Laddies Loppet, Maplelag 2010

One of the highlight weekends of the year for the Wenzel's is the annual trip to the Laddies Loppet Mountain Bike Stage Race at Maplelag Resort.  I can't really explain the effect of getting together with a group of like minded people at a beautiful venue such as Maplelag.  I can say that it is a special time spent with good friends from all over the upper midwest.  The Richard's family and their staff know how to get it done and amaze all in attendance with their close attention to every detail.
Hanging out at Maplelag is a highlight, but racing for two days is on the top of the list!

 Matt sporting his new American Classic wheelset for the the short track race held Saturday afternoon (Skinnyski.com photo)

Matt and I finished within seconds of each other all weekend.  I can say that I am a very proud Dad being able to toe the line with my oldest son. (Skinnyski.com photo)

Benny wasn't racing this weekend, but he had a blast hanging out with everyone!  Ben hitting the lake jump like he was on the XGames or something.  It was tough for me to sit and watch on account of the potential catastrophe but the smile on Ben's face was worth the worry.  I almost gave it a shot but Ben was not giving me the confidence that I needed to actually get it done.  Nice work Benny!
The Maplelag weekend is one in which Kriston really looks forward too.  She has a lot of friends that she catches up with and is able to relax without doing all of the crap that she feels obligated to do when she is at home.

Chad Weisgram and Matt Johnson on the podium following the Short Track race.  Chad is a Cat 2 road rider that clicked into a borrowed 29er and figured it out right away.  Matt Johnson and I have raced each other for years.  It is always good to catch up with Matt and his family - good people.

Sunday is the cross country race, my favorite!  Due to the amount of racers in the Comp class there were three waves spaced two minutes apart.  Matt started 2 minutes in front of me and ripped the course.  Matt was by far the youngest rider in the Comp class and rode a clean/fast race. (Skinnyski.com photo)

Bruce Adelsman and his family are behind Skinnyski.com.  Bruce is a workhorse getting out on the course and shooting tons of action photos of numerous events across the midwest.  Skinnyski has evolved as the place to go for all the results and event calendars.  Checkout skinnyski.com for all of the Laddies Loppet results and photos by clicking here.  (Skinnyski.com photo)

I noticed this tree while riding out on the race course.  I got up early this morning and pedaled out to take a photo in the rising sun.  Jay Richard's informed me that there are horses that rub up against the tree all summer giving the tree stress which in turn turns the leaves earlier then normal.  Beautiful color and a great way to close the weekend.