Chilly Chili Ice Race is ON. OFFICIAL POSTING

[Chuck]

The race is happenin' and we hope to see you all out at Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington.

Race flyer is here: http://www.smithersmpls.com/urthel/CHILLYrace06lores.pdf

or check this site: http://www.urthelblog.blogspot.com/

Directions: From 494
Take 169 South
Exit at Bloomington Ferry Rd.
Turn Left on Veness Rd.
Right on W. Bush Lake Rd.
Left at "PICNIC SHELTER #2" at the Boat Launch.
We are in the parking lot at the bottom.



Course:


Short Course with a mix of ice and off-road.
Studded tires recommended. Helmets are required.






Times:


10am to 2pm. Registration opens at 10am and
closes 15 minutes before each race start time.
No pre-registration. (Not a USACycling or USCF event,
so NO racing license required)






Schedule:


A race: 12:20pm - 1,2,3/Expert/Comp Race.
(possible cash awards) 50 minutes.
B race: 11:30am - 4,5/Sport/Beginner Race.
(No cash awards) 30 minutes
C race: 11:00am - 15 and under kids race.
This race may be broken into smaller categories
depending on the number of entries.
(Prizes for all entrants) 20 minutes






Fees:


$10.00 per adult.
Children under 15 race for $5.00.


There may be cash awards but expect lots of prizes. Don't expect the best officiating since we are doing that on our own without USACycling officials. Hey, you guys want low entry fees. :crazy2:

Volunteers will be there around 9am. Some of us sooner.

Course is same as last year but with a little more ice time.

Call 952-250-6848 if you have questions.
cheers
chuck

[TB0NE]

Could you estimate the course length in miles? I'm stoked for this race, although my bike time has been lacking (errrr, nonexisting) since the white stuff has been flying. Either way, see everyone on Sunday!!!!!!!!

[Wolfchimp]

Darn....wish I had studs! Guess I'll just come watch. Good luck to all the racers!

[TB0NE]

Darn....wish I had studs! Guess I'll just come watch. Good luck to all the racers!

Hurry up and get to the hardware store! :banana:

[Tex]

Darn....wish I had studs! Guess I'll just come watch. Good luck to all the racers!

Porter, it says "studded tires are recommended" not manditory. I'm thinking I'll do the sport race sans studs, just for the fun of it. It's not like I'm planning on winning it anyhow :D

See ya out there

[Wolfchimp]

I think I'll be racing it. I will most likely be borrowing some tires from someone I know. If that doesn't happen I think I will ride anyways!!! See you all Sunday! Thanks to all those that PM'd me and offered the use of their studs!

[Chuck]

If you don't have studs, don't worry. You will only be on the ice for half the race :crazy2: .

They are recommended but the spectators love it when you don't have them. Makes all those turns on the ice a little more exciting!

Course length was about 6'00" last year. It really all depends on the weather, temps and amount of snow on the course. If the course is over a mile long, I would be surprized.

[gopherhockey]

I put this event on our calendar. If anyone has events like this they want on the calendar, please let us know... we'll get em' up there.

[hockeynut]

I put this event on our calendar. If anyone has events like this they want on the calendar, please let us know... we'll get em' up there.
Is the race tomorrow (21st as I think the calendar says)? Everything else I read said the 22nd. I guess I should be there either way, just checking.

Isaac

[gopherhockey]

Its on the 22nd.. I made a mistake. Its fixed now..

[Chuck]

I put this event on our calendar. If anyone has events like this they want on the calendar, please let us know... we'll get em' up there.

Thanks John
The second race in this two race series is on the 29th. Maybe you want to add that one to the calendar as well.

later

[Chuck]

Just got back from 3 hours of course setup and this year's course is gonna be tough. Expect the same climb as last year but expect a new downhill section followed by another climb.

Ice section is long! Not a whole lot of turns, just long. I know turns are what make the ice sections more fun, but with limited snow this year it is extremely time consuming and requires tons of markers to make the course more twisty. With limited snow to help show the course, we are using the shore line as the right boundary of the course and occasional flags to your left.

There are two off road sections. One on the east side of the lake(short, new section) and the soon to become infamous "Cory Climb" on the west side of the lake (same as last year).

Singlespeeders. I am not sure what gear to run as the hills are tough and the ice is loooooong and flat. Spin out or labor up the climbs. Take your pick.

See you all at 10am.

Hollywood is going down!!!

[[defective]]

Much fun today on Bush Lake. No drownings. Very little puking. Looking forward to next weekend, perhaps with a geared. Definitely using higher than a 32:20 ratio next time.

