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OFF-ROAD DRIVERS JAILED FOR DAMAGING STATE FOREST
Sending a stern warning to all off-road drivers in Minnesota, a Crow Wing County District Court judge recently sentenced two men to jail
time for their involvement in damaging a state forest last September.
Anthony Portz, 25, of Riverton, and Joseph Bosaaen, 20 of Deerwood, were each sentenced to 30 days in jail and ordered to pay $645 in fines.
Their sentences were stayed for 60 days on condition that they serve the jail time, pay their fines and have no similar violations for one year.
"To see this kind of real jail time and fine imposed on the same set of misdemeanor charges is quite significant, especially in a natural resources
case," said Karl Hadrits, a conservation officer with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Hadrits credited the stiff sentence to the involvement of Matthew
Norton, an attorney with the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. "He had close contact with the prosecutor's office in the case," Hadrits said. "He addressed the court when they pleded guilty
and again at the sentencing hearing, as did the prosecutor and I. If it wasn't for Mr. Norton's involvement, I don't think we would have received the penalty we did."
Hadrits noted the $645 in fines and jail time was in addition to the approximately $1,200 in civil fines and restitution that Portz and Bosaaen haven't appealed and must pay, and the original $105 fines
they received for the first incident that they had paid. "So the ticket for the whole event on each guy cost about two grand and a month in jail,' Hadrits said.
The charges were the result of an investigation by Hadrits which was initiated by a complaint from some duck hunters during the 2003 waterfowl opener on Sept. 27. The hunters contacted Hadrits after
videotaping mud truckers repeatedly driving through the lake bed and around the lakeshore area of Flanders Lake in the Crow Wing State Forest. Portz, Bosaaen, Mitchell Dean Buss, 22, of Aitkin, and Joseph
Paul Bednarczyk, 24, of Crosby, operated the mud trucks. Buss and Bednarczyk were scheduled for a jury trial on March 18.
Hadrits ticketed each mud truck operator and advised them of
numerous laws they had violated, including laws against harassing hunters, driving off trails in a state forest, driving on a snowmobile trail, operating in unfrozen public waters and driving without possession of
off-road vehicle registration.
A few hours after the incident, the same individuals heavily damaged the wetlands. The drivers were again contacted and confessed to doing the damage.
Last year the Minnesota Legislature passed a law restricting off-highway vehicle use in wetlands such as shallow and deep marshes, shallow open
water and bogs. The law requires violators to pay restitution for damage to wetlands on both private and public lands.
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GO THE DISTANCE, TELL THE TALE, ANNOY YOUR FRIENDS
When you finish a marathon or other big race, there are so many people you want to contact. You want to assure family members that you
survived. You want to thank the people who tolerated your training moods. You want to tell your buddy that you blew away his PR. So many people to contact, but so little energy to make call after call.
MyGreatRace.com solves that problem. Now after a race you can call a toll free number, record the saga of your race (up to two minutes), and send that message to up to 30 phone numbers that you pre loaded at
MyGreatRace.com. Within seconds, all of the special people in your life will know how you did.
The service is available for runners, bikers, triathletes or anyone else
who wants to share time sensitive information with people across town or across the country. At only $7.49, the service is a bargain, about the price of a good pair of socks. All the details are available at
MyGreatRace.com. Create your call list today so it's ready to go the next time you cross the finish line.
Make MyGreatRace part of your race day routine, right between the finish line and that hot shower.
(Editor's note: While we don't generally give free advertising, the above was just too different not to share. Silent Sports magazine knows nothing about this service, but we must admit it's unique)
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AURORA HIGH CLIFF TRIATHLON SCHEDULED
Wisconsin The staging of a new event will take place on June 20 at High Cliff State Park in Menasha. It is titled the Aurora High Cliff Triathlon,
featuring a Half Ironman distance, as well as a sprint distance. The event is one of a kind, as it will cover Brown, Calumet, Outagamie and Fond du Lac counties. The Half Ironman features a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile
bike and 13.1 mile run as well as the sprint distance, 1/4 mile swim, 22 mile bike and 5K run. Aurora Health Care has been named the major sponsor.
Gloria West, the founder of the event, is working with the Wisconsin Department of Tourism to secure a grant that will promote the event throughout the country. With Madison now hosting one of the largest
and most well attended Ironman events in the world, this Half Ironman will attract a national field, including those beginning to train for the Madison Ironman this September. The High Cliff Triathlon hopes to
become a future qualifier for 12 other Ironman Triathlons held throughout the world. "The bike course will be very hilly like the Ironman in Madison, so those wanting to assimilate that experience will
get the chance. They will also get the panoramic view of the entire Fox Valley as the bike course borders the entire eastern high edge of the lake," West says.
