The Ragnarok 105 race

Tomorrow I am leaving my home at 5:00am in order to get to Redwing, MN in time for the start of the Ragnarok 105. It is not a very conventional race. It is as much an adventure race as a bicycle race. Riders must bring enough water and food for the duration of the race and cannot accept outside support in any way. It follows as many gravel roads (especially hilly ones) as the race directors could find. So, it is neither a road race, nor a mtn bike race. Racers are given "tulip" notes - a sort of simplified map to follow, and all of us are really hoping not to get off course. Every mile you ride in the wrong direction must be retraced. Add that to the 105 miles of normal race course and you get a REALLY long ride. Last years winners finished in a little over 8 hours. I hope to finish within 10. I am hopefully not as slow as that goal suggests, but am riding a single-speed bike and will cover ground a little slower than those with a full set of gears. Think - Tortoise and hare.

I am going to carry a small camera and hopefully get a few shots of the race course. It should be beautiful! Southern, river valley Minnesota is easy on the eyes. Lake City is like a little paradise tucked away in the hills. I just hope that the blinding pain will subside long enough for me to take a few images. I will post whatever I end up with sometime later this week.

To learn more about the "Race", click here.

Nature Valley Gran Prix, Minnesota

We are smack in the middle of the Nature Valley Gran Prix. For those unfamiliar, this is Minnesota's premier road race event. Professionals from around the world are here competing. Teams like Toyota United, Rock Racing, Kelly Benefit, Healthnet, Jelly Belly and more are battling on the streets as we speak.

June 7-8th started things off with an event called the Fixed Gear Classic that was held at the National Sports Center's Velodrome in Blaine, MN. It was bar none the fastest, most exciting track racing that I have witnessed. One highlight was watching Roberto Chiappa break 2 long standing track records. He hit speeds of 41mph on his way to setting the record. Wild!

Our hometown racers came out and held their own quite well against the big boys of the world. Well done guys and girls-you know who you are.

I showed up in the rain to shoot the Criterium race in downtown St. Paul on Wednesday. The poor racers had to endure some really sloppy conditions. There were a lot of wrecks at the corners - sometimes as many as one every other lap. Kristin Armstrong took off a few laps into the race and rode like a freight train the remainder of the race. I could be wrong, but think she lapped all but a few riders. Really impressive ride.

The men's race was really fast. It felt like they were attacking the whole time. I am always amazed at the strength of these pro riders. Unfortunately, the mens race was cancelled before the finish due to one of the motorcycles wiping-out due to the terrible weather. The riders decided to call the race off and donate the nights' prize money to charity. True gentlemen.


For images of the events go to my gallery page.

* AllI ask it that you remember to give me photo credit for any use and no one is permitted to use these for anything other than personal use. That would be violating the riders' rights as well and mine. Thanks all.