NUE Series heads to Ohio with Mohican 100

Image 1 of 2

The start of the 2008 Mohican 100(Image credit: Hollie Mcfadden)

Race number two of the National Ultra Endurance Series (NUE) rolls into the short and steep pastures of north central Ohio this weekend. Over 400 riders will leave from downtown Loudonville, in search of a finish line with over 100 miles and 11,000 feet of climbing in their way.

As the race enters its seventh year, the support from the community has grown to create a festival-like atmosphere in downtown Loudonville. A mile-long bike path will connect the start in downtown with the finish at the Mohican Adventures Campground just outside of town. Sierra Nevada Brewing and Great Lake Brewing are making sure that each participant will have libations to fill their Mohican MTB 100 Pint glasses at the end of the day.

Michelle Stoppard was third in 2008 — Besides the participants who are out to test their legs against the century mark as a personal challenge, the 100-mile format has drawn a group of internationally accomplished competitors. In the women's open field, returning champion Betsy Shogren (Cannondale Factory Team) from West Virginia is planning a return to defend her win from last year. She expects a better showing than her fifth place finish at the Cohutta 100, an accomplishment despite recovering from illness.

2009 Cohutta winner Carey Lowery (Outdoor Store) will be hot on Shogren's heels. Lowery got a new coach and renewed motivation to take back the series championship. The owner of that championship after last year's series win is Cheryl Sorenson (Trek Racing Co-Op), who missed the Cohutta due to work. Her 2009 legs have yet to be tested in the 100-mile format, and everyone is itching to see what she has to dish out.

There is no doubt that last year's Mohican winner and series champion Jeff Schalk (Trek Racing Co-op) has redefined the limits of how hard one can go in a 100-mile point to point race. Currently he owns just about every 100-mile course record there is. His new definition is pulling competitors out of the woods as they come to question his dominance. Debater number one, Jeremiah Bishop (Monavie/Cannondale), went home after the Cohutta this year with a new appreciation of Schalk's strength. Like a true competitor, Bishop will be back in Ohio after having his fire lit.