WSSSC.
The course consensus appeared to be a grade A
conquering effort. With sandy switch-backs and damp bridges Levis mound not only
brought out the carrot but supplied the competitors with diversified terrain.
As the early sun cut away morning the stars and hearts arose. Gathering at the
line one by two it was apparent that souls would be crushed and dreams killed.
Gary FISHER29 rider and
proud member of the BKB, JAMES sets us straight with his perspective.
The 2008 Wisconsin State
Single Speed CHAMPIONSHIPS
had been nearly a year of anticipation for many. I can only imagine those
trying to get away for certain weekends throughout the year to ride at Levis
hoping that it will enhance their ability to close the gap by a few seconds
between themselves and the leader. I had never ridden the trails at Levis
but the advice to ride a 'light' gear was greatly appreciated. I geared up
at 34x20 for the 1000 feet or so of climbing that lie ahead on the 2 lap 25
mile long course. The drive down 97 brought me back to my childhood as
Karin clenched her seat belt, unstable out of her natural city habitat. We
made the right hand turn down Fisher Ave and I felt my surroundings becoming
even more desolate before seeing the parking lot full of cars at the trail head
entrance.
Though we made it to the race with plenty of time to spare, I had no idea how hard it would be to explain exactly where I was to the locksmith. Not too long after arriving the hearts and stars started to appear. Former state champ CREEPYFRIENDLY and runner-up The DARKNESS both of the BKB were among the single speeders. The field was 31 riders deep with 28 men.
Following the infamous Le Mans start we were off down a 2 mile lead out. I spun out repeatedly as Creepy, the Darkness, TJ, and others filed into the single track. The first few miles were relatively flat with a lot of tightly wound single track and various bridges over the marshy areas. At one point I slipped off the bridge and can't say how much I appreciate Jerry Daanen slowing up allowing me to get back on the bike. Little did I know that same mistake would cost me 5th place on my second lap.
As the leaders opened up the gap I found myself in a small train which slowly started to break up on the climbs. The trails were in excellent condition and the climbing was downright painful. The maze of single track left me disoriented as I finally came around on the first lap. My time was somewhere around an hour and 9 minutes which is relatively long considering the distance of the lap. After a graciously perfect water hand off I knew I was in for the long haul as I tucked back into the single track. I was sitting 5th when I again, slipped off a bridge. The gentleman behind me was sucking my wheel hard as he ripped by leaving me running the remainder of the bridge before remounting. The remainder of the race I was primarily riding alone catching a glimpse every so often of 5th. I couldn't muster up enough energy to catch him as I pushed it across the line in 6th place around 2 hours, 20 minutes. Jesse won for the third year in a row with Marko in 2nd for the third year in a row. Various BKBers were spread throughout the field. Chalk another one up for the Bareknuckle Brigade!
First class photos:
