-ARROW HEAD 135 “ROOKIE” RACE REPORT-
First thanks to everyone that sent messages to me during this! I couldn’t get to my phone to respond but I did see and appreciate them as I was riding!!!
To be honest I’m not sure why I thought racing in -20F weather would be fun, when I signed up the Arrowhead 135 in September.
I guess it was a new challenge and fun?…
A race that had a certain meaning to me growing up not to far from there on a farm in the middle of nowhere northern Minnesota (Zim).
After first borrowing a fat bike last February from Cory Hedin and having so much fun in the snow I bought a Salsa Bear Grease from the Guys at Pike Street Bikes . I have since put almost 1,000 miles of smiles on it.
I decided to go unsupported, no hot chocolates at the, no savory soups and definitely no going in to warm up at the aid stations. I think mostly because once I’m moving I’d just rather keep going.
1/24/26:
I drove up to International Falls on Saturday for gear check, all of the cold weather gear (things to melt snow with, -20F sleeping bag, bivy sack etc), I realize with the news of losing a member of the cycling community in a shooting earlier in the morning I have forgotten my front wheel!!!
I drive to the hotel I’m staying at and unload everything I have and plan to get up early and drive back to Minneapolis early and get my wheel, an 8 hour round trip, I figure this is just the universe testing my resolve.
1/25/26:
I get my wheel uneventfully and attend the Mandatory racer meeting and racer dinner is nice to chat with people from all over the country. I get back to my hotel and take the bike out with my front wheel firmly attached for a -15F spin, the last gear check.
1/26/26, 7:00AM :
The biker roll out at with fireworks at -22F air temp and a light headwind. For the most part pretty chill pace in the snow and cold tires we are only going 9mph.
the course is pretty flat for the first 40 miles following the Arrowhead snow mobile trail. There is not much talking as everyone is wearing face coverings.
11:00AM:
temps are a nice 0 F. I roll into the first check point at mile 35 with a lead group, 2 others. The hills start start shortly after, first as gently rolling but soon turn to regular 20% pitches that have me losing traction and pushing my 80 lb. bike up!
4:00PM:
I trade position with the other 2 guys and they catch me on the hills and I make progress on the flats, they were supported meaning 10 lbs less gear to push up the hills. I roll into check point #2 with them right behind.
9:00PM:
I roll over constant hills I’m pushing the bike up and bombing down. I keep thinking they must be right behind me but I don’t stop to check Track Leaders as I know every second counts. I see wolf tracks for about 1 mile on the trail, then I see moose tracks! I notice the moose tracks were heading at my so it is already off the trail. I pull into check point #3. Embark, with hot chocolate and maple syrup steamers! but if I take one I’m DQ’ed since I’m self supported…. I stop long enough to refill my water bottle for my camel back because the line was froze but the main bladder was still liquid. No sign of the Paul and Ryan as I roll out.
9:00PM to finish 11:46PM
I look at the elevation on my map, one more kicker that I’ll have to push up then flat and a tailwind for the last 15 miles to the finish. Should be easy…. I get over the last hill and settle into a steady grind to the finish. 10 miles to go there is a long straight section that I glance about 2 miles back and happen to see a headlight! FUCK ! I try to pick up the pace but the lightly drifted snow slows me and I realize how much I missed the hills to give some variety. I keep grinding on the pedals going 8-9mph now…. I glance back every straight section to see if the light has gotten closer, no… 5 miles to go. I just have to keep moving no way that he can make up a mile in 5 mile… I roll across the finish line. The first unsupported male to be all of the supported riders in 22 years of the event! about 5 minutes later Ryan rolls in as the first supported rider!
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