SCOLETRAIN

HBNSC Point du Nord Spring Classic
Twenty or more lucky cyclists showed up today to brave our own version of the "Hell of the North" that had plenty of sun, but also a good amount of wind from the SW. Conditions were great as most sections of this ride featuring pure Wisconsin gravel lacked the mud holes that have been quite common for the last few years. Today we had everyone survive the first gravel segment without any casualties like we have had in years past. Thankfully, Leo decided not to take a soil sample this year. The group did get spread out quickly as the pace picked up until the next paved road where the group formed again. Eventually the group split up for good when stopping for bottle refills in Bevent and whatever else people needed. Some people were impatient and small packs of riders left from the stop as people settled up at the very slow town market. What started as a large group ride saw a group of eight, including myself, form a chase group that pacelined back to the front breakaway group of four that had left 10+ minutes ahead of us. The pace was consistently fast enough to keep six of us working together pretty smoothly until the end. This years Point du Nord was somewhat slower from past editions, but was a good fast paced ride as it kept some of the younger riders(Kyle and Ryan)that have great cardio and youth on their side in with a good group of veteran cyclists which can only make them better. In years past the last 20 miles have been a free for all with only the strongest surviving until the end with riders being blown off the back constantly. Next weeks ride, Amherst Gold.

My day ended with three hours of trail work at Standing Rocks as we are trying to complete the last two sections of new singletrack. The IMBA Trail Crew visit is only a month away. Too bad May 1st isn't closer as the trails are dry, but opening day for the park is set and that's still a long ways off in the distant future. I'm desperately needing to get my new bike out on some decent singletrack to get the setup figured out.



Leo & Dan happy in the parking lot.