In total Todd-Poquette fashion, he recently started spewing on social media about another crazy project that he just made up. When Made U.P. bikes first crossed my feed, I thought it was maybe a pipe dream, something on his wish list, or just a casual napkin brainstorm session he was sharing. But as his social media musings accelerated, an official Facebook Page showed up out of nowhere and then a bona fide website, MadeUPeh.com. I can only image he's been cooking this up for a while since planning graceful geometry and creating a prototype for something as nuanced as a friggin' Upper-Peninsula-adventure-dedicated bike doesn't happen overnight. So I reached out to Todd for a 9am Zoom call. And his response? "Nope, 9:06am." You have to admire somebody who is that relentlessly on brand. (never mind that I showed up an hour late forgetting that the U.P. is on Eastern Time; sorry Todd) Sometimes Less is More So let me be a little transparent here. When I first started seeing all the cryptic teases about a new bike brand that seemed to be alluding to a new niche category, I had to ask myself, "do we really need another bike category that we all have to subscribe to and continue with the endless n+1 nonsense? Sure, I love bikes as much as the next person (I mean...I publish bike content almost endlessly), but there are a few ominous downsides to having a different bike for every single type of riding. I''m personally a one-bike guy. I have always been a wholehearted, lifelong bike believer because of the simplicity, community, and raw pleasure I get from riding two wheels with people I love. Now, I don't want to over-romanticize this because I love geeking out about gear, but when we jump on the "more and more of everything faster and faster" train, we lose something. We lose simplicity (consumerism is addictive), the environmental benefits (most of our bikes are shipped from Taiwan and they can't manufacture them fast enough), and the equitable nature of an inclusive community (expensive sports leave out people who can't afford to keep up). Full disclosure: I'm not opposed whatsoever to adding another bike. But I don't buy a bike just to sell it a year later and get a new one when my riding style shifts by a few degrees. Our sport can be exhilarating and accessible. Bikes can be simple and versatile. They can be endlessly adventurous and still benefit the environment (and our own communities). It was fun to see a neat bike project... ...but ultimate I just kept scrolling. But when I gave it a little more a chance, I saw that the entire heartbeat of Made U.P. bikes addresses these exact issues that I see in the bike industry and that are also a part of my own bike story. Meet the Made U.P. Lake Ehfect Okay, before we get into the details of the bike, let's address the name itself. The first bike announced under the Made U.P. brand gives 3 nods to the U.P. indicating that it fully intends to be be built around the adventurous heartbeat of the wild Upper Peninsula of Michigan. First is the the play on being "made U.P." which has two meanings. It is actually made and manufactured right in the U.P. but it's also a playful way of saying they're making it up as they go. Todd says a core message at the heart of Made U.P. is to dream something U.P. and go for it… or spend the rest of your life wondering what would have happened if you had. Second is the lake effect reference. Lake effect is a meteorological phenomenon that causes cooler summers and a butt ton of snow in the winter. With 1,700 miles of coastline, you better believe the Upper Peninsula gets a full dose of lake effect weather. Third and lastly, the spelling of ehfect includes "eh". The yoopers in the U.P. have a little thing called yoopernese where they say 'yah' instead of 'yeah', 'de' instead of 'the' and end of lot of their sentences with 'eh'. Don't ask me why. One bike. Four seasons. All surfaces. Less Hype. Back to the downsides of the bike industry and where Made U.P. fits into that whole mess. According to Todd, "I’ve been a fast food cook. Was a truck driver. Worked retail and construction. Spent a lot of years in food distribution and hospitality. Moved into the non-profit sector. Started youth programs and events encouraging people to discover the best version of themselves through outdoor adventure. My approach is simple: I remind myself every day I have a lot to learn. I work hard. I listen to people, figure out what they want, and give it to them. I don’t sugar coat things." "I tell it like it is because that’s what I’d want from you. We shouldn’t be telling people they need a bike for every season or surface. It’s not responsible. It’s fake. It’s hype. " The Lake Ehfect is Made U.P.'s first bike and it's built around 4 principles: 1. Steel is real Not a new concept, so who cares, right? Well, expensive materials like carbon tend to cost a whole lot more and often come with goofy, non-standard tube and component sizing which increases the barrier to entry and decreases the serviceability and versatility. But it goes deeper than that. Yoopers are literally the people who brought the world iron ore - it's only fitting that their bikes are forged with the steel heritage they cut their teeth on. Further, the steel gospel is always preaching (and I happen to be a subscriber of steel, myself) the field serviceability and lifespan that comes with the simple, versatile, and sturdy material. 