Monday, August 11, 2008

MOB the 'quab

MOB team member Bruce Brown made his debut into mountain bike race promotion this Past Sunday with the "MOB the 'quab" mountain bike race at Lake Aquabi state park just south of Indianola.

The event and the course were a huge success with all of the racers. There were many comments about how great it was to have a fast, wide open alternative to single track races. This also brought out a few new faces, which is a good way to build up the sport in central Iowa.

Just because the race was fast and open didn't mean it was easy. There was enough climbing in each lap to make a mountain goat happy.

After the race everyone was treated to a great lunch, and a very generous swag table.

Congratulations Bruce on putting on a great event!

Full results follow.

Expert Open Team Time

1 Cam Kirkpatrick Rasmussen Bike Shop / Orbea 2:05:16
2 Jay Chesterman Powerade / Independent Fabrication 2:17:10
3 Matt Gersib Monkey Wrench / Salsa 2:24:08
4 Chris Hansen Bikes 2 You 2:29:54

Expert Master Team Time

1 Greg Shimonek Midwest Cycling Community 2:14:40
2 Chad VandeLune All Nine Yards 2:23:37
3 Brad Patty 2:34:29
4 Landon Beachy Bike Tech 2:51:01
5 Kim West All Nine Yards 2:58:46

Single Speed Team Time

1 Kent Carlson Rasmussen Bike Shop 1:18:32
2 Kyle Sedore Mercy / Specialized 1:28:43
3 Aarin Rabhett Team Monkey Taco 1:35:00
4 Taylor Webb Mercy / Specialized 1:41:46

Sport Open Team Time

1 Nathan Kullbom 1:27:19
2 Adam Blake DQYDJ 1:27:59
3 Brad Bergman 1:28:20
4 Neil Groteuschon 1:29:20
5 Keith Snoop HBA Racing 1:32:08
6 Bruce Brown MOB Racing 1:38:30
7 Andy Percy 1:47:12
8 Matt Piepel MOB Racing 1:50:28

Sport Masters 35+ Team Time

1 Andre Lima Coroas Do Cerrado 1:32:37
2 WM Huntberger D.I.C.E. 1:33:55
3 Scott Sumpter MOB Racing 1:38:17
4 Steve Fuller Rasmussen Bike Shop 1:41:47
5 Doug Faber DNF

Sport Masters 45+ Team Time

1 Randy Crist Velo Veloce 1:28:52
2 Jim Logan Rasmussen Bike Shop 1:32:25
3 Phil Curran DICE 1:34:00
4 Jim Pratt Color Biotics 1:50:58
5 Paul Varnum MOB Racing 1:54:51
6 Sterling Hiese Rasmussen Bike Shop 2:03:48
7 Dan Rekemeyer DNF

Sport Women Open Team Time

1 Kim Hopkins All Nine Yards 1:52:40
2 Kristin Reese All Nine Yards 1:58:53

Beginner Men Team Time

1 Rick Blackford Rasmussen Bike Shop 32:48
2 Kurt Benson 33:05
3 Bryce Gilbert 35:12

Beginner Women Team Time

1 Julie Vardaman 36:52
2 Elaine Kay 42:28

3 comments:

BB said...

That was the best turn out for MOB Racing in terms of having racers out on the course at a mountain bike race this year. Way to go!

Thanks to Paul, Christy, Nick, Travis, Scott, Rob, Chris, Brad and the families of MOB Racing for contributing to the effort by either racing, volunteering, bringing watermelon, bananas, water, helping set up, helping take down, providing prizes and generally making the event a success!!!

Total count for registered racers was 42. One had to withdraw right before the start after he wasn't feeling good during his pre-ride. Even though the reality # was 40 based on the prior week's event, my target goal was 50. We lost a few IMBCS racers to the Summer Sizzler Race in Decorah (I read the results list of their 19 racers and recognized a few IMBCS racers), and we lost a couple to a WORS race, and a couple were at Leadville, and a couple were on vacation. However, as Paul said - it was nice to see some new faces and some faces of folks that don't hit all the more technical IMBCS race courses.

Somehow, "Chainsaw" Al Boone doesn't show up in the results, but he should be added in the Sport Master's 45+ with a DNF. Thanks to Al, Erik, my wife and kids for helping out as well.

I now own about $300+ worth of signs, stakes, flags, cones, sign holders, etc... for the nest time around which absolutely will cut costs next year so that with the same amount of racers breaking even will be in the cards. That insurance cost of $300 is another whopper that I will investigate to find an alternative for such a small group. The company I used only insures for a racing group of 50+. Perhaps next year using USA Cycling and getting an official will save about $50 - $100.

Hopefully the buzz from the event will help build our #'s for next year.

Thanks again to all for making it happen. I rode the course on Monday to double check for all course marking signs and to erase all of the orange arrows. Believe it or not, there were no less than a dozen mountain bikers following the race course. None of them had raced in the event, but I asked all of them if they realized there was a race the day before and a few said they were aware of it, but were too afraid to race. Others said they were unaware but would be interested for next year. So I'll have to figure out some better advertising/marketing to up the numbers...

BB said...

Matt - I forgot to thank you for coming down and racing as well. My bad. Good shot of us here on lap one:

http://pictopia.com/perl/gal?process=gallery&gallery_id=53190&provider_id=402&ptp_photo_id=indianola:5497274&sequencenum=60

BB said...

Bad link, Matt. Here's a better one:

http://tinyurl.com/62fxcj