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  • Jenna Rinehart on Her Return to Pro Racing, Women's Elite Cycling, and the 2024 Life Time Grand Prix

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

  • The Cheat Code for a Great Cyclocross Race: Nicholas Peterson's Gray Duck Grit Recap

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

  • The Local's Guide to Catching Life Time Grand Prix Action at Chequamegon 40

    Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival is taking place this weekend September 13 and 14. In its 41st year, the event is also the 4th stop on the Life Time Grand Prix. Here we share the local's guide to catching the Life Time Grand Prix athletes and enjoying the entire festival weekend. To learn more visit Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival Words by Josh Rizzo 41 Years of Chequamegon: A Brief Background Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival Up until a few years ago, the event was called the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival. The name was changed to Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival as fat bikes became more and more popular and there was some confusion about the event being for fat bikes. The event started in 1983 and for five years it took place at Lakewoods Resort and went through the Chequamegon National Forest. Since the course moved, it is no longer on national forest. The entire race takes place on county land but retains the Chequamegon name from when it first started. A Rich History The event has a lot of rich and storied history. Greg Lemond rode the race several times. At the 25th anniversary of the race, the event was won by Jesse LaLonde on a singlespeed. Steve Tilford came up to Cable all the time and rode the race many times and racers will eat at Rivers Eatery and Tillie's Pies which is named in memory of Tilford. 4th Stop on the Life Time Grand Prix Chequamegon 40 is the 4th stop in the Life Time Grand Prix. The LTGP started in 2022 and is comprised of 30 female and 30 male athletes who compete for points during the series in gravel and mountain bike events. Being a part of the Life Time Grand Prix series puts Chequamegon and a national map and spotlights the beautiful and rugged cycling scene alongside the area's rich history. What to Look For in the Life Time Grand Prix Elite Race on Saturday Chequamegon 40 is a very short and fast race. Men and women will finish in 2-2.5 hours so it'll be a drag race from Hayward to Cable with no forgiveness if mistakes are made. If an athlete gets around the corner and out of sight, they just might win the whole day. Pro Women Take Center Stage Unlike the mass start through Downtown Hayward, the Elite race starts east of town where Wheeler Rd meets the Birkie Trail. Elite Women have separate start times for the entire Life Time Grand Prix series and for the Chequamegon 40 they also start first at 12:30 and will finish first at the finish line in Cable. Keegan Swenson Has Never Won Chequamegon Keegan Swenson has dominated both of the first two seasons on the Life Time Grand Prix. He is also at the top of the leaderboard for the 2024 season with 3 events done and 3 to go (racers can drop 2 results). But he has never won at Chequamegon. In 2022, he crashed on the wet, muddy course and landed one spot off the podium. Then in 2023, Alexey Vermeulen beat him in a sprint finish and Keegan took second place. Surely Keegan would love to claim the spot at this year's Chequamegon 40 and add to his dominant season. Locals Jenna Rinehart & Chase Wark Two Northwoods locals will be racing at Chequamegon. Jenna Rinehart of Mankato, Minnesota took 6th place overall in the 2023 Life Time Grand Prix and is currently in 7th place on the leaderboard. Chase Wark of Winona, Minnesota is in his first year of the Life Time Grand Prix and is currently in 24th place overall. Meet the Life Time Grand Prix Athletes If you're racing, spectating, or just walking the dog around the ole block, you'll likely catch some favorite LTGP athletes milling around. They're really approachable, great with kids, and it's neat to see some of the biggest names in gravel/MTB racing hanging around Cable. Catch them at the awards ceremony at 4pm on Saturday or perhaps you'll see them at Rivers or Tillie's for post race shenanigans. There is also a LTGP at 4:15 on Friday to a Q&A from some of the athletes. Where are the Best Places to Watch? Wheeler Road Start Line Both men and women Elite races have a separate starting line. To catch the start of both races, head east Hayward to Wheeler Road where athletes will take off down the Birkie Trail and start with a big climb right away. OO x Birkie Trail Head north out of Hayward on 63 and turn east onto OO to the Samuel C Johnson Family Outdoor Center Ski Crossing. The Birkie trail crosses OO here and you can park on the north side of OO. This is the second aid station at mile 17.8 as well as the official spectator area. Elite athletes won't be stopping here but it's a nice open area near the mid point to catch racers flying by. Finish Line at Derksen Family Great Hall Being a short race, the finish line is going to be very fast paced when athletes come through. They'll come out of tight sleigh trail in the woods and then onto the Birkie trail for 400 yards up hill for a little and then downhill sprinting to the finish line. What Are Some Other Highlights of the Weekend? Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival is an entire weekend of racing, food trucks, fires, music shakeout rides, kids events, and a lot more. Head to the event website for exact time and locations of events. Friday 10:00am | Kenda Shakeout Ride (FREE) 1:00pm | Life Time Grand Prix Shakeout Ride (FREE) 2:00pm | 7:00pm Bib Pickup and Race Festival with Live Music & Food Trucks 2:30pm – 3:30pm | Stein Holding Competition 4:15pm – 4:45pm | Life Time Grand Prix Panel 5:00pm | Little Loggers Kids Bike Event Saturday 10:00am | CHEQUAMEGON 40 START | Hayward Primary School 10:00am | SHORT & FAT START | Derksen Family Great Hall 10:00am – 6:00pm | Finish Festival, Sponsor & Vendor Expo | Derksen Family Great Hall 10:57am | Short & Fat First Finisher 12:30pm | Chequamegon 40 First Finisher 12:30pm | CHEQUAMEGON 40 PRO/ELITE WOMEN’S START at Wheeler Rd/Birkie Trail 1:00pm | CHEQUAMEGON 40 PRO/ELITE MEN’S START at Wheeler Rd/Birkie Trail 4:00pm | All Awards Can I Still Register? Race registration is open until Tuesday September 10th. The Short &Fat race is 16 miles and the the Chequamegon 40 is, wait for it, 40 miles.

