position before entering into the fast and flowy single track for the next 20 miles. Next is an out-and-back trip on beautiful mountain fire-roads.  Road texture alternates between hard-pack gravel and smooth moist dirt.  Expect tenacious climbs (over 12,000 ft of elevation gain overall), hundreds of curves, and peaceful mountain streams.  Upon return, racers will re-enter the single track for about 9 final miles of the best trails in these mountains.

The weather in Southeastern Tennessee in late April ranges in expression.   Expect a chilly morning for sure on race day, but a quick warming up in the early miles.  8 Aid Stations provide supplemental support throughout the course and a delicious meal and coveted “Finisher” mug await at the Finish Line.”

Next up is the 15th Annual Mohican 100 and Mohican 100k on June 4, the largest attended NUE Race where racers compete for a $10,000 cash purse, the highest single day cash award in the NUE Race Series. Like the Leadville 100, Mohican features a downtown start in Loudonville leading racers up a long climb for a $200 prime. From there the course covers several miles of double track before treating racers to Ohio’s top ranked pristine, flowing single track within the 5000 acre Mohican State Forest along a single loop spanning all four counties that make up what is known as “Mohican Country”. Due to tremendous growth, The Mohican 100 mile and 100k imposed a limit of 700 racers beginning in 2015. This race may sell out quickly so it is recommended to register soon. 100 Mile Race finishers receive a custom Mohican finisher growler to be filled and refilled with a truckload of microbrew provided by Great Lakes Brewing of Cleveland.

From the Buckeye State toward Michigan and Colorado! The NUE Series will feature two great races, east and west on June 18. The Bailey Hundo and Bailey HunDitO 50 in Colorado, is a not-for-profit event invented by a Colorado State Senator benefiting youth biking initiatives in Colorado including Trips For Kids Denver/Boulder, which offers mountain biking opportunities to underserved youth, changing lives “two wheels at a time”, the Colorado High School Cycling League, a new resource for high school students around the state to be exposed to the world of mountain bike racing. Bailey also continues to support the advocacy and trail building work of the Colorado Mountain Biking Association as it builds new trails in the Platte Canyon area that both serve the local community’s recreation needs and is developing Bailey into a mountain biking destination.

Starting from the heart of Bailey, the race features over 45 miles of single track as it winds from Bailey through the Buffalo Creek Trail system and along the Colorado Trail to the South Platte then on to Deckers up Stony Creek Pass to Wellington Lake, and, finally, finishing to a fabulous new festival-like finish area in a private meadow by the river.

One the same day, many racers will be heading into the Great Lakes State of Michigan for the Lumberjack 100 on June 18. Located deep within the Manistee forest in Wellston, Michigan, The Lumberjack will cap off the spring portion of the series.  If you like fast flowing, mostly non-technical single track, and Founders Brewing, this is your race. Perhaps that is why this event always sells out early, so don’t miss your opportunity to register.

As summer arrives, The NUE Race Series returns, to the Black Hills of Sturgis, South Dakota July 9 for the Tatanka 100 and Tatanka 50k. The Tatanka 100 is NUE’s first and only point-to-point race beginning beneath Iconic Mount Rushmore and finishing in Sturgis! From the shrine of democracy to the city of riders, racers will test their mettle as they navigate South Dakotas famous Centennial Trail. The Tatanka 50k will retain many of the same challenges albeit over a shorter distance that now offers NUE Marathon Race Series points.

One week later, think Big Foot and Volcano’s as Mudslinger Events hosts The High Cascades 100 in Bend returning for its eighth year to represent the state of Oregon on July 16. The Trails around Mt. Bachelor are truly epic and racers are treated to quality craft brews from Deschutes Brewing. With just 300 spots available, racers are encouraged to register as soon as possible.

On July 23, The Wilderness 101, headed by Chris Scott, is located in the Rothrock and Bald Eagle State Forests just outside of State College, Pennsylvania, home of the Penn State Nittany Lions. If you enjoy technical backcountry single track and hair raising downhill thrills, nothing rocks quite like PA! W101 was one of just six races included in the inaugural NUE Race Series.

