Getting Rocked at the Rum River Cross Race!

We're getting a little more Minnesota-style at the races, weather-wise. I keep chattering my teeth, whining about how cold it is for this Northern California Girl, while these Minnesotans smile at me and let me know, "...that this isn't *really* cold, Joni, just you wait" (Heavy Sigh!) Mike and I left Marshall on Saturday and headed up to St. Cloud to hang out, ride and eat alot of food with some friends/racers, and then stayed the night there to be closer to the venue in Milaca which took place on Sunday.

Actually, for racing, the weather is probably fine (glad to not be suffering in the snowy East Coast races for sure)...but it was in the 40's, overcast...with a chilly breeze that kicked up now and again. Sydney was happy to watch the race from inside the warm car...as I forgot to bring her new Minnesota hound-coat. While Mike was warming up, I saw Todd Wells' wife and I asked her what she was doing here (Like shouldn't they be out East?!) Her Grandma, who lived in Minneapolis had died and so they were in Minnesota for the funeral on Saturday and Todd found the closest race for Sunday...and Milaca was IT!

The Pro1/2 field was a bit smaller than last weeks, but well stacked with top athlete's. In addition to the usual fun-seekers were Todd Wells (former National Champ at least once) as well as Junior National Champ, Bjorn Selander (Alan Factory -- and I'm sure I'm not spelling his name right), and noticeably missing was Doug Swanson (who was doing some Icy Mountain Bike race somewhere else), and Jay "Hollywood" Henderson.

As the race sped away, Bjorn was the first guy over the first barrier and up the hill, with Taylor right next to him and Wells about 2 guys back. This changed quickly when Bjorn crashed hard (but got right back up) somewhere on the backside, and the first lap through the start/finish it was Taylor and Wells together, Bjorn not far behind, with Aric Hareland (Salsa Superteam) bridging his way up quickly. Taylor and Wells were stayed together until Taylor tripped up on (over?) a barrier and Wells shot away, never to be seen again (unless he was lapping you!)

Lap after lap, it was Wells...then 30 seconds later it was Bjorn, Taylor and Hareland and another 20 seconds back was Lance Buening of (GrandStay/Out n' About Gear). The above mentioned guys were the only guys in the whole field of 30-something (not in age, but quantity) who didn't get completely schooled by Mr. Wells. Perhaps they did get schooled...but they didn't get lapped! Whew this guy (Wells) is faster than a speeding bullet, able to leap tall barriers and logs in a single try! It's a bird? It's a plane? Allright Joni, Save the drama for your mama---but it really was a cool race, in another very cool part of this lovely and new (to me) State I now call home! (I guess you could enter the word cold where I wrote cool, but these Minnesotans would be sure to let me know how cold it's really NOT yet...even heavier sigh).

Todd Wells (GT/Hyundai) - 1st
Aric Hareland (Salsa Superteam) - 2nd
Bjorn Selander (Alan Factory) - 3rd
Mike Taylor (McGuire-Langdale) - 4th

Even though Bjorn got 3rd, this guy worked and raced like the true Pro he will one day be. Sometimes the results don't really give the racer's their due...and even though I am a McGuire-girl right now and I bleed yellow and green...this Alan Factory kid (literally...I think he's 16 or 17) worked and raced like a champ!!!

Thanks go to the Rum River Cycling folks for treating us to a beautiful venue, and to Todd Wells (dude...you rule!) for showing us how it's done, and a personal thanks to all the Grand Stay Racers who sure are making this cold stuff feel a bit warmer; bringing a little California sunshine to this transplanted-in-the-US-version-of Siberia girl's days! (a.k.a as Minnesota Nice). And to the McGuire team and sponsors who keep reading and routing us on from the lovely city by the bay!