Nebraska Cycling News

Perfect weather and perfect trail conditions greeted riders on Sunday May 4, for the 24-hour-delayed Swanson River City Shootout, hosted by the Midwest Cycling Community.  Rains late Friday forced race promoters to postpone the race until Sunday-- a decision that proved well worth it. An event record 160 riders tied on a number plate Sunday and took to the trail!

The Midwest Cycling Community's McNeill family took top podium spots in both the Expert Open and Kids Races.  Ellie McNeill got the better of the Under-10 kids field, just ahead of Scott Kintner in 2nd and Jackson Peterson in 3rd.  Also making a strong finish in the Under-10 Kids Race was Hayden Loll, Dillon McNeill, Graham Peterson, Cole Limpach, and Nathan Heldt.  

Ellie McNeill's performance in the kids race put the pressure down on Kent McNeill to also hand out a strong finish in the Expert Open contest.  Kent showed superior fitness and exceptional handling skills on the tight, twisty course, completing five laps in 1:47.  Steve Jarrett (Midwest Cycling Community) finished 2nd at 3 minutes back, followed by Darin Schlake (Monkey Wrench Cycles); Matt Tillinghast and Kevin Limpach, both of Midwest Cycling Community took fourth & fifth, respectively.

At 7pm Friday May 2, THOR and race volunteers completed an assessment of trail conditions.  While a muddy race *might* be possible Saturday, a dry race Sunday is way more fun.  Current trail conditions are damp enough such that any more rain would make the Saturday race miserable.  The race has been postponed to Sunday May 4: Beginner races will start at NOON, Sport & Expert races will start at 2pm. 

Rest assured that the course is draining water quite quickly, and even if we get more rain Saturday early morning, conditions should be great by Sunday.  Questions email ryan.feagan@gmail.com or call 402-415-9071.

The 2008 Nebraska Lotter Psycowpath Series continues this Saturday with one of the most popular events in the series, the Swanson River City Shootout!  Nearly every day in April, dozens of riders could be found ripping the trails at Swanson in eager anticipation of the May 3 event.  Swanson's trails boast plenty of high speed knee-draggin turns, short steep climbs, and some of the best flowing singletrack in the area.  And with the updated weather forecast, the temps for Saturday should be perfect for a high-exertion mountain bike race!  Our friends in the Midwest Cycling Community have been hosting this race for over a decade-- you won't want to miss this popular singletrack and famous event!

Registration onsite opens by 8:30am and closes 15 minutes prior to the event.  Beginner and Junior races start at 10am; Sport, SingleSpeed, and Expert races will start at noon.  Remember, thanks to Tim Edwards State Farm, Beginner racers register for a flat $15-- no one day license purchase needed.  Sport/Singlespeed race for $20, Experts $25.  If you didn't get your free series t-shirt at Maskenthine, get it at Swanson!  Download the race bible here.  Questions can be directed to Ryan at 402-415-9071 or ryan.feagan@gmail.com. 

Stanton, Neb. - The 2008 Psycowpath Series jump started the season with the Maskenthine XC Classic at Maskenthine Lake at Stanton, NE. Mostly sunny skies and warm temperatures greeted racers making for a spectacular day of racing.

Jon Downey of the host club, The Elkhorn Valley Cycling Club, reported a tremendous turnout. "Last year we had 56 entries. We were hoping for a 10% increase over last year." Downey said.  "The final tally was a surprising 114 entries. We couldn't be happier."

Riders from Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota took to the trails racing for medals, cash prizes, and gift certificates from Cleveland Bike and Sport of Norfolk and the Bike Way of Omaha. A KHS Solo One 29r, provided by KHS Bicycles and Cleveland Bike and Sport, was given away at the end of the race day. Every registered racer was eligible for the drawing and Joshua Dahlback was the lucky winner.