Cheq Fat Tire

[biking_stickman]

Any last minute advice for a first timer? Any good ideas of places for spectators to watch?

Me...Sat 10am:banana:
Me...A few hours later:sick:
Me...At finish:beer_yum:

[jeffgude]

Any last minute advice for a first timer? Any good ideas of places for spectators to watch?



Watch out for Rosie's field.

[Wolfchimp]

I'll be racing it for the first time too! Good luck Man!

[berrywise]

If you are riding the 40 miler remember to eat, powerbars, bananas etc to avoid cramping up (learned the hard way my first time).

[SpecHR55]

:banana: :banana: :banana: lots of bananas:banana: :banana: :banana:

[TrailPatrol]

Any last minute advice for a first timer? Any good ideas of places for spectators to watch?

Five best places to watch, in order, based on ten years of watching, are:

1. The start in Hayward
2. Rosies Field
3. "OO" Road crossing
4. Spider Lake Rd. and Timber Trail
5. The Telemark Hill and Finish

and we'll be watching, too.

Ride safe,
:banana:
Hans

[flombe]

You can check this thread that has some info on the course >>> http://www.morcmtb.org/forums/showthread.php?t=14502

Definitely check out this article by Jay Richards on prepping >>> http://www.skinnyski.com/racing/display.asp?Id=2521

The race website has the latest course conditions under the info >>> news >>> current. The website is >>> http://www.cheqfattire.com/

Advice? The fast riders will be long gone by the time you hit Rosie's Field. Find a group and hang with them (or drop them if too slow). BS'ing with other riders is one of the best things about this race. Most eveyone is out there to have a great time and complete the ride.

Oh yeah, smile for the cameras! Usually at the top of a hill.

At food stations, I stay away from the doughnut holes. They seem to be tough on the gut.

[TML]

At food stations, I stay away from the doughnut holes. They seem to be tough on the gut.

Or, start eating donut hole right this minute, to condition your stomach for the race. :D

[djflom]

Along with the food, don't forget to drink plenty of water. I recommend using a CamelBak (70 oz. size). Much better than reaching down for your mud-caked water bottle on the umpteenth hill. If you run out, you can get refills at the 6 food stations along the way.

Have fun. Most of all, make sure to thank every volunteer you see along the trail and food stations. They make the race.

[flombe]

Along with the food, don't forget to drink plenty of water. I recommend using a CamelBak (70 oz. size). Much better than reaching down for your mud-caked water bottle on the umpteenth hill. If you run out, you can get refills at the 6 food stations along the way.

Have fun. Most of all, make sure to thank every volunteer you see along the trail and food stations. They make the race.

Don't listen to anything this guy says!:D

Latest course conditions >>>> http://www.skinnyski.com/racing/display.asp?Id=2538

I am surprised there is not more chatter about the Cheq. Fat 40 on this board!

Riding tip: After Rosie's Field, the course runs down the Birkie Trail to Mosquito Brook. There is a bridge crossing the brook at the bottom of a long downhill about 8 miles in. You must bunny-hop onto the bridge or slow down to avoid blowing your tire or tweaking your rear rim on the edge of the bridge.

[flea]

Advice : save some energy for the last ten miles, especially if you're out to "have fun"!

Great place to watch: Hike to the top of the Telemark ski hill, and watch the leaders come out of the woods and up the last climb. we did this once after riding in the short race and brought a cooler with beer and snacks, awesome good time.



Any last minute advice for a first timer? Any good ideas of places for spectators to watch?

Me...Sat 10am:banana:
Me...A few hours later:sick:
Me...At finish:beer_yum:

[Blurred]

Drink lots of beer the night before.

Stay up really late.

Get to the race just in time to make it in the very last row of 1700 bikers.

Eat a breakfast of cold pasta and Red Bull.

I followed this routine last year, worked great.:laugh:

[Magic]

For all doing the 40 this year, the start is different. They will have 5 staging areas according to time you think you can finish or have finished in the past. The first staging area is for Prefered start. Then it will go back from their by time brackets. This is new for the race this year. They are trying to see if it helps with the congestion coming into Rosie's field. Have a fun and safe race to all going for the pain.

[martini]

God I wish I was going this year! I was all amped up about it, then I got the dreaded refusal letter. First time that's happened...

