The Midwest Bikepacking Summit is coming coming up Sept 7-9, 2023 in Northern Wisconsin. The inaugural event is a long weekend full of biking, camping, and community. Check out the details and route highlights here and then get registered to join the Midwest Bikepacking Summit. To learn more and get registered, visit the Midwest Bikepacking Summit. What is the 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. Each registration includes registration for the group campsites (Thursday and Friday). They encourage everyone and anyone to attend the expo which will include speakers and vendors and attend the free group rides. The Jack Lake group campground has access to Jack Lake mountain bike system (trail donations encouraged), access to flush bathrooms, onsite showers (coin-operated), lake access. Schedule of Events Thursday, September 7 3 PM Jack Lake group campsite setup open 5 PM group rides in Bogus Swamp area Friday, September 8 10 AM - 12 PM EXPO (vendor register here) 12 PM Jack Lake singletrack group ride 2 PM summit with food trucks and beer (available for purchase) to follow Saturday, September 9 8 AM group roll out - rides are completed at your own pace so you must plan your own campsites and food stops 12 PM check out deadline for Jack Lake group campsite Route Options Full Tour de Nicolet: 365 Miles / 12,600 ft LINK SoNic 1.2 Long Route: 225 Miles / 8,200 ft LINK Aurora Vistas Short Route Overnighter: 73 miles / 2,400 ft. LINK *All riders have access to the Perch Lake group campsite on Saturday night as part of this route; however you are responsible for your own food stops. Route Highlights Classic northwoods towns featuring quintessential bars and supper clubs that scream Wisconsin. Grab an Old Fashioned and fish fry on a Friday night or prime rib on Saturday. The fun and flowy hills of Augustyn Springs are a blast to ride and feature some unique points of interest most locals don’t even know about such as HillBilly Hilton, an underground bunker you won’t soon forget and Crotch Vegas, a fantastic cache of soda and candy in the middle of nowhere. White Lake railroad museum is a restored depot and inside the depot you will find artifacts and displays showcasing White Lake’s rich railroad, farming, logging and lumber industry. Twelve miles of old school single track on three different organizations' trail systems, Nicolet Roche, Goodman park, and Otter springs. The route uses the most direct line through so adding more singletrack to your adventure is an option. Additionally there is 12 miles of singletrack, Jack Lake, at the starting location of the route. The 2019 derecho which impacted 130,000 acres of the National Forest. Efforts to clean up are still ongoing but you will notice the aftermath particularly starting at Humble Hill and the five miles after. The land is now clear of most trees as far as you can see, which makes unique vantage points throughout the steep rolling hills riddled with baby-head rocks. Mountain Firetower is a unique opportunity to climb an historic fire tower and view the landscape in the cab 100 feet in the air just as the firespotters did years ago. There are 14 fire towers still remaining in the national forest, this being the only one where the public is welcome to climb. Butler Rock viewpoint as well as the infamous sand roads around Butler Rock The old fish hatchery and waterfall Thunder Mountain State Natural Area with its amazing viewpoint up top of its bedrock outcrops. The red oak and white oak trees hold their color late in the fall making this a fantastic spot to see fall colors late in the year. Big Rock overlook. Very few people know about this place and fewer have taken the hike back there but it offers amazing views. Strong Falls Artesian well at Chipmunk Rapids Wisconsin's highest cul-d-sac The logging museum in Wabeno along with all the other historical buildings including a library which still operates. Wabeno has a proud history in the logging industry The abundance of wildlife. I’ve seen up to four bears in a single day. In addition to bears, some of the other animals I frequently see are whitetail deer, badgers, bobcats, wolves, and porcupines. Of the many bird species in the area the loon is the most unique with its calls in the mornings and evenings. There are two loons on each lake and you will undoubtedly hear these calls each evening especially if you camp on a lake. The loons are a special part of each trip. Must Know Park for free at Jack Lake. This is a safe place to park. The campground host lives on the property adjacent to the parking. You may park here for up to seven days as you complete your route. Everyone must be packed up from the Jack Lake group campsite by noon on Saturday, Sept 9 75% gravel with 12 miles of singletrack and rugged two track sections not to be taken lightly. Add more singletrack at each of the three trail systems if that's your thing. Gravel bike with 44’s are a fine choice but if you have 2.5’s or bigger it will decrease hike-a-bike in the sand sections There are a few sections of the route that have a good distance between nice dispersed camping POI’s so plan mileage carefully unless you don’t mind the full-on dispersed experience. These forest roads are actively logged. Expect logging at some point when doing the route and give the loggers the right of way and plenty of space. If you want to come up the day before, camp at Jack Lake but make reservations early as this is a popular campground. Another option is to camp at High Lake dispersed sites a couple miles south on the Jack Lake Firelane. These sites are generally open with few people using them even on a weekend. Hotel options in Antigo 20 minutes from Jack Lake, or if flying in, Wausau, which is close to Central Wisconsin Airport, has an abundance of hotels and dining options. Bears, wolves, and chipmunks. Black bears are pretty common in this area, chances are pretty good that you will see one. They are afraid of humans and will run as soon as they see you. Hopefully you get a chance to see one. Just hang your food at night. Wolves are also common but less likely to see. Last year I saw a white wolf on this route, which was pretty special. Chipmunks are on this list because special care needs to be taken with your food so that they don’t chew a hole in your bags when at camp.

