Month of Mud #2 Brady's Run

Results for Brady's run are are posted! [Click Here]

Wow! What a change up from last year! I love Brady's run and last year's race was good, but the people from B.A.B.E just keep pouring it on. The B.A.B.E. volunteers (Beaver Area Bicycle Enthusiasts) added several miles of trails making this year's race a single twelve mile loop. Last year's course served as the finishing miles.

There's so much I like about Brady's, fast winding single track, technical roots and logs and big steady climbs, these make for a classic race and the new trails just added it on.

The race started up the road and across the street from last years start line; adjacent to the playground. The course shot out over the lawn and through the creek. From there we headed up a long steady double track climb that finished up on the road. This did a lot to widen the field and when entered back into the woods, riders were spread out nicely. A race is so much better when your not all jammed up in the woods. From there we were lead through miles of windy single track and up several climbs. Wow so much new trail has been laid out here. The race went twelve miles with the average sport class rider finishing between 1:20 - 1:35.

I just want to extend a big thanks to B.A.B.E and all the volunteers from me and the racers. So much work was put in to getting the trails back in shape after the storm. Much appreciated!

Bavington Results Are Posted

Results:
http://www.westlibertycycles.com/mom/results.htm

Bush Wacker's Photos and Race Report:
http://www.porcmtbclub.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2207

Bavington Time Trails 2008

Bushwacker brings us a nice race recap and some great race photos on his post on the PORC message boards. [Click Here]

Bavington was the first race in this years month of mud series. The time trails started a little after 10:00 and from there everything went off like clock work. Beautiful day and dry trails made for a fantastic race.

This race was grueling. Eight miles sounds like a walk in the park as far as mountain bike races go but this race was a sprint from start to finish with not a moments rest. I don't think my heart rate dropped below 90% for anymore than a minute the entire time. My lungs hurt, I don't thing my lungs have ever hurt after a race before.

One of my race buds didn't fair as well. During our pre-race warm up, going into a sharp turn he washed out on a log crossing and drove his elbow into his side ending up up with a cracked or rib and tweaked front derailleur. Give him credit he came in with a respectable time, bruised rib and mechanical issues aside.

Last Years Bavington Race Course

I don't know if the race course will be any different at Bavington this year but this was the course for the time trials for Month of Mud last year. The course is on fast tight windy single track. I recommend walking the one extremely steep section where the section that was new for last year end. You'll only loose a few seconds and it's not worth the fall. The course runs about 8 miles and for the average racer take about an hour to complete it.

Peanut Butter Festival Mountain Bike Race Saturday Septerber 13th

I haven't done this race but Brian did this race last year and had all kinds of good things to say about it. He said it was a ton of fun. Not all that far from Pittsburgh, New Bethlehem is an hour and ten minutes north east of Pittsburgh. The race is part of the towns annual Peanut Butter festival. Take Route 28 North for 59.9 miles and you are in the heart of New Bethlehem. Registration is 9:00 AM in Gumtown Memorial Park on Water Street and the race start is at 10:30 AM. More info can be found here, scroll down to Peanut Butter Festival: http://www.newbethlehemarea.com/events.htm


The Mountain Bike Race covers about 15 miles through the countryside, up and down hills, through a lighted tunnel with some single track and a wide variety of conditions. The scenery on the single loop track is terrific. It’s a fun, but challenging ride. Previous riders have commented that it is their favorite race, they appreciate the number of volunteers on the course and find the course well-marked. There are five checkpoints and water stations, and a number of road crossings where riders can make a right to come back into town early if they wish to do so. All racers are asked to check in at the finish line so that we can account for all participants. Participation is at the rider’s own risk.

A single speed class was added last year. New this year is a shorter, approximately 7-mile course for novice riders that still provides a good variety of conditions and challenges. Awards and cash prizes will be presented in an Olympic Style format after the race on the stage in Gumtown Park to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall and in each class. Shirts and pins are guaranteed only to pre-registered riders who register by August 4, 2008 at the reduced rate of $20. The registration fee is $25 after August 4th through the day of the race. More information can be found on the registration form which can be downloaded from this website. Come to the race with your friends and family and enjoy the 13th Annual Peanut Butter Festival, including the parade at 3 and fireworks at 9 PM!

UPDATE:
Race report by Justin from Dirty Harry's

Race Results: http://www.smileymiles.com/

2008 Month of Mud Info now Online

Month of Mud race info is being hosted at West Liberty Cycles website:

http://www.westlibertycycles.com/mom/schedule.htm