  • Horse Tracks, Cowbells, & Blue Sky Gravel: Pat Moore's Gray Duck Grit Recap

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

  • Long Sleeve Jersey Drop in Men's & Women's: Here Until Sept 19

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

  • VIDEO: Relive the Coon Fork 40 Beach-to-Beach Gravel Day

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

  • Local Gravel Racing is Growing. Here's How Much [Timeline & Graph]

    As the summer gravel season is winding down and fall gravel is picking up, we're taking a pause to check in on the our region's trend line of race registrations. Looking back from 2013, we've charted a sample of races along with their annual registrations to get a picture of the regional gravel scene. The Growth of the Gravel Biking Scene Gravel racing has been growing regionally, nationally, and internationally in the last several years. Gravel's growing popularity can probably be attributed to several factors both on and off the bike. One aspect is the versatility of gravel bikes, which tend to handle a variety of mixed and rugged terrains. That flexibility gives riders to explore more remote, scenic, and adventurous routes that aren't very easy (or comfortable) to reach on traditional road bikes. The gravel biking community itself has also played a role in the sport's growth. Known for being inclusive and welcoming, the gravel community tends to be more open to riders of different skill levels, backgrounds, genders, and ages. One other interesting factor is the post-pandemic bike boom. While the industry's spike in bike sales during the pandemic was short lived, and has since declined, there seems to be a strong after effect of the community's growth. Wisconsin, Minnesota, & the U.P. Gravel Scene Full disclosure, I am very much a newbie to our region's rich and diverse gravel scene. While I've been adventure cycling since the early days of the races below, I've only been more active in the gravel events, community, and culture for the last couple years. If you've been around a long time, you'll likely notice my lack of knowledge around the earlier events and communities that preceded my involvement. Observations on the Growth Trend Line From this (unscientific and incomplete) data set, we'd like to offer some observations about the gravel scene in general as well as localized to our region here in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Here's what we see: 1. Consistent Growth for Across the Board There is a rising tide in the gravel community and new and old races are generally seeing a consistent growth curve. Due to several factors like the international growth of gravel and the cycling media giving more production value visibility to gravel biking, there has been a very noticeable growth curve across the board for gravel races 2. New & Old Races That Are Rapidly Growing This chart only shows a small sample or races, but shows a wide range of new and old events that are experiencing strong growth in recent years. A few events to note are Heywood, Hungry Bear, and the Coon Fork 40 having significant year over year increase in event participation. The Heywood , while it's a pretty new race, was able to build off of some of the energy from the legacy Almanzo race which took place in Northfield when the race ceased to occur and likely contributes to its rapidly growing popularity. Hungry Bear is a longstanding grassroots event in the Cable area that has also been accelerating its growth. New Moon Ski & Bike recently took over the race and saw a ~60% increase in participation in one year from 2023 to 2024. The Coon Fork 40 just had its second year this August and welcomed 500 racers to a unique beach-to-beach gravel race in August, Wisconsin. 3. Seasoned Races That Hit Their Limit Year After Year At some point, the most popular races tend to hit a ceiling and set a registration limit that then gets reached every year. Seasoned races like The Filthy 50 and the Heck of the North events were popular even before the more recent wave of widespread gravel growth. With other races like Hungry Bear and Heywood now approaching (or exceeding) the size of those events, it'll be interesting to see their growth curve (or registration caps) in future years. Notes on Data These numbers are not exact. Trend lines may not account for people who register on the day of the event but didn't get entered into an online registration system. This also doesn't account for people who register but didn't show up on race day. This is a small sampling. This isn't meant to be a scientific study. We took a few larger well established races and a few races that are only a few years old in order to get a general look at the gravel race scene. Historical numbers are estimates. Some of these races like Heck of the North and Filthy 50 didn't have easily accessible numbers from events that are several years old. Those data points reflect estimates from the race directors. Chart does not include the year 2020. Most races were cancelled but some still took place. In order to have a meaningful comparison, the year 2020 was not included.

