After a few years attending the also super fun Rust Shaker race in Harrison, kolo tc will be sending some scrubs to the party in the woods that is Yankee Springs TT, slated to take place on April 27th. Celebrating its 30th year, the Yankee Springs TT is the kick-off of the mountain bike season in West Michigan, and a seriously fun event to ring in the riding season.
A Long Overdue Return
Cast your minds back to the year 2011; this was the last time Cody and Wes lined up at Yankee Springs, fresh off riding their first-ever Barry-Roubaix. The hook was set after that gravel gallup, and the boys took on Yankee Springs a few weeks after that event confident in their bike riding and spandex wearing abilities. Two laps of steep climbs, a few crashes, and a little blood later, Yankee Springs delivered one hell of a welcome back to mountain biking.
The Course
A sprint-on-dirt a la riding at the VASA in TC, this race is not. A mix of short, steep climbs, white-knuckle descents, and consisting almost entirely singletrack, this race is a true mountain bike gem. It’s a challenging course for the experts, but still fun and accessible for beginners, making this a great race for newbies and complete bike nerds alike.
About the Race
As mentioned above, this is the 30th edition of the race, making it one of the oldest races in the state. The race, organized by the West Michigan Mountain Bike Alliance, is a fundraiser with all proceeds going directly to the maintenance and expansion of trail systems in West Michigan.
The format of the race is unique and certainly adds a little extra pizzaz to the proceedings. In this time trial format, riders are sent off individually every ten seconds – best time wins. This adds a little extra spice for the experienced riders, and is also less intimidating than a traditional mass-start might be for some of the newer riders taking part. Simply put, this format just plain works for everyone.
Get Registered, Yo
There’s still time to register, so get yourself added to the VIP list here. Kolo TC is going down Friday night, so let us know if you want to join our convoy and sleep on our hotel room floor.
If you still have mud and your Iceman number plate on, don’t worry! Brent from Velo City Cycles will be on hand offering neutral support. I’m sure he’d love to do a complete bike overhaul if you get there 15 minutes before your start time. Just ask nicely.
Let’s raise some money for WMMBA, eh? Consider sharing this post on social media, via email, or just send it to random fax machines. Let’s fill the race and the WMMBA coffers.
Kolo TC is a really amateur blog about amateur bike racing/riding. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Oh and join our club on Strava.