2. One bike. Four seasons. If anybody understands how ridiculous weather and jacked up terrain demand a lot out of a bike, it's the yoopers. Full stop. If you've ever scratched your head wondering why the heck people do rides like The Crusher and Marji Geskick and go bikepacking in the Upper Peninsula, then you get it. Marquette, MI gets 154 inches of snowfall in the winter and summer rides are punchy with sand and boulders (that is if the road is even still there when you show up). Lake Ehfect promises to carry you over anything you throw at: Bikepacking, mountain biking, gravel biking, and fat biking in the winter (but not water biking, those things look real dumb). With standard, no frills specs and a blend of mountain and gravel bike geometry, just swap out the wheels in winter for snow biking and again in the spring for mountain-y riding and junk. According to Made U.P., "The fact Lake Ehfect fits a 4.6" tire doesn't make it a fat bike - it makes it capable of adapting to its environment. Riding U.P. here demands a lot of a bike. We wanted a platform that would handle whatever Lake Superior throws at it." 3. One bike. Every surface. We all have that one friend who has a completely different bike for gravel, single track, bikepacking, bikepacking on sand, bikepacking on babyheads, fat biking, fat biking on slush, and fat bike racing (and a tall bike, but everybody actually should have a tall bike). Lake Ehfect isn't for that friend and it just doesn't care. This bike proves you actually can have a single awesome bike that will take you anywhere. 4. One bike. Less hype. There is a lot of marketing noise around bikes. Made U.P. seems to be on a mission to put raw and genuine passion into a purpose built machine without the puffery of making something flashy in order to maximize profits. No doubt that's harder done than said, but I'm excited to watch this unfold. Todd is known for his marketing “hype machine” but if you ask him about it he’ll be quick to counter. “Lets talk about hype. Remember back a handful of years when Giant decided to blanket the planet with 650b and the industry declared the 29er was dead? That’s hype. That wasn’t about what was best for cycling or the consumer, it was a gimmick, and a lot of folks followed. Where are we at now? The 29er platform is alive and well. I had a bike brand guy tell me the other day “I’ve never understood why you would want just one bike”. Of course he can’t… he’s paid not to. Can people get by with one super versatile adventure rig? Yes. Will some people need more than one bike. Yes. That’s not hype. It’s the facts.” Give me the Lake Ehfect details, please 2nd Full disclosure: I know nothing about bike geometry and will just smile and nod my head if you get on a roll about bottom bracket spacing pros and cons. I just want to ride. That being said, here's what we know about the Lake Ehfect: To kick things off, the Lake Ehfect is not a boutique bike. Everything about is meant to be utilitarian, not glamorous. You won't see fancy hubs and headsets. Instead you'll see an absurdly useful bike that's accessible to all riders on all surfaces. Here are basics of what they call, "the one bike to ride them all": USA steel frame and fork Fat tire compatible (up to 4.6") 180mm q-factor (which they claim, "we don’t know of any fat compatible frame with a narrower q-factor ") MTB geometry Dropper post Direct mount packs Bikepack ready Drop bars or flat All the bosses Also, it's not a just a bike. Here's what else Made U.P. is cooking. 1. Bike Bags: Made U.P. is partnering with Morrow Packs to create a full set of bike bags including direct mount packs. These will even include panniers, yep panniers. This one was surprising to me but Todd took panniers on his Project Adventrus scouting ride last year and swears by the improved handling on crazy back roads that are offered by the low center of gravity on panniers over a seat pack. Plus you can carry a lot more stuff for longer trips without having to buy expensive ultra-light everything. 2. A rack: The Lake Eheffect will also come with an optional rear rack. I haven't seen any details but I have to imagine it'll be bomb proof and highly functional. 3. An iconic route called Project Adventrus: More on this in an upcoming story but Made U.P. will also be the home to yet another of Todd's projects called Project Adventrus. This is an epic 1,600 mile route circumnavigating the entire upper peninsula. It's a long term development with support of many people and organizations to build an iconic midwest tour similar to the Tour Divide. How to follow the development of Made U.P. and the Lake Ehfect Made U.P. is constantly teasing more and more developments related to the bike, build, bags, and rack. While carefully planning a bike that is versatile (and practical) to use in four seasons on all terrains, Todd loves to make things U.P. as he goes and you can count on their more plot twists and big reveals as this evolves. As they're currently in the prototype and testing phase, Todd and Made U.P. are collaborating with Equinox Bicycles on continued design revisions during testing, Winnebago Bicycle, Morrow Packs, and Project Adventrus partner Marc Salm. To stay up to date, check out Made U.P. on Facebook and Instagram and visit their website for stories or to get in touch.

