This month, the Chequamegon mountain bike race celebrates its thirty ninth birthday. Right here’s every thing it’s worthwhile to know to celebration proper together with the legendary race.
A legend on two wheels was born in an unassuming woodland glade in northern Wisconsin. The Chequamegon 40 race originated in 1983 amongst a bunch of 27 ragtag riders, after which grew to revered standing amongst U.S. mountain biking festivals.
This yr’s single-track motion kicks off Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Prime mountain bikers from across the nation headline the competition, which the namesake 40-mile race punctuates. Household-friendly occasions like children’ rides and a “Fats and Quick” 16-miler dot the weekend schedule.
Race organizers name the course a “curler coaster conglomeration” consisting of glacial options and a punishing focal phase of rolling 25- to 50-foot climbs. The race is considered one of six stops on the Life Time Grand Prix Collection. Execs who take it on — together with the likes of Lex Albrecht and Ashton Lambie — will pedal for an unlimited purse, with $250,000 in prizes up for grabs.
Chequamegon MTB Pageant Historical past & Course
Chequamegon began when a handful of ski bums obtained collectively and dreamed up the idea. Then-Telemark Northwoods staff Tom Kelly, Dan Hunt, Mike Cooper, Phil Van Valkenberg, and Phil Rasmussen brainstormed a motorcycle race on the American Birkebeiner ski path at Lakewoods Resort in Cable, Wisc.
“If ever there was a case of the suitable individuals, in the suitable place, on the proper time, developing with the suitable concept, this was it,” the race web site explains. “Mountain bikes have been coming into reputation, the American Birkebeiner path supplied a difficult race course, lodging and volunteers have been plentiful, and it doesn’t get any extra lovely than Northern Wisconsin in mid-September.”
The purpose-to-point course leads riders from Major Avenue in Hayward, Wisc., to the end line on the resort. The route includes a patchwork of forest roads, snowmobile trails, and varied wooded paths.
“Whereas not a technically demanding course when it comes to tough switchbacks and slender single-track trails, the race course will put on you down with the endless modifications of terrain and floor circumstances,” race organizers stated in a press launch. Alongside the best way, spectators can catch the motion at a number of bottlenecks and gathering factors.
2022 Schedule Notes & The best way to Enter
This yr’s competition begins on Friday, Sept. 16. A bib pickup occasion on the American Birkebeiner trailhead showcases dwell music, meals vehicles, and all-important beer starting at 1 p.m. At 4 p.m., children (as younger as 2 years outdated!) kick off the present with the primary “Little Loggers” trip.
The professionals get underway on Saturday at 10 a.m. Cole Paton and Melisa Rollins return to defend their 2021 Chequamegon 40 titles. As of this writing, registration continues to be open. Entry to the 40-mile headliner prices $95, and youngsters trip free in Little Loggers.