On July 30, NUE moves to the west coast Big Bear Grizzly 100 and Grizzly 75k in Big Bear Lake, California. Directed by Derek Hermon, racer’s familiar with the 100k Grand Fondo course will be treated to an extended portion of trail along a ridgeline with amazing views. Big Bear has attracted racers from five countries and eleven states!

The final five races will occur within a month-long period, which could, as usual, create chaos in the series standings before the final tie breaking event.

First up are the 8th Annual Pierre’s Hole 100 and Pierre’s Hole 100k located near Alta, Wyoming, on a new date, one week earlier than last season, August 6. “Pierre’s Hole, a mountain valley tucked up to the Wyoming border on the western side of the Tetons, was once known as the strategic center for fur trade in the Northern Rockies. Today it is known as the strategic gathering place to ski unfathomable deep powder and ride some of the best unknown single track in the nation.

According to race director Andy Williams, “The Pierre’s Hole 100 and Pierre’s Hole 100k at Grand Targhee Resort  new course layout adds even more new single track without the nasty climb down to the ranch from the early years of the race that many old timers may recall. The 2016 course will take racers through fields of wild flowers, aspen trees and old growth forest right in the shadows of the Tetons.”​ The “Grand Loop” which is all a part of the Pierre’s race course was recently named as an IMBA Epic trail!”

On August 20 The NUE Race Series goes Latin to beautiful Liberia, Costa Rica with the Fourth Annual Rincon Challenge and Rincon Challenge 100k, a 100 mile and 100k loop around a volcano that features both jungle and desert conditions. Now served by Southwest Airlines as of November 1, Travel to Costa Rica has become much more affordable with airline pricing about the same as a ticket from the east to the west coast in the US. Enjoy Costa Rican cuisine and hospitality competing alongside local Tico’s and fellow mountain bike racers from all over the world.

The very next day, NUE heads from the Caribbean northeast to New England for the 10th Annual Hampshire 100 and Hampshire 100k, located in Greenfield, New Hampshire scheduled for Sunday, August 21. In 2015, significant changes to the course layout were made in an effort to become more inclusive of those endurance riders new to the discipline and unfamiliar with the rocky terrain in New Hampshire. However, all competitors will still need to embrace their adventurous spirit as they travel over the varied terrain that New Hampshire can dish out.

On September 4 over Labor Day Weekend in the USA, The Shenandoah Mountain 100 in Harrisonburg, Virginia, will send up to 650 racers into the George Washington National Forest. Shenandoah is the grand-daddy of them all, and the largest strictly 100 mile race in the NUE Race Series! Shenandoah not only has a great reputation for amazing trails but is also well known for the outstanding support of volunteers and aid stations that many racers would agree sets the bar for excellence.

The final NUE race will break all ties on September 17.  The NUE Series Championship race returns to Georgia for The Fool’s Gold 100 and The Fool’s Gold 50, aptly named after the first American Gold Rush that occurred near the town of Dahlonega, well before the California Gold Rush began. This final NUE Race breaks all ties and, as a result,  will determine  the new Champions of the 10th Annual NUE CENTURY Race Series and the first ever NUE MARATHON Race Series.

According to Race Director, Lisa Randall, “Nestled in the Chattahoochee National Forest, the Fools Gold 50 and 100 course features a challenging but fast course up long gravel road climbs, rolling ridgelines, and buff, flowy singletrack descents.  Many of the singletrack sections of trail have been recently reconstructed to improve trail flow.  The climbs are rewarded with wooded mountain views and high speed roller-coaster descents.  Well stocked aid stations are located every 10-15 miles to ensure racers stay well fueled and well-motivated.  Cooler September temperatures and the beautiful Montaluce Winery provides a stunning backdrop for the NUE season finale and the after party, where riders can enjoy local brew in their finisher chalice as well as a filling fajita and nacho bar.”

The NUE series schedule is tentative and subject to change as race organizers are still in the usual process of procuring forest service permits and other logistical race planning details. Stay tuned here for upcoming information about NUE Series Sponsors, Prize Money, and other race details. www.nuemtb.com

Hampshire 100

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Keck Baker and Carla Williams Win a Brutal Hampshire 100

Written by: Karen Potter

The 9th annual Hampshire 100 was supposed to be a “kinder”, “gentler” version than the prior year’s sufferfest at which race winner Jeremiah Bishop took roughly an hour longer to race the 100-mile course than the 2013 version.  To appease the grumblings about the 2014 course, race directors opted for a 33-mile lap format for the ’15 version – offering a 50k, 100k and a 100 miler NUE series race.