Are the full results posted anywhere, or are only the top 10 tracked?

[Burke]

I believe the top 10 were tracked. We'll try to get everyone for next week.

I posted about 20 pictures in the racing gallery.

[gopherhockey]

I believe the top 10 were tracked. We'll try to get everyone for next week.

I posted about 20 pictures in the racing gallery.

Great job on the pics!!

[Chuck]

Hey Folks,

Just wanted to give a quick thank you to all the volunteers that helped set up one awesome course this weekend! It will be tough to beat that next weekend.

Thanks to all the MORC volunteers, Team Urthel, Peace Coffee and Salsa Cycles and J&B Importers for sponsoring the event.

Results will be posted by Tuesday morning. Please give me some time to catch up with things.

We are keeping track of the Top 10 of each race.
A Race gets points for the top 10 each day and there will be an overall awards ceremony and handmade trophies by MORC Member Beau Layman.

We will also be handing out awards for today's B Race Top 10 and the top 3 of women that place today at next weekend's race.

We also had record attendance at this race!!!
Almost 90 total racers.

Stay tuned for results.

-chuck

[jitterjepp]

Never under any circumstances eat a bunch of chuckwagon sandwiches from a gas station.
Next week I'll be there.

[[defective]]

Never under any circumstances eat a bunch of chuckwagon sandwiches from a gas station the day before a mountain bike race

I'll suggest the last seven words of that sentence should be lopped off. Put the period immediately after 'gas station'. :sick:

[drmrboyalex]

Never under any circumstances eat a bunch of chuckwagon sandwiches from a gas station the day before a mountain bike race. I was five stops in between uptown and excelisor and hwy 100 and it was 12pm. I turned around and headed back home.
Next week I'll be there.

mmmmmm....gas station chuckwagons:jumpy:

[goatgirl]

:p What a blast, looking forward to next week. Who needs 80 degrees. Great pics in the gallery, thanks to the photographer.

[jitterjepp]

']I'll suggest the last seven words of that sentence should be lopped off. Put the period immediately after 'gas station'. :sick:
Good idea.

[frogfacepierre]

that race was sweet. I thought it was going to be kind of easy but I was destroyed at the end. who ever one the expert race today was fast as hell.

[hockeynut]

I'll just chime in and say Awesome race too. Thanks to all the volunteers who put it on.

The hills were tough, but very doable with 32-20 (and a 29er) I thought. The biggest problem was getting behind people and not making it around them (like it really matters for me... I was about puking after my 4th or 5th lap however many I did, I think 4). Walking up hills is harder than grunting up them on the bike. Also, for some reason the second transition to dry land got me every time... oh well. Hope to make it out again on next Sunday. Will the course be the same?

Isaac

[Burke]

Will the course be the same?


The lake part will get changed up. Rumor has it closer proximity to the dock area with more twists and turns.

The first hill will probably be the same, but the second one could be reconsidered.

[tedsti]

Great race guys, I had a lot of fun. My knees are making me pay for my 2:1 gear choice though.

[bigwheel]

Great race! Thanks to the organizers.

Next time, I'm going to look backwards for the leader. He'll either have to lap me or come in second. That "bonus lap" wasn't something I had planned on. Although, when I got to the other side of the lake, looked back, and noticed that nobody was behind me, at least I knew that nobody would pass me.

32/20 (29") gearing seemed about right. It was just low enough to get me up the second hill for all but one lap. I wasn't even going to attempt the first hill. A higher gear would have been a lot faster on the ice. Geared bikes had a definite advantage.

So, I guess being only 20% slower than the first place guy isn't that bad for an old, overweight, out of shape, slow clydesdale on a single speed.

Unfortunately, it looks like I'll be out of town next weekend, so I'll have to miss the fun.

Thanks again.

[TML]

As always, the race was a smashing good time! Thanks to the organizers for all the hard work and setup that goes into it. It was fun having so many racers out there!

Thanks for the great pictures Scott. Anyone else got any pics?

[manual63]

Fun is an understatement. It was certainly chilly, but it didn't matter. Racing/Riding in Jan......oh yeah!! I got a flat near the end of the third lap...but it didn't matter....it's about the riding for me.....:)

See you all next weekend!!

[tedsti]

If the top guys are willing to divulge secrets (not that I couldn't have looked had I thought to), what tires were you running? Nokians, home-made studs, or just plain tires?

