With the punishing Ronde van Skandia looming on the horizon, Keweenaw cyclists of all persuasions--the Red Jacket-Blue Sky Health Cycling Team, Tech's C4 Cycling Team, and the new Flyer Cycles/Dorfblick Training Center Cycling Team, are once again a common sight on local roadways. Roadies, triathletes and mountain bikers alike are (mostly) glad to see the snow melt away and the roads open back up for training.

The 2009 road racing season is set to open unoffically with Marquette's Ronde van Skandia on April 25. The 80 miles of bad road offer nowhere to hide. And for those bold enough to set their sights on the UP's only spring classic, there will be--at best--bone-crushing disappointment for all but the victor.

After that, roadies will move their focus to the Duluth Classic Stage Race: a four day event attracting racers from across Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula. Held over Memorial Day weekend, the time trial, two hilly road races and a criterium are an outstanding opportunity to try out the legs and see whether (or not) the spring training paid off.

Though the Keweenaw's mountain bike trails are still hidden under well over a foot of snow, the sweet smell of singletrack is starting to percolate out of the woods. Trail riding can't be far off. Members of the Red Jacket - BlueSky Health cycling team are hoping to get a few miles under their tires before the mtb racing season gets underway with the Cable Off -Road Classic and Iola WORS race May 16/17.