|
Written by Matthew Block
|
|
Wednesday, 17 September 2008 |
Chequamegon 40
Hayward, WI
Sept. 13th, 2008
 This was my second attempt at one of the oldest running mountain bike races in the country. It also has the largest mass start of nearly any event in the country. Every year 1700 racers roll down Main Street in Hayward, WI to tackle a very fast and demanding 40 mile marathon that runs over some of the famed American Birkebeiner Ski Trail, combined with local forest roads, snowmobile trails and other wooded lanes to finish at Telemark Resort near Cable, WI. This race has seen its fair share of local Midwest champions as well as some big names like: Greg Lemond, Marty Jemison, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelsky, Mary Grigson and Sue Haywood. This year would be no different with 2006 World Cyclocross Championship silver medalist Jonathan Page taking the win in 2:08:06 just 8 seconds ahead of 1995 champion Jeff Hall of Minnesota.
 After cracking the top 200 finishers last year with a finishing time of 2:31:34, I was keen on trying to better that result this year. This year after a blistering pace on the paved start I was pretty well pegged by the time we turned off of Hwy 77 onto Rosie’s field then straight onto a wet and slick Birkie trail. At about four miles into the race the rain began to fall on an already moist course littered with mud & water holes. When I passed Hwy OO just before the midway point of the race I finally had settled into somewhat of a rhythm but a sore low back that I had been battling for the last month came back to haunt me.  The race doesn’t really get hard until Firetower hill at about 10 miles to go. With its very steep pitches and loose surface even some of the best riders are forced to dismount and run. Following a long fast descent it is back to Birkebeiner trail for probably the hardest stretch of the course. Known as the Seely Hills, this stretch of the course goes relentlessly uphill for about 3 miles until you turn onto the last sections of gravel road for what is usually a 28-30 mph pace.  Then as you turn toward the backside of Telemark resort with 2 miles to go you’re met with a series of short punchy climbs that hit you right when it hurts the most. The final climb up the back of Telemark ski hill is a sight for sore eyes (and legs….and back!) before descending the ski hill to the finish line. I came through in 2:43:08 just outside the top 300 riders. Not exactly the result I was looking for but not bad considering how I felt. I’m already looking forward to next year. Maybe I’ll have the legs to set a new personal best.
Matt
 |
; "Image")
; "Image")
; "Image")
; "Image")
Show/Hide comment form
