Today The Nxrth is announcing the first MTB race calendar for Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the U.P. We're regularly adding races as new 2025 dates get set so make sure to check back in and send us info if you see a 2025 race that isn't on the calendar yet. View the MTB Race Calendar as a Map Want to view the MTB Race Calendar as a map? Join The Nxrth+ for unlimited access to maps like this one, resources, planning tools, stories, and more.

Since the Filthy 50 is not taking place in 2024, an informal event has informally (and independently) popped up in its place this October in Lanesboro. Check out the details and add October 12 to your calendar. *If you make the trip to Lanesboro, make sure to check out the Lanesboro Gravel Guide . From the event coordinator: This year the Filthy 50 isn't happening in Lanesboro, but hopefully it's just a one-year hiatus. We still want to keep riding the great gravel and valleys of the Driftless around Lanesboro in the fall though. This is an event open to anyone who wants a fun ride Saturday, October 12th. No cost, no worries, just a wonderful ride with some familiar segments and some new roads that haven't been on any route before. If you'd rather just ride the Filthy 50 route, that's cool too. Meet up at Sylvan Brewing around 10:30 AM. You'll get a cue sheet for the ride, then we'll head out at 11 AM. Make sure to stick around after the ride for a couple beers at Sylvan Brewery!

The Marji Gesick mountain bike race recently took place in Marquette, Michigan. Chris Stindt had resisted the pull to sign up but finally gave in last year. This year, he came back for a second portion and was joined by his wife. Read about his race recap and insights then set your alarm for next year's race. Words by Chris Stindt. More info at Marji Gesick . A lot of endurance events will inevitably lead to the question of ‘why’. Why do we do this to ourselves? Why am I out here? What the heck was I thinking when I signed up for this? The Marji Gesick mountain bike race is one that will definitely leave you wondering. It will definitely leave those around you wondering as well - coming home with sweat, blood, and tears, your equipment in tatters, body bruised and sore in places you maybe have never felt before. And then you sign up again! Is Marji Gesick Just Hype? I don’t love things with ‘hype’. I’m not always against something if it’s genuinely good, but when things seem too good, usually I feel like they are a setup for disappointment. Plus, like, I don’t know, if you think this thing is so good, then you go enjoy it and leave me alone. I’m sick of hearing about it. But all my friends were doing it. I guess my mom was right about me jumping off a bridge too, except that would take much less forethought and almost certainly result in less bodily harm. So I signed up for the Marji 50 last year, which my friend Dan used to call the kid’s race. I got beat down pretty good, but blurred over the memory, and signed up again. Oh, and I convinced my wife to sign up for the mini, which is the hardest 19 miles of any of the courses. Hitting the Right Note in Marquette We’ve been dealing with some family stuff, and it’s really time intensive. Anna was probably spending over 10 hours a week caring for her mom, and it had taken a toll, mentally and physically. We hadn’t left La Crosse for more than a night since spring break, and after canceling a couple of trips, we were all pretty ready for a long weekend in Marquette. Apparently it had been awhile because Julie said ‘whoa look at that classic McDonalds!’ And ‘whoa, there is a McDonalds in this Walmart!’