Winter fatbike ultra event and registration dates are posted for most of next year's events in our region. If you're new to winter ultras or are curious about taking on one of these challenges, check out the races overviews and important dates below. Winter fat bike ultras quite possibly take more planning and preparation than any other cycling discipline. On top of race planning, you'll generally need to also complete a qualifying event in order to just register, to demonstrate that you have the experience and physical ability to compete in sub-zero temperates for days at a time with no support. Here we outline the 5 regional winter fatbike ultra races, their registration dates, qualifying events, as well as a few bonus events just for fun. Never Done a Winter Ultra Before? We recently put together a 3-part "Introduction to Winter Fatbike Ultras" series with Jamison Swift where you can learn all about resources, races, gear, risks, how to stay warm and plan the food you'll need to bring. Part 1: Races, Risks, & Resources Part 2: Logistics of Food, Water, Gear, & Staying Warm Part 3: Tips from Seasoned Ultra Veterans If you're brand new to winter fatbike ultras, the St. Croix 40 Winter Ultra is the perfect place to start. It's a shorter course that takes place overnight and requires you to carry (and practice using) the same gear you'll need for longer races like Arrowhead, Tuscobia, and more. Then if you have dreams of completing a race like Arrowhead, check out our resource, " What Does It Take to Complete Arrowhead 135 " where we hear from 4 incredible athletes who have raced and completed it a combined 30 times. Here is a list of our region's winter fatbike ultras, their race dates, and registrations dates you'll want to put in your calendar. If you wait until winter to register, you'll be too late as most winter events have registration open in August or September and fill up fast. Make sure to do your research and get familiar with any relevant qualifying events you'll need to complete as well as required gear. St. Croix 40 Winter Ultra - Hinckley, MN Race Date: Jan 13-14, 2024 Registration Date: August 15, 2023 St. Croix 40 Race Website The St. Croix 40 is a short course winter ultra for those who are curious about longer winter ultras in the spirit of the Arrowhead 135 or Tuscobia 160. Participants travel roughly 40 miles through St. Croix State Park on foot, ski, or fat bike, carrying all essential survival gear through a cold Minnesota night. Not only will you need to traverse the 40-mile course distance, but you will also need to prove that you can utilize your survival gear at two different points in the race. These skill tests will help prepare you for bigger challenges in the future. Arrowhead 135 - International Falls, MN Race Dates: Jan 29-31, 2024 Registration Date: September 1, 2023 Arrowhead 135 Race Website The Arrowhead 135 is an ultra-endurance race that takes place in International Falls, Minnesota. It's a non-stop, self-supported race, where participants have to carry all their equipment and supplies for the duration of the race, including food, water, and shelter. The race follows the Arrowhead State Trail from International Falls, Minnesota to Tower, Minnesota, a distance of approximately 135 miles. It takes place in the dead of winter when temperatures can drop to well below zero degrees and blizzard conditions are not uncommon. Participants can choose to compete on foot, on a bike, or on skis, and they have up to 60 hours to complete the race. The race is known for being one of the toughest winter ultras in the world. Qualifying activities for bikers: Complete a prior Arrowhead 135 , Tuscobia 160 , Susitna , or similar race. Finishing 24 hour bike race, with minimum of 100 miles completed for off-road, or 200 miles on road. A race in winter conditions improves your odds of being selected and surviving. Tuscobia Winter Ultra - Rice Lake, WI Race Dates: Usually Around Last Week of December Registration Date: August 1, 2023 Tuscobia Winter Ultra Website The Tuscobia Winter Ultra is a run, bike or ski event held on the Tuscobia State Trail in Northern Wisconsn in the middle of winter between Rice Lake and a few miles east of Park Falls, WI. Participants can compete in the 160-mile or 80-mile event. 160-mile participants must have previously completed one of the following events: Tuscobia 160/150/80/75 mile Arrowhead 135 mile Iditarod Trail Invitational (any distance) Actif Epica (any distance) Fat Pursuit 200 km / mile Frozen Otter 64 mile Susitna 100 mile White Mountains 100 mile Yukon 100/300 mile 6633 Arctic Ultra Alaska Mountain Wilderness Ski Classic Rovaniemi 150/300 km The Drift 100 Polar Roll Winter Ultra - Upper Peninsula, MI Race Dates: Feb 19, 2024 Registration Date: Nov 5, 2023 The Polar Roll Website 2023 was the first year of the Polar Roll Winter Ultra. As such, you can expect some similarities from the first year as well as a few enhancements coming into year two for 2024. Here is the description from the inaugural year: The ultimate U.P. fat bike experience. Here’s what we can share: It’s going to be at least 100-miles. The course will utilize a variety of groomed and not groomed surfaces. A required gear list will be available no later than 12.01.2022. Tracking beacons will be provided – participants will be required to use one. Family and friends will be able to keep tabs on your real-time progress online. Participants should be fully prepared to be self-supported. Spots will be limited to 50 participants. The course will traverse remote tracts of land and trail inaccessible to anyone not on a snowmobile. The weather is notoriously unpredictable and dangerous. We will reserve the right to vet registrations as they are received. Gordon Gearheart will be commissioned to create a finishers award worthy of the effort required to finish. Green Bay Winter Ultra 100 - Green Bay, WI Race Dates: Jan 6 - Mar 9, 2024 Registration Date: Oct 1, 2023 Green Bay Winter Ultra Website The Green Bay Winter Ultra is a choose-your-own-date event where you will have just over one month to complete the 100 mile course. The ultra must be ridden in 18 hours or less and on a fat bike with a tire width of at least 3.8″. 2023 was the first year of the event and the trail systems the event used in 2023 were Reforestation Camp, He Nis Ra Park, Baird Creek, Green Bay Country Club, Ledgeview Golf Course, and Hilly Haven Golf Course. BONUS: Actif Epica - Manitoba, Canada Race Dates: Usually in Feb 16-18, 2024 Applications Open: Early Fall, 2023 Actif Epica Website Actif Epica is an annual winter ultra race held in Manitoba, Canada that challenges endurance athletes to cover long distances on foot, bike or skis in cold and snowy conditions. The race takes place along the historic Crow Wing Trail, covering distances of 50km, 115km, and 230km Participants must face a range of terrain and weather conditions as they make their way through remote and rugged terrain. The race typically takes place in February, with start and finish points varying depending on the distance category. BONUS: Iditarod Trail Invitational Alaska Race Dates: Feb 25, 2024 Applications Open: April 1, 2023 ITI Alaska Website The race follows the historic Iditarod Trail, which spans over 1,000 miles from Anchorage to Nome. Participants can choose to race on foot, skis, or fat bike, and must navigate through some of the harshest and most remote terrain in the world, including snow-covered mountains, frozen rivers, and wind-swept tundra. The race is entirely self-supported, meaning that competitors must carry all of their own equipment and supplies, and are not allowed to receive any outside assistance. The Iditarod Trail Invitational is widely considered to be one of the most challenging and demanding ultra-endurance events in the world, and requires a combination of physical toughness, mental resilience, and expert backcountry skills to complete. ITI 350 eligibility : To be eligible to apply for the ITI 350, athletes must have 2 finishes in designated qualifying events and/or significant specific winter athletic experience. ITI Winter Camp - Alaska, United States Actif Epica 100 mile or 200 km - Manitoba, Canada Arrowhead 135 mile - Minnesota, United States Fat Pursuit 200 km or 200 mile - Idaho, United States Fat Camp 5-day - Idaho, United States The Drift 100 - Wyoming, United States Fat Viking 150 km - Norway Rovaniemi 300 km - Finland Susitna 100 mile - Alaska, United States Tuscobia Winter Ultra 160 mile - Wisconsin, United States White Mountains 100 mile - Alaska, United States Yukon Arctic Ultra 100; 300; 430 mile - Yukon, Canada ITI 1000 eligibility : Competitors must complete the ITI 350 at least once and demonstrate a mastery of winter survival skills and self-reliance in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness before applying for the ITI 1000

The St. Croix Winter Ultra is an overnight fat bike ultra race in the spirit of the Arrowhead 135 and Tuscobia 160 with a shorter distance for those wanting to learn the survivalist ethos before trying a longer fat bike winter ultra. Riders start in their bivvy, ride through a cold Minnesota night, and have to perform a water boil in order to finish the race. Learn more about winter fat bike ultras at this event as you prepare for bigger challenges in the future. The fat bike category now has 10 spots remaining. Learn more or register here .

