Kris Schamp

The challenges of the corn maze were indeed a little more than we had hoped for. Right up to the Beginner/Mstr 50+ race, the maze was still very rideable, but we underestimated how saturated the soil was from all the rain in the past weeks. Add to the mix the large # of racers plus all the corn debris scattered througout the maze and you get something quite destructive. Now we know...

That said, I do believe that the maze and the dual routes add something very unique to the race - both for racers and for spectators. I heard racers from all categories raving about it after their race. For next year, we'll have to see what it looks like the week before the race (or even the day before). The rain during the past month was exceptional, so next time around it might be hardpacked and fast (like the way it was when I pre-rode it the first time, about a month ago). That would be something very different, with a lot of braking and accelerating and sharp turns. At the same time, there is always the very real chance that the whole maze will go down with the first fall storm. Don Kruger was actually amazed that this didn't happen with the 60mph winds they had a couple weeks ago.

If we continue to use the maze next year, it would probably be a good idea to clean up all corn leaves and stalks scattered on the course before the races. Maybe even add some bark dust or sand on the soft spots. Or just do a shorter straightaway through the maze... either way, we'll do our best to keep it fun and challenging for everyone.

~Kris
Portland Racing

Ron and Dorothy Strasser

I did not have too much problem at all with my time atac pedals/cleats, but I have never collected so much mud on my bike. I felt like I was riding one of those 45lb long travel downhill mountain bikes... up hill and I know I was not alone in at least somewhat of a mutual feeling among other riders. I mentioned to Kris that I believed it was the corn that seemed to have the strength (fibrous) to maintain integrity to make the mud we were gathering not shred away somewhat. I found very strong material mixed in with the mud when cleaning. Nothing like grass or such. The "special corn maze mud" was the difference in that race. I was amazed how much attached to everything. I raced the first race and thought we had the worst conditions, but as the day went on I did not feel as if the first race had anything to gripe about compared to the later ones. The nasty areas just "changed" to somewhat different areas (but always the corn maze) as the day progressed. That was a VERY FUN and VERY HARD race. The beer tasted way good. There sure were alot of smiles all day, even with the mud and dangling deraileurs.

ron
----- Original Message -----
From: Bradley Heintz
To: obra@list.obra.org
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 12:04 PM
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Kruger Mud and Broken Equipment

After snapping a cleat out of my shoe during my race and listening to my cogs skip and grind, I watched the Men's C racers come in. Many folks were carrying their bikes in. I counted at least 3 Lemond Proprads with broken derailleurs being shouldered by their owners. Two questions I have to ask. Are the Egg beater pedals profoundly better with mud than my spd's? How does the mud break the derailleurs,especially the Ulterga models on the Proprad?

Bradley Heintz

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Bradley Heintz

After snapping a cleat out of my shoe during my race and listening to my
cogs skip and grind, I watched the Men's C racers come in. Many folks
were carrying their bikes in. I counted at least 3 Lemond Proprads with
broken derailleurs being shouldered by their owners. Two questions I
have to ask. Are the Egg beater pedals profoundly better with mud than
my spd's? How does the mud break the derailleurs,especially the Ulterga
models on the Proprad?

Bradley Heintz