National Ultra Endurance (NUE) Series: Lumberjack 100 2011: Preview

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Jeff Schalk is pursued by Christian Tanguy in the 2010 race(Image credit: Jack Kunnen)

The Founders Lumberjack 100 will once again utilize a 33-mile loop through Michigan's beautiful Manistee National Forest and the Big-M Ski Area. The Michigan-style singletrack - composed mostly of hard packed trail, occasional sandy sections, and fast rolling terrain - offers twists and turns that demand constant power and total concentration as the trails quickly turn to nothing more than green blurs of forest. If you're expecting easy, fireroad coasting, look elsewhere! Ninety percent of the 33-mile, three-lap race is comprised of this singletrack that will eventually push racers over 9,000 feet of total elevation gain.

"This spring has been unusually wet and cool in Michigan, therefore many of the local trails are weeks behind in forest growth. Local riders have had a lack of significant spring training this year so the course seems to have more than the usual amount of sticks, twigs and leaves that normally get flicked off the trail. Word of advice, pack that extra derailleur hanger." Rick Plite, Lumberjack Race Director

Michael Simonson (RBS Trek MTB Team) lead for most of the race at the Cohutta 100 in April before suffering a flat tire late in the race that backed him into fourth place. At Mohican, Simonson again demonstrated his toughness, finishing second, two minutes ahead of Tanguy and teammate Brandon Draugelis (Team CF). At the Lumberjack last year, he finished fourth and will, no doubt, be looking to improve in 2011.

Derek Graham (Bissell/ABG) also a Michigan native hailing from Grand Rapids, finished third at the Lumberjack last year, just one minute behind Tanguy. Robert Marion (American Classic/Kenda/Tomac) is planted in the three spot so far in the NUE Series, 10th at Cohutta, fith at Syllamo's Revenge, and seventh at Mohican. He will have help from teammate, Christopher Michaels who did not finish at Mohican but finished well at both Cohutta and Syallmo's. Will this be a breakout race for Marion?

Several women will be competing in the women's singlespeed division, exclusive to the Lumberjack. However, their results will be merged into the women's open category of the NUE Series. They include 2007 NUE Women's Champion, Carey Lowery (Outdoor Store/ Specialized) and Danielle Musto (Salsa/Twin Six/Kenda) who finished second to Lowery in the 2007 NUE Series and third in the women's open at Lumberjack, as well as local Fiona Lockhart.

Two-time defending NUE Singlespeed Champion, Gerry Pflug (Salsa/Pro Bikes) put down the smack at the Lumberjack 100 last year, 7:11:13, finishing 10 minutes ahead of his nearest competitor. At Cohutta, Syallamo's, and Mohican, Pflug was the only racer in the NUE Series with three straight wins. This Saturday, the Pfluginator heads to Michigan to joust with some of Michigan's finest again in a land called the Manistee National Forest.

NUE Reigning Masters Champion Robert Herriman has a target on his back this year after blistering the Lumberjack in 7:38:43, nearly 18 minutes ahead of his nearest competitor. He was the only NUE Champion to lock in a series victory before the final event in Virginia. He placed third at Cohutta and comes off a big victory at Mohican this year. He'll be trying to ride the momentum to a second straight series win.