Our region of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Upper Peninsula has five winter fat bike ultra races this winter. Here we share every single name that is registered for a race this season as well as how many ultras they're each signed up for. Cover photo by Jamison Swift Jump to Section St. Croix 40 Green Bay Winter Ultra Tuscobia Arrowhead 135 Polar Roll Winter Ultra Color Code: Black Name = Registered for 1 ultra this winter Orange Name = Registered for 2 ultras this winter Blue Name = Registered for 3 ultras this winter *Did we goof any names or races up? Email info at the nxrth dot com with any fixes. St. Croix 40 | Jan 13 [ LINK ] [40 Miles] Hinckley, MInnesota The St. Croix 40 Winter Ultra is a winter survivalist race in the same spirit as the Arrowhead 135 and Tuscobia 160. Participants travel roughly 40 miles through St. Croix State Park on foot, ski, or fat bike, carrying all essential survival gear through a cold Minnesota night. Roster Thomas Allen Jules Ameel Matt Amundson Kristine Benjamin Lisa Byrne Wil Chapple Michael Christie John Cooper Lauren Cronbaugh Raven Dewitt Brandon Eddy Jonathan Erber Brian Geisler Elina Gilsvik Michael Grussing John Harris Jake Hegge Curtis Helmer Russell Hill Sylvie Hyman Preston Kalis Adam Kazilsky Tim Kordula Joseph Kreitzer Amber Krueger John Lambe Rich Lambe Ryan Lipski Andrew Lutz Bridget Marchesi Bobby Marko Joshua Martin Nigel McKay Sam McRickard Rosie Miesner Elliot Moravec Ryan Noonan Peter Premkumar Kyle Rooney Veronica Rourke Daryl Saari Allen Sanborn Jess Sedivy Gunderson Steven Smith Jonathan Swedin Ryan Swift Adam Swift Evan Uribe Vanessa Van Cleve Megan Veldkamp Chad Velta Pieter Ver Steeg Svetlana Vold Matt Wheeler Jim Wilson Rebecca Wyckoff James Yost Green Bay Winter Ultra | Jan 7 - Feb 25 [ LINK ] [50 or 100 Miles] Green Bay, WI *Since this is a do-it-on-your-own-time event, there is no mass start and the participant list will continue to evolve throughout the winter. The ultra must be ridden in 18 hours or less and on a fat bike with a tire width of at least 3.8″. You will need to follow park and road rules. All trail venues must be open to riding the day you decide to take on the ultra. It is the rider’s responsibility to verify the venues are open. 50 Mile Roster (so far) Stephanie Fallahee Kris Maxwell Koreena Renard Ross Renard Titus Seilheimer 100 Mile Roster (so far) Jason Baseman Aaron Broadrick Paul Howard Veronica Kruse Kris Maxwell Brian McWilliams Levi Pingel Jacob Steadman Jamie Zarda Tuscobia | Dec 29 [ LINK ] [80 or 160 Miles] Rice Lake, WI The Tuscobia Winter Ultra is a human powered run, bike or ski event held on the Tuscobia and Wild Rivers State Trails in Northern Wisconsin, in the middle of winter. There are two options: an 80-mile one-way route or a 160-mile out and back. The 160-mile requires completion of a qualifying event, and is itself a qualifier for the Iditarod Trail Invitational. Both distances have required gear and are largely self-supported, with minimal checkpoint support. No outside help is allowed from family, friends, or random strangers. 80 Mile Roster Sam Adler Kate Ankofski Tim Bauer Kristine Benjamin Sam Bertsch Justin Bethke Brian Black Gordon Blackburde Cayden Boll Steve Brady Greg Bruno Christopher Button Mike Campbell Andrew Clithero Greg Crites Janalyn Dahl Joseph Dean Brent Devitt Raven Dewitt Andy Dybvig Norman Ehrentreich Scott Erlandson Bill Grau Joshua Grenell Leah Gruhn Chris Gudmastad John Haak Adrian Halme Scott Henderson Morgan Hendricks Ron Hendrickson Dave Henry Russell Hill Joseph Hlebain Jenny Huster Andrew Jondreau Jacob Jondreau Lisa Kapsner-Swift Kevin Kinney Cassie Kottke Andrew Kraft Amber Krueger Kristian Larsen Timothy Linder Peter Loewenson Bridget Marchesi Sean Mattner Nathan McCorkle Rebecca McVay-brodersen Jere Mohr Chris Nelson Emily Nordahl Scott Pariseau Dale Peters Mark Punzenberger Kent Rodgers Veronica Rourke Kevin Roytek Jason Ruesch Mark Seaburg Marcie Thole Ellie Thompson Josh Torrans Robert Tuma Ryan Urban Bryon Vordermann Mike Wallace Ryan Wanless Matthew Webb Klaus Weber Chad Weberg Josh Weigel Lauren Weigel Ragan Weigel Jesse Wilcox Timothy Wilt Kelly Wonder Jennifer Youngwerth 160 Mile Roster Bob Bahr Matthew Battiston Gary Boesenberg Matthew Bosman Casey Bredeson Gregory Byrd Kate Coward Chase Davis Charlie Farrow Beth Freymiller Dan Frusher Ryan Haug Robert Hingtgen Laura Hrubes Kelly Jedynak Ken Krueger David Lynch Patrick McDermott Steve Mcguire Rob Mosimann Daniel Perry Don Roppolo Bryan Sampson Derrick Seys John Spartz Melanie Splitgerber Andrew Thompson Billy Volchko Ben Zvan Arrowhead 135 | Jan 29 [ LINK ] [135 Miles] International Falls, MN The Arrowhead 135 is recognized in the book “The World’s Toughest Endurance Challenges” by Richard Hoad and Paul Moore as one of the 50 toughest races in the world. It is a human powered Ultra Marathon taking place in the coldest part of winter in the coldest city in the lower 48 states. Our average finish rate is less than 50%, the finish rate for new racers is much lower. 2014 finish rate was 35%. Roster Pat Adrian [Unsupported] Zachary Anderson Matthew Battiston [Unsupported] Brian Behrendt Aaron Benetti Chip Berniard Gordon Blackburde Ken Blakey-Shell Gary Boesenberg Matthew Bosman [Unsupported] Casey Bredeson Jeffrey Bruzek Joaquin Candel [Unsupported] Chad Carroll Jason Carter Joe Clark [Unsupported] Kate Coward [Unsupported] Joseph Dean John Despres Will Edmonds Fred Egge Lynn Estes Charlie Farrow Paul Fickle Aga Fine Jesse Fletcher Terry Fletcher Beth Freymiller Adam Froemming Dan Frusher Jim Gerhardt Bill Grau Leah Gruhn Aaron Hagen Pete Hansen [Unsupported] Grant Hartley [Unsupported] Amanda Harvey [Unsupported] Ryan Haug Seth Heimermann [Unsupported] Robert Hingtgen [Unsupported] George Hollerbach Jamie Hollingsworth Laura Hrubes Scott Jensen Cassie Kottke Andrew Kraft Corey Kronser Kenneth Landgraff [Unsupported] Ryan Lipski Peter Loewenson Jill Martindale [Unsupported] Sean Mattner Patrick McDermott Steve Mcguire [Unsupported] Jay Millas Jere Mohr Tiziano Mulonia Chris Nelson Emily Nordahl Nick Nygaard Rick Paoletti Scott Pariseau Christina Peek Peter Premkumar Alex Price Ian Price Cameron Ramey Todd Rasmussen Trenton Raygor Claire Richard David Ristau [Unsupported] Judd Rohwer [Unsupported] Kevin Roytek Michael Running Daryl Saari Bryan Sampson Allen Sanborn [Unsupported] Tyler Schmoker Mark Seaburg Bill Shand [Unsupported] Carl Skustad Daniel Slater John Spartz Mark Strahan Christopher Tassava Andrew Thompson [Unsupported] Charly Tri Tim Vedder [Unsupported] Billy Volchko Sveta Vold [Unsupported] Al Wade Kristen Wade Matthew Webb [Unsupported] Andy Weinzierl Dan Wiek Jesse Wilcox Ron Williams Donald Wood Christian Worby Ben Zvan Polar Roll Winter Ultra | Feb 19 [ LINK ] [140 Miles] Munising, MI Because you have been dreaming of a winter ultra that