Minnesota Mountain Bike Series

Saturday’s season finale race, held in St. Cloud, appeared to have left many riders with a single track buzz.

The course was fast-rolling and just what 15 year-old Citizen winner, Zach Stilwell described as “Nice and dry, perfect weather.”

The tight and twisty Graystone trail is one of the few courses in the series where racers can break from climbs and just zip through stuff that gives single track its name.

 "Almost like pavement out there," Monte Dirks, overall Sport winner said.  "Fast, tight, twisty as usual. Revolution put on a hell of a show."

The course is especially conducive to fixed-gear heads, which according to the event’s coordinator, “Mr. Anderson,” is why the single speed championships are held here.

“Less gears, more fun.”   

Returning single speed champion Heath Weisbrod reclaimed his title after a head-to-head pace with Jay "Hollywood" Henderson for the first lap. “It was a much tighter race than last year,” Weisbrod said. The two were riding twenty-niners.

Expert racer Kyia Anderson said her familiarity with the course gave her an advantage. “I know the trail really well,” she said. “I rolled the corners super fast.”

It was also her first single speed race. “I kept looking for the shifts.”

Both Weisbrod and Anderson competed in the Expert race “just for fun” after their single speed podium appearances.

More than 30 showed up for year number three of the single speed championships, sponsored by Revolution Ski & Cycle. Proceeds from the race will go to trail maintenance and snow-making.

Julie Wilbert is a St. Paul freelance writer and a Sport racer for the Peace Coffee Racing Team.