  • 5 Takeaways From the 2024 Coon Fork 40

    The second annual Coon Fork 40 took place last weekend and celebrated the end of summer gravel with full-northwoods and full-beach-party fun. We were there riding the short route and here's what we took away from the day, the parties, the people, and the ride. Photos by Megan Zabel Holmes Saturday at the Coon Fork 40 felt like peak Northwoods gravel summer. Hot sun, cool lake, and a jack ton of friends riding bikes and hanging out at the lake. With the event fresh in our minds and a tinge of sunburn still on our skin, here's what we took away from the 2nd installment of the Coon Fork 40, beach-to-beach gravel adventure put on by CORBA . Takeaways from Coon Fork 40, Year 2: 1. There's No Better Finish Line Than a Northwoods Beach in August This year brought a brand new finish line that shot everybody out of the woods straight into the middle of the huge party on the beach. Bikes were everywhere, we jumped right into the lake without changing out of our bike clothes, and it was just awesome scene to share stories from the day and enjoy the sunsetting of summer. 2. That Final Mile Either Made Your Day or Broke You Down  With the new finish line came a new final mile of the event. The end of the race approached from the south and winded through a doublewide grassy ski trail. It was one of the pretties sections of the route. If the hot sun and grueling sections of the route was already beating you down, the last 1.5 miles of bumps and roots really made you earn that burger, beverage, and beach. 3. The CORBA Volunteer Community Is Awesome & Came Together in an Amazing Way This event took so many people to put on beyond just the race itself. The Halfway Hang was even bigger than last year. The finish line party is a huge undertaking with with food and beverage. The routes themselves were perfectly signed and taped. Not to mention that the race takes place 40 minutes from Eau Claire where many of the volunteers live. I don't know the total number of volunteers the day of the event as well as the planning all year, but they put a lot of heart and sweat into putting together a truly unique event. 4. Everybody Wished There Was More Sand If you were on the Mid or Long routes, you probably weren't quite ready for the sand sections to be over. You may have even taken an extra lap on those 2 lobes before the Halfway Hang in Rock Dam. No? Well if that was you, then the cool water with even more sand at the beach back at the Coon Fork finish line was the cherry on top of the whole day. 5. Racing is Cool. Taking it Slow is Cool too. My wife and I did the Short route and made a point to take our time at the Halfway Hang. I actually can't think of a race that I actually 'raced' to finish as high as possible (spoiler: I'm not that fast). But even more so at the Coon Fork 40, I really enjoy soaking up the whole day, enjoying the double beach parties, and choosing the shortest option. And Now...Time for Fall Gravel to Begin! With August winding down and September around the corner, we're starting to look at fall adventures. If you're looking for fall gravel inspiration, take a look at these 7 fall ride ideas here or explore these great gravel destinations .

