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Welcome to the home of the Bush League Bike Mafia, a grassroots racing team from Michigan serious about having fun and racing hard. We started as a group of like-minded bike nuts that exploded into a network of recreational cyclists across the state. After a hugely successful 2009, we're ready to keep building in 2010 and always looking for new riders.
2009 Wrap
Wow what a year! In our first full year of racing the BLBM has made a big splash in the Michigan recreational racing scene. Our riders were spotted in some of the state's biggest mountain bike races ( Lumberjack 100 and Iceman Cometh Challenge) and regular competitors in numerous cyclocross events on both sides of the mitten. Congratulations to everyone for a GREAT first year. Look out in 2010 because we'll be back fighting for more podium spots and drinking even more beer!
Iceman Cometh Challenge
With temperatures in the upper 50's, everyone's been dubbing the 20th installment of this Michigan mountain bike classic the "Niceman." But I didn't hear a single one of the 4,000+ participants complain about the warm sunshine. The Iceman Cometh Challenge continues to be one of Michigans top events, mixing a wide range of beginer, sport, and expert riders from around the country with some seriously fast PROS! US National Champ Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Gary Fisher-Subaru) and Alison Dunlap (Luna) may have won the race, but only after five of our BLBM riders ripped through the trails. Lacey Jones, Cara McNamee, Miki Kedo, Mike Weigand, and Mike Woods all posted competitive times in their respective classifications. Congratulations team! Sadly, our presence in Traverse City was some-what reduced as illness kept Jon-Marc Eyer and Brandon Hajdo-Fernandez back in Lansing. Read the fuull coverage from Singletrack.com (PREVIEW , REPORT). RACE RESULTS
Cyclocross Up-Date
For the fat and lazy, Fall brings football. But for the BLBM, it brings barriers and cowbells. The Michigan CX scene continues to explode and our green cow jerseys can be seen competing all over the state. Nate Layle, Lacey Jones, Cara McNamee, Mike Weigand, Jon-Marc Eyer, and Mike Woods continue to post strong finishes in the Kisscross Race Series, Mad Anthony, and IceCross races. It's not just about riding hard, but running, jumping, and drinking beer. HUP HUP!
Lumberjack 100
Rick Plite's big MF'er sponsored by the Founder's Brewing Company has been THE BIG RACE on the calendar for seven mafia riders since registration closed back in January. The 5th anniversary edition of Michigan's only 100 mile race deserved the hype and justified pre-race jitters. Miki Kedo straight dominated the boys on her way to a 11:29:45 finish good enough for 12th place in the womens open class!! Nate Layle (11:47:54), Mike Weigand (12:00:53), and Brandon Hajdo-Fernandez (12:06:18) followed in her wake to finish their first 100mile contest on a day when only 70% of the field completed the full circuit. But the demanding course forced Lacey Jones, Nate Thelen, and Mike Woods to end the day early. A great deal of credit goes to our support crew. Jon-Marc Eyer provided unprecedented mechanical support while Lori, Gryphon, and Cara made sure everyone stayed fueled with food and water between laps; all under the shade of a canopy donated by Snap Fitness East Lansing. RACE RESULTS
Mohican 100
Race number two of the NUE Race Series through the rolling hills of Loundonville, OH. Miki Kedo traveled back to her old Buckeye stomping grounds and proved that she knew her way around the single-track finishing the 100K race in 7:51:57! Mike Woods plowed through the 100mile race in 10:49:42 in fine form. Congratulations! Read the race report at cyclingnews.com RACE RESULTS
Yankee Springs Time Trial
Nasty weather and one intimidating trail, but that's what Michigan mountain biking is all about this time of year. Mike Woods was trying to impress someone as he hammered through both the Expert Men 29 and under AND Elite Single Speed classes. Jon-Marc Eyer fought to race his original K2/Proflex in a Vintage class that turned out to be little more than a joke. Even worse, the only guy out there on a true vintage rig, Eyer get's thrown off-course and attacked by a deer!! There may not be a column on the results sheet for that kind of finish, but it's certainly worth a beer. RACE RESULTS
Barry-Roubaix
The inaugural 'killer gravel road race' lived up to the hype. With close to 2200 feet of total climbing stretched over 31 miles of rolling gravel roads, two-track, rocks, sand, and asphalt, the course proved to be an early-season ass-whooping for riders of all levels. Cara McNamee deflowered her new K2 in route to a 1st place finish while Mike Weigand finished in 3rd place. Fresh chili and cold beer at the finish capped-off this instant classic. RACE RESULTS
Hopcat Alleycat
Nate Layle and Mike Weigand sprinted around downtown Grand Rapids shooting free-throws and pounding PBRs to fill out their manifest cards. Hammering on their fixies like wannabe NYC messengers, they managed to complete all the required stops despite getting a little lost on more than one occasion. Then it was back to the Hopcat for a cold pint and 'crack fries.' Beautiful sun, traffic-dodging, and cold beer make for one sweet Saturday. RACE RESULTS
Sweet T-shirts and Stickers!
Show your love for the BLBM with slick t-shirts and stickers from our new Cafepress store! The perfect apparel for cowbell ringing or post-race beer drinking; even looks good on grandma!
Versluis Snowcross Results
Snow, mud, and freezing temperatures don't cancel cyclocross, they define it! Conditions for this short two race series were straight nasty, but that couldn't keep some of the BLBM's most hardcore riders from posting big numbers. Nate Layle lead the team with back-to-back top-5 finishes while Mike Woods and Jon-Marc Eyer road strong in one race each. Congratulations guys, the rest of us wimps owe you a beer for staying home and staying warm. RACE RESULTS
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All artwork by Jake McKinlay.