The regular season of the UP Cyclocross Series met its end this past weekend at
Tourist Park in Marquette. Riders of all abilities lined up at the start for an anaerobic sprint that was as much a battle of the minds as it was a true test of physical strength and speed.

The UP Cyclocross Series is a special race series for the Red Jacket team as it marks the birth of the team. Last year, upwards of twenty riders were rallied together by Chris Schmidt to form an impromptu cyclocross racing team called The Red Jackets. The team members felt such an amazing sense of camaraderie - and all the benefits that go
along with racing with their newfound friends - that several members expressed a strong interest in forming a mountain biking team.

Over the course of the winter, John Gershenson, Bruce Pletka, Chris Schmidt, Pat Szubielak, Diane Ursu, and Steve Weber discussed the development of the team and the direction they wanted to take it. It was very important that the positive team aspect of the cyclocross season continue into what is now the Red Jacket-Bluesky Health Cycling
Team.

One year later, the Red Jackets once again welcomed non-members to race on the Red Jacket Cyclocross Team. This year, weekly sessions were held each week to teach cross skills to new riders and riders of different disciplines, to improve upon the skills of veteran cyclocrossers, and to show that cyclocross in the UP is simply an excuse
to get together, have fun, and ride.

The Keweenaw isn't the only area bringing new faces to the series. The races have significantly more riders than last year with many new racers from Marquette County. Last year's races combined the Mens B and Womens divisions in a single time slot. This year, with higher numbers of registered riders - over 90 at the ChocoX race, for example - Mens B and Womens divisions have become separate races. The Mens A race is highly competitive with about 25 riders who manage to stay very close to each
other during the first couple laps.

Even with the increasing numbers, the riders have become quite acquainted with each other and many friendships have formed. Rider interactions have moved beyond the cyclocross courses to the mountain bike trails, brewpubs, and even the riders' homes. Resulting in a network for cyclists who love to share their passion, the UP Cyclocross
Series has been a great asset to local cyclists looking for friendly competition, encouragement, and cycling contacts across the Upper Peninsula

The UP Cyclocross races are primarily run by Kitchi-Mi-Kana Cycling's Jon Becker, KMK President, and Greg Potvin, KMK Vice President and Mens B racer. They are charged with the tasks of setting up the course, registering racers, timing, and cleaning up. It may not sound like much, but it is an all-day event for these men and any
volunteers that may offer their services.

This year, the Red Jackets hosted the Keweenaw Cup, a double-race weekend offering double points per race. This year's races were split between Copper Harbor's Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and Houghton's Michigan Tech Trails. Sam Raymond of the Keweenaw
Adventure Company, assisted with some of the planning for the Copper Harbor race, including the post-race spaghetti dinner hosted by The Pines and served by Sam and several other members of the Copper Harbor Trails Club.

The Tech Trail race offered a rather unusual cyclocross obstacle: snow. With the help of Michigan Tech's Zamboni and Mark Klein's mom's truck, the Red Jackets were able to transport snow to the Tech Trails for a hard-packed, chilly obstacle that offered a rather superior spectacle. Even though the racers weren't yet ready for winter, the feedback on the snow was quite positive. Red Jacket James Bialas was thrilled to be the first person to track skis on snow at the Tech Trails for the 2008-2009 season which, unbeknownst to James, hasn't started yet.

The snow provided plenty of opportunities for slipping and sliding. It was Blu Tenbrink, however, who caused lots of excitement when, at the end of his last lap, he endoed on the snow. Blu managed to get up and grab his bike for a sprint across the finish line to narrowly capture first place.
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Cyclocross practice will continue for the next two weeks at the Michigan Tech Trails on Thursday at 6:30 pm. The racers have next weekend off and will return to Marquette for the UP Cyclocross Series Championship Race on Saturday, November 1. A dinner and lots of responsible socializing will happen after the race to bring the season to a close.

For more information about cyclocross or any other racing, visit the KMK website, the KMK Message Board, or the Red Jacket Forum.