  • Lanesboro Minnesota Gravel Biking Guide

    The Small River Town of Lanesboro, Minnesota 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. Gravel Guide Created by Trenton Raygor @trigunw0lf Jump to Section Map Overview Gravel Routes Paved Trail System Where to Eat Where to Stay Where to Drink Bike Shops The Filthy 50 moved to Lanesboro in 2019 and has since introduced thousands of people to the area. The area features some of the best gravel roads in North America. Combine the thousands of miles of primo gravel roads with the accommodations, cuisine, and culture that Lanesboro provides makes this the ideal gravel adventure destination. We will give you a few routes to get you started, however, you’re going to want to explore. There are so many amazing gravel roads that the routes we share below don’t highlight. Where to Bike Gravel From Lanesboro, Minnesota The area of the Driftless Region that surrounds Lanesboro is colloquially referred to as “bluff country”. Yes, you guessed it, that means elevation! Bring your climbing legs. When you’re in Lanesboro, stop, stand in one place, and look around in all directions. The only way out (that doesn’t directly follow the river) involves going up. Note: there are purposefully very few miles of pavement included in our routes both for enjoyment and safety. Here are several of our favorites. Gravel Bike Routes The Pretty Filthy 25 [23.6 miles] This route takes you south out of downtown Lanesboro. You will follow the creek as you climb Grosbeak and Gentle eventually descending on Easy Street and then will turn south, following Gribben Creek out of the valley. It’s a bit of up and down before an epic return featuring Grit Road and hitting the finish line in the middle of downtown Lanesboro. This route features minimum maintenance roads, 1900+ feet of climbing, no towns to refuel, but some of the prettiest scenery you ever did see. LINK TO MAP . The Filthy 50 [50.9 miles] This takes you south out of downtown Lanesboro. You will follow the creek as you climb Grosbeak and Gentle eventually descending on Easy Street. You will then climb the infamous Dew Drop and turn south towards “The Big Woods” and Amish country. Riders will want to keep their wits about them when they hit the Amish maintained MMR just west of Henrytown. After making your way down Grit Road, crossing the finish line in downtown Lanesboro is gonna feel good. This route features several minimum maintenance roads (MMRs) and 3200+ feet of climbing. There are no towns for refueling. It ain’t easy, folks. LINK TO MAP . The North 50 [49.5 miles] The North 50 takes you east out of downtown Lanesboro. You immediately get into some heavy climbing, but then get to enjoy a swift descent into the small river town of Whalen. From there you grind scenic Deep River Road until you’re shot north up the 105 along Big Springs Creek. You’ll get far enough north to hear the sounds of Interstate 90, but then jog west and begin your trek south toward Pilot Mound. After that, soak in the vibes of Harrow Rd and get your last bit of climbing done before you bomb Gaelic and roll some smooth pavement back into Lanesboro. This route features some eagle nests along the Root River, a pie shop, and 3200+ feet of climbing. LINK TO MAP . The Extra Filthy 100 [100.6 miles] This takes you north out of downtown Lanesboro, then west and north toward Pilot Mound, then north and east toward The Village of Rushford. Riders will then adventure south through the small river town of Peterson (mile 50 and your only refueling stop) and will meet up with the 50 mile route further south in Amish country. This route features several MMRs and 7000+ feet of climbing. It’s packed with valleys and vistas, and is as tough as it is beautiful. This beast is bound to push your limits. Plan accordingly. LINK TO MAP . Lanesboro Paved Trail System The Root River State Trail provides a paved option that starts in Fountain and takes you 42.3 miles to Houston, with Lanesboro, Whalen, Peterson, and Rushford as towns along the way. A fun and short one to do with the kids is the 4.6 miles from Lanesboro to Whalen, eat a piece of pie, and ride the 4.6 miles back. The Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail provides a 17.8 mile paved option between Harmony and where it connects with The Root River State Trail just several miles west of Lanesboro. Preston is your only town along the way. You might want your climbing legs for this stretch, especially if you’re planning on venturing all the way to Harmony. Take a look at the Root River & Harmony-Preston Valley State Trails Map if you’re looking to take advantage of these scenic paved options. Video: A Love Letter to the Driftless Region by Filthy Founder, Trenton Raygor Where to Eat Another Time Ice Cream Parlor If a post ride ice cream treat is your thing (it’s definitely mine), here is your goto. These folks are super kind and located at the Filthy start and finish lines. Pst…they also serve up a mean espresso. Lanesboro Pastry Shoppe This is a favorite of ours for that pre-ride breakfast or mid-ride cinnamon roll. The chef will literally make you anything you ask for on or off the menu. Bring cash. Pedal Pushers Cafe This is probably our favorite restaurant anywhere. Hands down. Scott and Angie make the best post-ride meals and if you’re riding a Filthy route, they are conveniently located quite literally at the finish line. Where to Stay Camping City of Lanesboro Sylvan Park Campground: is an economical option and a convenient place for tent camping. Sites are limited to 35. A bathhouse is available with coin operated showers, which are handy after a long ride. Highway 250 Campground: is the closest option to downtown Lanesboro for parking your camper overnight. It’s also on our 100 mile route making your start and finish super convenient. Hotels We are big fans of Stone Mill Hotel and Suites, Cottage House Inn, Iron Horse, and Root River Inn and Suites due to their proximity to downtown. Check the Lanesboro website for more options and availability. There are some historic bed and breakfasts in town that we’ve been meaning to try out as well. Where to Drink Coffee Parkway Market & CoffeeHouse: the perfect quick stop to load up on provisions and get caffeinated before your ride. Beer Sylvan Brewing : Andy and Karen make the best beer around and even make a special Filthy beer each year for the finishers. Ask them about it. A great post-ride destination. Wine Root River 102: where you need to be for that post ride cocktail or glass of wine. They have an incredible bar and also serve really good food. Bike Shop Your Lanesboro option: Little River General Store