The new lap consisted of more technical singletrack and was leaving out some of the brutally rough power line climbs and washed out jeep roads. Most importantly the new course avoided vast sections of trail that crossed freshly logged terrain rendering them essentially unrideable.  The goal was to have the race take less time than last year, but that proved much different on race day with finishing times taking longer.

Despite the longer duration, the majority of the racers felt this year’s course was certainly much more fun.  The trails that were added, albeit still really hard, were much more enjoyable than previous editions.  The additional singletrack was really fun to most riders but rain the night before made the unending roots and rocks a greasy, slippery mess to ride and thus slowed down the anticipated lap times.

An unfortunate issue popped up this year that has not been a problem in the past. A poorly marked turn on a fast section that roughly 30+ racers missed before it was taped off.  The unfortunate thing about the missed turn was that it still lead racers back onto the course so there was no knowledge of having missed a turn until it was far too late to correct it.  Having a difficult call to make, the race director stuck to the rules of disqualifying those racers having gone off course and placing their finish times on a separate “administrative placement list.”  In appeasement, those having gone off course at that turn have been given a free entry into next year’s event.

The Hampshire 100 is definitely a ‘hard core’ race.  Many of the NUE series racers will agree that this is the hardest race of the series.  The elite men finished just shy of 9 hours and the elite woman winner finished in 11’40”.

Despite the toughness of this race, many will be back for more punishment next year.  Although, the race director promises for a ‘kinder’ shorter time duration next year…. stay tuned.

Here’s a simple summary of just how difficult this race is:  100 miler finishers: 39; 100k finshers 102; DNF: 77; 50k finishers 78; Admin/Disqualified off course:  27.

Click Here for full results from all categories

Click Here for video coverage from DirtWireTV

Pierre’s Hole 100

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Josh Tostado and Christy Olsen Win Pierre’s Hole 100

Presented by Hammer Nutrition

By Ryan O’Dell

With lift service and high end rentals available for both XC and DH riding along miles of pristine singletrack, Grand Targhee Resort has become a cool mountain destination resort for mountain bikers. This is the time of year when the wildflowers are in full bloom and waist high in many places along the singletrack. Thunderstorms the night before presented brilliant displays of lightning and rain overnight made the race course slick in some areas on the first lap before drying out.

The Seventh Annual Pierre’s Hole 100 newly designed race course added two more miles of singletrack featuring long, fun descents showcasing jaw dropping views of the Tetons and surrounding mountains. Over the last few years, miles of new singletrack have been added, eliminating the long service road climb from town and reducing the number of laps to just three for the 100 mile race, two for the 50 mile and one for the 50k race.

Women’s Open

Olsen gets her first NUE win at PH100!

Three years ago, Christy Olsen, Fat Fish Racing, attempted her first 100 mile race at Pierre’s Hole describing her effort as “failed miserably”. This year, Olsen finished 9:22:27, more than a half hour ahead of her nearest competitor, including two NUE Race Series Champions.

“My main goal going into the Pierre’s Hole race this year was to ride fast enough to earn the belt buckle. It was a race for redemption for me from three years ago when I attempted my first 100 miler at Pierre’s Hole and failed miserably. It was quite literally the worst athletic experience of my life. I chose Pierre’s Hole because it was the only one in Wyoming and I wanted to support Wyoming races. I had done a few fifty mile races previously and wanted to check a 100 miler off the list.

At the race three years ago, I was struggling with a neuroma in my left foot in the weeks leading up to the race, but thought it would be doable. I was wrong. About twenty miles in it flared up and made pedaling excruciating. It was a four lap format that year and every time I came though the start/finish area I told myself I was just going to DNF because I couldn’t pedal with any power and I was basically pedaling with my right leg. My left foot felt like I had a knife jabbing into the bottom of it but my husband and two teenage kids were there at the aid station just past the start/finish area each lap and I just couldn’t get myself to quit. I did not want my kids to see their mother quit so I continued on and finished with a horrendous time, but my kids didn’t understand that. They thought I was amazing, so I guess it was worth it to just finish and set an example for them. However, I was personally embarrassed and humiliated. I overheard someone talking to Amanda Carey (the winner) after the race asking her about the competition and how there was basically no competition for her that year in the women’s field and that made me feel even more like a complete failure.

