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My target race this summer was the Lutsen 99er, a Leadville 100 qualifier and a summer challenge. The build up to the race hadn’t gone as planned with the build up full of rainy days and a lack of racing. We arrived in the north woods of Minnesota and the Sawtooth Mountains to cool temperature and plenty of excitement.

Upon arrival I pre-rode the final singletrack section and noted the raging rivers tumbling down the mountainside: this area had received 17 inches of rain over the past month and more was forecasted the day before race day - not what I’d hoped for, the reason the season had been raceless was for this very reason.

Come race day the rain had stopped, things had mostly dried up and a relief fell over me. Because of the rain, the race was shorted to 79 miles and excluded the last singletrack section I’d pre-ridden. On the gun a neutral roll-out lead us to the base of the first 3 mile climb and the fireworks started. I deliberately controlled myself on the climb as there was plenty of time to blow up, not just on the first three miles.

As we hit the first two track I was very pleasantly surprised how well the trails had held up. Sure there were a few puddles, but generally it was really good going. We had a little rain shower but nothing too bad. I met Mrs Green around the 50 mile point in just over 3 hours, we were hauling. I’d passed a bunch of racers at this time, made up a bunch of spots I’d lost on the first climb and had split from the bunch into a group of three. The Mrs did an excellent job and I was out of there in less than 10 seconds.

The quick exchange had me in a new group who were up the road. We continued to roll quickly, I was feeling good and actively looking to drop anyone I thought may be in an older age group. For the next 18 miles or so I was really happy with my performance. And then we turned onto the “B” route instead of the initial final singletrack. Bear in mind, this section was an alternate easier option for those who didn’t want to race for a Leadville spot and risk the technical singletrack on the way to the finish.

It turned out that this “B”, easier route, was the most brutal, hardest, mentally cracking, cramp inducing trail I’ve ever been on. It was if all of the rain from the day before was trapped on this snowmobile trail. The slop was shin deep, mostly unrideable and a mental slog that was everything I’d imagined in my worst dreams. After 70 miles of fast riding, nice trails I thought I was going be done before lunch. I told Mrs Green that I’d be at the finish in under 2 hours - yeah right. To make it worse, there was zero warning, no announcement at the start, and frankly, should have been re-routed as it was so hard to walk in bike shoes, dragging your mud ladened MTB not knowing where rocks and logs hid under the foot of mud. It sucked.

I cramped terribly. Fortunately being covered in mud was a decent defense against the mosquitos. Eventually I was done. It took 2 1/2 hours to complete the final 29 miles or so and the inevitable “what took you so long” didn’t sit so well. I was second in my age, I’d come with the goal to win but the local knowledge of the winner prevailed, as well as the conditions. I left with an entry to Leadville in 2025, a story to share, and a bike to completely rebuild. Good times.

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