Two of the most elite triathletes in the country will be competing in this event. Heather Gollnick is the world's three time female Ironman winner
and mother of three from Hartford, Wis. Dave Scott from California will also be competing. He is the most prolific and successful triathlete in the sport, having won six world Ironmans.
The event on June 20 will start at 8 a.m. and feature an expo the day before where athletes can check in, attend a clinic by Dave Scott and do a practice swim at High Cliff State Park. For information contact Gloria
West at 920/247 3401.
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FINLANDIA UNIVERSITY NORDIC SKI TEAM OPEN HOUSE
Michigan If you are interested in racing for an NCAAIII university while earning a degree, Finlandia University has a new Nordic ski racing
program and is hosting an open house on March 20-21.
There will be some informal spring skiing on local trails, a free nutritional seminar by Donna Marlor of Endurance Sport Nutrition, and a chance
to check out Finlandia and speak with students and staff.
Finlandia is a small university located in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula in the heart of snow country. Four excellently groomed trail systems are
located within 15 minutes of campus and skiers routinely train from mid-November through mid-April.
The schedule is as follows:
Saturday, March 20
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Check in at Finlandia Hall
Noon Lunch on campus and meet the coaches
12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Spring skiing and trail orientation
4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Free time, dinner
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Nutrition seminar/presentation. You will also receive hand-outs and material to take home.
Evening free time talk with Finlandia students - relax
Sunday, March 21
7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Breakfast at Finlandia Hall
9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. - Spring skiing and trail orientation
Noon to 2 p.m. - Lunch. University admission personnel will be available to advise or answer questions.
For more information contact Vicki at 906/487-7388 or e-mail
eric.rundman@finlandia.edu to RSVP.
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NOR/AM SUPERTOUR CONCLUDES WITH GREAT RACING AT TELEMARK RESORT
Wisconsin Ivan Babikov turned in his second dominant performance in
two days in the Nor/Am SuperTour 15K classic at Telemark Resort on Sunday, January 25, upsetting SuperTour leader David Chamberlain. Chamberlain led a pack of eight skiers including Babikov who was
sitting in third as they passed through the stadium after the first of three laps. Their first lap split time was just under 16 minutes.
At the conclusion of the second lap the lead pack had slimmed to four,
with Chamberlain maintaining only a slight lead over Chris Cook, Babikov and Dan Roycroft. Adam Kats and Chad Giese followed in close pursuit only 10 seconds back.
The third and final lap saw Babikov take command. The margin of his lead as he entered the stadium left little doubt that it was again to be his day. Babikov, a Russian national currently based in Canmore, Alberta,
turned in an impressive 45:43.53 time on a demanding 15K course in cold conditions. "It was my kind of course," said Babikov, "up and
down, up and down." A field of 157 men started the 15K classic event. Air temperature at start time was 14 F with a steady north wind of 5-10 mph.
David Chamberlain's second-place finish further padded his Nor/Am SuperTour championship. Finishing at 46:09.38, Chamberlain said, "I
felt good today," rebounding from an off day on Saturday. As a result of his SuperTour championship, Chamberlain will move on to represent the United States on the World Cup circuit in Europe.
U.S. Development squad member, Chris Cook, scored a podium spot for his third consecutive event at the Telemark SuperTour. Cook's third-place time was 46:22.36. "It was a tough race. I had good skis but
it was a battle all the way," said Cook.
Chad Giese of St. Paul, Minnesota, skiing for the Subaru Factory Team, closed strong edging Dan Roycroft, Thunder Bay, Ontario, by 0.87
second. Their fourth-and fifth-place times were 46:46.10 and 46:46.97 respectively. Giese commented, "Great course it was a hectic start with a lot of guys and a narrow trail, but it spread out and we just kept
pushing the pace and the group broke up a little bit. I skied strong and hung in there."
In the women's 10K classic, Rebecca Dussault (Subaru Factory Team)
added a resounding exclamation point to her outstanding Nor/Am SuperTour with back-to-back victories at Telemark. Dussault led the 100-woman field from start to finish. "I wanted to hang back the first lap
and check out what the pace was there was no need to win it by minutes or anything," said Dussault of her strategy for Sunday's event. "I hadn't
even started breathing hard, but at about 4K I just decided to go. I thought it would be better in front once the course got to the more technical descents, so I wouldn't get tangled up with any of the others."
Dussault cruised home in 36:24.1, 43 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Melissa Oram. "Skiing that second lap was so much fun," she
added. "I was just skiing alone in the middle of nowhere. I had time to think and even say hi to my family."