At that point I felt like I shouldn’t waste any more money on biking. I apologized to my husband for wasting money on bikes, parts, race fees, etc. so we could spend that money going on vacations with the kids.  I had already signed up for and paid to do the Dakota 50 which was in three weeks so I knew I had to do that before I gave up biking. I received cortisone shot in my foot to ease my neuroma pain the next week and was able to finish the 50 with no foot pain and first place for the women which made me feel a little better about biking. I didn’t want to quit anymore at least. So I stayed with it, racing in shorter races around the region, avoiding Pierre’s Hole the next summer.

That sour feeling about that experience in the 2012 Pierre’s Hole would not leave me though. I knew I had to go back. Last year I saw that they changed the format to a 50k, 100k, and 100 mile. So I decided I would try the race again, but only do the 100k. I had a great experience, felt good and won the women’s division. At that point I knew I was coming back for the 100 miler which led me to yesterday’s race. I was really nervous and came with several friends from Casper who were all doing the 50k. They were a great support to me.

I didn’t want my family to come this time because I just didn’t know how or if I was going to finish and I didn’t want to disappoint them. Like I said, my goal was to earn that belt buckle, but I also wanted to be a competitor in the women’s field. I didn’t know much about the other women in the field except that Amanda Carey has always won the race so my strategy was to try and hang with her for as long as I could.

Once we started the race and got into the thirty minute climb I thought I had passed all of the women before the switch backs, but I was not sure. So I just focused on the riders around me and tried not to make any mistakes. The scenery in this race is majestic so I did try to take that in as we started the 38 Special descent but trying to focus on every switch back did make it hard to fully enjoy the view of the Grand Tetons.

When I made it to the first aid station they told me I was the first female to come through. It was still early into the race, but that gave me a boost. From that point on, I just tried to break the course into smaller chunks or sections in my mind and I would mentally check them off as I made it through them. This seemed to make it easier for me to push myself throughout the race. I never knew what kind of lead I had, if any, during the race. I did try to calculate whether I was going to get the belt buckle based on my lap times. That helped motivate me as well. I knew I could do it after my first lap time so I did not want to let up.

The course was very challenging with a lot of tough ascents that you had to grind your way up, but were rewarded with some sweet, fun single track descents that gave your legs some relief and much needed recovery. Originally, I wasn’t going to stop at any of the aid stations because I had a big camelback full of water and extra water bottles with my electrolytes stocked at the start/finish area but, after the first lap, I realized I did not want to lug that camelback up those hills anymore and just carried a water bottle.

The volunteers at the aid stations were quick and totally awesome at getting me a new, full bottle and gels without losing any time. This made my second and third laps much more enjoyable. When I finally crossed the finish line at 9 hours and 22 minutes, I felt such relief. I had ridden fast enough to get the coveted belt buckle, my #1 goal, and I had proven myself as worthy competition in the women’s field. I won’t ever forget my 2012 Pierre’s Hole race experience, but I can now let those feelings of humiliation go. I thoroughly enjoyed the free dinner and beers after all day in the saddle. The race organizers do an outstanding job of putting this race together. The course, the aid stations, and the after party couldn’t have been better.”

With three NUE Series wins under her belt, defending NUE Champion Brenda Simril, Motor Mile Racing, leads the NUE Series. She finished second on Saturday at 10:00:57 nearly blowing up on lap three in her attempt to catch race leader, Olsen. Simril was gradually gaining on the leader and within seven minutes heading into lap three. It was here, at Grand Targhee, just two years ago that Simril garnered her first ever NUE win following many years of competing in the NUE Series. Since then, Simril has been on an upward climb and is now just three races away from earning her second straight NUE Series title.

