The List 2.0

The beginning of the season and base training gives a person many hours to ponder the race schedule. I have thought through the season and have targeted a few races. The big picture is still cloudy but it is getting a little clearer.

I have been searching for road season motivation. Same races over and over have produced the same results....reminds me of Nascar. Thirty to Forty racers chasing 2-3 leaders. Time for a change. How about trying to train for a change? Maybe I will. To date the road season has only one race to make the list of "must haves" for 2008. It is a little know races called the Itasca Tour. Typically run the weekend following Chequamegon FTF. A 100 mile road race starting in Park Rapids. This is probably one of the races I am most excited about for the whole 2008 season. Something new and off the beaten path. Long enough to make it painful and low key.

I have rarely shown up to race the Minnesota Off Road Series. Can not motivate myself to ride circles around the local ski hills. To date I have been to one Series race at Welch and two weekly world cups at Buck. All three were forgetable. The List of "must haves" for the off road are no mystery. I keep coming back to these races because they are what mountain biking has alway been. Pure fun. No matter how good or bad the performance the quality of the trails keeps me wanting to ride more.

First on the list will be the Cable Classic. I have rarely done well here but who knows, this could be the year. It is rare I have any form which can keep me up front for too long. Last years result? It stunk. I blew at mile 2.

Up second on the calendar is the WORS Big Ring Classic on June 1st. Marathon fromat through the Nine Mile Forest. Abundance of competition. This race lets you know where you stack up for the big ones coming up. Last years result? Mostly stunk but I had a couple of decent laps. Final lap the wheels came off and limped it in. Hopefully early season training yields better results.

Third race on the calendar is the Cascade Cream Puff on June 29th. This race is pencilled in. The race has a 200 rider limit and falls a week before leaving for 10 days of riding and vacationing in California. The race is a 100 mile climbers delight that would rip the legs off of any rider. Definately one to keep on the List.

I will take a break from racing for most of July and hit the 24 Hours Nat Championship on August 2nd and 3rd. Another year vying for the 30+ Nat Champion Jersey? Depends on who shows. What our team lacked in talent we made up for in determination and consistancy. 2nd place was not bad, would be nice to own a title. Pipe dream, maybe...but we all dream.

Six days later the biggest race on my calendar in 07 and probably 08, the Ore to Shore (August 9th). This race has fun for the whole family. Long races, short races, kids races. The girls had a blast in the kids races. The whole family had a great time on the beach as well. The lake is unbelievable. Miles of sandy beach. Although the water is a little cold. I also had the best result of the year here (28th overall). Definately not a big time result but for a middle age has been wannabe that trains whenever I can get it, I'll take it. In 08 I will try to match last years performance.

August 24th The E100, Park City UT. This race will definately challenge me. A singletrack climberfest that I will suffer all the way through. I will opt for the 100km race unless bad judgement gets the best of me. 100 miles of climbing will break the bank.

Saturday September 13th the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival. Lottery and no guarantee of entry. This is a race that every second counts. In the top 100, 10 to 15 riders finish every minute. You can not have a power outage on this day. Goals? 1) To get in the race. 2) Beat Muyres? 3) Both.

This is the list to date. I am sure it is subject to change.