5 Storylines to Watch as the Life Time Grand Prix Hits Chequamegon This Weekend

Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival is taking place this weekend September 12 and 13. In its 42nd year, the event is also the 4th stop on the Life Time Grand Prix. Here we share the local's guide to catching the Life Time Grand Prix athletes and enjoying the entire festival weekend.

To learn more visit Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival

42 Years of Chequamegon: A Brief Background

Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival

Up until a few years ago, the event was called the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival. The name was changed to Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival as fat bikes became more and more popular and there was some confusion about the event being for fat bikes.

The event started in 1983 and for five years it took place at Lakewoods Resort and went through the Chequamegon National Forest. Since the course moved, it is no longer on national forest. The entire race takes place on county land but retains the Chequamegon name from when it first started.

A Rich History

The event has a lot of rich and storied history. Greg Lemond rode the race several times. At the 25th anniversary of the race, the event was won by Jesse LaLonde on a singlespeed. Steve Tilford came up to Cable all the time and rode the race many times and racers will eat at Rivers Eatery and Tillie's Pies which is named in memory of Tilford.

4th Stop on the Life Time Grand Prix

Chequamegon 40 is the 4th stop in the Life Time Grand Prix. The LTGP started in 2022 and is comprised of 25 female and 25 male athletes who compete for points during the series in gravel and mountain bike events. Being a part of the Life Time Grand Prix series puts Chequamegon and a national map and spotlights the beautiful and rugged cycling scene alongside the area's rich history.

What to Look For in the Life Time Grand Prix Elite Race on Saturday

Chequamegon 40 is a very short and fast race. Men and women will finish in 2-2.5 hours so it'll be a drag race from Hayward to Cable with no forgiveness if mistakes are made. If an athlete gets around the corner and out of sight, they just might win the whole day.

Chequamegon's Course Might Upend Series Standings

Chequamegon’s course is a complete contrast to the high-altitude grind of Leadville, and that shift could scramble the Life Time Grand Prix standings. Instead of long alpine climbs, riders face a fast, punchy 40-mile route through rolling Northwoods terrain where drafting, pack tactics, and technical savvy matter more than sheer endurance.

The Wildcards Are Chasing Keegan Swenson

With Keegan Swenson holding a firm grip on the men’s Grand Prix standings, all eyes turn to the wildcards Simon Pellaud and Torbjørn Røed to see if they can shake things up at Chequamegon. Pellaud sits just seven points back and has the engine to capitalize on a fast, tactical course, while Røed, 12 points down, has shown flashes of brilliance when the terrain plays to his strengths. Both know that Chequamegon’s short, punchy format offers a rare chance to chip away at Swenson’s dominance before the series heads into its final stretch.

Just 2 Points Separate Leaders Cecily Decker & Sofia Gomez

Sofia Gomez has crushed the last 2 years of the Life Time Grand Prix, winning by a massive 50 points in 2024. This year Cecily Decker (86 points) is just barely ahead of Sofia (84 points) and Chequamegon will almost certainly roll out an interesting storyline givine one of them a chance to create some points separation in the second half of the 2025 series.

Melisa Rollins’ Road Back to the Podium

After finishing second overall in last year’s Grand Prix, Melisa Rollins now sits just outside the top two, 14 points behind leader Cecily Decker. Her runner-up ride at Leadville proved she’s still in the mix, and Chequamegon could be the perfect stage for a resurgence. Rollins knows this course well—she won here in 2021—and with its fast, rolling terrain favoring her style, she has a real shot to claw her way back into the top tier of the standings.

A New Final 2 Miles for the Elite Riders

The Chequamegon finish is always a blur of speed and noise, and this year it gets a fresh twist. For 2025, the final two miles of the pro race shift onto the Birkie Trail instead of the winding Sleigh Trail used by the mass start. That change means a wide, fast run-in before the decisive 400-yard stretch: a punchy climb on the Birkie, then a furious downhill sprint into the finish at the Derksen Family Great Hall. Expect the leaders to come in hot, with positioning on that last climb making or breaking podium hopes.

Meet the Life Time Grand Prix Athletes

If you're racing, spectating, or just walking the dog around the ole block, you'll likely catch some favorite LTGP athletes milling around. They're really approachable, great with kids, and it's neat to see some of the biggest names in gravel/MTB racing hanging around Cable.

Catch them at the awards ceremony on Saturday afternoon or perhaps you'll see them at Rivers or Tillie's for post race shenanigans. There is also a LTGP panel at 4:45 on Friday to get a Q&A from some of the athletes.

Where are the Best Places to Watch?

Wheeler Road Start Line

Both men and women Elite races have a separate starting line. To catch the start of both races, head east Hayward to Wheeler Road where athletes will take off down the Birkie Trail and start with a big climb right away.

OO x Birkie Trail

Head north out of Hayward on 63 and turn east onto OO to the Samuel C Johnson Family Outdoor Center Ski Crossing. The Birkie trail crosses OO here and you can park on the north side of OO. This is the second aid station at mile 17.8 as well as the official spectator area. Elite athletes won't be stopping here but it's a nice open area near the mid point to catch racers flying by.

At the Finish Line at the Derksen Great Hall

If you want to be in the heart of the action, stake out a spot at the finish. The Derksen Family Great Hall area will be packed with fans as the pros come charging in after their new 2025 finale, two miles on the wide, fast Birkie Trail. From there it’s a lung-burning 400-yard climb followed by a downhill sprint to the line, all with the crowd stacked along the barriers. It’s the loudest, most electric place on course to watch the drama unfold.