[Wolfchimp]

WOW! The 40 was grrrrreat. There were excellent conditions on the course. Yes, the usual large puddles were there, but the weather was beautiful. Legs felt great, back felt terrible. The Thudbuster would have been nice. As my lower back was aching, I thought about it sitting in trunk of my car. Ha ha ha...stupid me.:crazy2: I saw way too many blown tubes and mech. problems. Some cyclocross rider blew out as he got into Rosie's Field. Sounded like a gun going off! (He was ok though.) I was lucky to have no mech. problems. Congrats to all who raced. I had a great time! Hopefully I get in next year.:D

[phaberman1]

Porter, what was your time/place finish.

[Wolfchimp]

I came in at 3 hours and 12 minutes. I would have been a little faster if my back would have been better the first part of the race. I had to stop twice to stretch it out. I think i was 43 in my age group and about 900 something overall. It was a good time.

Yeah I said Hi to Jack and Barry up there. Sounds like they had a great ride.

[phaberman1]

Yeah, we had an incredible ride on Saturday. an estimated 50 miles of trail over 5 1/2 hours. Good job on the race> Now you can shoot for the 3 hours or under next time.

[flombe]

WOW! The course was the fastest Fat 40 I have ever ridden. The most fun too. Yeah, there were a few puddles but only one you had to ride through. Every other time I have done the 40 it was a mudfest!

I had lower back pain too and I ride with a USE XCR Shokpost. I think having too much water on the back worsens the problem. I took to sucking and spitting out water about halfway through to lighten the load and the pain went away. Of course I ran out of water with about 8 miles to go and had my right quad cramp about 2 miles from the finish. Live and learn. Next year (I hope!), I'll start with 40 OZ. of water.

Congrats as well to all who rode!

[Wolfchimp]

I agree, the course was FAAAAAAST! I had a blast.:banana: Unfortunately I know I pissed off a few people in the process. When riders were skirting the mud puddles, I would ride right through them, which usually ended up getting them quite wet. I mean...come on....its a mountain bike race and they were just going against common trail ethics. I'd fly through puddles, getting yelled at by some riders and commended by others. I did apologize to some, while there were other that didnt deserve an apology. I just wanted to say something else to those individuals, but I refrained from doing so. :D Oh well, I had fun.

[The Buckthorn Killer]

I rode 35 miles with cramped legs, and still was 3 minutes faster than last year. I have a long shi**y race.:mad:

[flombe]

I rode 35 miles with cramped legs, and still was 3 minutes faster than last year. I have a long shi**y race.:mad:

Yeah, you seemed not too pleased with your ride when I saw you!:D

[stoneage]

mud puddles, I would ride right through them
Perfectly legal, and well within your rights and ethics. I do the same when I race Sha wah mee, and a few complain, but that's tough.

[Little D]

f*&k the complainers, it's a race on dirt for God's sake. Last year my socks were soaked within the first 2 miles after Rosie's field. I always pick the most direct route with puddles in that race.
To bad I didn't get in this year, but I rode 18 miles of Rock Lake trail Sunday. Awesome trail, can't wait until they finish it.

[steef]

Is next years filled up yet?

[TrailPatrol]

Is next years filled up yet?

Space at Chequamegon is selected by a lottery in March. Usually there are 3-4 thousand applicants for the 2500 slots. When the applications open up, it will be on the CFTF website and is usually announced here too. Get your app in before the deadline and you have an equal chance with everyone else of getting in to the race.

Good luck!

Ride safe,
:banana:
Hans

[steef]

That's cool. The last time I rode it in '94,I think, the entries filled up really fast. People were practically entering the next year's race before they crossed the finish line. ;)

[RedSquirrel]

Fast was the way this year. I beat my goal of 3hrs so now I'm done!

Cramps? Salt, salt, salt, potasium & more easy pace long distance rides prior.

Good luck. I quit that scary start boring a$# road race.

Cheers!

[seberly]

I think I was the only one out there in a MORC jersey - anyone???

[flea]

Good FatTire recap article on Skinnyski website by Jay Richards, with interview of Doug Swanson:
http://www.skinnyski.com/racing/display.asp?Id=2599


For myself, I kinda missed the mud, it adds at least some small element of technicality to the Fat Tire. I think there were only 3 or four puddles the whole way. However I could do without the sand trap six miles into the race after Mosquito Brook crossing as it creates quite a big backup as soon as someone doesn't make it thru and starts an accordian effect. I had a great time this year, really fun.