  • La Crosse Wisconsin Gravel Guide

    Created by Chris Stindt 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. Jump to Section Map Overview Gravel Routes Rail-Trail Routes Bonus ATB Route Where to Eat Where to Stay Where to Drink Bike Shops This guide will help you figure out where you want to ride, where to stay, eat and drink, plus some great local bike shops. The area offers everything from pancake flat rails-to-trails to hilly rides with over 10,000 feet of climbing. You can stay on the cheap at a campsite, or at a 5-star hotel overlooking the Mississippi River. Taco trucks to steak houses, dine in your kit or throw on some fancy duds, the choice is yours. Oh, and we don’t recommend trying to drink out of the world’s largest 6-pack, we have multiple other better options. Where to Ride Gravel From La Crosse The little secret is that most of the gravel routes we have are actually over the Mississippi River, in Minnesota. Yes, you can get to gravel in Wisconsin, but it's consideralby farther away than the gravel in Minnesota. Gravel Biking Routes Each route can be modified; if you’re the hardy type to ride from your hotel, but want to be in the city, then you have 5-10 miles of road riding at the beginning and end of each route. Alternatively you can stay in La Crescent or simply drive to the start of the gravel. Based on experience, there is something magical about crossing one of the biggest rivers in the world to start an epic adventure. But generally, if you’ve done it right, the hardest climb of the day is coming back over the blue bridge at the end of the day. Some days I start in town, other days I drive over; choose your own adventure. The Appetizer [30 miles] This route starts in La Crescent and heads west. What little traffic you see on County Road 6 is quickly left behind, as you turn on to Pine Creek Road. Pavement gives way to gravel and almost immediate views. A climb takes you to Nodine, and then a gravel descent brings you to the prettiest swale in the country, between east and westbound traffic on I90. A challenging climb up an (in)famous MMR brings you back to the ridge top. Enjoy this great taste of driftless gravel! LINK TO MAP . Deceptive Distance [35 miles] Multiple times I’ve mapped this route and left my house, thinking I’d just be out for a couple of hours. Alas, as my wife will tell you, I’ve never done it in less than 3 hours. Partially because it’s closer to 50 miles if you leave from La Crosse, but also because it features 4 full bluff climbs. But damn, this is a great route close to the city. If you want to get the full experience of driftless gravel, but don’t have time to commit to a full day of riding, this is your best option. LINK TO MAP . The Skullsplitter [56 miles] This is a former race route I used to coordinate. If you want all gravel and still want over 50 miles, this is a bruiser of a route. No services, again, except Little Miami. LINK TO MAP . Metric Century [65 miles] Notes on this route…make sure you have plenty of fuel and liquids. More than you think you’ll need. I’ve been picked up at least twice trying to finish this one on two bottles and not enough snackies. There is a soda machine at Little Miami in Freeburg, and to be honest, you might want to just plan on stopping there so you can say you did. Otherwise start with a lot, or hit the KT in Hokah. Grab a snack at Free Range Exchange on the way back. Other fun bits: Country Road 5 is one of my favorite roads…period. Cut into rock, running downhill and along a little river valley, it’s really special. LINK TO MAP . Gravel Monster [105 miles] This route was created by a couple of local gravel aficionados, who had created a ‘monster’ road route with 10 climbs, and wanted to do the same for gravel. I was one of, if not the first, to test it out, and it was definitely a challenging ride. If you want to make sure you hit triple digits on the odo, start in La Crosse. Refuel in Houston. If you time it right, stop in Hokah for baked goods to fuel the last bit to home. What else…oh 7200 feet of climbing. Brace yourselves, gravel is coming. LINK TO MAP . Big Dumb Dirt [127 miles] This route combines some of the above south and west options into one dumb massive ride. You’ll need to be a) strong b) masochistic and c) have a LOT of time to complete this. LINK TO MAP . BONUS : ATB Route [55 miles] [ATB = All Terrain Bike]: Do you have a road bike and don’t mind underbiking? A gravel bike that is fine on the road? Enjoy a bit of hike-a-bike on singletrack with amazing views? Do you crave only the best coffee, food and baked goods on offer (see Wonderstate)? Try this bonus route out. LINK TO MAP . Rail Trail Routes We are fortunate to be at the intersection of a couple of great rails to trails conversion options. Westward goes to Trempealeau and Eastward goes…to Milwaukee, if you’re adventurous enough. You can really choose your own adventure, do an out and back to Tremp and then head east to Sparta or try the tunnels of Elroy Sparta. Go as far or as short as you want, these are your best chances to ‘recover’ on gravel, while enjoying sites and sounds (Mississippi River and more). *You need a state trail pass. All local shops sell them, but Coulee Bike Co. is located right near the trailhead at Great River Landing on Onalaska. Westward Route [41 miles] This route goes through town, if you’re staying downtown, on mostly bike paths. Or start in Onalaska at Great River Landing and you’ll be all on trail. It’s an out and back to Trempealeau, which has a nice little cafe for a coffee and snack. LINK TO MAP . Eastward Route [69 miles] This route goes all the way to Norwak. Black Squirrel Capital of the World? Sure why not. If you haven’t seen it before, this goes through 3 tunnels, carved through the bluffs, to keep things flat. Bring a light and a sense of adventure. LINK TO MAP . Where to Eat Freighthouse Supperclub, La Crosse Freighthouse is a really nice place, down near the river. Dress up and dine inside or chill on the back patio. Great food and nice ambiance. Pearl Ice Cream, La Crosse (the President came, ok, it’s not political, it’s just that good) Homemade ice cream! Candy! I’ve definitely eaten ice cream on the sidewalk in a kit at mile 85 of a century. Free Range Exchange, Hokah MN & La Crosse WI Hokah is a nice little town that is a jumping off point for a lot of the gravel. Stop mid ride or after for a baked good and hot coffee. You won’t regret it! La Crosse also has a downtown Free Range Exchange location with a patio. Barista’s Coffee, Houston Toward the western end of our usual gravel routes, Houston has a couple of gas stations, but if you have time, stop at Barista’s for a coffee, snack or quick lunch. Meringue Bakery, La Crosse [ yeah, you’re gonna wanna stop here ] A bakery from 3-time Food Network Champion, Jen Barney. I’ll leave it at that. Where to Stay Camping Perot State Park : A bit out of the area, but great for bikepackers or those who prefer to be off the beaten path. Pettibone Resort : Camping right on the Mississippi between Wisconsin and Minnesota. Great for starting rides but still being close to town. Goose Island : South of the city, this county owned campground is gorgeous and also right on the river. If you are ok riding a bit longer to gravel, or driving, this option is very nice. 5 Star 5-Star Luxury Charmant : This converted candy factory is a block from the Mississippi River. Gorgeous views and very nice rooms, they also have a restaurant and cafe. If you want the best, this is it. Hotels Downtown: Most chain hotels have options in downtown. If you want nightlife or city access, you have options here. Onalaska: Picture any busy interstate stop you’ve ever been to, and this is it. Hotels, restaurants, a mall, etc. Lots of options to stay here. La Crescent The new Best Western is a great option if you want to stay in a smaller town, closer to the gravel. Airbnbs: Lots of options. If you want close access to gravel, find something in Minnesota. If you prefer city amenities, try downtown La Crosse. Where to Drink Coffee Wonderstate Coffee, Viroqua : Great roasted coffee, incredible food, ambiance. Grounded Coffee Patio, La Crosse : A really nice downtown cafe with outdoor seating, if you want to sit by your bike. Breweries & Distilleries Turtle Stack Brewery or 608 Brewing : We like beer in La Crosse, and have two small microbreweries in/near downtown. Can’t go wrong. La Crosse Distillery :This newer option is a great place to grab dinner or a drink, and to take some local distilled spirits home with you. [food and drinks] Bike Shop Picks Downtown La Crosse: Smith’s Bike Shop Onalaska: Coulee Bike Co [near the Great River Landing] Onalaska: River Trail Cycles