offers a ton of groomed bike specific singletrack, and we have it. In 2024 we intend to use the same course used in 2023, but until we release the GPX, we reserve the right to make changes. Roster Matt Acker Thomas Allen Ben Alter Joe Barker Brian Bennett Ken Bozych Dustin Breimayer Bryon Chamberlain James Comment John Despres Ben Doom Torrey Dupras Fred Egge Greg Ernest Stephen Fleming Ory Frazier David Freeman Brian Geshel Grant Getschow Justin Held Mark Hennessy Russell Hill Laura Hrubes Bradley Humphrey-Stark Travis Hutchens Kelly Jedynak Jim Johnson Barry Jones Mike Kaldy George Kapitz Heath Kaplan Roy Kranz Kahler Kranz Tara Laase-McKinney Rich Lambe Nick Leisz David Lieble Ryan Lipski David Lynch Chris Marquardt Jill Martindale Sean Mattner Benjamin McRae Aaron Nault Emily Nordahl Patrick Ogden Rodney Palmer Kendall Park Reg Peer Ryan Rollins jan roubal Marc Salm Allen Sanborn Doug Scheuerman Chad Schut Peter Senkbeil Evan Simula Kenneth Smith Melanie Splitgerber AJ Tarachanowicz Andrew Thompson Logan Tillman Barry Tilson Dana Tingley Victor Tokarski Jim Tollard Josh Torrans Al Wade Jason Wier Joe Worboy John Yonkers Brian Yost

Global Fat Bike Day is coming up on Saturday, December 2. Around the world it's a day to celebrate the beginning of the winter riding months (norther hemisphere) in snowy regions that are great for fat biking. We rounded up all of the Global Fat Bike Day events that are on our radar for you to find an event to join in on this year. Cover photo from Two Rivers, Wisconsin Global Fat Bike Day Minnesota Minneapolis, MN [Adventure Coffee] Join us for adventure coffee on Global Fat Bike Day. Minneapolis Bike Parks, Angry Catfish, and Bone Saw Cycling Collective will have a fire, donuts, hot chocolate and coffee from Northern Coffeeworks on the banks of the Minnesota River. We will be posted up at the old overturned car between the Sibley House and the 494 bridge, you won't miss us. It's 2 miles from the Sibley House or 5 miles from the Old Cedar Bridge. Hit us up at the start of your ride or the end of your ride or anywhere in between, it doesn’t matter when you get there (but the goods will go fast), we just want to provide you with one more reason to get out and ride.We will have a limited number of disposable cups, so please bring your own cup. LEARN MORE . Duluth, MN [Winter Trails Season Kick Off Party] In celebration of Global Fatbike Day, Coggs and our trail partners are kicking off the winter trail season at Hartley Nature Center! Join us for a morning of group rides, Festivities, and more! LEARN MORE . Cuyuna Lakes, MN Group ride, swap meet, and sunset ride to Cuyuna Christmas. LEARN MORE . St. Cloud, MN Come join us for Global Fat Bike Day Ride and the MMCC Annual Meeting! More details to come, so check back! LEARN MORE . Prior Lake, MN [Michael's Cycles] Shop opens at 8:30 with free coffee and small pastries. The long and fast ride leaves at 9. The middle distance and pace ride leaves at 9:30. The short and sweet ride leaves at 10. The distances are 22, 13 and 5 miles (approx. and dependent on conditions). All 3 rides are NO drop. Free pancake breakfast starts at 11.. post ride. The free swag raffle starts during breakfast. The $10 raffle starts directly after. Fat bike rentals available - call shop. 20% OFF everything in store! LEARN MORE . St. Paul, MN Celebrate Global Fat Bike day with a group ride from Crosby Farm to Hidden Falls Demo loop and back. Hangout and enjoy a fire, food and drinks afterwards. BYOB. More Details coming soon. LEARN MORE . Two Harbors, MN Check the Facebook event for details. LEARN MORE . Whitebear Lake, MN Join ROAM Bike Shop, Rocket Racing, White Bear Lake Adventure Cycling Club and Trailbot for an all-levels fat bike ride. Any bike that can handle various terrain/conditions are welcome. Short (10-15 miles) and long (~25 miles) routes at a casual party pace. Depart from ROAM Bike Shop at 9:30am, shop opens at 9am to gear up and grab a cup of coffee and a pastry. LEARN MORE . Moorhead, MN Global Fat Bike day is a day for getting out on our fat bikes and celebrating both winter and how awesome our local trails are. Save the date for December 2nd. More information to come. LEARN MORE . Circle Pines, MN Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Singletrack (MORC) crew are hosting a Global Fat Bike Day ride, partnering with NOW Bikes, with hot drinks and group rides to see the two (!) different official Singletracks and other user-created trails within this system. Something for everyone, from gentle flat riding on paved surfaces to sporty machine-built singletracks. Rides roll out at 9AM! If there's snow, we will have groomed trails to ride on. 3 or wider tires recommended: it's more fun to float over the snow! NOW Bikes will be grilling at their Arden Hills store after the ride. LEARN MORE . Rochester, MN Come celebrate the made up holiday Global Fat Bike Day. It's really just an excuse for fat bike riders to kick of the winter season and enjoy each other's company. We'll meet at the Douglas Trail Head behind IBM and ride the snowmobile trail (or paved if you would really rather) as far as your heart is content. Maybe you can make it to Douglas, maybe you'll turn around at the shelter just a few miles North. Let's fill the parking lot and trail with fat bikes!!! Old Abe's Coffee Shop will be providing coffee and a donuts and is an amazing place to eat in general. On another note, this event is hosted by the fine folks at My Bike Guy and Bicycle Sports, proving that the Rochester cycling community is bigger than a single bike shop. All are welcome! LEARN MORE . Tioga Recreation Area in Cohasset, MN Warm Up with some Hot Apple Cider or Hot Chocolate before a group night ride through the Tioga Rec. Area. After the ride, we will be gather around the fire for will some food as well as that Hot Apple Cider and Hot Chocolate. Note* This event is the Monday after Global Fat Bike Day on Dec 4. LEARN MORE . Champlin, MN Global Fat Bike Day 2023! Meet up at Trailhead Champlin for a 10 am roll out. Dress for the weather. Helmets required. This year we'll roll south and ride thru the new Rice Creek Trail tunnel, go up and over 169 then south again towards Dunkin Donuts and Omni Brewing in MG. after a brief reprieve we'll head into the Elm Creek Park, hoping to catch some snow at the Chalet. From there is a sweet ride back to Trailhead. All n all 15 miles round trip. Back in time to tackle your saturday honey-do list! LEARN MORE . Hopkins, MN Please join us for GFBD 2023 on Dec. 2nd. We will have a couple of different rides which we will plan out with ride leads and sweeps. There will be fire pits plus food and drinks to follow. Will post more once details are fully planned. Please join Tonka Cycle & Ski at our new location 416 11th Ave S in Hopkins off of Excelsior. LEARN MORE . Northfield, MN [Sunday, Dec 3] Global Fat Bike day is coming! We’ll do one here in Northfield on Sunday December 3 at 11:00 am. Meet at Central Park. Bring snacks and libations. There will probably be a fire, there might be some snow(fingers crossed, during the ride!). We’ll for sure ride bikes. LEARN MORE . Wisconsin Seeley, WI Join us to kick off the winter fat bike season! We’ll have guided rides for all levels. Following the ride, enjoy a light lunch with gourmet soup and refreshments. Receive a pair of wool CAMBA winter-design socks. DISCOUNT for CAMBA members! Location: OO Trailhead, SC Johnson Outdoor Center. LEARN MORE . Two Rivers, WI Join us for Global Fat Bike Day 2023 in Two Rivers, WI! We’ll have two rides planned for the day. Ride one starting at 7:00am and ride two starting at 12:30pm. Both rides start and finish at Port Sandy Bay. Need a rental bike? Broken Spoke will have rentals available! Please call the downtown shop to reserve yours at 920-634-2040. A limited supply of bikes are available. Fat bikes can be picked up Friday or Saturday morning from the downtown shop and returned Saturday afternoon at the event. Food and beverages will be available for purchase after the ride at Port Sandy Bay. LEARN MORE . Eau Claire, WI Join us to celebrate riding phat in the Chippewa Valley! 🍩 ☕️ 😊 Donuts, coffee, and warm smiles! LEARN MORE . Amery, WI 9 years of fat fun, who would have guessed?? Can you slow your roll and ride for fun with some fab folks? Smile watts count! Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your crazy neighbor lady, tell the kid down the street! ALL WELCOME! Pace will be easy/friendly, so respect the ride. Dress for the weather of the day and 70-90 minutes pedaling. We will meet up in the UW Wanderoos west overflow parking lot and depart at 10am. Heading west on the Stower Trail to its end past Nye, then turn around and head back. Round trip back to the UW is 14 miles. Some may continue east to Amery and back for 28 total. Most will gather in the UW after 14 miles for lunch, snacks, Bloody Mary’s, higher education or whatever you like. The trail is a rail trail (flat) gravel so we'll ride no matter the trail conditions. It is a state trail and I advise a day pass, available online or at one of the State Parks. Contact Brian Headlee via messenger with any questions. PS: if you don’t know who the crazy neighbor lady is….it’s probably you. LEARN MORE . Rhinelander, WI Join us in celebration of Global Fat Bike Day, the beginning of the Fat Biking season and our local trails! Group ride begins at 3:00pm, potluck around the campfire to follow. Bring a dish to share. All are welcome! Whether you are an experienced rider, new to the sport or merely considering buying your first bike, come meet others who like to ride and learn about the trails in the area. Free event; donations to help groom and maintain trails are welcome. Donate online: https://rastatrails.org/fundraising/ **Spoiler Alert** We will be announcing and celebrating the addition of several miles of groomed trail at Washburn this winter! Learn More . River Falls, WI Fattie Ride and Party. LEARN MORE . Steven's Point, WI Where: BOORC (lodge) at the Standing Rocks Trail Head 7690 Standing Rocks Rd, Stevens Point. Come out and ride fat bikes on the mountain bike trails at Standing Rocks Park (hopefully snow covered and groomed). Everyone is invited to get together and join in the fun! LEARN MORE . Neilsville, WI It's that time of year folks! Dec. 2nd. Tentatively set for 10:00am meet and greet and "stuff" drop-off for shuttle (to THE site), GFBD fire commences at noon at said site, BYO snacks to share, comradery and rides, wrap up at 2:00-3:00ish. Any volunteers for food distribution welcomed. Good will offerings accepted for the trail! Anyone know a good taco soup recipe???? LEARN MORE . Upper Peninsula Ironwood, MI Global Fat Bike Day is the first Saturday in December. Join us at Miners Park to celebrate with a group fat bike ride on our groomed fat bike trails. Later in the day is Ironwood's annual Jack Frost Parade where you are also welcome to join us in the parade to ride your bike adorned in lights! LEARN MORE .

Earlier last summer we wanted to do some gravel charcuterie rides but didn't have any hardwood that fit in a frame bag (or any hardwood actually) so we designed one for our own rides plus a few extras that are now RESTOCKED. Details here. NOTE: We only made a small batch and they are for sale HERE . My friend Tim Brudnicki from Tree Purpose of Eau Claire, WI helped turn this idea into reality and here are the details. If you have any thoughts on whether these seem neat or if I'm just overthinking this, shoot me at email at josh at the nxrth dot com. About the angled cutout I've tried shoving a few different pieces of wood into my frame bag but always run into two problems. First, my bike is very small which makes my half frame bag also really small so it's hard to find a piece of wood that fits and second, the angles of a bike aren't conducive to wood with right angles. So we cutout the corner giving it a nice angle that mirrors the common angle on a bicycles down tube. About the notches Not everybody rides with a frame bag. We put notches along both sides so that it's easy to strap to anywhere you have room on your bike such as under the saddles or on a cargo cage. About the wood The wood is from a black walnut tree that came down about a mile from my house and probably lived a jolly life. It was milled, kiln-dried, and machined in Eau Claire. Black walnut is great for cutting boards because it is hard wood and has tight pores that resists bacteria and is easy to clean. About the Sizing One size fits most.These are 4" x 11". If you're looking to show up at your in law's house with a big spread of exotic meats, cheeses, crackers, olives, and organic jalapeño cranberry spread, this is probably going to be too small. Also, if you're wanting to put this in a half frame bag and don't have 4 inches of vertical space, you're out of luck. 3 Ways to Carry it On Your Bike Have fun with it. Ride like a hooligan and eat like royalty. 1. In Your Frame Bag This board was born for frame bags. You're going to slide it in and just feel good about having a little living piece of the northwoods tucked right in where it fits beautifully. 2. Strapped Under Your Saddle Every saddle is different: rail length, rail angle, room between the rails and the seat post, etc. So the fit will be different for every bike. But no worries. We're gravel bikers. We're ok running to garage for a few Voile straps and taking the time to get it right. 3. Strapped to a Cargo Cage If you're lucky enough to have triple mounts on your fork blades, you're going to look real nice with a charcuterie board and a chunk o' meat hanging on for dear life under a pair of bikepacking straps . Want one? These were recently restocked and are available HERE .

Tailwind Nutrition recently launched their Rapid Hydration with 5 flavors and a light flavor to support athlete hydration during endurance activities. We've been dumping some in our water bottles this fall and are sharing a few thoughts and photos here. To get 25% off a Starter Kit, head to Tailwind and use code THENXRTH25 First, the Taste Test Tailwind Rapid Hydration has a nice range of fruity but not overpowering flavors - orange, strawberry lemonade, lemon lime, raspberry, and berry that all have a clean, subtle taste. One nice thing is the absence of artificial flavors like sucralose. Instead, Tailwind opts for a touch of real cane sugar, aiming to let the natural flavors shine through. If you have a go-to energy mix, it's easy to have too much of a good thing and quickly get sick of flavors and I've been enjoying the light taste of these that isn't over the top. Hydration Efficiency With a Forgotten Bottle There's a lot of nerdery in the energy industry and I do not claim to understand the necessary nutritional mix for endurance rides so this is just from an average guy's experience going on gravel and road rides this summer. Staying hydrated can often be the difference between loving spending hours on the trail and hitting the wall. Tailwind's claim of hydrating faster than water alone definitely intrigued me. By incorporating electrolytes and sugar, it supposedly activates the body's active transport mechanism, resulting in significantly increased water absorption. During my rides, I didn't notice any amazing magic or voodoo but I did accidentally forget to bring more than 1 small water bottle on my recent 2 hour ride and my only hydration was a 20oz water with 1 packet of Rapid Hydration and I felt pretty great on the ride. I'm someone who normally brings all 3 bottles if I'm out for 2 hours or more so I was happy with how hydrated I felt despite being undergunned. Decoding the Ingredients Again, I'm not exactly an expert on nutrition and ingredients. I just need it to work. The ingredient list is short and hits on several proven winners. There is 320mg of sodium, a light 10g of sugar, vitamin C and the balance of electrolytes and vitamin C accelerates what they claim is faster hydration than water alone. One packet mixes with 18-24 ounces of water which works together to replenish what you lose during your workout. The Flavor Palette Tailwind Rapid Hydration's variety of flavors - orange, strawberry lemonade, lemon lime, raspberry, and berry - offers options for diverse taste preferences. Our testers found the flavors to be a refreshing departure from the monotony of traditional hydration solutions, adding an enjoyable aspect to the hydration routine. Tailwind Rapid Hydration Review Tailwind added this new product into their endurance energy mix with efficient hydration and a flavorful twist. Most of my rides are in the 2 hour range and only occasionally extend beyond that for longer gravel races or multi-day bikepacking. Regardless of the ride, I almost always need 2-3 bottles of water and Tailwind's Rapid Hydration helped boost my energy and keep me hydrated with some flavors I enjoy. To get 25% off a Starter Kit, head to Tailwind and use code THENXRTH25.

It's time to join hundreds, or thousands, or fellow santas on one of the region's 4 Santa Cycle Rampages! Enjoy dressing up, riding through town, and spreading holiday cheer on bikes. These events take place in early December and are sure to keep your wheels spinning with comfort and joy. All photos are from the Eau Claire ride and are courtesy of Volume One . The original Santa Cycle Rampage was started by Dave Schlabowske in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and grew into a big fundraiser for the Wisconsin Bike Fed. The Milwaukee event now attracts 2,000+ riders to ride together in a sea of red suits and white beards and has also inspired other Santa Cycle Rampage rides all over the country. In The Nxrth's regions, there are 4 Santa Cycle Rampage rides taking place in early December. If you want to join in on the original Santa Cycle Rampage, you can head to Milwaukee for the world's largest event of its kind. Or check out the newest and coolest (according to this heavily biased Eau Claire writer) Santa Cycle Rampage ride in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that had ~100 santas on its inaugural ride last year. Milwaukee, WI | Dec 2 Welcome to the world's largest holiday themed costume group bicycle ride for charity! This ride is a fundraiser for the Wisconsin Bike Fed. It raises key matching and unrestricted funds that support education and advocacy efforts to make biking better in Wisconsin! To find out more about our programs and mission please visit their website. This is a Slow Roll-style, Police-Escorted, 12ish mile looped route. Two ride start options are available. They both end at the Bike Fed office. 1. Join the start and do a full loop ride from the Bike Fed office in Bay View and back. ~12 miles or 2. Join the at Hollander Grand Cafe on Downer Ave and ride the 2nd half. ~6 miles. Learn More . Eau Claire, WI | Dec 2 Last year, roughly 100 folks turned out for the first-ever Eau Claire Santa Cycle Rampage. How many will we see this year? Come be part of the fun! While Santa costumes will rule the day at this family-friendly event, anything jolly will do! Holiday sweaters, elf outfits, Christmas tree costumes, jingle bell jammies, or whatever you’ve got! Feel free to glam up your bike too! Enjoy an approximately 6 mile route at a casual and friendly “slow roll” pace. Hop on or off the ride at any time! All inspired by our friends at the Wisconsin Bike Fed and the original Milwaukee-based Santa Cycle Rampage. Learn More . Minneapolis, MN | Dec 2 Dress like Santa. Decorate your bicycle. Drink a beer. Spread some cheer! This event has a little info but the Facebook event promises a pretty good time visiting different breweries and bars so if you're in Minneapolis area and need a reason to wear the read suit, this is your ticket. Learn More . Madison, WI | Dec 9 Sleigh what?? That's right folks, the Madison Santa Cycle Rampage is BACK for it's third annual biking tradition! Your are invited to come celebrate the festive season and support Dane County youth advocacy and education! This year's ride will be a 4-5 mile slow roll with kids at the lead. We highly encourage everyone to dress in festive attire or your favorite holiday-themed costume -- we'll be jingling all the way! Learn More .

Brian Davis just raced the Snow Bully fat bike race at Iola Winter Sports club. It is a gorgeous area with rolling hills and perfect Wisconsin country charm. There is normally no fatbiking on the Iola club trails, but for this event which is part of the Iola Winter Carnival they got to tear it up! Brian Davis is the inventor of Fix It Sticks, Backbottle and The Weatherneck System and creator of Hollow Socks . On his YouTube Channel he discusses race tactics and strategies to be a faster, fitter and smarter cyclist.

Today we're kicking off the first of four new holiday merch drops. We'll be dropping a new design, new styles, and some sold out favorites. Patrons save 20% on all merch from our Nxrth webstore for the entire holiday season. Join Patreon to save 20% . The first drop is the iconic Gravel Bear now on a cozy charcoal heather sweatshirt for winter. Gravel Bear loves long rides in the woods, evenings by the lake, and never complains about the cold winter snow, even when it sticks around until May. Gravel Bear sweatshirt sales end on Christmas Day 2023 . Shop HERE .

Global Fat Bike Day is coming up on December 2, 2023. There are usually a lot of great events and group rides to celebrate the day. Here we give several additional options. If your town doesn't have any organized rides or you're looking to just get out with a few friends, here are some ideas to get you started. Here in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the U.P. it's anybody's guess whether or not we'll have snow on December 2. But who cares, right? Bikes are fun and there's something special about where fat bikes can take you on snow, dirt, grass, or pavement. Today we're tossing a few ideas for ways to celebrate Global Fat Bike Day. You can turn these into formal events to invite the entire community or just enjoy a ride by yourself or with a friend. 7 Great Adventure Ideas to Celebrate Global Fat Bike Day 1. Bike and a Bonfire You don't even need to get out in the woods to have a great fire. Have your one Strava nerd friend map a local ride and end at someone's house to have a backyard bonfire. 2. Pot Luck on Fat Bikes The destination could be an overlook, park, or a bend in the river. Meet a few friends, ride a few miles, and have everyone show up with a dish to share that you can enjoy together when the ride is done. 3. Dawn Patrol Ride Get your bike and gear ready the night before because there's a good chance you're going to be grumpy when your alarm clock rudely interrupts your sleep early on a Saturday. Wake up and get rolling before the sunrise (which isn't hard in the winter) and enjoy riding in the dark as it slowly transitions to morning. 4. Trail Coffee Coffee snobs, this one is for you. Bring a boiler and a way to make coffee like a french press, pour over kit, or minipresso. Or skip the coffer maker altogether and just ride with a thermos of hot coffee you made at home. December can get a bit chilly and a hot coffee takes the edge real nicely. 5. Join a Global Fat Bike Day Official Event (Many of Them Are Free) The Nxrth's fat fat bike event calendar is full of official events in a lot of different cities. Go see if there is one near your or hop in the car and head north to join one of these fun rides. A lot of them end with some fun social gatherings and food. Enjoy. 4 Pretty Dumb Ideas for Global Fat Bike Day 1. Fat Bike Piñata Bash Attach a piñata to your fat bike and take turns trying to break it open while blindfolded during the ride. 2. Fat Bike Karaoke Ride Using only Voile straps, mount a portable karaoke machine on your fat bike and go on a ride where participants can sing their hearts out at designated stops. 3. Fat Bike Tug of War Arrange a friendly tug-of-war competition between fat bikers, with a designated line in the snow or sand. The catch? You're all on your fat bikes! *side note: Based on the laws of physics, I highly doubt this is possible. 4. Fat Bike Water Balloon Fight Fat Bike Water Balloon Fight: Carry water balloons on your fat bike and engage in a water balloon battle with other riders at a designated area. Please please please make sure the water balloons are not frozen though.

Fall gravel biking is right around the corner. In the 2023 Northwoods Fall Gravel Handbook we rounded up all the races, events, and destinations to plan out your entire fall gravel biking season this year. Hear from race directors and enjoy some Airbnb picks and then pencil in some adventures. Jump to Section Interactive Map Race Perspectives Bikepacking Events Gravel Hotspots (+1 Airbnb for each) Is fall the best season for cycling? Spring training and summer vacations are all in the rearview mirror. Fall is the time to start guessing when peak color season will show up and when muddy roads and freezing rain start punching you in the face. The natural scenery is at it's most beautiful point and it's exciting to start planning some last-chance adventures before the colors get DQ'd and the colder weather becomes the norm. Some of us love the competition of fall gravel racing, and others just want to slow down and explore beautiful backgrounds. Whether you're aiming for a podium or just trying to have the funnest-known-time, the Northwoods Fall Gravel Handbook is your itinerary to add new roads to your year and maybe ride with a few new faces. Interactive 2023 Fall Gravel Map 10 Fall Gravel Races: Checking In With Race Directors The Nxrth's gravel race calendar is winding down for summer and ramping way up for fall. There are 10 excellent fall gravel races (September - October) ranging from the far corner of the Upper Peninsula to north shore Northwoods as well as gorgeous Driftless gravel. Here we check in with race directors to catch the race background right from them as well as their favorite parts of the route. Enjoy. 1. Heck of the North According to Jeremy Kershaw What Is Heck of The North? The Heck of the North offers 105, 55 and 20 mile routes. Decidedly North Shore, The Heck of the North is gravel cycling with a twist of trail thrown in to keep it rugged. Our 15th year of bringing gravel cycling to the North Shore, The Heck is the perfect way to finish off your season or start training for the Winter. Fall colors abound and we welcome all to this gravel classic. Why Should People Race Heck of the North? What the Heck lacks in vertical climbing, it makes up for in ruggedness. We have used a few miles of snowmobile (North Shore State Trail) trail to link gravel sectors together since the inception of the race. Keep your eye out for wolf, bear, and moose tracks on these wild sections. The Heck is marked by beautiful Autumn foliage and a warm community of cyclists at the finish. We love this combination of low-fi racing in the woods north of Two Harbors. All are welcome! To learn more, visit Heck of the North . 2. The Lone Wolf According to James Morrow What Is The Lone Wolf? The 50 is the original Lone Wolf route, the route that inspired the race. Featuring fast gravel, chunky truck trail that snaps the groups apart and a few bits of pavement to give them roadies a chance. It’s been full blown color the past couple years. You can’t beat that time of year in the U.P. Why Should People Race The Lone Wolf? The solitude of it all, the fall smells, the damp gravel roads, the surprise flush of partridges. It’s all so good. Hope to see ya there! To learn more, visit The Lone Wolf . 3. The Filthy According to Trenton Raygor What Is The Filthy? The Filthy is a fall gravel classic that takes place in Lanesboro Minnesota USA. There are 25, 50, and 100 mile routes that take gravel enthusiasts on some of the most beautiful roads of The Driftless Region. This is our 10th year and is going to be one for the books. Race it and set a record. Ride it and take in the beauty. Either way, get filthy! Why Should People Race The Filthy? My favorite road on our 100 mile route is Harrow Road as you ride a ribbon of gravel that separates a 200ft tall limestone wall from the meandering Root River. The feeling I get there when the morning sun is reflecting off of the water is one of the best. There's a sleepy little river town called Peterson exactly half way through the 100 with a cafe that I just love. I highly recommend that our riders stop there to refuel. Our 50 mile route is packed with magic. I'm a big fan of ruins and their stories so the old Gribben Mill always brings a smile to my face. Dogwood is one of the most beautiful roads you'll experience on that route. Of course, the old Amish school house on the top of Grub Hill is always a hit for numerous reasons. I also love riding the minimum maintenance road that the old Amish farmer maintains with his horse and plow near Harmony. My favorite part of our 25 mile route is Grit Road. It's a gorgeous road, but like life, it has its ups and downs. You really feel its name in the legs by the time you're done with it. The 50 and the 100 milers get to feel that one too as it brings everyone back down into the valley to the edge of Lanesboro where the finish line party is waiting! Oh yeah, did I mention we throw a big party in Lanesboro at the finish? Hang out, eat, drink, and tell us about your ride. Seeing our riders celebrating is my favorite part of the weekend! To learn more, visit The Filthy . 