Taylors Falls, Minnesota - Erickson's Brothers Tree Farm

Red Barn Cyclocross Classic - Saturday, October 29, 2005

Taylors Falls (no relation...ha!), located along the Minnesota/Wisconsin border along the Mississippi River, is a beautiful little river town surrounded by little Swedish communities. Every town you pass in the Chisago county along the river, proudly displays their sister city in Sweden. The Erickson Brother's Tree farm is located in a beautiful Evergreen grove, just before you arrive into the Taylors Falls township.

The day was lovely...warmish for this time of year, but with some cloud cover (which probably kept the temperatures warm), and the fall colors in this part of the state were still in bloom---past peak perhaps, but still the prettiest displays I've seen yet. Out of the farming lands you have many more trees and natural areas and it's very beautiful indeed!

With such good weather, the fields were large with cyclocrossers, and Mike, though not feeling 100% (he's been sick forever it seems....or going on 6 weeks now), was feeling ready to mix it up and race. He immediately found some guys to warm up with, leaving Sydney and I around to mingle. I love all the dogs that always come to the race. The one picture above was on top of the roof of the "Red Barn"...being an "Erickson" had it's benefits at this race...balcony "box" seating was one (first dibs on the free hot dogs was another!)

Once "Hollywood" made the scene, it was time to go. I think he looks at the course for his warm up as I rarely see him warming up anywhere...Rules of the Race announced, cowbells ringing and they're off!! 1/2 way into the first lap, and the split was made; Doug Swanson(Trek/VW) came storming through the trees with Taylor (McGuire-Langdale) hot on his wheel!

And so it went for a lap or two before another joiner had bridged his way up, Aric Hareland (Salsa Superteam). Could this be the winning move? Could it be anything else? Basically, sans a mechanical, the lead group stays off (in a cross race---there are less team tactics to bring back a break, and the course is usually on the narrow side making it difficult to pass, etc.). It's just too hard to make up time on these twisty turny type circuits! Lap after lap the three guys stormed passed the start/finish. They all looked good and strong by the time they passed the spectators.

It's the stuff you don't see that is the cool part about cross-racing. Like the guys who crash into the barriers, or guys tripping on themselves going up the hills. What you do see is suffering. Linda, (who raced in the B race earlier and who's house we stayed at Saturday night) asked me if I knew that Mike was with the two leaders of the series. She didn't know Mike very well. She was wondering if he was smiling or gasping for air? I said, "that's how he always looks". I like to think of it as smiling, but I know better.

As the race went into the final bell lap, Doug Swanson had a 10 second gap, followed by Mike and then Aric. Into the final uphill, Mike had second until Aric stormed by him (he's a steeple chase track star...rats!) and ran up the hill for second with Mike close on his wheels for third! A great race! Complete with free hot-dogs, handmade "tree medals" and a little cash to boot!

Thanks go to the Gopher Wheelman for putting on a fun race, and to Daniel and Linda Casper, who graciously let us stay in their lovely house in Northfield for the night!! Northfield, home of Carleton University (think Harvard..in Minnesota) and St. Olaf's, which is a beautiful campus, is a beautiful part of the state! Just lovely. We were going to stay in St. Paul at this really cool house near Macalaster College (at Dan's Mom and Dad's, but Mike is allergic to cats). This part of St. Paul is my most favorite part of Minnesota.

(Small world note: Dan's step Dad is on the board of the American League of Bicyclist's and knows Amanda & Ken Eichstaedt!)