After a long break, hyperborean reporters Seeley Dave and Cowboy are back with a new partner, Birkie, a 10-month-old puppy. It is crust season, so come on up and git sum while the ephemeral conditions last. This longer video gives you a tour of the Penman trails, including the tunnel and the old sawmill as well as the Seeley Hills and a bit of gravel. For more from Seeley Dave, visit the Life Above Eight website and YouTube channel.

The Crusher in the Upper Peninsula is scheduled for Saturday, July 16 (with Expedition versions offered all summer). Check out this sweet video from glowingrock of last year's 225 EX. I bikepacked some of this route last summer as well and can confirm it's bonkers. Learn more about The Crusher or view more videos from glowingrock.

The 10th annual Fat Bike Birkie took place on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Due to the cold temperatures the race was pushed back two hours. In this story, James Kirchen shares a recap of his 2nd time racing. Story: James Kirchen, Chippewa Falls Photos: @americanbirkebeiner While only my second attempt at racing fat bike, and eager to get out and ride after months of training, I must admit I was pleasantly surprised to find out there was a two hour delay due to very cold temperatures. The 2021 race was moved up due to over 40 degrees at the finish. That’s what you get for winters in Wisconsin. Staying in our cabin near Stone Lake, my brother-in-law (first time fat bike racer) and I woke to negative 16 degrees. "Those kinds of temperatures make you question your sanity, but we didn’t come all this way to bail. As I’ve heard it put – There’s no bad weather, just wrong gear." Race time for us and the rest of the half-fat was 10:15 am and the temps made it all the way up to zero degrees. Woo Hoo! Even at that temperature, I have to admit I had done no training, so what gear should I wear? Our plan was to just layer up and use hand and toe warmers. It was a beautiful sunny day. We followed the 350 full fat bikes out and the trails were unbelievably well groomed, packed hard, and fast. It was like riding a hard packed gravel road. Following the powerlines out was pretty easy until the pacer peeled off and we turned into the woods… up hill! With my nose and mouth the only exposed skin, it was my right-hand thumb that is numb as we start the race. Of course, a necessity for shifting for the next hour plus. As we hit the ups and downs of the trail, the ice on all the trees from the weekend before made for a sight that was spectacular. The sun is coming through and reflecting off those trees, all bent over the trail making it feel like you were riding through the woods with a glass ceiling. As my brother-in-law put it, “If I wasn’t busting my butt up all those hills, I could have enjoyed what was probably one of the best sights I’ve ever seen.” On we rode and found a couple aid stations with water, which I brought none of being it would freeze. As I grabbed a small cup, put it to my lips – why was I surprised it was warm? If it wasn’t warm, it would freeze. Thanks to those volunteers toughing out the cold as well as all the fans (especially our wives who were real troopers to stand around in that weather for over and hour). This year’s race felt a little faster for me even though my time was almost identical to last year. My brother-in-law, who had never experienced the Birkie trail simply said upon finishing, “I was not ready for hills like those!” By the time we got back to the cabin, got our post-race warm up drink, he was already thinking about next year. It was such a great day – I’d highly recommend this for anyone into fat bikes. With three different distances, there is a race for you – just find some hills to practice on. Already looking forward to next year but will soon hang up the fat tires for the road bike and mountain bike. On to another adventure.

