Area 106 well represented at the Maximus (Michaux)

Thought I would jump outside "Area 106" and share the race report from this past weekends Michaux Series kickout (Michaux Forest area near Gettysburg) by Steven Hoover (Trek East Coast Factory Team Manager/Wrench/Racer, heck jack of all trades). We had a few riders from the 106 participate with some very good results: TJ Platt (29er Crew - TOP) took 3rd in the Pro/Elite race just behind the two Trek riders (Eatough & Schalk), Travis Saeler (29er Crew - TOP) placed 2nd in his class, Chrissy Burkle (Pittsburgh rider) placed 3rd in the women's Pro/Expert field with Michelle Johnson (Trek Ohio) finishing strong in the top 10.

race report continued:

Trek VW scores again.

The Michaux Endurance series kicked off May 4th with the Maximus. With over 110 riders signed up for the fifty miler and dryer than expected weather we knew it was going to be a fast race.  Michaux is and has always been a single lap format, one big lap.  Some say this is Mountain Bike racing in the raw.  The course is legendary for its mud, rocks, water crossings, logs and a fair amount of climbing and did I mention rocks.  Tight twisty single-track with fast rock strewn descents that people love to hate.

Unlike the previous week there was not much drama, Chris set a fast pace right from the gun, Jeff chased but never closed the gap.  Behind them having a flat or not having a flat dictated the order. Several fast riders were knocked off the podium by the rocks.  In the Women's race Cheryl put her home court advantage to work and never looked back, winning with a twenty-five minute advantage. Tim Messersmith, last years winner led for over half the race before Roger eased past him, eventually gapping Tim by five minutes.

Results for the day: Flying thru the 50 miles in just under 4 hours was Chris Eatough followed by Jeff Schalk in 2nd and Jon Gdowik in 4th, giving Trek VW three of the top five spots in the Senior Men’s category.  Cheryl Sornson came 1st in women's, In the Masters category it was Roger Masse 1st and Tim Messersmith 2nd.

Our bikes performed flawlessly.  Trek, Volkswagen, Shimano, RockShox, Bontrager, JBL, and Cyto Sport we couldn't do it without you.  Thanks!

The only incident of the day happened to me.  Since all of our Team riders decided to run the fifty milers it left me with some spare time while they were out on course.  I decided to take my new Remedy out on the twenty-five mile course.  About an hour in I got a huge cut in the rear tire while submerged in a mud pit, th inking it was glass from the looks of the cut.  After fixing my flat I settled in to a nice pace, cruising in with a top ten finish and a big smile on my face.  Some might think it crazy to ride a six-inch travel bike in a cross-country race but that’s just because they haven't been on a Remedy in the mountains of Michaux State Forest.  I will wager that there will be several Remedy's at the Dark Hollow, the next stop in the Michaux Endurance Series.

Enjoy the day,

Steven