Burton Backcountry Snowboard Pack / Mountain Bike Pack / Off-Road Moto Pack

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Tales From the Land of Chequamegon / 40 Miles of Good Times Racing Mountain Bikes with 2100 Riders / Averaging 19 MPH Off-road

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 All the big players are in this Chequamegon train... Jeff Hall, Cory Stelljes, Brian Matter, Michael Olheiser, Sam Elson, Jesse LaLonde, Tristan Schouten, David Flaton, David Lomardo and Mark LaLonde. These were the top 10 at the finish.

Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival 2016 / Halln' & LAMERE /

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Offroad Weapons Ready to Roll!

 The 2016 Chequamegon 2016 edition was a return to the Northern Wisconsin forest. This marks the 31st year of the trek to Hayward for us. My first Chequamegon race was 1985, the 3rd annual Chequamegon Festival. My racing the Chequamegon lasted till 1993, 8 years... The following year 1994 Jeff raced at the World Mountain Bike Championships in Vail, Colorado, placing 18th as a Junior. From then on I assumed the roll of Team Manager/Driver/ Travel Coordinator/Athlete Trainer/Moto Rider. For many years the moto was an important training tool. Jeff and I used Motor-pacing with my moto about once a week, the single best training tool we used over the years.

It was and still is the roll I enjoy. Really a team effort now with Jeff having his Family and working full time. I still do most of the driving and manage the loose ends. It is, each week creating a game plan. Don't stress the minor stuff, we both know how to travel and be ready to rock and roll when the start gun goes off.

Jeff has a top Sponsor with LAMERE Cycles. They provide Jeff with the best bikes and equipment. That has been the piece of our program that we have needed to create one of the most successful mountain bike race teams in the Midwest, both in the winter with the fat tires and in the summer with whatever bike suits Jeff's needs. Jeff is so valuable as a test rider with the huge amount of world class racing that he has done for the past 24 years. LAMERE Cycles is using Jeff's input to create one of the top Mountain Bikes in the world. Just in 2015-2016 Jeff has won races on 5 different models of LAMERE Mountain Bikes. Also several different tire combinations have been used. 

This is it. The moto is gassed up for the trip on the forest roads to stay ahead of the racers and hand up bottles. Every year Gary issues feed passes to any of the top racers support crews.

Jeff heading to the line 12 minutes before the start as I wish him a good race and the police escort lines up for the lead out of Hayward.

Mr. Chequamegon, Gary Crandall...all smiles as the 34th Chequamegon Fat Tire 40 Mile Festival is ready to roll out of Hayward and finish at Telmark. The top riders will average between 19 and 20 mph for the 40 miles of offroad mountain biking.

The 2 Lead ATVs will lead the riders for the entire race. These guys can really rock and roll with the speeds that the lead riders generate. 

The roll-out is about 3 miles of pavement to Rosies Field, then the race is on, all offroad till the finish. The riders are reaching speeds of 35 mph which helps to string out the 2100 riders.The top 10 finishing riders are in the front group as they enter the dirt.

Cory Stelljes, Jeff Hall, Brian Matter, Tristan Schouten, Jesse LaLonde, Samuel Elsen, Michael Olheiser, David Flaten and Mark LaLonde are at the front on the roll-out...they will be the players at the front in a select group of about 16 riders till OO, 16 miles into the race.   

 

As Jeff Hall pushed the pace and strung out the group down Janet Rd, down a short section of snowmobile trail down Martel's Pothole.

The group was whittled down to about 9 riders by the time the lead group hit Boedecker Rd. Once again with Jeff pushing the pace in the front. Single file and roaring down the forest road!

Meanwhile I'm rocking the backroads myself. Having pre-rode the backroads the day before, I knew what to expect. The race was moving right along, having rode motos at Chequamegon since the year 2001 I know the routine. 

Back to the racers... The pack stayed together through Lake Helane Rd. and it was a sprint to Fire Tower Hill. Cory Stelljes was on a mission this day, he was the first rider over the Fire Tower Climb, just like last year when Jeff was out front up and over the Fire Tower. After that it is an 11 mile sprint to the finish. Jeff was the 2nd rider up and over the Fire Tower after Cory, he was chasing as hard as he could go, pulling the pack which was now down to the select 7 riders. I saw them and Cory only had a 7 second lead about a mile after Fire Tower. When I next see them it is with 6 miles left and Cory had a 30 second lead with Jeff again at the front of the chase group. I want to say that I am saying that Jeff was at the front at these different points in the race. I know a couple other riders did their share of work at the front... just telling it as I saw it the 7 times that I see the riders on the course. When I saw that Cory had gapped the pack I was sure he would not be caught this day with 6 miles left.

