pitboss

Jesse LaLonde won this race on a singlespeed.
Any one that has ridden out there would agree. His brother, Marko LaLonde, raced in the SSWC 07 and was doing really well with the lead group, yet dropped due to a serious mechanical.
Anyone from the Midwest MTB scene who knows the LaLondes knows they are skilled - highly skilled - and dedicated. Looking forward to seeing them race this 'cross season.

Chequamegon 40 Men's finals
1) Jesse Lalonde, Gary Fisher 29/BKB, Madison, Wis. 2:11:49.7
2) Brian Matter, PCW Cycling, Sheboygan, Wis. 2:11:57.0
3) Steve Tilford, HRRC/Trek, Topeka, Kan. 2:12:02.7
4) Marko Lalonde, Gary Fisher 29/BKB, Madison, Wis. 2:12:04.2
5) Jeff Hall, Salsa, Farmington, Minn. 2:12:06.6
6) Travis Brown, Trek/VW, Durango, Colo. 2:12:22.3
7) Cole House, Endeavor Cycles, Oneida, Wis. 2:12:27.7
8) Ian Stanford, A&F Pro Development, Winona, Minn. 2:12:33.5
9) Mike Phillips, Alterra/Specialized, Milwaukee, Wis. 2:12:39.0
10) Chris Peariso, De Pere, Wis. 2:12:42.9

bonechilling

That's pretty awesome. I saw about three times more single speeds in the local crits this year than last, more what that's worth.

Sounds like more people are coming around.

Frunkin

fully rigid 29er ss.
those guys have some cojones

Briareos

I plan on doing some road criteriums on my SS next spring, should be fun. There is a short circuit, flat criterium held every tuesday during the road season near my house, and I can't wait. But I DO need the time to change from slightly-overweight slob to a racing machine of droppingness.

pitboss

in Elmhurst? really? do tell...

chimblysweep

the Lalondes are INSANE. they win EVERYTHING, and would have won SS nationals if it wasn't for a taco'ed wheel in the last lap. (mechanical referred to above). Marko was actually offered wheels by other folks who were willing to drop out of the race and give him their wheel, he declined. Classy guy.

it seems like there's a certain type of rider that can pull of SS and sometimes faster than geared. you have to be able to spin mad fast on the flats to keep up and power up hills like they're nothing.

Briareos

Yeah, it's hard finding races when you can never, ever leave your hometown boundaries...



The race is in Matteson, literally around the Ace Paint factory.

https://www.southchicagowheelmen.com/tuesday.html

EDIT: "near my house"= reasonable driving distance, as far as a worldwide forum is concerned...imo.

pitboss

oh yeah - the Matteson Crit. I have heard of it indeed. Big loss there last week. Sad story.

crushkilldstroy

Doesn't the rig come stock with a suspension fork? Did they swap out for rigids?

riderx

Not to take anything away from the guy (who is fast for sure), but I'm sure he would want the record to be straight. Assuming you are referring to the Worlds in Scotland (his account here), it was part way into the first lap of five when Marko taco-ed his wheel. Major bummer to make the trip and have your race cut short like that. I was there racing it fixed and it was roots, rocks and slime, easy to wash out your wheel like he did, no doubt.

chimblysweep

ah, thanks for the setting-it-straight.
actually, i hear he had a 20 MINUTE LEAD when he WENT DOWN HARD but came out WITHOUT A SCRAPE. in fact, he rode with his taco'd wheel 40 MORE MILES to get a burger, just cuz he could.

riderx

HaHaHa - it's like the good ol' telephone game

At least he got some swag at the awards ceremony for his trouble. It sounds like he took the tweaked wheel in stride, I don't think I would have handled it as well.