2017 God's Country Fat Tire Festival

Join us at the 15th Annual God's Country Fat Tire Festival.  2 days of events at the Lawrence River Trails.

Details: 2017 God's Country Fat Tire Festival

Registration: https://www.bikereg.com/godscountryfattirefestival

God's Country Report

The off-road season around here has started in earnest.  Plenty of events to satisfy most fat tire lovers.

The God's Country Fat Tire Festival got things started.  By the looks of the full transition off-road multi-sport could have a future. A record number of entries for the 12th annual event.  A small amount of snow fell the night before the big event but this did not stop most from coming out and taking on the challenge. 

I was actually very surprised at the turnout for the mornings off-road duathlon.  Last year we had snow before the MTB race and turnout was only about 30% of normal.   Runners are hard core.

The run course was changed up a little and routed separately to keep them off the bike course for the second run.  Basically it was 1 mile of single track and 1 mile of levee.  I would have liked 100% single track, but I think it worked out o.k.

 

Course conditions for the cycling legs were awesome for the all the short course racers.  Some said it was a little icy in sections.  I was very bummed that I could not race.  I love those type of conditions.  I just wish there were more events held during the winter and early spring, especially multi-sport events like off-road duathlon.  

 Art King enjoys the rewards of the day........A big Thank You to the Lawrence Mountain Bike Club and all the volunteers that came out the week prior to the event to help restore the trails. 

 

How I wanted to earn a bottle of champagne.  Duties prevented that, but plenty of others got to take home some cool awards.  I always struggle to try and come up with prizes/awards.  Hopefully those that did earn an award liked them. 

I did not think we would need sides on the tent, but mother nature proved me wrong once again.  It was very cold on race morning and having a heated area for signup was a life saver for our signup crew.  Thank you to Roger Harrison for the heat once again.

 

Hopefully no one needed to visit Cliff Jones and the Lawrence Mountain Bike Patrol on this day.

 The big winners of the day.  Renee Thierry won the overall long course in 2:25 and Tige Lamb back on top with a 1:55.

The second event of our fat tire festival was the mountain bike time trial.  After last years poor turnout for the traditional cross country race I was not even going to have a MTB race.  There was just not enough resources nor volunteers for a two day event.  I then thought of what type of event we could have after the duathlon.  The only two events that I could think of was a short track or time trial.  I decided on the TT mainly because I like racing against the clock and the other is we could crown the King and Queen of the Lawrence River trails.  Forget all the Strava crap, the "Race of Truth" is the only way to find out your best time. 

I only expected about 50 riders to signup for the TT.  To my disbelief we actually had 126 register.  Due to the snow in the morning, cold temps and some duathletes who decided they would not try to double up,  we ended up 99 finishers in the mountain bike time trial.  After some hard negotiation on my part we ended up with sending riders off in 30 second intervals.  Overall I think the format worked out well. 

The Kings and Queen of the Lawrence River Trails.  Garet Steinmetz laid down the fastest time of the day covering the entire 10 mile Lawrence River Trail system (with new sand section) in 35:24.  That is a super fast time my friends and is the new official record time on the LRT.  Jason Knight took second in 37:55 and Kent McNeil made the trip down from Nebraska pay off with third place in 38:00.  The Queen of the LRT is non other than Karen Brocket in a time of 47:25.

Locke Wins First Multi-Sport Race

I wish the above title would have been written about me when I raced in my first multi-sport event back in 1988.  But in my first event I about died in the swim and I had to walk parts of the run due to fatigue.  Ended up coming in somewhere outside the top 500.  It would take a couple of years of training and many miles logged to earn my first Gold medal in a multi-sport event.  Not the case with my better half.....

 Last month when I got in entry form in for this years Sedalia Spring Into Summer Duathon, I jokenly asked Carolynn if she wanted to race in her first multi-sport event.  I had asked that same question many times over the last 20 years.  I expected the same answer as I always received which was "I do not want to embarrass  myself and get last place - I am not an athlete".  But to my surprise the answer I received was sure, sign me up for the Short Course.  Only three short weeks to train for the running legs of the event.  She already had the bike leg covered.  Carolynn followed my 3 week training plan and on race morning we slapped a race number on her road bike for the first time.

If you are looking for an event to begin your multi-sport career then the Sedalia Duathlons are for you.  Jeff and Maria Mittelhauser have hosted Spring and Fall versions of there popular duathlons for years.  Held in the small town of Sedalia Missouri (home of the State Fair) they offer both Long and Short course events. 

Both events begin with a 2 mile run with part of the course on the good ole Katy Trail.  By the time we got our race numbers and got ready the race was about to start.  Note to self, when your wife says we need to wake up earlier than 5:00 am to make a 8:00 am race start in a city 2 hours away you might want to listen to her.... For me the Sedalia Duathlon was just a training race and I treated it as such.  I have been working on pacing and my endurance.  There are a couple of key Triathlons coming up this Summer that I really want to do well at.  One of me big weaknesses is the run as I normally go out very hard on the bike and kill my legs.  Today's event was about pacing and "keeping something in the tank" for the second run leg.  Due to no warmup the first mile was slow in about 8 minutes.  The second mile was better in 7 minutes.  Both very slow times and the lead runners were way in the distance putting down time in the 6 minute range....for Carolynn she only wanted to get through the run and not let this young 12 year old girl beat her.  Well, the little girl did beat her on the run but Carolynn kicked her but on the bike leg.