Oram, from Park City, Utah, led a tightly bunched chase pack of four
skiers. After finishing at 37:07.9 she collapsed in the arms of Dussault gasping for over a minute until she regained her composure. Oram, with the U.S. Development Ski Team, lost a contact lens during the race. She
shared her strategy, "I led the chase pack the whole way and I figured I had to have the lead coming into the finish."
The margin was far less between third and fourth place finishers, with
only one tenth of a second separating Madeleine Williams (Edmonton, Alberta), 37.09.7 and Johanna Turnunen, 39.09.8. Williams was fourth entering the stadium, but passed Turnunen at the finish to clinch her first
SuperTour podium. She kept it close the whole way and commented, "There were lots of fun games being played out there."
Complete results of the day's racing can be found at
www.finishlinesports.com/html/results.asp.
The Nor/Am SuperTour is scheduled to return to Telemark Resort in 2005 and 2006 with more of the best cross country ski racing in North America.
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AMERY DRESSER TRAIL MOVES AHEAD
Wisconsin This winter the Wisconsin DNR purchased the abandoned railroad bed between Amery and Dresser, Wisconsin. The DNR then
charged Polk County, Wisconsin, to determine what uses will be allowed on the trail and how it will be developed. The Friends of the L O G Greenway, who have promoted developing this trail as a year
round nonmotorized trail for three years, is now 300 members strong and they are deeply involved in the process. The Friends group isn't an antimotors group; rather, they are interested in promoting silent sports.
In a region with over 600 miles of snowmobile trails, 15 miles of paved nonmotorized trail doesn't seem like too much to ask. The county will soon convene an advisory committee to consider trail development
options. In the meantime they are working to educate the surrounding communities about the health, economic, environmental and recreational benefits of a nonmotorized greenway. The next general meeting is
scheduled for March 11 at 7 p.m. at the Deronda Fellowship Hall, west of Amery on County Trunk F.
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WORKING OR COOKING OPPORTUNITIES ON THE ICE AGE TRAIL
Wisconsin Interested in learning the best techniques for building high quality hiking trails while getting a good physical workout? Or would
you enjoy preparing meals and providing logistical support to trail building volunteers who share your love for the Ice Age Trail?
If you answered "yes" to either question, get out your calendar. Listed
below are the dates for the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation's mobile skills crew (MSC) events of 2004.
April 28
, 6 p.m.
May 2
, noon, MSC training, Washington County If you want to become a member of the MSC, you'll need to take this training. A few slots remain
open. This will also be the inaugural training of the MSC project support team for those whose preferred tools are chef knives and stainless steel cookware. Contact kevin@iceagetrail.org or tim@iceagetrail.org for more info.
May 20 23,
Work project, Devil's Lake State Park Help complete this new segment of premier hiking trail into the park. Contact tim@iceagetrail.org for more info.
June 10 13,
Work project, western Lincoln County The great northwoods will just be hitting its summer stride when the MSC arrives to build a new
segment of IAT along ice walled lake plains, resident wolf packs and more. Includes rustic camping. Contact tim@iceagetrail.org for more info.
July 15 18,
Work project, Washington County Constructing new trail in eastern Wisconsin near West Bend and Slinger. Newly protected kames on site
and a camping area provided. Contact kevin@iceagetrail.org for more info.
August 19 22
, Work project, Cross Plains (Dane County) MSC meets the Driftless Area, constructing a new segment on a steep slope that will require at
least one switchback. Camping area provided. Contact tim@iceagetrail.org for more info.
September 23 26,
Work project, Chippewa Moraine National Reserve (Chippewa County) Build a new segment that extends the IAT northward from the
reserve. Expect lake views and fall color. Camping area provided. Contact kevin@iceagetrail.org for more info.
October 13 17,
Work project, Storrs Lake Wildlife Area (Rock County) Construct a new IAT segment along wetlands, prairie, kettles and grand old oaks.
Camping area provided. Contact tim@iceagetrail.org for more info.
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LUCK RUNNING CLUB PROPOSES FALL TRAIL RUN
Wisconsin For over 20 years the In and Out of Luck Running Club (in Luck, Wisconsin, of course) has been hosting some of the best
organized running events anywhere. On Valentine's Day weekend they hosted the New World Snowshoe Championships, which is the only qualifier event for the National Snowshoe Championships in this part of
the country. The club is planning to host a fall trail run/race in 2005. The course has yet to be determined but they are considering the Luck Ski Trails, Gandy Dancer Trail, the Coon Lake Trails (Frederic), the Ice
Age Trail, and other locations. For more information visit http://home.centurytel.net/luckrunningclub/.
