Nebraska Cycling News

The capstone event of the 2007 Nebraska Lottery Psycowpath Series is set for this Saturday, Aug 25, at one of the areas most popular mountain bike venues in the state.  The Swanson State Championship XC, hosted by Lincoln-Plating Lemond Racing, is also the final points-earning event of the 2007 Nebraska Lottery Psycowpath Series.  In each category, series winners will receive free entry to every Psycowpath XC event in 2008.  In addition, Saturday's XC event will crown winning Nebraska residences and NORBA annual license holders with the official title of State Champion, with recognition for 2nd and 3rd place as well.  If you're in the running and don't have an annual license, now's the time to get one to be formally recognized by the National Offroad Bicycling Association and USA Cycling. 

On Saturday, junior & beginner categories start at 10am with sport, singlespeed and expert categories starting at noon.  Don't miss the increasingly popular (free!)kids race starting at 11:20-- just bring a parent, a bike and a helmet! The state championship presents an extra challenge for racers: Beginners will complete 2 laps, Sport/Singlespeed will complete 4, while Expert racers will complete 6 full laps.  For this special event, the course will be run backwards from the typical direction.  Please use caution and care in pre-riding the course this week.

Download complete details, directions, and more with the Psycowpath Racer's Bible here.

Many categories feature a tight race for the top spot, and will be decided once and for all this Saturday at Swanson park.... 

Norfolk, NE - Elkhorn Valley Cycling Club powered by Monster hosted the 7th Nebraska Lottery Psycowpath event of 2007, with Norfolk's own and brand new Maskenthine Lake XC Classic.  Cam Kirkpatrick (Rasmussen) sat on Aaron Grady's (Bike Masters) wheel for just a few minutes on the opening lap, but quickly decided to up the pace and seperate himself from the pack.  Kirkpatrick, who held a dominating lead in the 2006 Nebraska Lottery Series, has found a higher level of competition in the 2007 series with the early rise of local powerhouse Kent McNeill (Midwest Cycling Community) and later coming-of-age of young Aaron Grady (Bike Masters).  Kirkpatrick made a dominating stamp on the field with his win at the Maskenthing XC Classic, and is poised to win yet another Psycowpath Series points competition.  Grady came in second, with spicy hot Lincoln veteran Matt Gersib (Salsa Cycles!) coming in a close third.  Jay Chesterman (Sioux City Velo) and Ryan Feagan (Bike Masters) finished in fourth & fifth, respectively. 

In the Expert 35+, Kevin Limpach (Midwest Cycling Community) continued his stellar year with a close win over Jesse Peterson (Monkeywrench Cycles) and Lincoln's Jim Winklepleck.  Kevin was quick to note that, even amongst a season of victories and impressive finishes throughout the midwest and in the rocky mountains, this win was an especially important achievement for him-- it marks the first time this year that he has finished ahead of young Grady. 

 Maskenthine Lake Classic Results...

 2007 Psycowpath Series Points Standings...

Photos by Tom Winfield

USA Cycling and the National Offroad Bicycling Association recently held the 24 Hour Mountain Bike National Championships in Wausau, Wisconsin, and Psycowpath racers were there to represent.  Larry Kintner (Midwest Cycling Community), Roxzanne Abbott and Ryan Feagan (both of Bike Masters) had raced there in 2006 and in 2007 John Holmes joined to make a four person team for the Coed Open Division.  It was a full 24 hour journey to reach the top end of the standings; here is Roxzanne's recount of the event.

Well, 24 Hours of 9 Mile is history and it was an awesome time for all involved. Team Psycowpath Nebraska, was made up of Ryan and Roxy of Bike Masters, Hot Pepper Harlan (Larry Kintner) - Omaha Cycling Community, and John Homey Holmes. More important were the team's support crew, Mrs. Homey and their two sons, Micah and Jessie. Two words for Donna - ROCK STAR! tornados. This year we were greeted with pristine dirt and mild temps. We entered the co-ed open division so to defend and hopefully move up from third place last year. If you aren't familiar, last year the race was cancelled after only 19 hours due to white-out rain conditions and With a cloudless sky and a moon you could read by, a positive vibe had been set for the whole weekend. The good weather put people in great moods and the excitement was contagious.

Norfolk, NE - August 11 marks the debut of series mountain bike racing in Northeast Nebraska with the inaugural Maskenthine XC Classic, part of the 2007 Nebraska Lottery Psycowpath MTB Series. The venue for this course will be the beautiful Maskenthine.

The Elkhorn Valley Cycling Club powered by Monster is promoting the race and also serves as the course stewards. The trail system was conceptualized in 2005 with the first phase completed in 2006. The second phase of the project was constructed in early 2007 realizing the goal of nearly five miles of continuous singletrack. The trail has a wide variety of terrain ranging from technical drops and off-camber turns to lung-testing climbs to wide-open prairie sections. Several downhill sections slalom through natural and hand-planted pines. Lake Recreation area, just east of Norfolk and north of Stanton.

Eighteen year old Aaron Grady (Bike Masters) once again climbed to the top step of the podium at the Manawa Mountain Bike Mayhem XC on July 7.  The sixth installment of the Nebraska Lottery Psycowpath Series (and the fourth XC event) was held under very hot, dry, dusty & sandy conditions at the trails along the river at Lake Manawa SP ini Council Bluffs, IA.  Cam Kirkpatrick (Rasmussen), who dominated the 2006 series, finished second just 7 seconds behind Grady.  Steve Jarrett (Midwest Cycling Community)  and Darin Schlake (MonkeyWrench Cycles) finished third and fourth, respectively, while Mark Savery (Midwest Cycling Community) celebrated his birthday with a 5th place finish on his singlespeed. 

Alongside top notch racing, racers and spectators got a chance to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Trails Have Our Respect (THOR).  THOR volunteers served up cake and refreshments, while over 50 people signed up as new THOR members and received on of the new THOR t-shirts. 

Check back soon for complete results and story.

 Manawa Mtb Mayhem Results...

 Psycowpath Series Standings...

Photos by Tom Winfield

The 2007 Nebraska Lottery Psycowpath Series continues this Saturday, July 7, with the Manawa Mountain Bike Mayhem XC.  Held at Lake Manawa State Park, just over the river in Council Bluffs, IA-- host club Omaha Velo (River City Hockey & Bike) promises great fun on one of the metro areas most popular courses. 

Lake Manawa State Park features nearly 7 miles of mostly flat, fast, winding singletrack over small berms and through tight trees.  The course is a favorite amongst both seasoned veterans and first time riders.  After severe damage from flooding in early May Trails Have Our Respect volunteers have spent countless hours to make sure this course is back in top shape for racing-- come out and experience their fine work first hand. 

Beginner riders start at 10am (1 lap), with Sport/Singlespeed (3 laps)/Expert (4laps) races starting at noon.  Questions?  Contact Ted at ted@rivercityhockeyshop.com or call Ted's shop at 402-614-9970.  Click link to read more or download the race bible here.