Chequamegon here I come

It's time once again for the annual trip up to chequamegonland for the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival. The annual bike race is generally the season ender before it's time to start preparing for the Living History Farms run in November. It's always a great event. We are fortunate enough to have friends with a cabin in the area, so lodging is always amazing. The race is mostly on a great ski trail with lots of hills. For the third time in a row I am signed up for the 16 mile race, while the people in better shape are riding the 40 mile marathon. I am hoping to meet my finishing time last year of 1:17. I don't think I can best it this year with all the time away from the bike while I was fixing the house. I would love to though. Next year if the tradition continues I think I'll go for the 40 miler. It would be quite a personal achievement.

Have a good weekend all. I know I will.

Taco Ride

After not riding the Wednesday night taco ride for a couple of years now, I finally had the time and inclination to go. I'm glad I did. The taco ride was a blast! I met a bunch of other (good) local mountain bikers and it was a challenge to try to keep up with the fast group. Both very good things for someone looking to improve his game. We headed out from Rasmussens bike shop at 6:00 and rode a lap in Denmans then on to Hillside and finally Roller Coaster. We then headed back through what used to be J-11 to Giffs in Valley Junction for some beer and tacos. The trails were in fantastic shape and things moved along quickly. We rode the Hillside section much more thoroughly than I normally do. It was fun and a lot more work. Much more of a climbing route than I normally do. It was a nice change up and a much better work out. I hope to make it out next week to get in a good solid effort before the Chequamegon Race on Saturday.

It rained enough last night that the trails are too muddy to ride today. Hopefully they'll be in shape for some weekend miles.

2nd Annual Pufferbilly Days Bike Ride

Come join us in Boone at the fairgrounds on Sunday the 7th at 9:00am. We'll be putting on the 2nd annual Pufferbilly Days bike ride! We're very excited to be able to bring this ride to you for the second year in a row. Some changes for this year include being moved from Saturday to Sunday, getting a tshirt with your entry fee this year and the ride goes through McHose city park. It's 23 miles from start to finish, where we'll draw for door prizes. So come on out and help make this the best ride yet.

Things are looking up

After a summer full of trail closures, things are finally beginning to open up. There was a big push a few weeks ago to get the hillside section of the center trails opened. Then last weekend the CITA crew put in more time to open up the largest section, denman's woods. It brings a total of about 9 miles of trail open for riding. That's a green light for fun. I headed out Friday for a little recon ride, to make sure it would be good riding on Saturday when I had friends coming. The trail was in great shape on Friday and even better shape on Saturday. I was able to get out on Monday as well and the trail just kept getting better. Timing couldn't be better either. With Chequamegon in less than 2 weeks, my off road skills needed a refresher. I'm feeling a lot better about the upcoming bike race. I just need to make sure I get in plenty of riding this week to be ready for the race effort. After a summer full of road riding, it is looking like fall will be full of mountain biking.