Greetings everyone,

Just wanted to put in a word for the Wisconsin Enduance Mountainbike Series that kicks off in about 6 weeks. The first race is May 22nd in Ferryville, WI (about 40 minutes south of La Crosse). It's a fun course and everyone should come! For more info about this particular race, and the whole series...go to www.wemseries.com

See you there.

Hey nater,
I'm in MN, and interested in this race series. What is the usual course format of these races?
The reason I ask is because I'm tired of doing the normal 24hr gerbal- race-around-the same course umpteen times format. I'm interested in something more point to point, or at least 20-30mile loops or something like that. Any info would be appreciated.
thanks,
n8

Hey n8,

You'll be a little bit dissapointed with the format of this series then. Most of them are shorter, "gerbal-race-around-the-same course umpteen times format." Some of the venues will have a longer lap than others but it will still be in the neighborhood of 7-12 miles/lap. As for the Sugarcreek race, I'm not exactly sure what the course length is going to be yet. We've got some more trails to build to lengthen things out a bit for this format. We've hosted a "normal" mountain bike race there for the last few years and we'd like to make the lap longer for the endurance series.

As for the really long courses, there are logistical problems here in the Midwest, there just isn't the land that allows such long courses. I think there are also some reservations from promoters to put 12 and 24 hour racers out on the really long courses, mechanical problems and injuries become harder to deal with and ge the racers back safely and easily. For longer courses in the area, the 24 Hours of 9 Mile Forest in Wausau, WI in August has about a 16-17 mile lap. You should also check out some of the longer races that occur out west...Cascade Cream Puff 100, Vail 100, Leadville 100.

See you at the races!

Hey Nater,
thanks for the info. I will probably still tackle a couple of these this year, even though not as fun as point to point IMO. Surely, something longer could be put together around Chequamegon or Levis Mound? I'd REALLY love to see a point to point on the Maah daah Hey. THAT would truly be great. I am also looking at Durango 100, Brian Head 100, and ESPECIALLY Soggy Bottom 100 in Alaska. I just wish there was more around here.Thanks again,
n8

Hey n8,

You'll be a little bit dissapointed with the format of this series then. Most of them are shorter, "gerbal-race-around-the-same course umpteen times format." Some of the venues will have a longer lap than others but it will still be in the neighborhood of 7-12 miles/lap. As for the Sugarcreek race, I'm not exactly sure what the course length is going to be yet. We've got some more trails to build to lengthen things out a bit for this format. We've hosted a "normal" mountain bike race there for the last few years and we'd like to make the lap longer for the endurance series.

As for the really long courses, there are logistical problems here in the Midwest, there just isn't the land that allows such long courses. I think there are also some reservations from promoters to put 12 and 24 hour racers out on the really long courses, mechanical problems and injuries become harder to deal with and ge the racers back safely and easily. For longer courses in the area, the 24 Hours of 9 Mile Forest in Wausau, WI in August has about a 16-17 mile lap. You should also check out some of the longer races that occur out west...Cascade Cream Puff 100, Vail 100, Leadville 100.

See you at the races!

Anybody looking for an endurance race in the Upper Midwest should stop by for the 12 Hours of Green, which has been designated as the 12 Hours National Championships this year.

It'll take place in July at Spirit Mountain in Duluth, MN.

http://www.greenmanfestival.com for more details.

-Matt

Hey everybody. If anyone is interested there is a 24 hour race in Boone,Iowa on Sept 4th.

It will take place at the Seven Oaks ski hill.


www.sevenoaksrec.com/pages1/mtb.html

Hey nater,
I'm in MN, and interested in this race series. What is the usual course format of these races?
The reason I ask is because I'm tired of doing the normal 24hr gerbal- race-around-the same course umpteen times format. I'm interested in something more point to point, or at least 20-30mile loops or something like that. Any info would be appreciated.
thanks,
n8

...Ore to Shore in Northern Michigan. Usually in August. They have a 40 mile point to point race that's pretty good-plus it's in Marquette area-in da UP hey. So, probably a closer drive than through southern Michigan. Also, Iceman is a 27 mile point to point in November. Or, save your dough and come out here to Colorado and do the Leadville 100-which is a 50 mile out, and a 50 mile back race. Or the Firecracker 50 which is 2 25 mile loops w/over 11,000 feet of climbing. PattD

Just a reminder...the first race in the Wisconsin Endurance Mountain Bike Series is coming up fast...May 22nd at 8AM in the little town of Ferryville, WI. Come race the inaugural 12 Hours of Sugar Creek.

Check out the Black Hills of South Dakota for a 50 mile point to point race. www.blackhills.com/ridgeriders Won't take 12 hours, but isn't your basic gerbil wheel, either. You can always tackle the 100+ mile Centennial Trail afterward on your own.

Several others a little farther (Colorado), e.g., Breckenridge 50, Leadville 100, Ultra 100, Durango 100, Montezuma's Revenge, etc.