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CHEQUAMEGON REGISTRATION RUSH BEGINS
Wisconsin The race is on! That is the race to get your hands on an entry blank for the 22nd annual Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival sponsored by
Trek to be held on September 17-19 at Telemark Resort in Cable, Wisconsin.
"What's the rush?" you ask. it's not until September. Each year the
selection process for the 2,500-person limit for the Chequamegon cross country events involves a lottery drawing. To be included in the random registration drawing, hopeful participants must obtain, complete and
send in their entry blanks by the March 15 postmark deadline. Shortly after that date 1,700 riders for the Chequamegon 40 and an additional 800 for the Short & Fat 16-miler will be selected.
Entry blanks can be obtained in two ways. First, from February 15 to March 15 the entry blank can be downloaded from the event's Web page at www.cheqfattire.com. If you prefer to go the postal route, a
self-addressed stamped envelope must be sent to the event headquarters as soon as possible so an entry blank can be delivered via the U.S. Postal Service. To be included in the drawing, lottery
participants must meet the March 15 postmark deadline for sending in their completed entry forms and fee payment to the event headquarters. Entries received after the postmark deadline will not be included in the
drawing.
For complete details of the registration lottery procedure and other event information visit the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival Web page at www.cheqfattire.com Direct all correspondence to CFTF, P.O. Box
267, Cable, WI 54821, 715/798-3594 (phone/fax) or e-mail to cheqfat@cheqnet.net.
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25,000 EXPECTED AT BIKE EXPO
Illinois The Subaru Chicago Bike Show and Family Fitness Expo will be held March 26-28 at Chicago's Navy Pier. The Expo is the largest
show of its kind in the Midwest, featuring the extreme stunt shows and the latest products and information for the bicycling public. Major manufacturers, tour operators, local stores, clubs and other bike-related
organizations will exhibit at the Expo.
The event is expected to draw 25,000 attendees.
Show hours are from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday.
General admission is $9, admission for children under 12 is $4 and free for children under 6.
For more information go to www.chicagobikeshow.com.
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CHICAGOLAND BICYCLE CONFERENCE
Illinois The first annual Chicagoland Bicycle Conference will be held March 18-20. The conference will provide innovative ideas and
inspiration for citizens who want to improve bicycling and walking conditions in their communities.
The conference is designed to provide attendees with strategies for
effectively working with the Illinois Department of Transportation and local government agencies; cutting-edge ideas and tactics for project funding, planning and design; and ways to best work with local officials
to enhance advocacy efforts.
The conference will provide more than 25 sessions on various topics, and offer an opportunity to share issues and tactics with others.
The conference will be held at the University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago Illini Union, 828 S. Wolcott.
A Bike Lane Tour and Bike Town Bash will take place in conjunction with the conference.
The Tour will be held on Thursday, March 18, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Chicago and the Bash will be on Friday, March 19, from 7 p.m. until midnight at the Chicago Cultural Center, G.A.R. Hall and
Rotunda, 77 E. Randolph.
For further information contact Dan Korman, dan@biketraffic.org or call 312/427-3325, Ext. 24.
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WENONAH RELEASES NEWEST TIN SIGN
Minnesota "Master of the River" is the newest in the collectible series of "tin signs" offered by Wenonah Canoe. Featuring a canoeist's sudden
encounter with a bear at a blind bend in a raging river, the image is characteristic of the popular tin sign series.
The tin signs are designed as replicas of the popular advertising signs of
past decades that were posted around the country and depicted a wide range of products from sodas to over the counter medicines. The Wenonah tin signs have become an annual staple of the canoe
company's gift and memorabilia product line. "Master of the River," like all other tin signs, is named for multiple interpretation. Is the "master" the paddler, the bruin or the canoe?
"Each tin sign offers more than one focal point for its name," says Tom Watson, marketing director for the Minnesota based canoe
manufacturer. "Last year's sign, for example, is titled 'Catch of the Day' depicting a sow and two bear cubs (one cub's paw is hooked by a
fishing lure) frolicking in an unattended canoe containing fishing rods and a stringer of fish. The name of the tin sign suggests reference to the bear
cub hooked to a fishing lure, the stringer of fish in a canoe or the canoe itself." Watson says the title of the tin sign is always meant to suggest the canoe should be included in the interpretation.
For more information on the complete set of collectible tin signs by Wenonah Canoe, refer to the Web site at www.wenonah.com, or write to P.O. Box 247, Winona, MN 55987, phone 507/454 5430 or fax 507/454 5448
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