Bike Masters was represented at this years Cruise the Blues 5 hour MTB race. Doug Larson and I took off from Omaha at 5 AM for a 4 hour drive to Tipton Kansas. One f the great things about this race, is that there is a Joy course which is a 7 mile loop or a Glory course whish is a 13 mile loop. Doug signed up for the Solo Joy – Men – 31-50 race and my Cousin Adam and I rode the Glory – Men - Open Team race. After the riders meeting they separated everyone up into staging areas per each group and then at 11:00 everyone was off to start the race. It is always interesting to watch 165 riders fighting for the front of the pack and having to be single file before you get into the first single track section. Doug got caught up in the mob of people, and had to be patience to make his move toward the front. It did not take long and you could see that Doug was in the top 5 in all the Joy course riders. Doug pumped out fast lap after fast lap until he made his first pit stop for food and water after lap six and he was off. At the half way point Doug has a 2 lap lead over his closest competitor. It stayed that way all day. Doug was in top form and looked like a machine turning out consistent laps. Doug ended up riding 11 laps (a total of 77 miles) and won his class by a total of 2 laps. At the awards ceremony the race announcer said “He rode off the charts” and that was the most laps rode that day on the Joy course by any Team or Solo riders. Way to Go Doug!
As for my team, my cousin went out first, and rode the first 13 mile loop. The trail was very rough because of the 8 inches of rain the trail received the week before. The trail was washed out and a lot of water standing in the low spots. This made is very challenging. After the first lap we checked in at the 14th position. I took off on my first lap and I felt good, and I ended up catching three other Glory Teams in my lap moving us up into 11th position. My cousin rode a solid 3rd lap but hit the wall about mile 11 and we fell back a couple positions to 13h spot at the check in spot. I knew that this was going to be the last lap of the day for us, and I was off. I felt great on my final lap and was bound and determined to make up some positions. I ended up catching 3 more riders around mile 7 and then flatted the front tire which caused me to wreck into the trees. After picking myself off the ground and making sure that I was not injured, I was off to high speed tube changing to try to keep the position that we were in. I got passed by one of the riders, but I wasn’t that far behind. Once I got remounted, and I was off I found the rider that just passed me changing his tube. I then just settled into a grove and was happy to finish in the 10th spot. 10th spot wasn’t quite were we wanted to be, but I was happy that I improved my best time 10 minutes over last years time, and I had the 6th fastest lap in the Glory Team race.
All in all, it was a great day. Temp in the upper 80’s with a 10 mhp wind. The trail was in good shape. I had a blast riding and talking story with all the other riders. Not to mention the blues band and BBQ after the race. A great time had by all.
I also wanted to mention another Omaha rider Kevin Limpach who won the Glory – Men Individual. He rode 5 laps and had the fast solo lap time.
Way to represent Omaha!
As for my team, my cousin went out first, and rode the first 13 mile loop. The trail was very rough because of the 8 inches of rain the trail received the week before. The trail was washed out and a lot of water standing in the low spots. This made is very challenging. After the first lap we checked in at the 14th position. I took off on my first lap and I felt good, and I ended up catching three other Glory Teams in my lap moving us up into 11th position. My cousin rode a solid 3rd lap but hit the wall about mile 11 and we fell back a couple positions to 13h spot at the check in spot. I knew that this was going to be the last lap of the day for us, and I was off. I felt great on my final lap and was bound and determined to make up some positions. I ended up catching 3 more riders around mile 7 and then flatted the front tire which caused me to wreck into the trees. After picking myself off the ground and making sure that I was not injured, I was off to high speed tube changing to try to keep the position that we were in. I got passed by one of the riders, but I wasn’t that far behind. Once I got remounted, and I was off I found the rider that just passed me changing his tube. I then just settled into a grove and was happy to finish in the 10th spot. 10th spot wasn’t quite were we wanted to be, but I was happy that I improved my best time 10 minutes over last years time, and I had the 6th fastest lap in the Glory Team race.
All in all, it was a great day. Temp in the upper 80’s with a 10 mhp wind. The trail was in good shape. I had a blast riding and talking story with all the other riders. Not to mention the blues band and BBQ after the race. A great time had by all.
I also wanted to mention another Omaha rider Kevin Limpach who won the Glory – Men Individual. He rode 5 laps and had the fast solo lap time.
Way to represent Omaha!
Here are a few pics and a video of the day.
Doug relaxing befor the start
The starting area
Team Trasition Area
Here is a video of the start
4 comments:
Gotta love the shot of Doug, there's your calm before the storm.
Way to go Team Green! Doug, you are the MAN!!! You've been secretly training, haven't you? Awesome. You're back, dude!
Congrats to the other Team Greeners for making a great effort. Marathon races are tough! Hopefully, you'll go back for more!
Doug is an animal! He loves to turn those 6-7 miles loops over and over. Talking with Doug, he really had a good time, was impressed with the race production, and is talking about next year.
Mark, nice write up and congrats on 10 minute lap time improvement over last year! Good to hear you felt good through both of your laps. Changing a flat and then catching a competitor who passed you demonstrates how competitive you are.
Looks like we have too great races to choose from over Labor Day weekend. A daytripping 5 hr in Kansas and a multiday 50 miler in South Dakota.
I have a whole new respect for Kansas after attending "Cruise the Blues" in the north central part of the state. Absolutely beautiful expansive country! I would highly recommend this event as it was run to perfection and even had rows of showers set up in cattle pens to knock the dust off at the end of the day. It was extra special to see Kevin Limpach and Jeff Bergan there too from Nebraska. Kevin ripped everyone up. Lookin' forward to next years event!
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