No more muddy WORS marathons?
Alyson Chapman of Appleton, Wis., after finishing the first ever WORS Marathon, the Big Ring Classic at Nine Mile, Wausau, on June 3. Photo by Rusty, fattires-n-beer.com
Equal parts amazement, relief and mud streak this mountain biker’s face. I know, because I looked just like her – we all did – after that multi-lap race. But I look at her now and think I see a reflection of the pre-race angst I’m feeling for this weekend’s third and final WORS marathon, the Smokin Spoke at Camp Tesomas, Rhinelander.
Where I’m at in east central Wisconsin, each day brings more rain. But it hasn’t been falling in Rhinelander, thankfully.
Still, recent WORS events have been deluged. Besides the Big Ring Classic, last weekend’s Subaru Cup at Nordic Mountain, Mt. Morris, was one of the biggest mudfests of the season.
When the precip persists and the races go on, at least there’s ample precedent for WORS riders contributing to any post-event trail rehabbing needed. It’s only right when you think about the thousands of hours folks like Wayne Fish and his crew have put into building singletrack.
All this may be a moot point since the Rhinelander area has not received the rain we’ve gotten to the south. The forecast is favorable for that continuing to be the case. And having knobby tires that grip rather than slip would be a welcome change.For more info, go to wors.org.