[manual63]

If the top guys are willing to divulge secrets

Not quite a top guy.....but I know people with good home made studded tires seemed to have better traction than manufactured studded tires. I got passed by a guy who obviously had more go than me, but he couldn't take the corners very well so I would catch right back up to him. I had home mades and when I asked him what he had, he was complaining that his store bought tires sucked.

No studs was obviously not the best way. Some really good riders got by without studs.........but they have some sort of magic helping them out.....:)

[Tex]

I was running an old school set of tire chains. Although they did a great job on both hill climbs, they were absolutely no help on the lake. I think I averaged about 1.5 falls on the ice per lap. I'm pretty sure I taught the young lady from Belgium a few new words :shocked: as I fell right in front of her on the ice. *#!& @ !!

I think I'll be back for next weeks race, but only if I can find a set of studded tires before then.

[flombe]

Sounds like it was a great race! Have results been posted anywhere?

I am hoping to make it out for the second race. Bob and Issac, were you running studs on your 29er's?

[bigwheel]

Bob and Issac, were you running studs on your 29er's?

I was. A pair of used Kenda Klaws that I added 420 screws in the front, 335 in the rear. In fact, I think it was Isaac that I bought them from this fall.

[JBergland]

Have results been posted anywhere?

Tomorrow morning sometime I believe. I'd be surprised if Chuck wouldn't post something here... MORC is the source of most of the racers I believe.

JB

[hockeynut]

Bob and Issac, were you running studs on your 29er's?
Yep. Although hearing how many screws Bob has in his pair I think I have screw envy. I had an old set of Bonty ACX that now have about 210 sheet metal screws front and back. They worked flawlessly, the pilot on the other hand....

[RedSquirrel]

Glad to hear the studs we're studly. The trial and error of Ted, Bob and others was useful. I think we've all gone many many days on the home-made's without incident. There, I just hexed myself!

[SprocketHead]

I second the motion about the store bought studs, they worked just ok... I may have to try the homebrew studs craze.

Mine are the Nokian Extreem's with about 30psi front and 35psi rear.

[tmac]

I'll add my thanks to everyone involved in putting this on. I know race prep takes a lot of work, and to do it in the winter is an added challenge.
I took the liberty of plotting the course (roughly) on the Google Map Pedometer, which shows it about 1.25 miles long. The course ran counter-clockwise, and the second dirt section is the climb. Just picture the course in white.

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/519/Chilly_Chili_Route.jpg

[tedsti]

Considering there will be even less snow to mark the route, could it be painted on the ice? Just a thought. I don't know how much of what you would use, but it may work. I suppose it would have to be eco-friendly. Maybe food coloring mixed with water in one of those backpack sprayers.

[ppgc]

Considering there will be even less snow to mark the route, could it be painted on the ice? Just a thought. I don't know how much of what you would use, but it may work. I suppose it would have to be eco-friendly. Maybe food coloring mixed with water in one of those backpack sprayers.

I am good at making yellow snow/ice. 1.25 miles might be pushing it though. :crazy2:

[Buck]

I second the motion about the store bought studs, they worked just ok... I may have to try the homebrew studs craze.

Mine are the Nokian Extreem's with about 30psi front and 35psi rear.

Lower PSI would probably fix your problem, you still need a fairly wide foot print for them to work, I run less then 25psi in my tires at all times not just winter.

Just a thought give it a try or not.
L8R
Buck

[Tex]

With all this warm weather, plus the rain last night, are we still going to be able to race on the ice this Sunday, or will we have to shift it to the land?

[Chuck]

We are heading out to the park today to look things over.
The forecast does not look good but if the ice is safe, we will have the race.
Thing is, the warmer it gets the less likely we will have any of the race on the dirt. The City of Bloomington does not want the ground, grass, etc. damaged or impacted in any way. When it is cold and the ground is covered in snow and frozen, there is little to no impact. When it is warm and the ground turns to mush, we will leave behind a big, muddy, rutted mess.

So... it will mostlikely be close to an all ice race if we do have it.

I will post a race update no later than tomorrow morning. I will also post information at www.urthelblog.blogspot.com (http://www.urthelblog.blogspot.com) as well as www.superteamracing.com (http://www.superteamracing.com) and www.mcf.net (http://www.mcf.net)

Keep your fingers crossed.

[flombe]

I stopped by today at 3:45-ish. Bring your wetsuit. It looks like there is plenty of ice, covered by a 1"-ish layer of firm slush and/or 1"-ish of water. If temps dip below freezing on Saturday night as predicted, things could be pretty good for an all ice race.