Transitions in duathlons/triathlons can make or break a race.  I learned that the hard way and with years of experience have mine down to about 30 seconds when done correctly.  Carolynn practiced transitions twice I believe and only once with her new speed laces that I installed for her.  With this limited experience Carolynn's first transition was a little slow in 1:51.  Yes we have a little room for improvement. 

Once on the bike both of us shined.  Carolynn stormed the course using the finally tuned "Aero" setup that I setup for her.  During our practice duathlon two weeks ago I was actually impressed with how she handled the setup.  Some new to TT bars have a hard time adjusting but Carolynn caught on quickly.  The short course is a 5 mile bike leg and Carolynn posted the fastest women's split in the short course in 20 minutes.  For me I wanted redemption for my pathetic bike effort 2 years ago.  I am happy to say I got it.  Even with keeping the pace well within myself I posted a 31 minute time for the 12 mile bike. Two years ago I rolled a 34 minute bike split so I as happy.   I do not think my time was very bad for the rolling hills that make up the course and was the 2nd fastest bike split of the day. I rolled into transition with legs feeling good. 

After another quick transition for myself I left on the second run leading my division.  One of my goals if I had a very good race was to take home the Masters 40+ trophy.  My main goal was to have a strong second run leg.  Normally I am passed on the run legs in events and things started off as usual with two guys getting by in the first 1/4 mile.  One was the eventual winner of my age-group.  I remember catching him on the bike leg and thinking I needed a few minutes on him to stay ahead because he was a fast runner.  The good news on the day was that I was able to run a second run split only 21 seconds off my first.  Finished up with a time of 1:02 good enough for 2nd in the Male 40-49 division.

Carolynn finished up her multi-sport debut with a good second run and was happy to finish strong.  She was really happy when they were giving out awards and announced the winner of the Female 50+ class.  First race and already has a win under her belt.  I have to say I am a bit jealous. 
   

God's Country "Fat Tire" Duathlon

The Cow Town Cycling Team and Jewel Cartoons would like to invite you to the God’s Country Off-Road Duathlon. For 10 years this event has been offering up “Fat Tire” fun from beginners to experts alike. Come join in the fun on April 10, 2011 at the Lawrence River Trails and start your multisport season off with us.

This year we are focusing on a well-organized fun event that anyone can do and will not break the bank. For an entry fee of only $30.00 you get a multi-sport event with chip timing. Where else can you find that? Entry fee includes one-day license, custom awards, post-race refreshments/food and a delightful course that any ability level will enjoy.

Early entry discount ends April 1, 2011. Please visit http://www.active.com/triathlon/lawrence-ks/gods-country-offroad-duathlon-2011 to register today.

Event Details:

• 2.5 Mile trail run / 11 Mile Off-road bike

• Awards 3 deep in both M/F age-groups.

• Packet pickup/Registration opens at 8:00a.m. and closes at 10:30 am

• Mass start at 11:00 am (new time for 2011)

• Event Website: http://www.fattireduathlon.com/go/

• Online Registration: http://www.active.com/triathlon/lawrence-ks/gods-country-offroad-duathlon-2011

• Race Director: Gerard Arantowicz - jewelcartoons@yahoo.com

• Official Timing Service: Raceday Timing Solutions

Other stuff you may or may not need to know:

• This event would not take place if not for the Lawrence Mountain Bike Club & Patrol, our wonderful event volunteers and the countless volunteers that help maintain the trail systems.

• Thousands of athletes have entered Fat Tire Duathlon events and every one of them have finished with a smile on their face.

• The trails are hybrid/cross bike friendly.

• The UFD MTB season opens on April 9 at the same great location.

• Distances are approximate an may change slightly due to course conditions

• Trails shoes are suggested, but not necessary to have fun.

• Weather and course will be perfect

• Tige, Laura and Damian are not racing so anyone can now win.

• Cool awards for the top 3 in each age-group, but in our eyes everyone is a winner.

• Individual and Team divisions are available.

• Part of the bike course will route you up on the levee to allow ample passing.

• Helmets are required at all times on the bike.

I hope to see many of you out at the Lawrence River Trails next month.

Yours Truly,

Chris Locke

The Black Locust

The Black Locust Off-Road Duathlon is this weekend. Not really ready for it as my running form sucks right now. Cycling form is fine, but my running is not coming along too well. The last couple of times I ran last week, I got all dizzy and felt faint. I don't know what is going on. When I cycle or swim I am fine, but when I run I get this funny light headed feeling after about a mile or so. Maybe I am just not meant to run....

I got an email back from the promoter, John Montgomery, and he said the trails at SAC River are muddy, but ridable. What the heck does that mean? Anything is ridable right? The event starts with a 4 mile trail run on the Ritter Springs trails. Then we head out for 12 miles of mountain biking. The outer trails of SAC will be used for the MTB portion. SAC River has a lot of rocks so even with the recent flooding that they received down in Springfield the course should not be too bad. I think I am going to ride my single speed because I want to save my Anthem for next weeks Ouachita Challenge.