4. The Hardwood Hustle According to Josh Zarling What Is The Hardwood Hustle? A gravel cycling ride on beautiful forest roads. Ride the best gravel northern Wisconsin has to offer. Riders will find this both challenging and scenic. Three distance options of 85 miles, 50 miles, and 26 miles. This is a self supported ride. Being only its second year, the ride has a feeling of cycling community and camaraderie. All proceeds are donated directly to the Town of Alvin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. Why Should People Race The Hardwood Hustle? The Hardwood Hustle takes place during peak fall color and perfect riding temps. Riders will experience a sense of solitude on low traffic gravel roads. All three routes will feature a memorable last mile! To learn more, visit The Hardwood Hustle . 5. The Winston County Gravel Cup According to Jake Ellefson What Is The Winston County Gravel Cup? Whether you choose the 25-, 40-, 60-, or 100-mile route, you will not be disappointed with the unique experience this ride will provide. Mainly gravel, with only a touch of pavement, you will travel through wooded lanes, challenging climbs, and open valleys to discover this area's incredible views. This ride is whatever you make of it... whether you choose to set a personal record or a personal goal to finish, all riders of all skill levels are welcome to join us on September 23th. If you want to race, go nuts. We will be timing the event. If you want to go for a fantastic ride with friends, go nuts. We're all about a good time. Why Should People Race The Winston County Gravel Cup? The views from atop the climbs are second to none, especially coming down the last decent before the finish. You can see for miles and miles! Also, the town of Houston has been incredible and makes us feel welcome every year. It really is a special part of the region. To learn more, visit The Winston County Gravel Cup . 6. Gray Duck Grit According to Mark & Kris Jesse What Is Gray Duck Grit? Gray Duck Grit is a grass-roots gravel cycling event in Southern Minnesota. It forces you to push past preconceived mental and physical barriers. Our 69, 111, 222, and 333-mile routes break you down one hill, one pedal stroke, one gasping breath at a time, only to build you up with a renewed sense of growth, community, and grit. Why Should People Race Gray Duck Grit? We wind through some of the most beautiful areas of the Minnesota driftless geographical region where spectacular views, rolling hills, & river valleys make GDG one of the most beautiful events in the country. Support crews aren’t necessary as we offer supported aid stations every 50-60 miles. In addition, we have promo codes for women and students to encourage more participation and to create a welcoming and diverse space. Our mantra is “ride your ride” which to us means how hard you ride, where you ride, and why you ride is entirely up to YOU. Lastly, our motivation and reason we volunteer is because all proceeds go to the non-profit, Fraser, who offer specialty healthcare and inclusion services for autism, mental health, and disabilities. To learn more, visit Gray Duck Grit . 7. Moran 166 According to Jason Lowetz What Is Moran 166? Relive the pioneer spirit of Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula and experience remote wilderness in its autumn prime. The Moran 166 is now a collection of gravel bike races which showcase the best gravel in the region. In addition to our 166 mile event we offer a shorter 66 mile option. For those of you who are hoping to see even more of the Eastern Upper Peninsula, we have good news! For 2023 we’ve added a 333 mile event. Why Should People Race Moran 166? Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula has some of the best gravel road conditions thanks to the U.S. Forest Service. Minimal traffic and beautiful views makes this event that you can not miss. To learn more, visit Moran 166 . 8. The Hibernator 100 According to Brent Schmaling What Is The Hibernator 100? This 10th anniversary edition of the Hibernator 100 is one you won't want to miss. Three routes of 31, 63, and 100 miles are rideable by gravel curious novices and will challenge the seasoned veterans. Prepare to be surprised on this year's routes. Hosted by and benefiting the Laona Rescue Squad. Why Should People Race The Hibernator 100? Stunning fall colors and amazing scenery over every hill and around every corner. Prepare to be surprised. To learn more, visit The Hibernator 100 . 9. Red Granite Grinder According to Shane Hitz What is the Red Granite Grinder? The Red Granite Grinder is a gravel race that mixes gravel with adventure style racing through the use of private lands, the once a year use of Rib Mountain State Park for bikes and a few lesser known public sections. These section are sprinkled throughout each course to spice things up and make for a fun adventure. The event takes place Saturday, October 14th and this year we are excited to host it for the fifth year. Besides the private land sections the other unique aspect of this event is that the start and end of the event takes place at the historic square of downtown Wausau. There are three race lengths, the 50, 85 and 144. We will have events such as group rides and womens gravel bike clinic taking place on Friday so you can make an entire weekend of the event! Why Should People Race the Red Granite Grinder? There are so many great parts of each route that it is hard to pick a favorite.The 50 mile course features a corn maze, so that is a pretty unique section. Right after the corn maze riders will go through the neighboring farm and right past their barn and out the driveway! All three races go through the Wausau School Forest featuring a fun bridge crossing and riding through towering rows of pines. The 85 and 144 share the section of ATV trail leading to Edgar. This section is a beautiful tunnel of fall colors. The northern section of the 144 has a creek crossing. I always love that section and ride it throughout the year. I also love the challenge of Billy Goat Hills which is on the 85 and 144 mile courses. To learn more, visit the Red Granite Grinder . 10. Dirty Squirrel Gravel Grind According to Erin Blow What Is the Dirty Squirrel Gravel Grind? Join us for the 3rd annual Dirty Squirrel Gravel Grind. Taking its name From Squirrel hill, this bike race mixes the vast ski trail system here at Minocqua Winter Park with some of Oneida County's beautiful gravel roads to bring to you a truly unique race experience. We are offering three distances: 25 mile (2 laps), 12 mile (1 lap), and 3 mile kids race (12 and under). Stick around after the race for Fall Fest! Why Should People Race the Dirty Squirrel Gravel Grind? Route highlights include long stretches on beautiful gravel roads through the remote and scenic Northwoods landscape. Views of the Squirrel River and Yukon Creek. The two longer race courses involve 1 or 2 climbs up Squirrel Hill - one of the highest points of the state and offers one of the best views in the area. A challenging but rewarding experience! To learn more, visit the Dirty Squirrel Gravel Grind . Fall 2023 Bikepacking Events It's time break out the flannel and enjoy cool days riding paired with long nights around the campfire. The Northwoods has 4 incredible bikepacking events that are all distinctly unique from each other. In this roundup, we have a bascamp style gravel party weekend (Hodag Ramble), gourmet meals and guided deep-Chequamegon riding (Tour de Chequamegon), community expo with group rides and Nicolet forest lakes (Midwest Bikepacking Summit) and of course, The Nxrth's own Gravel Pizza Overnighter. The Nxrth's Gravel Pizza Overnighter The Nxrth's own community bikepacking event in the middle of nowhere, Wisconsin. Ride The Nxrth's handpicked gravel roads, stops for cheese curds and beer, and camping at the gorgeous Wedges Creek pizza farm. This year we're adding an optional Friday evening of social gravel and fun. Learn More . The Hodag Country Ramble [SOLD OUT] The Hodag Country Ramble took place for the first time last September at Jeff Frane's parents' land near Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Now the sophomore year was recently announced and event tickets and camping reservations are onsale. Learn about what made year one spectacular and what's shaking up for year 2. Learn More . Midwest Bikepacking Summit Join experienced to first-time bikepackers for a weekend of fun in northern Wisconsin. From group rides, lakeside camping, expo, speakers, and of course bikepacking all are sure to meet a riding buddy, learn something, and immerse themselves in the Northwoods. Learn More . Tour De Chequamegon [SOLD OUT] This bikepacking event is in its 7th year and rides Wisconsin's original bikepacking route created by Dave Schlabowske that first put Wisconsin on the bikepacking map. Three Days of riding, 106 miles, and fully catered meals with mechanical support and expert guides makes this a truly premium bikepacking experience. Learn More . 