David Markman made a shift from racing to photographing gravel races, ultras, and other competitive events. His photos capture grass roots community and cyclists fighting through their hardest hills. In this interview, we talk about his background and what the heck was up with that crapper. To view more of David's photography, visit his adventure photography website or check him out on Instagram. Photos: @markmanoutdoorphotography What makes you interested in photographing bike races and ultras I’ve raced cycling and ultra events for many years, and I’m a strong believer of giving back. My focus shifted after racing the tour divide in 2016. I was really burnt out of all things bikes. When you trained as much as I did to overcome such a wild race as the divide you end up eating, sleeping and living on your bike. I had lost touch with why I got into cycling in the first place, I had lost touch with friends and family. I needed to take a break from bikes but I loved the community I had become a part of. So I decided to pick up a camera a start photographing small events, it really just grew from there. I still ride bikes but now it’s at a dad pace with my girls. Maybe one day I’ll get back into ultras. You've photographed a zillion races. What's your favorite and why? I don’t know if I have a favorite they are all so unique and I enjoy every one. I enjoy working with races that still have a grass roots feel because that’s what got my into ultras. It wasn’t big events with aero helmets and a call up for all the pros who were going to destroy the field. It was guys in jean shorts and sleeveless flannel who would stop mid race and enjoy the place they were in and probably pass around a malty beverage. These are the kind of events I can be the story teller. I can bounce around and find outstanding spots to capture the blood, sweat and tears. Typically it will be at the top of every hill or at the end of the muddiest road. I saw a great photo of you wearing Crocs on a toilet in the middle of a gravel road. What's the story there? Haha yeah that’s a good one. I’m a part of an event called the filthy 50. As a part of that we have this unspoken option for racers to “catch the crapper”. We put a toilet on course near the end of the race and people can sit on it and get their photo taken. There are always snacks and beverages there but it gives people the motivation to keep going. If you’ve made it to the crapper then you can finish the race. I ended up photographing the crapper last year and needed some test shots so I photographed myself. Not too often I can post a photo of myself on the toilet. Do you bike? If so, what bike and where do you love to ride? Like I said I still ride but not as fast or as much as I used to. Family pace is good for now, I like watching the kids figure it out. Hopefully they will want to race when they get older. I wish high school bike programs were a thing when I was in school. Favorite camera? Oh my Nikon D850 for sure, it is a beast of a camera-but I rarely use it for events other than headshots before the race. I have two Nikon D7200 that have been my work horse event cameras from day one. They both have over half a million shutter clicks. I have put them through rain, snow, mud, drops, basically the ringer and they keep up with me. I don’t mind shooting with older equipment as long as I have good glass. I put all of my money into my lenses.

Moran 166 is in its second year and offers $10,000 in cash prizes with equal payout for men and women. The event is remote, fast, and growing in popularity. Check out this Q&A with Tyler Tafelsky, Race Coordinator, to learn more about the philosophy and vibe behind this event. Moran 166 takes place in Moran in the upper peninsula of Michigan on Saturday, October 1st. To learn more or register for the race, visit the Moran 166. Photos: @moran166race Ok, so $10k is a lot of dough. That means 20 men and women are going home with money in their pocket; why the prize purse? We’re not ones to compare ourselves to others. But to make a point, you see these big iconic gravel bike races in the U.S. that draw thousands of racers including major sponsorship and media attention, and yet, there’s no payout to the top finishers. That’s kind of bogus, in our opinion, especially when some of these events are pulling in millions of dollars in revenue. Pros and non-pros alike invest 10, 20, 30 hours a week into training for these events. That’s a part-time job in and of itself. While the MORAN 166 still has a lot of growth to reach a similar volume as the major gravel races throughout the country, we’re adamant about setting the tone now that our race gives back to the gravel community and rewards those top-performers who show up and race their hearts out. Sure, there's an incentive component to attract cyclists to our event. But the decision to offer a $10k cash purse goes much deeper than that. In the fast growing gravel community, we’re positioning ourselves now among race promoters by doing the right thing and giving back to those who train hard, show up, and race with us. Moran is just about the farthest corner of The Nxrth's coverage (WI/MN/U.P.). What makes it worth the drive? Arriving into Moran and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is like stepping back in time. Very little has changed in the last 100 years here. So the vibe is very historic in a way. There’s not much for development, as much of the eastern UP is protected national forest. It’s probably as close to true wilderness as you can get without traveling further north into Canada. The course itself is truly an adventure. You can count the number of buildings and/or cars you’ll see on both hands. Within the first mile upon heading north up East Lake Road out of Moran, you’ll quickly cop on to the untouched wilderness vibes. For the first 30 miles, it’s nothing but pristine gravel roads lined with flourishing wetlands, open expanses, and densely packed woods. There are a few paved stretches throughout the course, but they’re a welcomed change and the traffic is minimal. Overall, it’s one of the most beautiful and scenic bike races that truly feels like a remote adventure ride. And with this year’s race taking place October 1st, the autumn colors should be blazing. Tell me about last year's inaugural event This will be the second year for the Moran 166. We’ve made some slight course modifications at the northernmost section, so there will be slightly more climbing.But still not very much. Over the course of the 166-mile course, the elevation gain is fairly minimal (about 3,000 feet), so it’s a very fast race. Last year’s top finishers averaged 21 MPH for the full 166 miles. Between the weather, the people, and local community support, we couldn’t have asked for a better inaugural race in 2021. The race itself had some interesting turning points. A small breakaway group separated itself from the pack at mile 30. Two of those attackers held on to take first and second place. But a hard-working chase pack managed to catch up to the other around mile 110 to make for a dramatic sprint for third at the end. You can read the full race recap here. We had just about one hundred racers show up for the first year’s 166-miler. It was the perfect kickoff that received rave reviews from both participants and the community. We expect to see double (perhaps triple) the participation for 2022. Combined with on-site camping and more vendors, food trucks, and event happenings, it’s going to be a much more lively and energetic time at the Mackinac County Fairgrounds this year. Currently, we’re open to sponsors and vendors who’d like to get involved. Interest in the race is rising fast, so we expect to see a great turnout for 2022.