This Reader's Route comes from David Strachan in Northfield, Minnesota. Starting and ending right in town, this is great gravel loop for beautiful evenings with friends. Submission from David Strachan: One of our favorite evening gravel loops heads west to Union Lake. The views from Dalton Avenue are worth the trip across the freeway. The rollers on 57th are guaranteed to please as well. Last year a two mile section of this course was paved 😞 but the roads by the lakes are some of our favorites. If you run this loop counter clockwise watch the downhill on Union Lake Trail. Sometimes the surface is loose and can be a problem. ADD YOUR NAME & ROUTE TO THE READER'S ROUTES MAP Submit Your Reader's Route All Reader's Routes So Far (MANY MORE TO COME):

To celebrate the end of Northwoods Fall Gravel Kickoff Week, we're dropping an original t-shirt design for one week. "Gravel Beard on Great Lakes Blue" is on an ultra-soft tri-blend t-shirt and feels like a crisp fall flannel bike ride near the lake during peak colors with an old friend. T-shirt sales end on Monday, Sept 4. SHOP THE SHIRT. *Patrons save $6.00 and get early access plus discount on all new merch drops. Join us on Patreon.

Our newest Gravel Guide comes from deep in the gravel forest of the Chequamegon area. It includes several routes for getting lost all day in the woods around the Cable, Seeley, and Hayward area with cameos from three iconic bikepacking routes as well as all the local picks for pizza, pie, espresso, and adventure lodging. In collaboration with Dave Schlabowske, we're excited to share a full gravel itinerary of probably-too-much-gravel in the Chequamegon area. Enjoy! The Chequamegon Gravel Guide includes: 9 gravel routes from 15 - 382 miles. 797 total gravel miles Adventure cabins Historic lodge Silent sports chalet Pizza Espresso Pie Craft cocktails 4 bike shops Join Us on Patreon To Access NOW Be a part of the leading group of cyclists who create adventures and connect the riders who love gravel.

With everybody working so hard all summer, we figured it was about time to add The Nxrth's own personal touch to your Slack theme. You can now add all the colors of the gravel rainbow to your workspace by pasting our new theme called "Gravel Rainbow" Enjoy :) Copy & Paste Code Slack > Preferences > Themes > Custom Themes > Paste Below #362D22,#3c3836,#7A450F,#FFFFFF,#6B0C00,#E0BE99,#006C87,#820E00,#4F3E2C,#FF6A00 The Nxrth Slack Theme Key

Our very first Reader's Route comes from Nate Long. The 51-mile route is near Mondovi, Wisconsin in Buffalo County with almost 5,000 feet of climbing. Submission from Nate Long: A mix of road and gravel through many scenic valleys southwest of Mondovi. The route contains 4,600 feet of total climbing which include 3 categorized climbs. The beautiful views of the driftless area are worth the effort. A must see during peak autumn colors. ADD YOUR NAME & ROUTE TO OUR NEWEST COMMUNITY MAP Submit Your Reader's Route

The Nxrth's webstore through Borah Teamwear is now accepting Long Sleeve Jersey orders for 10 days until Monday, Sept 4. These jerseys are designed and stitched in Coon Valley, Wisconsin. Stay warm and be seen like blaze orange during hunting season. Jerseys are available in Team style or with additional Thermal warmth. Get Your Long Sleeve Jersey Example Photos From Our Short Sleeve Borah Jerseys