. Yup, we were livin’ large. We drove up after school Thursday, and got to see our good friend Erik start the 200 mile out and back race. No, you can’t sign up for it. They only host it once every 5 years and you need a race resume to even apply. ‘Extra special’. It was super cool to see almost 20 La Crosse friends out in the near dawn light to send Erik off. We then did some touristy stuff, and a family mountain bike ride, right from our rental place. It was one of those special family days - I don’t know if Marquette is really that neat, or if it just hits the right note in the early fall. Regardless, probably you shouldn’t go check it out for yourself or anything. My Tires Taking a Poop on the 50-Mile I raced the 50 on Saturday - I felt really good, surprisingly. I was 3rd wheel overall going into the singletrack and doing good working up a hill when my rear tire started to feel squishy. I thought, wow, my legs are already taking a poop, usually they only feel this squishy when I’m really tired. But..I actually had a flat tire. I grabbed a CO2 and the sealant held, and I only lost about 10 places. I skipped the first rest stop, and reeled in a group. Eventually I left them, and rode a buncha terrible stuff, up and down, and walked/jogged a bit, and passed more people. I couldn’t believe how I was feeling. And then whoosh, a big ole flat tire again. I plugged it, and 4 hours and 30 minutes into the race, limped into the second checkpoint. My crack mechanic team, which consisted of two of my friends who I randomly saw, did their best to get the plugs to fill the hole, but alas it wasn’t to be. Eventually we stuck a tube in, and I rode off, after watching the last 10 people I passed go out ahead of me. They put extra air in the tire hoping it would hold. I knew I was on borrowed time, and hoped I could get to the finish. Really, the whole day felt like borrowed time after the first flat, 30 minutes in. It definitely changed my perspective. You'll Always Get Sucker Punched by Marji Oh, and at one point a tree sucker punched me. It was sort of a stump, hanging in the air somehow(?) and wham, it hit my hand and dropped me to the ground, where I bounced. Somehow everything checked out. But the thing with Marji is…it’s truly treacherous. They do some hype and people love to tell you how this is the hardest thing ever, but there are some legitimate scary trails. I chatted with my wife after her mini and I said, basically, every time you hit a root or rock or drop or whatever you’re rolling the dice. The odds might be in your favor if you have good skills, but eventually luck will catch up with you. She supermanned over the handlebars at one point, but neither of us had more than superficial cuts, scrapes and bruises. I’d guess you literally ride over 1000 roots in the final two sections. Plus an equal number of rocks? Everything Ends in Happiness Anyway, my tube popped, 3 or 4 miles after I set out for the final section. My borrowed time was over. I wanted to be sad, but I was already plenty happy to be done riding. My friend Dan picked me up and we went to watch our wives cross the finish line together. However bad my day seemed…he was supposed to be out doing the 200 but had broken, I don’t know, 3 bones a few weeks before, and couldn’t ride. Don’t worry, he’s mostly fine. The girls were happy. The kids had a wonderful day of cheering. We all went and jumped in Lake Superior (as cold as advertised) and really just capped a great weekend. This report is already too long, and also is missing half of the cool stuff that happened. So, whatever you do, don’t try and get in to Marji whenever they open registration, it fills up in less than 60 seconds anyway.

The Marji Gesick 200 mile out and back bike race began Friday morning at 8am in Ishpeming, Michigan. Follow racers locations live via the Track Leaders map below. For more info visit Marji Gesick .

The Nxrth long sleeve jerseys close today, Sept 19. These jerseys are designed and stitched in Coon Valley, Wisconsin. Photos by Megan Zabel Holmes . Get Your Long Sleeve Jersey

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE Words by Josh from The Nxrth The Nxrth officially kicked off one of the very first days of 2022. It was an idea that had been spiraling around in my mind for a long time and in various forms. Before the launch as well as after the launch, I had a lot of ideas and many of them were quite awful. Here are 8 of the worst ideas I had that never became a reality.

Jenna Rinehard is a Minnesota-based professional off road cyclist. She finished the 2023 Life Time Grand Prix in 6th place overall and also just recently claimed her first pro gravel win. Here we catch her for a Q&A on her 2024 outlook, claiming a spot at Gravel Worlds in Belgium this October, and much, much more. Follow along with Jenna Rinehart's season @jzrinehart How did you get into professional offroad cycling? My local ski area, Mount Kato , had mountain bike trails in the summer and I did my first ride at age 15. I entered my first race that summer and quickly fell in love with the sport. I spent many years racing the MN and WI off road MTB series. I went to my first National level race the summer after graduating high school. That opened my eyes to professional level racing and seeing really fast women crushing it. I worked my way through the ranks and got my pro license at age 21. You just took your very first pro gravel win at the Highlands Classic after getting left in the dust with a dropped chain in mile one. How the heck did you pull that off? Haha yes I made things a bit more challenging for myself by dropping my chain and losing the field so early in the race. I tried to not panic and keep a positive mindset. I really didn’t think I’d see the front of the race again but the course looked fun to ride so I could at least enjoy it and hopefully pick off some riders. I stayed on the gas and sent it on the downhills and after the first aid station I started to see some riders up the road. I continued to pick off riders which was really motivating and by the last big climb of the day I’d made it up to the top 2 riders. I got a bit of a gap on a twisty downhill with just under 10 miles to go and decided to go for it. I just held off 2nd place by under 30 seconds for the win. I’m a bit shocked and thrilled to pull that off! You rode the Life Time Grand Prix in 2023, what was that experience like? I had taken a long break away from the top level of the sport to run our bike shop so when I jumped back in I wasn’t sure what to expect. I ended up having a way more successful season then I could have imagined. I also got to know a lot of the other women which was super cool. It was so fun to race in a strong and deep women’s field. Unfortunately, that can be harder to find when doing more local races but the fields are growing and hopefully more women get inspired to come out and jump in the races. The equal opportunities LifeTime Grand Prix has created for Pro level racing is really cool to be a part of. The sport, especially for women, is in such a better place than when I used to race at this level. You're now in 6th place for the 2024 Life Time Grand Prix after the first round. What are your hopes and expectations for year 2? I learned so much after last season which I think definitely has its advantages. I learned so much about myself and what I’m capable of, nutrition, equipment choices, and how the courses ride. Most of these events were brand new for me last year. I’m excited to take all that I learned and apply it to the races this year. The season is super long and anything can happen. I know there will be ups and downs to deal with. It’s hard to set certain result expectations as there are several new riders in the field this year and it seems to keep getting stronger each year. I just hope to apply what I learned last season and put forth my best effort. You won a sprint to earn 2nd place at Mid South this year. How did that feel to take that spot in the final seconds of the race? It was an incredible feeling. I think that might have been the first sprint I have ever won haha! Last year I tended to fade towards the end of races and lose spots. This year I have really been working on my race nutrition and I think this really helped me. I felt so strong all the way to the end. You earned a spot at UCI Gravel Worlds in Belgium this October. How does that feel to have that on your horizon and what's your outlook for 2024 as a whole? It’s super exciting to have qualified for a spot at the World Championships! I had the opportunity to go to the Mountain Bike World Championships when I was younger as a U23 rider. After taking a long break from competing I really didn’t think I’d find myself in this position again, especially being a bit older and at an Elite World Championships. It’s an incredible honor to be able to represent the USA against the best riders in the world. I’m really just looking forward to the entire season and super grateful to have this opportunity to compete at this level again. How does living in the north with a cold snowy winter for half of the year impact your ability to compete on the world gravel stage? It definitely makes for some challenges at times. Especially when trying to get ready for some of these early Spring races. It can be hard to get the long days in. But there also are some positives to it as well. I believe it can make you a bit tougher. Riding on snow also gives you good bike handling skills and is similar to mud without the messy cleanup afterwards. The season is long so sometimes having a little slower start can make you feel fresher and stronger at the end of the season. I don’t like to ride inside so I spend most of my time outside on my fat bike. I run studded tires and ride a lot of gravel roads and some single track. The wider studded tires help me feel a bit safer and the slower speeds keep you warmer than a gravel bike. That being said, I did skip out on winter a bit this year and spent some time getting in some big training days in Arizona. This helped a lot as I started my season earlier than I ever have before with several races in March. You own a bike shop? How do you bring your love of the gravel community into the bike shop experience? Yes, I co-own Nicollet Bike and Ski shop with my husband. I love to help others get into the sport and share my experiences with them. We host both weekly and monthly gravel group rides. We put on a yearly gravel event called the River Valley 100 . It’s August 25th and we have a 100k option or a shorter 26 mile route. The 100k is not a race but more of a spirited group ride showcasing some of our best gravel. I also have created a list of our best gravel routes on our website with Strava links people can follow.

For the 3rd annual Gray Duck Grit, race organizers added cyclocross racing to the Saturday schedule. Nicholas Peterson came over from South Dakota to check out the inaugural race. Here he shares about the great course as well as the cyclocross community. Words by Nicholas Peterson Photos by Dustin Bowman As one of a small handful of folks who drove several hours to exclusively race cyclocross, I guess that makes me qualified to report on the ‘cross happenings at Gray Duck Grit . There was once a long-running CX event that started hosting a gravel ride to supplement the cyclocross festivities of the weekend. Gray Duck Grit is a gravel event that decided to add a cyclocross competition to supplement its gravel rides. The former (Jingle Cross, RIP) was a classic race in the midwest CX scene, and it was evident immediately Gray Duck CX shared some of its DNA. Location alone does not manifest a great cyclocross course, but I can’t help but feel like organizing a CX race at a fair grounds is some sort of cheat code to a making a killer course. So what makes a great cyclocross event? Free beer helps. Fun…definitely. It isn’t the number people racing, it isn’t necessarily the location either, and certainly not the weather. Did the collective result of the people racing, the course, and general organization result in a memorable event? If yes, mission accomplished. In my opinion Gray Duck Grit CX accomplished this mission. From the moment I arrived, Gray Duck Grit CX passed the vibe check. Upon suiting up and getting on course, it was evident the vibe was justified. In all, about 57 racers took the line across 5 classifications and it seemed like a good number of us, when not racing, were tape-side cheering others on. For some reason (perhaps the Spirit of Gravel), I had taken a laissez-faire approach to getting to the start line. I wasn’t late by any means, but the lack of ranked call-ups (not a criticism) had me lining up toward the back of the Intermediate field that I had intended on starting at least mid-field. This realization immediately cured me of whatever casual attitude toward racing I had taken on that day. I had a battle ahead of me if I wanted to salvage any result I could be proud of. This was exactly the kick in the shorts I needed. A legit run-up, perfectly staked turns, livestock barns providing shade, surfaces of varying traction, big power sections, and an overall glorious flow made for one of the best courses I’ve had the pleasure of riding. The course, the venue, and the people behind it all made for a great day of cyclocross racing that I plan to return to for as long as it stays on the calendar. Cyclocross is in serious need of love and support at the moment and if you’re even casually interested in the sport, I’d strongly recommend adding this race to your schedule next season.

The 3rd annual Gray Duck Grit just took place in Cannon Falls, MN with a whole bunch of improvements going into year 3. The race came to a new town and new venue with a new cyclocross race and a new 50 mile distance. Here Pat Moore shares his recap of the 50 mile day as well as an overall review of the new direction of Gray Duck Grit. Words by Pat Moore Photos by Greg Kaiser If you're a gravel rider, put this race on your list! In its third year, the change that jumps out upon reflection is the start and finish area. Starting and ending the Gray Duck Grit at the Cannon Valley Fairgrounds was a huge improvement. Last year my race recap was titled, “ Children of the Corn Minus the Scythes ”. With the date change from early October to early September however, the corn stalks just didn’t have that same creepy vibe, and I was totally okay with that. After a summer of long races (800 miles of the Tour Divide, the Wolf Bikepacking Race (225), and the DAMn (240)), I opted for the new 50-mile route. The course was beautiful. Rolling climbs and fast descents were once again the name of the game of Driftless Country. Mark and Kris Jessee and their “flock” of volunteers made the day. I got the opportunity to chat with Mark before and after the race. His genuine passion for putting this race on is obvious. I thanked him for all the hard work, and he quickly pointed out that work doesn’t feel like work when it is fun. A friend recently called for having a “Race Director’s Appreciation Day”, and I couldn’t agree more. I have yet to meet a race director who does not motivate me to rally people around building community and celebrating personal successes, whatever those might be. The start of the 50, 69, and 111-mile races took place on Sunday morning on a horse race track which admittedly was a first for me. We rolled out under blue skies, perfect temps in the 60’s, and a breeze that would evolve into a bit of a headwind. Leaving the outskirts of Cannon Falls, racers entered a healthy mix of forest and farmland, popping in and out of the woods and occasionally riding along the Cannon River. Things began to look and feel familiar to the 2023 course when I hit 380th Street which goes over Highway 52. The road had not changed much, and unfortunately, neither did the headwind. I could hardly complain after enjoying 240 miles of tailwind in this year’s DAMn, but in the moment, the legs were feeling it. Turning off of the pavement of 380th St. with just over 10 miles left which included a wonderfully fast descent, my spirits were good. Like most racers I assume, the voice of Christopher Walken screamed for more cowbell in my head as the finish line came into view. Crossing the finish line to the amazing sound of the cowbell was as satisfying as always. The finish area at the Cannon Valley Fairgrounds was perfect. A food truck, music, and sunshine always seem to make for a good time. A huge shout out to Mark and Kris Jesse and their amazing volunteers for all of their hard work. To next year!

The Nxrth now has Long Sleeve Jersey orders for 14 days until Sept 19. These jerseys are designed and stitched in Coon Valley, Wisconsin. Photos by Megan Zabel Holmes . Get Your Long Sleeve Jersey

Year 2 of the Coon Fork 40 produced by CORBA saw perfect beach weather, challenging routes, and a huge northwoods gravel party in the woods. Check out this recap video produced by Volume One for gravel fly-bys, beach bombs, and capture all the energy of the beach-to-beach gravel adventure. To learn more and put it on your radar for 2025, visit the Coon Fork 40 .

Here we share the 4 best fat bike trail groomers for winter, each offering unique features to create solid, rideable trails. Whether you're working with deep snow or fine-tuning berms, these groomers will help you craft the perfect path for your fat biking adventures. When it comes to fat biking in the winter, grooming your trails is key to ensuring an enjoyable and safe ride. A well-groomed trail provides a stable, compacted base that stands up to the elements and improves traction. The right grooming equipment is crucial for making sure your snow-packed paths are smooth, firm, and ready for the ride. Whether you're dealing with deep snow or just a light dusting, having the proper tools can make all the difference in creating a top-quality trail. In this article, we'll explore four of the best fat bike trail groomers that will help you craft the ideal winter riding experience. From the reliable Sno-Blaster that can handle deep snow to the DIY Tire Drag, which lets you customize your trail with precision, each of these tools offers unique advantages. By understanding the key features of each groomer, you'll be equipped to choose the best option for your winter trail grooming needs. The 4 Best Fat Bike Trail Groomers 1. Sno-Blaster This popular groomer is a must-have for heavy snow conditions. When snow piles up, a plow like the one on the Sno-Blaster becomes essential for achieving a clear path with a stable, compacted base. Learn More . 2. Yeti's Revenge Crafted for durability with 304 stainless steel and aluminum, this groomer is ideal for navigating tight, winding trails. Its angled design helps to divert and pack snow, while the slightly curved base mimics the feel of a well-worn singletrack groove. It features a spring-loaded, removable corduroy rake in the rear and offers an optional Bat Wing attachment for managing snow drifts and building berms. Learn More . 3. Snowdog with Singletrack Groomer Attachment Mentioned earlier, this setup is an excellent option for carving out new trails in light snow areas. It will create and pack trails, but doesn’t remove snow, which can be limiting if you’re dealing with heavier snowfall. Learn More . 4. The DIY Tire Drag After clearing deep snow with a plow, this tool becomes essential for finishing trails. Though it requires some effort to build, you can customize it to fit your trail system. Add features like wings, a fin, a corduroy scraper, and extra weight to shape smooth, concave paths over varying terrain and high berms. Process for Grooming Snow To create a solid trail, start by removing any excess deep, dry snow, as it won’t compact effectively on its own. Once the excess snow is cleared, use a heavy groomer, weighted pan, or a DIY tire pull to compact the remaining snow. This creates a firm, stable base that won’t easily become mushy or prone to ruts. Shaping the trail is optional but can significantly improve its quality. By using a grooming pan with wings or a DIY tire pull with handmade wings, you can create a concave trail with smooth rollers and berms. This shaping enhances the trail's overall durability, making it more enjoyable to ride while ensuring it holds up over time. Types & Parts of a Single Track Trail Groomer Trail groomers come in various forms, and some are complete machines while others are components that enhance grooming effectiveness. For example, an all-in-one groomer typically features a plow in the front, a main pan that can be weighted for extra compaction, and a corduroy scraper in the rear to texture the snow. Rollers Rollers are most effective for establishing new, basic trails in the snow rather than working on existing trails or ones with added features. They perform best on flatter terrain since they aren't suited for climbing berms; when used on them, rollers tend to slide off course. However, if your goal is to pack a few inches of snow at a time, rollers excel at doing just that. Corduroy Scraper Corduroy scrapers are typically an additional feature on trail groomers, not standalone tools. They drag behind the groomer, further compacting the snow and removing trapped air. While some might find corduroy scrapers unnecessary, they provide added traction and help prevent slipping or icing, especially when snow coverage is minimal. Plow Plows serve a simple but essential purpose: removing excess snow. When faced with deep snowfall, they are indispensable. Before you can start compacting or shaping your base, you’ll need to use a plow to clear the snow and make way for grooming. Pan The pan is the flat section of a groomer, positioned between the plow and the scraper. It plays a crucial role in compacting snow, and you can add weight to the pan to increase its effectiveness in creating a firm, solid base.