Nate Long took his 5-year old son on a 30 mile 2-day bikepacking trip on the Red Cedar Trail in Menomonie, WI. It was his son's longest ride to date, and they did it back to back days for a total of 30 miles. Check out their father/son story and video here. Story and Photos: Nate Long (Nathan Long on YouTube) The trip started out as a spur of the moment decision. I had some days of vacation with nothing else planned, and my son also had the same days off from 4K school. He had just turned 5 years old, and the weather was quite warm for early October, so we decided to take advantage of the unseasonably warm conditions before the weather turned cold in Wisconsin. A week earlier, a couple friends had bikepacked the Red Cedar Trail with their kids, and it was a great route to introduce my son bikepacking. We had biked a couple miles of the southern section before, but this would be the first time biking the entire 15 mile route from Menomonie to where it meets the Chippewa River. My son's longest ride yet The route is quite flat, being a railroad grade that was converted to trail. The route follows the Red Cedar Valley and passes the small communities of Irvington and Downsville, and also into the Dunnville State Wildlife Area. It offers great views of the Red Cedar River, old train bridges, small waterfalls, prairies, marshes, forests, and sandstone bluffs. The longest ride my son had done prior was 12 miles, so this would be a big challenge for him, especially on a small 16” wheeled single speed bike. While I do have proper bikepacking gear, the spur of the moment trip did not allow for much preparation time. Knowing the route was flat, I decided to use the Burley to haul our gear. This allowed us to pack more than I normally would as weight and space wasn’t an issue. We loaded up the gear and bikes, and took the short drive to Menomonie to start the trip. We set out shortly after noon, and the temperatures were already above 80ºF. The plan was to make a stop half way in Downsville and visit the Scatterbrain Café for food and ice cream. My son enjoys the views of sandstone cliffs, autumn colors on the trees, and the many small bridges we cross along the way. We spot a gaggle of turkeys that cross the trail in front of us. Further along the way we see a field to our right with round hay bales covered in white plastic. My son comments on seeing the “White marshmallows out there” and asked jokingly “Do they put them out there to roast?” Kids say the funniest things. We turn off the trail in Downsville and up the street to the Scatterbrain Café. Here we refuel our bodies with food, soda, and ice cream and escape the Indian summer heat for a short bit. Then back on the bikes, we get back on the trail and continue the mission to reach the Chippewa River and our camping spot. Stopping occasionally for snacks, checking out waterfalls, and some encouraging words, my son continues to count the mile markers as we near the Chippewa River. With renewed strength as he sees the end, my son motors ahead and we make our way onto the sandy beach and pick out a spot to setup camp. A tent, a campfire, a river, and a well earned night of sleep I pull out the sand toys we packed along and my son quickly goes to make sand castles, stacking rocks, and also throwing stones in the water to make the biggest splashes he can. We roast marshmallows and make s'mores by the campfire. It was a long strenuous day for a little 5 year old, so we head into the tent early for a good nights sleep. In the morning we awaken to a beautiful sunrise and watch an eagle hunting for fish on the river. I make my coffee and we eat breakfast and pack up camp for the return trip, to hopefully beat the climbing temperatures. We make stops in the same locations as the day prior, along with another stop at the café for a root beer float and some food. Life lesson: the last leg is always the hardest The remaining 7 miles were challenging for the tired legs of a 5 year old. I remind him that our only option is to bike back to the truck, as no one was coming to rescue us since mom was at work still. I have him count down the mile markers and he realizes we only have a few miles to go. When he spots the parking lot up ahead at the trailhead, he sprints ahead with renewed energy, excited to have completed the trip. 30 miles in two days is quite a feat for a 5 year old. Showing him video of the trip, he’s excitedly asking me when are doing another one. Adventures with your kids make great memories!

