12 Hours of Blue Mound

Blue Mound located at the highest point in Southern Wisconsin proved to be a challenging foe. The rocky terrain, roots and technical climbs made racing difficult. Team Vesrah Brakes Ken Melville was up to the task and his old tricks by leading the first lap and putting fifteen minutes on IVC (Illinois Valley Cyclism) second place. Team Vesrahs Mike Laney went out next and was putting down a good lap until catastrophe struck. At approximately mile five of eight a crack in his frame forced Mike Laney running. Mike was able to hold the lead at eight minutes even after running over three miles with his retired bike. Team Vesrahs Michael Peet joins the team this week and was next to ride. Michael’s consistency and ability to stay out of trouble proved critical, especially later in the race plagued with mechanical problems. Team Vesrahs Mark McCrimmon next to ride laid down a 51:56 which was the fastest lap of the race. Mark stayed out of trouble all day and kept the race tight. Team Vesrahs Ken Melville had some problems on lap two, a bent rear rim causing three flats, and a bent rear disc rotor slowed Vesrahs progress, and put Team Vesrah on unfamiliar ground. Team Vesrah was now 19 minutes behind first place IVC. Lap two for Team Vesrahs Mike Laney went better, and helped to close the gap on IVC after borrowing a bike from Eriks Bike Shop. Next was another consistent lap from Mike Peet who managed to circulate free of mechanical difficulty. At the eight hour point of a twelve hour race Team Vesrah was twenty-nine minutes behind first place IVC. Team Vesrah refused to give up and became determined to mount a comeback. Team Vesrah knowing they would need to pull over seven minutes a lap for the next four laps on IVC went on an all out offensive attack. Mark McCrimmon left for his second lap in a fever knowing what he had to do. At the end of his lap Mark was able to reel in IVC by nine minutes. Team Vesrah was only twenty minutes back at this point with just over three hours left in the race. Team Vesrahs Ken Melville left for his third lap in a flurry also knowing what he had to do. Ken left it all on the trail and smashed a twenty minute lead to just two minutes behind first place IVC with just over two hours left in the race. Team Vesrahs Mike Laney caught first place IVC at the two mile mark, made a critical pass, and never looked back. Mike put Vesrah into first place with a six minute lead going into the final hour. Mark McCrimmon last to ride for Vesrah knew the race was not over and that any disaster was possible on this course. Mark rode another fast lap and crossed the finish line at 11:45, fourteen minutes ahead of IVC who ended the day in second place. This clinched the third win this year for Team Vesrah Brakes in three attempts. Team Vesrah Completed 11 laps in 11 hours 45 minutes logging 90.2 miles with an average speed of 7.67 mph, total elevation gain of 9,680 feet. With this hard fought win Team Vesrah holds a commanding lead in the WEMS series championship.