Factory Team News

Tiles and Musto hammer at Lumberjack 100
Russ Tiles made his off-road season debut last weekend at the Founder's Ale Lumberjack 100 in Wellston, MI. - with an strong 3rd place finish and the first Michigan rider behind winner - World Champion Chris Eatough (Trek) and Harlin Price (IF).

As stop number two in the National Endurance Series, over 160 crazed riders made their way to Northern Michigan with the hopes of enduring the "Big MF'er". The event got the best of most riders, with only 62 riders crossing the finish line. "It was fast from the gun and guys were dropping like crazy" said Tiles. "I had to stay focused on picking people off each lap and was able to make my way up to 3rd" - finishing in 7 hours and 52 minutes.

The lumberjack 100 was also the official Michigan state singlespeed championship. Danielle Musto moved outside of her normal spin crazy style, and jumped on her one-speed Ripper with the hopes of a State Championship. "I had two goals for the race...win the singlespeed championship and podium in the women's overall field" said Musto. Both goals were achieved, with Danielle finishing in 9 hours 10 minutes and winning the SS race by a big margin - putting her on the podium with a 3rd place overall. "The course was deceptively hard, made up of short rolling hills and twisting wooded singletrack. This was the hardest race that I have competed in".

Getting the un-official "Big MF'er" award is Aaron Smith who rode his Slingshot 29" the entire 100 with a fixed gear. Smith time was in 12 hours 33 minutes. Smith finished with another Slingshot 29" owner - Nate Phelps who also did the 100 miler with one gear. Awesome job guys!


Scharphorn Scores Singlespeed Wins at Keweenaw Chain Drive and T.K. Lawless TT
Niel Scharphorn continued his assault on the Michigan singlespeed scene with wins the last two weekends. Passing on the Lumberjack - Niel made a major road trip to the U.P. of Michigan to compete in teh Keweenau Chain Drive in Houghton. The challenging 32 mile point to point event make gear selection a crucial due to the constant terrain changes. Niel seemed to fine the right one - winning the singlespeed class and coming in 5th overall.
Scharphorn stayed closer to home this week - racing at T.K. Lawless TT. Doing both the elite and singlespeed classes - Niel scored a 2nd in the Elite and a Win in the SS class (while turning the fastest lap of the day).

Check out Scharphorn's Farmboy 29" with White Industries Eno/Velocity conversion.