Podium bound
So, the Manitoba XC Provs were on Sunday the 29th at Grand Beach. This year, the MCA MTB Committee took on the task of organizing the Provincials race, to try to ensure a well run event and a course that was a good test of MTB for all levels of racers. The race was originally supposed to be at Falcon Lake, but due to excessive moisture this summer, the normally “moist” sections at Falcon are very swampy this year. So the venue was changed to Grand Beach.
Now, Grand Beach has a bit of a reputation of being not very technically challenging, not very much elevation and also too much double track. So to try to improve the course, several committee members and a few non members spent several days at Grand Beach cutting some new single track to break up the long double track sections, including adding a nice set of downhill switchbacks. The course was also run clockwise.
Well Organized Event
Race Day – there was apparently a huge downpour around 9 am, so the start needed to be delayed 30 minutes, but that was well communicated. The kids races happened around 11:30 and the adults race about an hour later. Most everything I heard from other racers after the race was VERY positive about the course, people really liked the added single track and how it felt a lot different from the normal counter clockwise direction. I think it was the best Grand Beach course I have ever done.
The race course was well marked, there were even marshals on the course, food was good (great homemade cookies too), many volunteers were on hand to help and there was a large turn out for the race at 90 people. It was great to see a large turn out and the post race positive vibe. Good times!
Huge thanks to Hal for doing the vast majority of organization work but also to the other racers who sacrificed their own riding time during the weeks leading up to the race, to spend several days cutting new trails, also to the MANY volunteers who helped set up the day before, morning of, and tear down after. It is greatly appreciated & good job!
Tinker Creek Results
Tinker had a handful of members racing, and as Ramona pointed out to me after the race, they did not disappoint. In fact, it was basically all or nothing for Tinker racers. They were all on the podium (except for yours truly who busted his chain half way through the race, while in the lead Expert group of 4 riders… Yes, that is my excuse & no, I didn’t have a chain tool with me!)
Here are the results of the Tinker riders who actually finished and a few pics courtesy of Ramona, make sure to give them props next time you see em.
Under 9 Boys
Tristan Wiebe – 2nd Place
Under 11 Girls
Jaydi Wiebe – 1st Place
Women’s 40+ Sport
Jane Braun – 1st Place - Nice elbow job their Jane!
Men’s 30+ Sport
Lincoln Wiebe – 1st Place
Men’s Senior Expert
Gerald Klassen – 1st Place
Nice job guys. Here are a few more pics courtesy of Ramona.
(Last pic is stolen from Ger’s profile on Facebook).
August 31st, 2010 at 5:50 pm
glad my chain stayed together. great course!
August 31st, 2010 at 7:50 pm
It sucked hard that your chain broke Kevin. I would have preferred to continue our WNS battle out there as well. It was tons of fun riding with you, JP and Nathan and like you said if felt more like a ride than a race, well until I got that leg cramp. Looks like the Expert category is really going to heat up over the next few years. Should be awesome!