Tomorrow is Chequamegon. It is 40 miles from downtown Hayward to the Telemark Lodge up in the woods. About 1/3 of the race is on the Birkebeiner Ski Trail. The rest of the course is on logging roads and atv/snowmobile trails. The race starts out in downtown Hayward on Main Street. It goes 2 miles out on a state highway at 30+mph and then it hits a new cut field. It is full on, super hard for 3 or 4 minutes. Then it hits the Birkie trail and rolls uphill for a while. It is a really hard start. Most of the course is rolling up or down. There is only one sustained climb, the Seeley Fire Tower climb. It is up for less than a kilometer, but it is steep and loose. Then the last section of the Birkie trail is super hard. Usually where the selection is made. It finishes at Telemark and the last 2 miles are on the ski trails and is pretty difficult. You climb to the top of the ski hill and descend into the bowl and sprint uphill.
It is amazing how well organized the race is. Gary Crandell is so in tune with everything involved that he could probably do it in his sleep. It is amazing that they can enter 2500 riders in a 4 hour stretch. I got there and was 30 guys back in line and walked out of there in less than 10 minutes. 10 people on computers printing out registration. Tons of volunteers. Most every race I go to could should come watch this production and make some improvements.
I am pretty questionable. I have no idea how it’s going to go tomorrow. Historically, by the time I’m out of Rosie’s Field, 3 miles into the race, I’ll know if I’m good or not. I haven’t had a good day in a month, but there is always the first one. Maybe tomorrow.