Chequamegon!

Some things I brought back from Chequamegon:

- a renewed passion for an event that I have been doing on and off for, like, forever! With my very last minute decision last year to sit out the race to give my body a rest, I had somehow forgotten how incredible it feels to be part of this event, and not just a spectator. I had so much fun in the race!
- a sense of how great a sunny, dry Chequamegon weekend is, and can be, compared to a rainy one. having a rainy one made me appreciate the good years so much more! the rain sent everyone scurrying back to their cabins instead of hanging out after the race and making plans to go out later on in the evening. if you didn't catch them after the race, you may not be able to meet up with them again later, because most people's phones don't work in Cable.
- a nasty cold/sinus infection thing that has gotten worse before it has gotten better.
- a sense of impending doom that summer is over and fall is upon us.
- a sense of relief that I wasn't around for all the flooding and downpours that we had at home.
- some t-shirts and pint glasses
- going to the awards ceremony and watching the slide show gives you an appreciation for all that is Chequamegon. seeing that the second place woman in the Short and Fat is 51 and the third place woman is 58 (!!) gives you an idea of what is possible, and is inspiring! and both these women pull off results like that year after year.... how do they do that?
- never take our racing for granted. we forget how lucky we are to have Chequamegon, WORS, and WEMS within driving distance! when people from other places come and do this race, they can't believe how well run Chequamegon is, how great the people are, and how much enthusiasm for riding there is out there on the trail, found in all shapes and sizes of people and bikes. someone who lives in Colorado and does the race told me how people from other places react when they first do the race. this applies to sponsors from out of state, too.

and, as a side note, my friend tells me that mtb racers (or former mtb racers) in Boulder that came from the Midwest fondly reminisce about how wonderful the WORS series is, and how it is the best race series in the country. we forget that!

More Chequamegon (Trek-amegon)

Gary Fisher was entertaining. Those warm black coveralls must have come in handy later at the chilly outdoor bonfire party after the awards. He hit it off with T and Wendy. He had some interesting observations about body work (massage, chiropractic, etc.) as we were talking about our bike-related aches and pains. Later, at the party, among other things, we talked about his bike building history as well as the movie Klunkerz, which he thinks will be a classic. The kind that stays around for 20 years. He's in the movie, and he made his first mt bike in 1974 (I asked).

Red Trek hats were a hot item. Maybe we should call Chequamegon Trekamegon?

Chillin'.

Tristan, Brian and Doug (eating dinner) waiting in the hall outside the awards. It was so hot and crowded in the awards room that people were sitting in the halls waiting to get called up. Brian looks happy about his 2nd place overall.

Sram and Trek continued the tradition of the Hayes bonfire party. At times the fire was, uh, really bright, thanks to our Hayes friends.

Some of the Alberto's crew.

T got a chance to catch up with Ross Schnell, who was with his teammates (Sue Haywood, Lea Davision, etc.) at the Trek trailer.

Hey, what's that blogger guy doing back there?

This "Blonde Fabrications" bike with giant wheels attracted alot of attention. The tall guy actually rode it in the race!

Gary Fisher got his speedy singlespeed crew to pose with their rigs for a pic. I love those brown Fisher sweaters. I want one!

Sunday Cable Criterium:

They changed the course this year.

Fast guy Doug rounding the sharp corner.

Another fast guy Tristan chasing.

Doug won the crit for the fifth (I think) time! Tristan got 3rd.

T won the women's Limbo Contest on Sunday. The pics are crazy, but they are unfortunately not in my camera. Hope she sends them soon, they are the best pics of all! Ex-teammate Tony won the men's Limbo contest. I think he really wanted to win the Log Pull, but he was pretty happy about winning the Limbo. Lower and flip your stem, let the air out of your shock, some air out of the tires, and turn your helmet backwards....and see how low you can go!

I never did see Greg LeMond and his son come in at the finish of the 40. His son goes to Northwestern, so I have probably passed him on Sheridan road, but I wouldn't recognize him.

Chequamegon 25th Anniversary

Thanks to Gary Crandall, his crew, and the event sponsors for throwing a great 25th anniversary Fat Tire Fest. It was fantastic.


Yes, that's frost you see out there in the field above. Brrrr! Coldest Chequamegon morning I can ever remember....

The moments after the first singlespeed rider ever to win Chequamegon crossed the line:













It was great to catch up with Travis, who says he's been super busy traveling for Trek. Unfortunately Mary was busy with a Trails 2000 project, so she and Zara didn't come along. We also had a chance to talk about 69'ers. Someone my size is selling a custom Ericksen with a Maverick rear and front end.

The Short and Smart:










Christine found her lung on her sleeve after the race.




Short and Fat race female winner Corie Berrigan.

I need some sleep now. Lots more pics and maybe some commentary to come.