The 10th annual Fat Bike Birkie takes place this weekend on March 12. Expect cold beautiful trails and the most iconic fat biking community in the world. Chris Stevens and Amanda Mann share their Fat Bike Birkie stories and what they're looking forward to for Saturday's event. Story: Josh Rizzo The Fat Bike Birkie is in a category by itself. The Northwoods Wisconsin fatbike race takes place on the most iconic ski trail in the nation. It shoots hundreds of fat bikers flying over hills that never stop on a snow highway unlike any other. Meet Chris Stevens, 3x Second Place Finisher. Chris Stevens is a constant podium threat at the Fat Bike Birkie and beyond. He has now finished 2nd int he last three Birkies and also won first in 2018. But his story gets better. Not only is Chris a past winner and 3x second place finisher at the Fat Bike Birkie, he's also a 3x second place finisher at Fat Bike Worlds. His racing and cycling community, the Big Ring Flyers, of New Richmond Wisconsin have made such a name for Wisconsin fat biking that his leadership and work ethic were monumental in Fat Bike Worlds choosing to host the 2022 event (and next year's 2023 event!) in Wisconsin. Okay, back to the Birkie. When asked what makes the Fat Bike Birkie unlike any other event in the world, Chris said he loves that it's "the one and only opportunity to ride a bike on the Birkie trail in winter. It’s wide, like riding on a highway. They have the best grooming equipment and create an incredible course. Also it’s extremely difficult because of the elevation." "Out of all the courses, it might be the most challenging I do. It's a single 30-mile loop and the hills never quit. It's very hard and it's very beautiful." To prep for the race, Chris emphasizes that between Friday and the time he crosses the finish line on Saturday, he's not there to have fun. "Everything I do is to prepare for the race on Saturday. I'm not there to have a good time until I cross that finish line." And after that? Then it's time for some coffee at Velo Cafe or a sweet treat from Tilly's PIes. Me too, Chris...I'll take a slice of pie too. Meet Amanda Mann, 10x Fat Bike Birkie Racer Amanda Mann loves mountain biking, fat biking, and just generally exploring the Northwoods by bike. You'll see her at Fat Bike Birkie, and while racing isn't everything to Amanda, she's fully enveloped in the Birkie race community. Her first Fat Bike Birkie was with her husband Darrin in 2013, the inaugural year of the event and they've raced every year since then, making this their 10th consecutive race, never missing a year yet. That 2013 Birkie was on a steel Surly Pugsley that she wishes she didn't sell and every year after that has been another new chapter in the chronicles of Cable fat biking and its evolution. Sure, the course is incredible and the community is rich, but her favorite part every year? The volunteers. "My favorite part is the volunteers. They are priceless and amazing. They're always supportive and they get kids involved. There is a unique volunteer base up here which is really second to none." Last year she finished in the top 10 but when I talked with her this week leading up to the event, it was clear that race results aren't everything. "I love finishing and just having fun. I'm not disappointed if I don't finish in the top 10. It's always nice to have the recognition, but training is just one part of life. When I was younger, I focused more on placement or results. Now that I don’t do as many events, it's just great to beat your own time." 2022 Fat Bike Birkie Outlook? Cold, Fast, Hilly, and Epic. With temperatures forecasted below zero at start time, the 2022 races have all been delayed by 2 hours. Birkie trail groomers are among the best in the world so expect incredible trails, packed snow, and fast, hungry cyclists wrapping up their winter season with everything on the line. Being the end of the fat biking season, Chris Stevens says when he gets home to New Richmond from the Birkie, he hangs up his bike and doesn't even touch it again until next fall. Enjoy the grand finale of fat biking season at the Birkie and good luck everyone; we'll see you in Cable.