4 Gravel Hotspots to Visit This Fall (+1 Rad Looking Airbnb for each) The Nxrth has several comprehensive Gravel Guides in all three states that we cover. Might we suggest that this autumn deserves some special destination gravel riding? Check out these guides to plan a top-to-bottom gravel weekend with routes, restaurants, bars, camping, and cabins. Lanesboro, Minnesota Gravel Biking The small river town of Lanesboro, Minnesota has been known for its bike culture for years as well as its placement in the middle of miles of paved rail trail that can take riders up and down the mighty Root River. In addition to the paved trails, the town is also known for its cute bed n’ breakfasts, historic hotels, an ice cream shop, the perfect bike themed cafe, pastry shop, a five star wine bar, and the best craft brewery around. One thing that it hasn’t been known for (until recently) are its ancient limestone gravel roads. View the Lanesboro Gravel Guide . +1 Rad-looking airbnb in Lanesboro From Airbnb : Rustic and cozy, this secluded cabin is part of a three generation farm. To get to this rebuilt 110+ year old cabin, you travel down a dead end road over a trout stream to the farm. The road leads through the farm site around the barn to the hidden cabin. Separate parking and views of the field and cattle in the summer. The cabin does have electricity but no WiFi or running water. They provide water at their barn kitchen and an outhouse is nearby. A fire pit and wood is available. View on Airbnb . Eau Claire, Wisconsin Gravel Biking Eau Claire, Wisconsin is located at the confluence of two beautiful rivers and is a launchpad for three distinct gravel biking adventure clusters. Discover new gravel roads, happen upon unexpected rural gathering spots, then make it a full experience with downtown Eau Claire's vibrant city adventures. Join Patreon to Get Access . +1 Rad Looking Eau Claire Airbnb From Airbnb: Airbnb’s #1 Most Wish Listed House in Wisconsin. Our house is the perfect retreat for couples, individuals, or groups of friends looking for an easy, relaxing vacation in nature. If you have any questions, just reach out! We're excited to have you! View on Airbnb . La Crosse, Wisconsin Gravel Biking Gravel is a La Crosse area specialty - the region is part of the driftless; we have some amazing views, bluffs to climb, a great river, oh, and quality crushed limestone roads, plus the benefit of a mid-sized town to offer breweries, distilleries, great food and places to stay. View the La Crosse Gravel Guide . +1 Rad-Looking airbnb in la Crosse From Airbnb :This silo guesthouse provides a beautiful country retreat surrounded by hundreds of acres of woods and farm land. This working dairy farm is the perfect stay for a tranquil get away or the full dairy farm experience. If you’re looking for a CLEAN, peaceful & unique stay, this is the place for you! Recent guests say it’s the “hidden gem” of MN! View on Airbnb . Iron Mountain, Michigan Iron Mountain is right on the border of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula. If you were driving from Green Bay to Marquette, this would be pretty close to your halfway point. Surrounded by tons of forestland, lakes, and rivers (including the Menominee River that divides WI and MI), it's a fantastic jumping off point for exploring hundreds of miles of winding, rolling gravel roads. But what really makes it a great destination is the wide spread of amenities in the several little towns all tucked closely together including Iron Mountain, Kingsford, Norway, and Niagara. View the Iron Mountain Gravel Biking Guide . +1 Rad Looking Airbnb in Iron Mountain From Airbnb: Experience the great outdoors in this Newly built log cabin in the woods, 1/8 mile off of main highway. Wood and gas heat. Great get away for Honeymooners, families, couples or friends. Near snowmobile trails and secondary roads for 4 wheelers. State property next to cabin for great hunting experience. Great trout streams and fishing areas near by. One mile South of Norway Lake. View on Airbnb .

James Morrow is a bike bag maker and race director in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Today we chat about bags, races, fatherhood, and how hobbies turn into more than hobbies. Morrow Packs on Instagram Photos: Studio 13 , Ryan Stephens Photo , and Rob Meendering You're in the U.P.? Whereabouts and what's it like up there? I started Morrow Packs in Iron Mountain, MI (my wife’s home town) but have since moved to Negaunee, just up the hill from Marquette. Iron Mountain is beautiful country (I mean, it’s the U.P. right?) it has that small mining town feel, laid back. Not a big cycling community presence, but it’s on its way with many new single track trails right in town. Tony and I and a handful of other mountain bikers grouped up and actually built a couple of trails up on Millie Hill with permission from the local trail network: Berm Cruise, Berm City, and Section 30 (the jumpline). As much fun as it was helping create trails and building, it is very nice to have Marquette and Ishpeming trail networks just outside my back door now. Now to just ride and volunteer. How did you get into making bags and what made you take the leap from hobby to business? A couple summers ago my brother in law (Tony) and I started riding together a bunch and started dabbling in bike-packing. Buying a bag here and there, but once they were all on the bike, they did not compliment the bike at all (bikes are supposed to look cool). After asking around to a few different bag builders what the process and cost would be for some custom bags, it just made sense to take a crack at it. We had just had a baby girl and I was at home a lot so why not fire up a new hobby with all my free time. (That one was a joke). The leap to a legit business all comes down to the demand and not wanting to hide anything from “the man”. What's the Lone Wolf and what made you bring the race to Iron Mountain? The Lone Wolf Gravel Race was a route that Tony and I would ride often. We could leave right from town and hit gravel within 10 miles and get way out of town for a few hrs. It’s mostly truck trail and is pretty remote for 30 miles. Spring of ‘19 Tony and I were riding the route when we ran up on a very large “mangy” grey wolf trotting in the same direction as us. It took a glance over its shoulder at us (he was not spooked) and hopped off the road as we cranked it up to get passed him. Yes, very unnerving hoping he didn’t want to pass us. So yeah, it is a beautiful route that I thought had to be showcased. And now you know where the name comes from. We had a great turnout of amazing people, about 78 signed up and 64 showed up and all finished. We ran it through the non profit cycling team I had started a year prior, Iron Hills Cycling Team, and used the proceeds from the race to purchase helmets for kids in the area. We were able to get about 20 Helmets on kids with the help of the local bike shop U.P. Sport and Spoke. We plan on doing it all over again this fall too. Lone Wolf is scheduled for October 8th 2022. Lone Wolf Race Video Video by: Trent Lutzke You're a full time Dad; how do you juggle business, events, creativity, and fatherhood? Without the support, love and patience from my amazing wife Jen, I cannot do any of these things. She is awesome and believes in me. Love you darling! I just keep moving forward and having fun with it all. The moment it starts feeling like work I’ll back off. But for now I’m enjoying making bags for so many cool people and their bikes, planning a race that people come to and enjoy, riding my bike, and of course being a husband and father.