A Cliff Bar and a can of Rock Star for me along the course and I'm good ta go. Gotta fuel the Manager, don't ya know... haha! Good times!

They were flying down Camp 38 Rd., hit the short section of Telemark Rd. and Timber Trail. It started to string out a bit and at the finish the top 7 riders were all with-in 1 minute and 3 seconds.

#1 Cory Stelljes / Brian Matter / Michael Olheiser / Samuel Elison / Jesse LaLonde / Tristan Schouten / Jeff Hall / David Flaten / David Lombardo / Mark LaLonde rounded out the top 10.

Jr. gave it all he had... 7th. Fast Men out there today.

Family...They were there for the ride. 

Throw back picture from 2003 with Owen at his first Chequamegon, 1 month old with Weez and Big John looking on. Kinda a family tradition ya might say. 13 years ago.

The Owner...JP LaMere racing his Namesake LAMERE Cycle full suspension 29er. Jeff raced a 29er rigid on this day. I'm running a Yamaha WR450F with a Baja Design street kit, that has plenty of gitty-up and go.

The Kid taking Grandpa's Fat Bike for a ride to wrap up a good day on the trails! Next stop downtown Hayward for much deserved burger and cold beverage!

Ride On!!

Penn Cycle Fat Tire Loppet / Minneapolis, Minnesota / Great Lakes Fat Tire Series 2015

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Setting up the pit the morning of the Penn Cycle Fat Tire Loppet. Plenty of LAMERE Bikes, not so much snow after the warm temps the previous week. This morning the temps were cold, 12 degrees with a 15 mph wind out of the north. Good winter racing weather. The course was altered because of the low snow conditions, the race was to be a 24k distance and it would be three 8k laps. About 19 minutes a lap for Jeff Hall and Jesse LaLonde. This race was, Jeff said "like a short track race, on the gas from the start to the finish".

 Jeff geared up and ready to rock and roll!

 Start from the gun was fast and furious.

 Josh Bauer, Jeff Hall and Hollywood pegging it for the woods over the hill.

 Josh, Hollywood and Jeff together chasing down Jesse who was out front.

 Jeff feels good to follow Hollywood's lead for the first mile. Then Jeff and Jesse put the hammer down and dropped the chase group.

 The two racers that battled it out the week before at the Cold Fish Cup were once again locked in a high speed showdown...

 Jeff leads into the final lap firing on all cylinders. Jesse would jump ahead on a long climb, Jeff marked him, got on Jesse's wheel and powered ahead. Jeff lead into the final corner as they entered the final straight to the finish. Jesse slipped out a bit, Jeff turned the corner under control and jumped ahead for the sprint win.

Two Elite Fat Tire Racers putting on a show of power and trading wins in two races in two weeks... 

 Sprint win!

The Ole Grizzled One and Jeff.

 Team LAMERE on the top of the Podium.

Thanks to Pat Sorensen and Penn Cycle for supporting Mountain Bike Racers and Mountain Bike Races.

 Jesse LaLonde 2nd, Jeff Hall 1st, Josh Bauer 3rd and Pat Sorensen.

Winding down on the ride back to the truck with Jeff and Josh.

Race On!

Fat Tire Mountain Bike Racing / Great Lakes Fat Bike Series / LAMERE Cycles

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Nice shot of Jeff Hall and Brendan Moore at "The Solstice Chase" winter fat tire bike race. Jeff races for LAMERE Cycles and Brendan races for Wolf Tooth Components. This race was the first of the season in the "Great Lakes Fat Bike Series". 

The podium, Jeff Hall 1st, Brendan Moore 2nd and Josh Bauer 3rd.

Lutsen 99er / Mountain Bike Marathon Race 2014

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On the road to the Lutsen 99er Mountain Bike Race, in Two Harbors, MN. Subway pre-race dinner @ 10:30pm Friday night. Still have about 50 miles to drive, foggy, with very low visibility made the last 50 miles interesting.