Jamison Swift only found his love for ultras in the last decade. Now he's a regular racer, photographer, and founder of his own winter ultra. In this interview we talk about what fuels his passion to do tough stuff and how he's helping build the community he loves. Learn about Jamison Swift's race, the St. Croix Ultra on his race website or see more of his photos on Instagram or his portfolio page. Photos: @jamisonswift You're an ultra athlete, ultra photographer, and ultra race director. How did this become such an important part of your life? Interestingly I wasn’t always athletic. I didn’t start running until 2010 and didn’t get into trail running until 2015 when my wife Lisa turned me on to the sport. What I found in the trail running world (and it’s very similar to what I’m finding in the gravel world as well) is a small community of people who support each other and cheer each other on through tough stuff. I’ve made incredible life-long friends in this community and the focus is rarely on becoming faster and faster. It’s about experiencing the natural world around us and overcoming our limits to do hard things. We encourage each other, support each other, and try to build a place where everyone is encouraged to accomplish their goals. It doesn’t matter if someone is attempting their first 10 mile or 100 mile trail race. Or if they’re attempting a multi-day solo bikepacking trip. It’s all about encouraging people to try the things they’ve always wanted to try. Heck, you started your own ultra race, the "St. Croix 40". How does that fit into the ultra race landscape? St Croix 40 is a unique beast. In the winter ultra world of the upper midwest there are two big events, Tuscobia 80/160 and the Arrowhead 135. Both of these events are incredibly difficult and success for beginners can be hard to find. In many cases there were folks who were curious about winter ultras races but didn’t feel ready to step up to the 80 mile distance at Tuscobia (Tuscobia did offer a 35 mile race for a few years but it wasn’t a good fit for them). "We created St Croix 40 specifically to be a place for folks to come and learn if this sport is really for them." We’re unique in that we’re a short-course, overnight, race but we still require similar gear as Arrowhead, and we force people to use it. At SC40 racers start in their bivy sacks and sleeping bags and when I say “GO” they jump out, pack up, and hit the trail. Then at the only checkpoint at mile 24 we require them to pull out their stoves and boil 12oz of water. Many people never need to do this at races like Arrowhead or Tuscobia, but if you end up in an emergency situation these are the skills that will save your life. SC40 has built up a reputation as a place where people can go to test the waters in a safe environment, and we’ve had a lot of success. There are many people who don’t finish SC40 and realize that winter ultras just aren’t for them. If we keep people from jumping into bigger races and putting themselves in danger, we’ve done our job. Ultras are inspiring, but somewhat intimidating. What would you say to someone contemplating an ultra? I would encourage people who are “winter ultra curious” to start watching videos about Arrowhead and Tuscobia, or even the Iditarod Trail Invitational. Look at the suffering those people are going through and think about if that’s something you want to overcome. Then commit to spending time outside in the winter and learning to be comfortable in the cold. Practice your layering techniques, figure out what works for sweat mitigation in different temperatures. I also encourage people to try sleeping in a bivy sack and winter sleeping bag in their backyard while it’s freezing outside. These are great ways to learn about how you react to the cold and how you can strategize how to overcome issues. Get used to riding slow on a loaded fat bike. Many people only average 5-6mph on these races and for some folks that can be very discouraging. You just need to push through the mental expectations and realize that this isn’t a crit race. Oh, and of course make sure your bike is tuned up for winter with the correct grease in the hubs. Finally, I’d encourage people who are serious to sign up for St Croix 40. Registration opens in August (and fills fast) and there’s no better way to figure out if this is for you than trying it out. You also photograph ultra races. Why does your shooting tend to focus on people doing hard things and portraits of pain? This is such a cool question. I guess I don’t see most of my work as portraits of pain, but as a window into watching people overcome adversity. Every single person that I photograph in these ultra races has struggled and fought to get to the starting line. As I capture them along the trail they’re continuing to overcome with every step or pedal stroke they take. I love watching people do hard things because it means that they’re pushing their limits and living life to the fullest. No one gets 20 miles into an ultra endurance event without fighting and struggling and succeeding in that struggle. "Sometimes folks don’t make it to the end, but every moment that they’re out there is a moment of victory." I love capturing these moments so that people can remind themselves that they did something incredible. No matter how far they made it, they experienced a part of life that very few people get to experience. They might be miserable when they’re done, sweaty and in pain, but they dared to try. I want my photos to be reminders that they should be proud of their effort, and help them remember the beauty of being outdoors, doing something amazing, and testing how much they’re truly capable of. What do you shoot races with? I’ve been a photographer for the majority of my life, starting as an assistant with a wedding photography company when I was 13 years old. Over that time I’ve shot everything from point-and-shoots to medium format Hasselblads. Now that we’ve all gone digital my brand of choice is Sony and for many years I was shooting with a Sony a6000. I’ve recently upgraded to full-frame with a Sony a7c and really love it. As for lenses I am a huge fan of ‘portrait’ lenses, specifically 85mm. Most of my race photos are shot on a Sony 85mm f/1.8, though if I’m perched on a hill with a good view I’ll sometimes use a 24mm and go for a nice wide shot with the landscape dominating the shot. The most challenging aspect of shooting races in the woods is often controlling the light. Over the course of a long day the light can change dramatically and force me to change positions and angles multiple times. It’s a fun challenge and keeps you on your toes. Tell me about your winter ultra bike. My fat bike ride is a 2021 Surly Ice Cream Truck (Buttermint Green colorway). There were VERY few of these produced at the time due to the supply chain crunch and I was incredibly lucky to score one. Despite being a race director of a winter ultra I’ve never successfully completed one myself. However, in my most recent Tuscobia 80 attempt I outfitted the bike with a rack and panniers on the back and a set of Salsa Anything Cages on the front. I really like the Anything Cages since they allow you to balance a lot of weight up front without taking up all your cockpit space. In the cockpit I usually have two bottle holders for quick water and snacks, and if I need it I’ll strap a small drybag to the handlebars. One thing that is somewhat unique is that I use thinner Barmitts pogies instead of big insulated ones (like from 45NRTH). This forces me to wear basic gloves which makes it much safer for my hands when I have to stop and do things. In my opinion there’s nothing worse than pulling a hot sweaty bare hand out of a pogie into -10°F temps and having it instantly freeze. This past year at Tuscobia the temps got very, very cold, but my hands were fine the whole time.