Local favorite and 2010-2011 NUE Champion, Amanda Carey, Luca Sunscreen/Grand Targhee, from nearby Victor, Idaho placed third finishing 10:13:18. During the race, Carey and at least one other racer reported seeing a black bear. Carey is currently ranked second overall in the NUE Series standings that include her win at the Cohutta 100. Since then, Carey has been recovering from a bicycle crash suffering from broken ribs and an injured wrist. Pierre’s Hole marked her first race back although she is admittedly not completely recovered.

Moving on from her successful career as a Pro level mountain bike racer, Carey now works as the Teton Trails Director, raising $30,000 and heading up the AJ Linnell Memorial trail building day in Victor on Sunday where a record 130 volunteers showed up to construct 700 vertical feet of trail connecting the town of Victor, Idaho to BLM lands on the Wyoming border. Carey plans to take up the mantle from city councilman and NUE SS contender, AJ Linnell, to realize his vision for an urban trail in Victor by leading the effort to build 12-13 miles of trail on BLM lands that will be accessible from this new trail on private property located at the edge of town.

Race winner Josh Tostado (right) and Jamie Lamb at the finish - Photo by Ryan O'Dell

Race winner Josh Tostado (right) and Jamie Lamb at the finish – Photo by Ryan O’Dell

Men’s Open

Tostado posts his first NUE win at Targhee!

Following three straight second place NUE finishes this year and a second place finish last year at Pierrie’s Hole, Josh Tostado, Santa Cruz/Swiftwick, found redemption posting his first win in just 8:14:16. His win also propelled him, for the first time, to the top of the NUE Race Series standings.

Jamie Lamb, Bicisport Calgary, winner of the Tatanka 100 earlier this season, rolled in six minutes later to take second at 8:20:28. “”As expected, given the profile, the course dictated a high pace straight off the uphill start line. Roughly one third of the way up, I came off Tostado, Smith, and Sweetser, and had to rush into damage control on the then-wet 38 Special descent. I made contact by the base but didn’t find my climbing legs on the way down, being relegated to no man’s land on the road climb. I then decided to ride the climbs conservatively and hit the descents and singletrack hard, hoping I could keep the gap manageable should anyone find their legs fading more quickly than mine.

I caught Sam on the end of the road climb on the second lap and we rode together until the descending started, where I started putting some time on him. There was no catching Tostado, however, it was all I could do to hold the burn rate at 3min/lap. I also have to give major props to Cary, he found my drop bag at Aid #1 and, having never met me, gave me bottle hand-offs like we were old bros, great guy and total shame about his crash.”

Five minutes behind Lamb, Sam Sweetser, Cole Sport, finished third at 8:25:44. “As always, PH100 served up amazing trails and the perfect conditions with some pre-race precipitation. Like most endurance races in the west, Josh jumped to the front and along with Cary and me, we established a gap over the rest of the field on the first climb. The three of us worked well together trading off time on the front through most of the first lap.

After entering Rick’s Basin, Cary got sideways on of the greasy switch backs and Josh and I got around him. We found out later that, moments after that, he put it down, broke his shifter and had to drop out. This left Josh and I along out front with the goal of keeping ourselves upright on the sometimes greasy single track. Josh and I came through the first lap together but he was a bit faster through the aid station and opened up a small gap that I was unable to close.

As the lap progressed, the gap continued to open. Jamie ended up catching me after the road climb on the second lap and quickly put some time into me. As the day progressed, trail conditions only improved from slightly greasy to amazingly tacky, which allowed for some unbelievably fun and fast descending. PH has by far some of the most fun descents of any race out there. Overall, this race only continues to improve and I cannot wait to head back next year to see what amazing single track they are going to add.”

Two-time winner of the Pierre’s Hole 100, 2013 and 2014, Cary Smith, The Hub Bikes/Enve/Gu, was the local favorite from nearby Jackson, WY heading into Saturday’s race. “Josh Tostado, Sam Sweetser and I opened an early gap on the long first climb and stayed together for almost the first two hours, with Jamie Lamb sitting dangerously close a couple minutes back. We were swapping leads, with Josh seeming the strongest early on. I took the lead going into Rick’s Basin, where the evidence of Friday night’s rain was very present with unpredictable muddy spots. One of these caught me off guard and I blew a turn, almost causing a chain reaction. I jumped back on behind Josh and Sam, but crashed again a couple minutes later when I lost the front end. I went down pretty hard, slamming into the steep bank where the trail had been cut. After a quick body check I hopped on my bike but found my shifter dangling uselessly below my handlebar. I tried to rig something but I was going to be stuck in my tallest gear for the rest of the day. So, I called it a day and spent the afternoon supporting the three leaders and watching the race unfold without me.”

sspodium copy

Singlespeed

Larrabee gets a commanding win!

Corey Larrabee, Kuhl/Fezzari, had a twenty minute lead as he crossed the finish line at 8:24:53. “For Pierres Hole 100 I was running a 32×20. The race started out with Cary Smith, Josh and Sam forming a group up the climb with Cole Anderson, myself and one other guy forming a second group back. Toward the top of the first big climb, Cole bridged up to the lead group and I stuck with my plan to ride with the second group. I caught up to Cole on the 38 special descent and Jamie Lamb passed us both a few minutes later. I gapped Cole on the descent to aid 1 and rode the road section up to the resort.

At the top of the road, Cole and another SS rider along with two geared riders passed me going back onto the single track. I was happy to let them lead for a bit. Just before aid two, I had to stop and pee (the first of three on my first lap) and was left for a few minutes by the group. I caught back up but again I had to pee. Again, Cole gained some time but it was still early and I was ok with the gap. I caught back up to Cole just before the lap and we basically went through together. I stopped at aid three and refueled as Cole led out on the second lap. Just a few minutes into the lap Cole bobbled on some rocks, I went around him. I increased my speed a bit to see if he would follow and caught up to the geared riders in front of us. I rode the rest of the lap by myself, tried to push the climbs and enjoy the beautiful scenery on the descents. I was in awe at the perfectly built switch backs.
When I went through the start finish, someone said Sam was five minutes up. I was not feeling very good and was happy to just climb as hard as my body would allow and descend as fast and smooth as I dared. Toward the top of the climb I could see Sam two or three switch backs ahead. Being from the Salt Lake area, Sam and I have raced together quite a few times so we yelled back and forth to each other. On the 38 special descent, Sam disappeared on his full suspension bike and I thought I would never see him again but right before the aid station, I saw him pedaling away up the road. I did my best to push as hard as I could and caught up to him at the top. We rode together and I jokingly asked if he wanted to trade bikes.

Both of us were not feeling great, at this point, I had thrown up four or five times. Sam stopped at aid two and I rolled through hoping to get done. On the super steep climb after the flyover, I pushed as hard as I could and was seeing stars for quite a while afterward but then simply tried to enjoy the wild flowers and good thoughts of my friend AJ Linnell. We had ridden against each other a number of times at the Park City Point to Point and other races around the Salt Lake area. After battling back and forth at Point to Point last year, AJ invited me up to race the Pierre’s Hole 100 on his home trails.

Pierre’s hole has been on my race calendar since just after Park City Point to Point. His tragic death really shook me and my family and I knew that, although AJ would not be at the race, I needed to be there to honor him. I finished the race with only one thought “ride like AJ.”
It was a great race with amazing scenery and support. I was happy with how I was able to stay motivated to race although I was alone for most of the race.”

Twenty minutes later, Quinten Bingham, Roosters/Bikers Edge, placed second at 8:44:11.

Three minutes behind Bigham, Cole Anderson from Salt Lake City, UT placed third at 8:47:55. “Soul sucking climbs, warp speed descents and flowy singletrack, this race has it all. Sadly missing from this year’s race though was single speeding legend AJ Linell, but his spiritual presence was definitely there in full force, with many riders racing in his honor.

The previous night’s deluge made for a greasy first lap, which was spent riding with Corey and a couple of geared riders. I knew Corey and Quin would be riding really strong as they are usually on the Park City P2P SS podium every year. A few miles into the second lap, Corey took off on the Peaked climb, singing as he passed, and eventually finishing over 20 minutes ahead of me. Riding outside a reasonable pace on the first lap, the stupid 34×19 ratio, and the fully rigid setup made for very painful second and third laps. Although, repeating AJ’s “HTFU” (Harden the F*** Up) mantra to myself, I was able to endure the pain and actually have fun riding through the fast rolling Rick’s Basin loop. In the last lap, Quin eventually passed me on the .38 Special descent, where I ultimately finished in 3rd a few minutes back.  Overall, Andy and the crew put on another amazing race. I am definitely looking forward to next year!”

