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.... 

Cam Kirkpatrick (Rasmussen) leads the Expert open division with 309 points, with Aaron Grady (Bike Masters) only ten points behind.  Grady will need to win, and will need to bury Kirkpatrick quite far into the field to take the top spot-- but one flat tire or perhaps a hard charging Kent McNeill or Steve Jarrett (both Midwest Cycling Community) could change things significantly. 

In the Sport open division, Josh Beasley (Bike Masters) leads Lincoln's Dale Pinkelman be a mere 8 points.  Paul Eichler (The Bike Way) is just a few points behind in third, and could still take it all with a breakout performance. 

Kevin Limpach (Yeti/Midwest Cycling Community) looks to have the Expert 35+ category all sewn up, as does Bob Brindamour & Todd Matheson (both ofBike Masters) in the Sport 35+, and Sport 45+, respectively.

Continually shrinking big man & super commuter Tom Baumgarten has a significant hold on the Sport Clydesdale category, will the hard working Greg Mayer (The Bike Way) not too far behind.

Nicole Koch (the Bike Way) has a decent lead over Debbie Carstensen in the Sport Women. 

Well known stuntman Nate Woodman (MonkeyWrench Cycles) has the one-speed category closed up, while David Randleman (Olympia) and Brian Logan (Bike Masters) will have a hard battle to decide the Beginner Open, as they are only one point apart!

In his first year of racing, Nick Limpach (Midwest Cycling Community) is working hard to catch up with brother Kevin, and leads Lincoln's Mike Loll in the Beginner 35+.  Rich Wilson and David Marson (both Bike Masters) have a hold on the Beginner 45+ crowd and Beginner Clydesdale crowd, respectively.  

Trail steward Christine Bixby (TeamFIRE) will be on her "home" course to  cinch her lead in the Beginner Women category.  Juniors Jeffrey Hofer, Leah & Hannah Rabideau, and Kaylie Price have their category wins nearly in hand.  Meanwhile, Jesse & Micah Holmes (Holmes Family Racing) will have a battle for the mere 11 points that seperates them in Junior 12 & Under category.

Some will be attendance to stamp their signature on a dominating season, many others will be there to fight for the few precious seconds & points available, and everyone will be sure to have a great time on the twisting, fast trails of popular Swanson park!  Don't miss the final points competition of the Nebraska Lottery Psycowpath Series!  And mark your calendars now for Saturday, Oct 13, for the second annual end of the season party-- with more of everything you've come to expect!