Pugsley World Championships

Finish Line Photo Op

Well this past weekend was the Third edition of the renowned Pugsley World Championships.  This race is well known for it’s hard race conditions and it’s extravagant racers.  This year was no exception.  A little history, the race has been held the last 3 years with courses consisting of snowmobile trails, snowy paved trails, open gravel and snow covered single-track. Also the race is strictly on fat bikes with those that want the coveted prize money having to be on these rumbling machines. This year proved, in my eyes to be the hardest from a racing standpoint due to course and the fact that we were on fat bikes which are inherently “FAT”.

We started the race with a neutral rollout from the local Elk’s club heading towards the starting line.  On the way to the line, our lead-out lead us up onto a levy with about 6 inches of fresh snow and ice.  Thinking the race was on, many took off like a bat out of hell trying to put a gap in.  Low and behold, we were still on our way to the line.  Nice little warm up for sure.

Once at the line at the end of a long gravel road, we were off and at them.  Being a local, I went to the front and controlled the pace by setting a slower and pretty easy 15 mph speed. I decided to set this speed knowing very well that the opening climb was where all separation was going to take place.  If you don’t know Decorah, any road out must head upwards of 300-400 feet, this opening climb being exactly of this kind.  As we headed up the climb, the race was on and the separation was immediate.  I opted to set my pressure pretty high around 15 psi for the race as the opening 27 miles of 30 were set to be on open gravel and no need for lower pressure.  

Up the opening climb and opening 3-5 miles I was at the lead of the race.  After being passed by former local crazy singlespeed fat biker, Scotty, up the initial climb out of his own necessity to keep moving, I decided to see what people had in them and attacked to create the front group. 

After about 5 miles, Franz, from Rochester established himself as the clear leader opening a 20 sec. gap on me and my fellow sufferers, Hollywood Henderson and teammate (forgot his name).  We spent the rest of the ride out to Bluffton and back to Decorah in this position, or so we thought. 

Pain Train picking up steam!!

After battling strong 10-15 mph. headwinds dang near the whole course and the countless steep gravel pitches all the way to Bluffton and back, we were convinced to be fighting for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place.  Not so in the end!!  On the way into Decorah, I made a decision, even though suffering from cramps and exhaustion that a move need to be made.  Hollywood and myself but the gas on and opened up a gap coming down Quarry Hill into Decorah.  We knew the final 3 miles was on snowy trails with lots of ice underneath.  Well after almost blowing the turn into Van Pennen we entered the trail more or less together as I went down due to over pressure and Hollywood blowing the turn and making it back quickly. Little did I know we were in for more trail than first thought!

Checking on the competition

Heading up the climb into the park on icy snow, I decided to take off on foot and run up the hill thinking at the top it was straight down hill and pressure wouldn’t matter,thus taking the win.  Not how it was to be.  After sprinting up the hill 1/4 mile I was greeted with arrows into the curvy pines and about 2 miles of extended time on the trails.  Oh well I thought keeping pressure the same, decided to run, run, RUN!! I was able to keep the lead for about another 1/2 a mile before Hollywood came up on me, having dumped air, riding like a champ.  Thus the decisive move was made and the rest is history!  

After running the rest of the Pines, down the hill I went and into 2nd Place overall and more than happy with the place.  Mental error on my part but Hollywood was on a mission today and was an animal out there that was blood thirsty for the win.  Congrats to him!  Just another podium for TEAM NOAH though.  Keep it going. OUT!

PWC Podium w/ axes and cash!!

Bucketball for the PWC Grand Championship w/ yours truely referee