ROAM Adventure Basecamp has Wi-Fi in their Scandinavian inspired trailside adventure cabins and they call it "Work from ROAM". I spent 3 days working from ROAM exploring the surrounding gravel and found 3 ways to maximize the adventure. Use code ROAMGravel25 for 25% OFF your weeknight stay during Sun-Thurs until Oct 20, 2023. To learn more, head to the ROAM Adventure Basecamp website or follow them on Facebook and Instagram. This story is part of a paid partnership with ROAM Adventure Basecamp. Living in the city, I was recently looking for an out-my-front door gravel adventure right in the heart of the Northwoods. I had been to ROAM Adventure Basecamp earlier in the year and noticed they had Wi-Fi and laptop charging stations and something they call "Work from ROAM". I already work from home in my day job and thought it'd be incredible to work from one of ROAM's cabins during the work week, ride gravel out the front door before and after work, and not take any big chunks of vacation time to pull it off. I invited my brother to join me for a Sunday - Tuesday trip and packed my laptop, gravel bike, and fat bike. Getting to live right on the gravel network for a few days felt really special so I planned to get up for early morning rides both days and evening dinner rides both nights. We brought out camp chairs, set up the hammock, and stacked some fire wood to make ourselves at home. With weather in the mid-seventies and no mosquitoes the week we were there, we could spend just as much time hanging outside around the cabin as we did inside the cabin. First, Let's Look at Gravel Routes Around ROAM ROAM put together a fantastic library of routes that we aggregated into a gravel map. I used these as ideas to explore the area during several rides during my stay. Our 3-day 'Work from ROAM' flew by way too fast. I tried to enjoy minute of being up there with early morning sunrise rides and into-the-night evening rides exploring the area eating at some of my favorite places. Here were 3 things I highly recommend that made it an incredible time. 1. Love Mornings? Go Ride When the Sun Comes Up (The Woods & Water Feel Magical) I love a good early bike ride. The air is peaceful and the lighting is beautiful. I wanted to get started around first light so I could make it to Lake Helane around sunrise at 5:45ish. The Lake Helane loop is short but really beautiful. It gave me plenty of time to get off my bike and walk around the lake. There were some hazy clouds, so I didn't end up catching the sunrise. But I was treated to a long beautiful shuffling of fog hovering over the lake which made it so hard to leave. The next morning, I jumped on some single track at 6:15am. I also brought my fat bike to ROAM to give myself some options so I rolled down ROAM's gravel road to the start of the Seeley Pass trail. I'm not normally a single track guy (except fat biking in the winter) but it was such a fun way to wake up and start the day. I saw one other group of three riders but was otherwise alone in the woods. I rolled back to our cabin right at 7:45, opened my laptop, and started the work day feeling amazing. 2. Embrace The Woodsy Workspace It was hard waiting around for end-of-workday to go hit the gravel but it sure helped to get to work from the woods. The cabins are pine-y and golden colored inside with huge windows that put your right in the trees. The Wi-Fi also works great outside. We had temperatures in the 70s with no mosquitoes so we spent long quiet afternoons at the picnic table outside of our cabin as well as laptop-ing from the hammock. We were there for 2 nights including 2 work days and it was so hard to leave our forest office when it was time to go. 3. Use Evenings For Gravel Exploration With Dinner Stops The cycling community's favorite dinner spots are within a short pedal from ROAM. We biked to Rivers Eatery in Cable for pizza the first night and the Sawmill Saloon the second night. Plus I had a little extra time before my brother finished work on night two, so I did a bonus solo gravel lap and explored the area including an old CCC dynamite shack I had heard about. We wrapped up dinner and drinks both nights as the sun was getting low and enjoyed the peaceful rides back to ROAM. Back at the cabin, we started fires both nights and sat around in our camp chairs winding down for the day and looking forward to early rides the next day. Want to Work From ROAM? Here's What You Need to Know Wi-Fi at ROAM is super simple to connect to. It also works great outside. ROAM does not have normal 3-prong power outlets, only USB outlets. But they do have charging cables for PC and Mac but you will need to make sure that your charging cable disconnects from the power block. To charge your laptop, you'll need to plug the corresponding power core from ROAM directly into your power block. Alternatively, if you have a laptop charger with a USB wall charging end, then you can use that as well. Plan Your Work From ROAM Trip With 25% OFF To plan your trip head to ROAM Adventure Basecamp. Save money on weeknight stays and enjoy the trailside cabin adventure in the heart of the Northwoods gravel network. Use code ROAMGravel25 for 25% off your stay during Sun-Thurs until Oct 20, 2023.

Today we're announcing a brand new project called "Reader's Routes". This is an ever-growing map of YOUR favorite places to ride gravel up north. If you have a favorite place to ride gravel, this is your place to add it to the map. If you need a gravel route in a certain area, this is your place to find it. To learn more about this project and add your name to the map, visit the Reader's Routes

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 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.