[Wolfchimp]

I think I was the only one out there in a MORC jersey - anyone???
I saw another guy in a MORC jersey at the start, but i didnt recognize him.

[flombe]

I think I was the only one out there in a MORC jersey - anyone???

If you have a beard, then I saw you! I have to get one of those jerseys for next year.

[TrailPatrol]

I think I was the only one out there in a MORC jersey - anyone???

Steve,
From my vantage point at Timber Trail and Spider Lake Road for both races, I saw at least six and maybe as many as a dozen MORC jerseys go by. Almost all of them seemed to know who I was and said "hi". Alden was with me at one point when somebody went by in a MORC jersey, and it wasn't you. We didn't know who it was. So many people shout "Hi Hans" as they go by that, with a few rare exceptions (Gary Sjoquist, and Gerry Olson from COGGS, for example) I can't even begin to keep track of who they are. :crazy2:

But yes, MORC was well represented.

Ride safe,
:banana:
Hans

[TrailPatrol]

Also, there was a racer wearing an National Mountain Bike Patrol jersey, which is a "no-no" anyhow under NMBP policies. Screwed up at least my coverage area, because I thought he was one of our working patrollers. So when he went by and said hi, I moved up to my secondary assignment before I was supposed to. Oh well, nobody got hurt, so I suppose it doesn't matter.

I did have a racer with a broken collarbone on the Short and Fat, just before the turn onto Timber Trail. Turns out the guy was a paramedic from Rice Lake, and when the quad came to pick him up, they all knew each other. (Like Old Home Days!) :crazy2: I just told him what I was going to do, and when he agreed, I did it.

Ride safe,
:banana:
Hans

[flombe]

Hans, thank you for being out there! I don't know you, but I think I saw you!

[seberly]

OK, so maybe I wasn't the only guy out there in a MORC jersey - I also saw the patrol out there which is awesome.

On another subject you guys should all make sure to sign up for the Rough Stuff Rondevous on Sunday morning - it is even more fun than the 40!

[Wolfchimp]

I suspposed to do the rough stuff but I forgot to pick up my bib...and i happened to sleep in. Whoops. I'll definitley have to do it next year if I get into the 40.

[TML]

On another subject you guys should all make sure to sign up for the Rough Stuff Rondevous on Sunday morning - it is even more fun than the 40!

I see you placed quite well in that. Good job Steve.

[seberly]

Thanks Troy - I'm telling you it is super fun and you being a map man to the MAX I'm sure you would do well too. Takes more than fitness for that event.


By the way did anyone else go to the awards on Saturday night? Hans Erdman got a special acheivement staff award from Gary Crandall (Festival director).

Congrats Hans on many years of great work at the Chequamegon (and of course lots of other places).

[halls]

MORC was well represented in the short &fat race. It's still the best looking jersey on race day. Ryan,Paul and Matt (thanks again for the FAT Tire beer !)
it's great to see you all rip it up!
Thanks again Hans and all the trail patrol for keeping the race running smooth.
It's a fun time.
The Camba trials with our support will continue to provide great riding for mtn. bikers of all levels.
I did see the rider with the collarbone problem. Help reached him ASAP. That was comforting to see in an event as big as the FAT Tire.

[TrailPatrol]

By the way did anyone else go to the awards on Saturday night? Hans Erdman got a special acheivement staff award from Gary Crandall (Festival director).

Thank you, Steve and everyone.

Of course it's not just me. I figured it out and over the ten years I think we've had about 150 patrollers from nine patrols in seven states help out at the CFTF. We started with just three, Andy W., Brian P. and myself in 1996, and had a high of 26 about 4 years ago. I need to single out Alden Patton (MORC Patrol) and Mike Randall (Backcountry & Barmy Dogs Patrols) for their part in working Chequamegon. Both of them have been at every CFTF since they joined NMBP/NCMBP eight years ago. Thank you Alden and Mike! Each year has it's special features and challenges that make it different every time, and each year our patrollers from Minnesota, Wisconsin and beyond rise to and meet the challenge. Thank you all, because there is really, absolutely no way I could do it without all of you in NMBP.

Ride safe,
:banana:
Hans

PS If you want to see the sculpture they gave us, it is on our homepage at www.trailpatrol.org (http://www.trailpatrol.org)