In the summer of 2021, ten guys and I went up to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for a bikepacking trip on parts of the Crusher route. Story, Photos, & Video by Josh Rizzo Our annual tradition is to explore Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Michigan for 3-4 days and this was our first route that wasn't an official bikepacking.com route. Despite studying aerial maps and reading about the area, what we found was a complete surprise. As Wisconsinites, we often joke about how Michigan "stole" the Upper Peninsula from Wisconsin. But after learning more about the history of how the UP became part of Michigan and how it often gets left out of Michigan maps and USA maps, I started calling the UP the "forgotten peninsula". Here's the video of our trip and our thoughts about the forgotten peninsula: ROUTE INFO:

The Coon Fork Overnighter was designed to be a Northwoods treat for brand new bikepackers looking for their first adventure as well as seasoned adventure cyclists needing a snappy gravel S240. Created By: Josh Rizzo The Coon Fork Overnighter winds through tangled waterways and just rolls its way through lively forests. This route straddles the Eau Claire County and Clark County Forests which both allow dispersed camping with permits. With ample options for wild camping spots among the mixed vegetation, along waterways, or at one of several established campgrounds, you can stay somewhere new on every trip. The route is almost 90% unpaved and includes several different types of wooded gravel roads, snakey ATV routes, and short paved sections through Wisconsin farm country. Having numerous options for camping, parking, and stopping for food or drinks, it can easily be customized for longer or shorter route versions. After (or during) a day of great riding, sometimes the best parts are what happen off the bike. My recommendations? Grab a drink and sit on the deck at Boondock’s Bar & Grill, go swimming at Hamilton Falls or Rock Dam, or grab some bomb cheese curds with an ice cream cone chaser at Vojtik’s Stockyard. If You Go, Here's What You Need to Know: Coon Fork Overnighter Bikepacking Route Map: Josh Rizzo is the founder of The Nxrth. He loves bike adventures with his family and friends and knows that it's not about the destination. Heck it's not even about the journey. It's about the snacks that get you from point A to point B. Disclaimer: If you choose to ride this route, you do so at your own risk. You are 100% responsible for being prepared for all conditions and making sure that biking these routes is legal. Before riding, check local weather, road conditions, closures, and property ownership. Obey all traffic laws and follow land use restrictions. Do not ride these routes without proper safety equipment and navigational tools. The accuracy of these routes cannot be guaranteed neither can we guarantee that these routes are on public property. TheNxrth.com and its contributors are in no way liable for the personal injury or damage to property that may result from cycling this route or any other routes on this website.

Inspired by Aldo Leopold’s "The Sand County Almanac," The Sand County Caress (TSCC) is an overnighter route that delves into Wisconsin's Leopold country, taking in the many wildlife natural areas, savanna, marshes, lakes, and rivers via a mix of sandy tracks and backcountry roads. Created By: Nick Karwoski Originally published on Bikepacking.com and featured here with their permission. From BIKEPACKING.COM: The Sand County Caress (TSCC) was inspired by naturalist Aldo Leopold’s seminal work The Sand County Almanac and is a deep dive into Aldo Leopold country. Savanna, marshes, lakes, rivers, farms, and wildlife areas abound. Bald eagles soar, deer bound, sandhill cranes squawk, and whooping cranes (one of the rarest birds in North America) are all on display on this journey. Sand County Caress Bikepacking Route Map: BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. They inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. They believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. More here. Disclaimer: If you choose to ride this route, you do so at your own risk. You are 100% responsible for being prepared for all conditions and making sure that biking these routes is legal. Before riding, check local weather, road conditions, closures, and property ownership. Obey all traffic laws and follow land use restrictions. Do not ride these routes without proper safety equipment and navigational tools. The accuracy of these routes cannot be guaranteed neither can we guarantee that these routes are on public property. TheNxrth.com and its contributors are in no way liable for the personal injury or damage to property that may result from cycling this route or any other routes on this website.