Farmer’s Fat Bike Race Recap
The Farmer’s Fat Bike Race kicked off the six race 2013 Great Lakes Fat Bike Series this past Saturday at the Cannonsburg Ski Area just outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
While many will argue that you don’t need snow to enjoy riding or racing a fat bike, it is pretty universally accepted that most fat bike racers enjoy plowing through the white stuff. Sadly, Mother Nature really didn’t feel the need cooperate and in the week leading up to the race brought rain and freakishly warm January temperatures to Michigan, melting the snow and leaving the Farmer’s course at Cannonsburg a mix of everything from dry to tacky singletrack to sand and deep mud.
While none of the racers or spectators were complaining too much about the warm temperatures that had many in short sleeves and shorts for the event, the lack of snow did cause some minor course changes and surely had race director Scott Chambers wondering if the turnout and the enthusiasm would still be there from the racers. As it turns out, there was no need to worry… racing is racing and fun is fun no matter what those big, bulbous tires are rolling over.
The race had Solo racers and Duo teams attempting to complete as many laps of the sub three mile course as possible between Noon and 3 p.m.. Some of the men on hand with a strong chance for the Solo win were Dan Korienek (Leadout Racing), Nate Versluis (Farm Team Racing) and Jorden Wakeley (Einstein Racing) fresh of his victory at last week’s race at Hanson Hills in Grayling, Michigan. Endurance race expert and last year’s winner Danielle Musto (Salsa Cycles/Twin-Six) was considered the favorite in the Women’s race.
From the gun (or air horn type thing to be exact) racers started a series undulating climbs on tacky dirt and singletrck through the woods.
Once to the top, they would then make their way down though fun, bermed singletrack switchbacks before more climbing.
With the climbing and singletrack behind them, racers were then greeted with a long section of sand that resembled a lunar landscape plopped down on he backside of a ski hill in southwest Michigan. The sand, which was hard enough to walk in, let along ride over surely would have had tires of less girthly proportions at a stand still, yet these bikes rolled on, and even had some racers up out of the saddle looking to gain time on their rivals.
While the fat tires did indeed float over the sand, a strong wind gusting over the sand taxed riders as the laps piled up, as did a steep little grunt of a climb back up to dirt that brought many to a stand still and forced many off their bikes for short run uphill through ankle deep sand.
The sand was soon replaced by a short section of trail before racers were sent down a long two track trail filled with cold standing water and deep oatmeal-like mud.
There was one last obstacle for the racers before entering the Start/Finish transition area– a short snow field that would have been no problem if it weren’t for the fact that it was like riding through a rutted, melting snow cone! This forced many racers off their bikes and on their feet to scurry over those last yards before ending the lap.
Just as he did at last week’s race at Hanson Hills, Jorden Wakeley sprinted from the line, settled in, and turned out lap after speedy lap on his way to another victory.
Danielle Musto also looked strong all race long and turned out 10 laps over the 3 hour race and wasted no time in securing her first victory of 2013.
Afterwards, folks moved inside to the lodge for the awards, prizes and a beer or two. All in all a fine start to the Great Lakes Fat Bike Series… even without the snow!
Next up the race series will move to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on January 26th for the Noquemanon 50K World Championship Snow Bike race in Marquette.
Here are your Solo podiums:
Solo Men
1. Jorden Wakeley 12 laps
2. Evan Simula 10 laps
3. Kan Korinek 10 laps
2. Evan Simula 10 laps
3. Kan Korinek 10 laps
Solo Women
1. Danielle Musto 10 laps
2. Jenny Scott 7 laps
3. Amy Attivissimo 7 laps
2. Jenny Scott 7 laps
3. Amy Attivissimo 7 laps
Team results to come…
For more information on the Great Lakes Fat Bike Series and full results visit greatlakesfatbikeseries.com.
A gallery of XXC’s photos will be available in the next day or so. Stay tuned to the blog or like us on Facebook for more info on that.
Words, video and photos by Jason Mahokey, xxcmag.com.