I got to sleep on a couch @ about 1:30am, up @ 4:30am, race start @ 7:30am. 1000 Mountain Bike Racers.
Ready for a big day on the 400 Suzuki chasing Jeff on his mountain bike for 99 miles.

 The fog was thick off Lake Superior as the 1000 mountain bike racers left Lutsen Resort and rode down to highway 61 heading north a few miles and turning up a pavement section climb before turning off on to gravel.

 The riders were still in the fog for the climb up away from Lake Superior. The front of the pack began to spread out and Jeff Hall was right up front. Looking clean and fresh as the legs warmed up, I think he was surprised that I was coming up alongside on the Suzuki. 

This is Jeff Hall in the black and white with the Foundry kit.

 I came up alongside Richard on his dirt bike up front, he was leading the 39 mile race. His brother was racing the 39 mile mountain bike race. I hooked up with Jesse and Blake as we were out front of the 99 mile race. These guys looked ready to rock with their KTMs, muddy and all knobbied up. This was going to be an adventure.

After riding a moto in the North Star Road Bike Race 2 weeks ago, I have had some awesome motorcycle rides amongst bicycle racers...It is great to see the races develop out on the courses. I was riding a BMW 1200GS at the road races and I'm riding my Suzuki 400 all knobbied up for this Lutsen 99er. The road races were about 98 and 84 miles. This mountain bike race is 99 miles off-road. Jeff averaged 16.85 mph for 99 miles off-road, with a time of 5:52:31. The first 4 finishers were 15 minutes ahead of 5th place. They were rocking up there!   

 Early in the race, still a bit of fog and a good size pack.

 On the narrower stretches several miles into the race the front pack whittled down and the tempo started to pick up...the race was on.

 Pacing off the front with Jesse we had to on occasions, gently have drivers pull over to the side of the dirt roads to let the racers by. As we rode into the aid stations we could give updates and make sure that the racers stayed on course.

 When one is on the bike for over 5 hours it is important to hydrate and eat, on the mountain bike or a dirt bike. Jeff fastened a small pouch on the front of his jersey. He carried everything from turkey jerky, power bars to gel packets. I carried a couple cans of "Rock Star Zero" energy drinks along with a leftover subway ham sandwich and of course several Power Bars. Gotta eat and drink to keep maximum power. 

 It was out on the outer double loop on the second go round that Jeff decided to put the hammer down and thin the pack of about 11 riders to the final 4 racers. That section of the course suited Jeff as it was a bit more rugged and narrow. Jeff is out front in top photo and 3rd, drinking in the lower photo. 

 This was shortly before Jeff put on a push to split the group.

Jeff is #205. The final 4 were sorted out and out front all the way to the finish for the next 50 miles.

 One of the motos chasing me through the woods ahead of the racers...

 The guys are skirting some puddles and roaring through the middle of some that span the whole road. They were really moving now.

 The water was flowing across the trail as there was a large beaver dam along the left side of the photo.

The pictures say it all...Hammer!

 It all comes down to this sign, 10 miles to go after 89 miles. Either the body has it or ya just survive...They were still together, the pack of 4, Jeff Hall, Michael Naughton, Garth Prosser and Kasey Bacso. The riders had the hammer down and as they rode into the muddy bog section. Jeff hit it hard, Garth and Kasey dropped off the back. Jeff and Michael pulled away with Jeff gaining a small gap. Michael put on a surge and Jeff couldn't match it. Michael crossed the line in first with Jeff 2nd.

 Jeff Hall @ 2nd place @ 5:52:31 @ 16.85mph average speed / 99 mile race shortened about 3 miles.

 Cracking a smile after a ride through the North Shore Forest on 2 wheels.

 I came up on a racer with a "Finish Line Finders" jersey, it was long time team member Tim McGrath. I was on my motorcycle with my helmet and goggles on so Tim did not recognize me right away but I yelled out my name and he gave me a high 5. Good to see Tim out there racing.

 Podium shot / 1st: Michael Noughton @ 5:51:49 / 2nd: Jeff Hall @ 5;52:31 / 3rd: Garth Prosser @ 5:52:43 and Kasey Bacso not shown, who earned 4th and was in the lead pack till a few miles out.

All the bikes the morning of the race before unloading to have an adventure in the the Minnesota North Shore Forest. Total of 36 hours, traveled 700 miles by truck, bike and motorcycle. 3.5 hours of sleep...back home by 3:00am Sunday.

Ride On!!