The Coon Fork 40 is coming up quickly on Saturday, August 26. If you're visiting the area and want to enjoy some pre-ride or post-ride fun, check out this interactive map. To learn more or register to ride, visit the Coon Fork 40. All three routes start and end at the hidden waterfall bridge near Coon Fork County Park. They also all include a "Halfway Hang" at the halfway point in Rock Dam as well as a finish line party at the Coon Fork beach. Want to explore the area before you get here? Check out the routes and additional stops you'll want to make: Highlights of the Coon Fork 40 Area Vojtik’s Stockyard Foods A great food stop in the middle of nowhere. They have some light groceries, hot food, and an ice cream cone bar. SHIFT Cyclery & Coffee Bar Opens at 7:30am. Stop here for an espresso and liege waffle or any bike supplies you need. Spring Street Sports Opens at 10am. Shop bikes and parts on your way to or from the race. Boondock's Bar & Grill Classic small town bar and grill with bar food and outdoor seating. Augusta Bakery Opens at 7am. Pick up a donut on the way to your race! Finish Line After Party After crossing the finish line at the hidden waterfall bridge, make your way back to Coon Fork Beach for the after party. Invite the whole family or friend gang to join you for music, food, fun, beer, and swimming. Plus awards for top finishers in their categories. After riders enjoy their free beer and brat, support CORBA through additional food and beverage purchases. The Halfway Hang Plan a midway stop in the lakeside town of Rock Dam at the wooded lake beach pavilion for the Halfway Hang. Whether you stay for five minutes or forty, with tunes and good vibes all around, here you can refuel with free snacks and beverages, or cool off with a dip in the lake thanks to changing rooms right on site (pack your suit!). Rock Dam County Park & Campground Camping, swimming, picnic pavilions, and 2 bars. To learn more or register to ride, visit the Coon Fork 40.

As we're getting ready for this year's Gravel Pizza Overnighter on Sept 23-24, we're remembering back to last year's event. Several riders shared what what they thought about the event as well as their favorite parts. A few favorite things that kept coming up were camping at Wedges Creek, having wood-fired pizza, cleaning up with on-site showers, riding with other fun people, and enjoying a farm breakfast in the morning. To learn more and get registered, visit The Gravel Pizza Overnighter. 10 Things People Submitted in the Post-Event Survey After Last Year's Gravel Pizza Overnighter *actual comments from riders 1. "Can all the same riders come back again?! Everyone was great! This event was perfect for me! You gave me a route. You gave me some stops or POI’s. You gave me a place to stay along the way. Perfect!" [+1 for Camping at Wedges Creek] [+1 for Route Highlights] [+1 for Community] 2. "The group rollout at the start was awesome, and staying somewhere with food and showers was also a big plus!" [+1 for Showers] [+1 for Community] [+1 for Pizza] 3. "This event was really special and made so nice by not having to bring food and having a place to hang out together. The breakfast was awesome!" [+1 for Farm Breakfast] [+1 for Community] 4. "The pizza farm dinner and live music was incredible!! Would be hard to replicate." [+1 for Pizza] 5. "Great route, absolutely stellar choice of camping/pizza/music. Having music there was great! Oh, and there likely needs to be a pumpkin cannon @ all future events." [+1 for Camping at Wedges Creek] [+1 for Pizza] 6. "It's so much easier to bikepack without the bulk of carrying food and it was great to support a local business as well. And it was so yummy!" [+1 for Pizza] 7. "Wedge Creek was a delight! Being able to shower at the end of the day is fantastic. Having good stops on the route is always a bonus." [+1 for Camping at Wedges Creek] [+1 for Showers] [+1 for Route Highlights] 8. "The communication about the event was superb from start to finish." [+1 for Logistics] 9. "We liked the longer distance on the first day/shorter second & enjoyed the stops along the way. It was super fun to end the day at a unique destination (we had never been to a pizza farm) w/ the food/live music & fire (and cannon, of course)" [+1 for Camping at Wedges Creek] [+1 for Route Highlights] [+1 for Pizza] 10. "Really liked the planned stops along the route. Also really like how the campsite was where we had the option to have dinner and listen to music as well!" [+1 for Route Highlights] [+1 for Camping at Wedges Creek] Total Score Based on Mentions (Not That This Is a Game) Camping at Wedges Creek: 5 Points Pizza: 5 Points Route Highlights: 4 Points Showers: 2 Points Community: 2 Points Farm Breakfast: 1 Point Logistics: 1 Point Want to Join Us At The Gravel Pizza Overnighter? (44 others have already signed up)