P.S. Buck, was that you in the Red Bull truck I passed as I left at approx. 4:00 PM?

[Chuck]

Thanks Eric.
Yep. We checked the ice this afternoon and there is plenty of ice to have the race with the conditions you described. It should be fine with the temps dippin' below freezing tonight and tomorrow and who knows we may even see some snow by Sunday.

The race will be on all ice. It is confirmed.

See you all Sunday.

[frogfacepierre]

This is going to be one slushy race. any suggestions on what to wear so I don't get all wet.

[flombe]

This is going to be one slushy race. any suggestions on what to wear so I don't get all wet.

Carry an umbrella.

Trash bag with holes for arms and head.

Wear nothing.

Really, I am planning to be wet and have a dry change of clothes to get into immediately after the race. Hypothermia is a risk.

Obviously avoid cotton. Polartec fleece is awesome in wet weather. So is wool. I am considering wearing some type of rain gear depending on conditions.

[RedSquirrel]

Tentative. Temps are forecasted to remain above freezing all night...let's hope we get at least three hours of below freezing. It's raining!! Another day perhaps.

[Chuck]

Well,
We did one more recon today and the ice measured 9" at the shore and 11" out in the middle of the lake. We will be fine, but it will be wet.

Bring warm clothes to change into as suggested by Eric.

Who would have guessed we would have 40degree temps in Jan? Sheesh.

Hope you all make it to the race.

[frogfacepierre]

Carry an umbrella.


Wear nothing.



Genius! then I don't have to worry about getting my clothes all wet.



Good call on the rain gear.

[SPR]

Photos from Sun January 22, 2006 Race:
http://mnsun.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=95714

[RedSquirrel]

Thanks Chuck.

SEE YOU THERE!

[flombe]

Contrary to popular logic, racing on a water-covered ice and getting soaked to the bone in near freezing temps rocks!

Thanks to all who put on the Chilly Chili!:banana:

[RedSquirrel]

My first ever winter race & 3rd time on my SS. Can you say red line...maaan that SS kicks my but.

Eric,Ted nice job. I was a few spots behind ya, Eric you came in a tad behind Ted, our prelim 5th place B dude. I wasn't going for the win (cause I'm so outta shape, ha ha ha) you wouldn't know it from the head to head all out sprint I had with another guy at the end!! Total blast. Ted your history next time!

Who cares if the standings are messed up, it was soooo fun. There's no way anyone could keep all those riders straight by hand. We we're warned before the race it wasn't going to be perfect. That's cool. Good hard fun.

I wish there we're more Chilli's. It's gotta get cold again!

Beer, like I didn't have enough last night, mmmm good. Rider 227.

[hockeynut]

Agreed. Sure glad I had a change of clothes though.

Thanks to all of those who put on another fun race!

[manual63]

Dry clothes....now there is an understatement. I fell on the second lefty on the first lap. Guess I found out the limit right away....:)....and got really wet really fast. That was fun.....and thanks for putting on such a fun event!

[shourtt]

Here is a short clip from the end of the first lap for the "A" racers.

http://waste.org/~saber/bike/img_0003.avi


Nothing says raw, like video from a really cheap camera!

[JBergland]

Having been involved with the local ice races for 2-3 years, I thought I'd about seen everything!! I've seen road-warrior spiked tires. I've seen completely un-studded tires. I've seen single speeds, cross bikes, expensive Ti rigs, and Kmart blue-light-specials. I've seen hockey equipment, full-face-old school motorcycle helmets, and even swim fins, mask, and snorkel. This past weekend, I saw something amazing... a flipping tandem!!!!! Not only did the pair race, they raced WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!

JB

[bigwheel]

Looking at the results, I think that tandem belongs to our MORC president and the first lady. Good job!

It sounds like they had a fun but wet ride on Sunday. I was unfortunately out of town and had to miss it. I'm especially bumming because it sounds like they eliminated that clydesdale-unfriendly hill.

[flombe]

That was MORC Prez Thayer on the tandem. It is a sweet ride.

Bob, where did you find results? Nevermind, I found them at http://www.urthelblog.blogspot.com/

I saw photogs yesterday. Any of you able to post some pics?

[tedsti]

Did anyone get video of the LeMans start for the B race? That had to have been a funny sight seeing everyone sliding through the water to their bikes.

[mara]

Wow was that fun. And wet. And fun. Heath, it was a pleasure to meet you in person. Maria, Lisa, and Ericca, we have the crazy Minnesota chick thing down cold. Soggy even. Thanks to everyone for a great time.