At the awards ceremony, SS podium finishers honored the two time winner of the Pierre’s Hole 100, AJ Linnell, Fitzgerald’s Bicycles/Pivot Cycles/American Classic, with all finishers wearing his jersey on the podium.

Masters 50+ winner Greg Golet - Photo by Ryan O'Dell

Masters 50+ winner Greg Golet – Photo by Ryan O’Dell

Masters 50+

Golet gets his second win in the NUE Series this year!

Greg Golet, Team Chico, following his first win at the NUE Bailey Hundo earlier this season, crushed the master’s field by more than twenty minutes to finish 9:10:36. As a result, Golet is now ranked second overall in the NUE point series behind defending NUE Champion, Roger Masse.

“This was my fourth NUE race, and my favorite course to date and I wasn’t planning to go, mostly because it’s a long way to travel, but also because it was looking really grim for competing for the NUE overall title win having come up a few minutes short at High Cascades a month ago. But after a super fun Downieville race that I went to mostly for the chance to hang with some friends that I haven’t seen much lately, my wife said ” You’ve gotta go to Pierre’s Hole!” I guess she liked seeing how happy I was after that day (or wanted me out of town?). In any case, within ten minutes, I had booked a flight! I’m super thankful to Debbie for her support. Also thanks to Cole who let me hide in the back of his truck the night before this race so I didn’t have to field test my 20 year-old bevy when the drenching thunderstorm moved in.

The Pierre’s Hole course offered spectacular riding on purpose-built mtb trails with incredible scenery. Loads of sweet banked turns on ripping descents, and opportunities to both punch it on short climbs and settle into sustained efforts on the long ones. All that made better by perfect dirt thanks to the rain.

My race was pretty uneventful. Fellow master’s rider, Gary Gardner, and I rode together for about half of the first lap, but he flatted and then blew up trying to catch me so I mostly rode alone, just me and my tallboy reveling in the alpine wonderland of the Teton range. It was a time for life’s deep reflections, like how a full suspension bike is really better for me in these long grueling races, maybe not as efficient with energy transfer from pedal to wheel, but way less fatiguing over the long haul.

Mental fatigue is something that you’ve got to watch out for in these long races and I definitely suffered some of that in this one. It was nicely exhibited when I stopped at a tent alongside the course where some kind folks let me stash some supplies. Pulled off the bottle swap fine, but then came out with “where’s my lube. I know I put it in here” to the sweet woman who was patiently waiting there for her friend to ride through. “Uh, in your hand” came her reply. “Oh, yea…”, at least having my bike close at hand gave me the option for a speedy getaway.

The event was expertly run, and everyone was super friendly, but I was bummed to see all the gel wrappers littering the course after the feed stations. Just stuff them in your jersey pocket–it’s gonna get nasty after a 100 mi ride either way.

In the end, I was psyched to take the Masters win, and crack the top ten overall. At the same time, I was totally humbled to see Josh Tostado finish nearly an hour ahead of me. It’s good to consider the greater realities now and then. Even so, a confidence builder, I guess, as think about the next one, be it this year or next. A huge thanks to the NUE and all the event organizers for making this series so awesome!!”

52-year-old Gary Gardiner, Bountiful bicycle P/B Mountain America Credit Union, from Centerville, UT placed second in 9:37:57. Nineteen minutes later, Lee Simril, Motor Mile Racing, who recently won his first NUE race at the Tatanka 100, took the three spot in 9:56:49. Simril is now ranked third overall in the NUE Masters division. Just three minutes behind Simril, John Lauk, Boutiful Bicycle Racing, finished in 9:59:00.

What’s NEXT?!

On Saturday, August 22, The KENDA NUE Race Series will debut at its first ever international race, The Rincon Challenge located in Liberia, Costa Rica. Visit www.nuemtb.com for more information and stay tuned her for the latest news, photos and results.

Click Here for full results from 2015 Pierre’s Hole 100