  • Join The Nxrth Strava Club

    The Nxrth just formed a Strava Club for sharing rides, routes, ideas, and bike things. Join the club to connect with more cyclists, catch what's happening, and share your rides. The Nxrth Strava Club .

  • The Best DAMn Ever: Claire O’Leary’s Recap From The Day Across Minnesota

    The Day Across Minnesota returned in 2024 after taking 2 years off. The conditions for the event were perfect and several records were set. One of those records was Claire O'Leary who was the first woman finisher. Here she shares about a serendipitous run in with Trenton Raygor as well as a recap from race day. To learn more, visit The Day Across Minnesota . Story by Claire O'Leary @allcontent_nocontext . Cover photo by Mateo Fischer. Three weeks ago, I was rolling south on West River Parkway in Minneapolis on my way from work to pick up new tires from Angry Catfish (tire of choice: Continental TerraSpeed 40s). I see a rider in a Day Across Minnesota kit and one cog in the back jump onto the path ahead of me. I think that’s Trenton. I put a little dig in and roll up next to Trenton Raygor, founder and race director of The Day Across Minnesota . We chat for a few miles about how our respective summers are going and the upcoming DAMn race. “I hope it’s a headwind day,” he said. “I really want to see what the human spirit is made of.” Trenton didn’t get his wish. Instead, the 2024 Day Across Minnesota will go down as “The best DAMn ever.” After a two-year hiatus, the ride was back with a bang. The temps were crisp. The gravel was smooth. The tailwinds were ripping. The fields were stacked. And oh yeah, those finish line hugs in Hager City were so, so sweet. Let’s take a look at how 240 miles of gravel from South Dakota to Wisconsin played out. Miles, Moments, and Memories Across Minnesota The beautiful thing about the DAMn is that it means something a little different to every rider and everyone has favorite moments. For some, it’s climbing out of the Minnesota River valley at sunrise. Or it’s the melee of the start, with fireworks shooting off from the roadside while the firetruck leads the field out of Gary. Photo by Mateo Fischer One of my favorite moments was one of the final climbs outside of White Rock at mile 220, where the course rolls by Belle Creek Cattle farm, owned by Kaleb and Angie Anderson. According to Jared Anderson, a multi-time DAMn finisher and Kaleb’s cousin, the Andersons were just as excited the DAMn was back as riders were. The family celebrated roadside all day – honking, cheering and offering riders cold beverages. Photos by Angie and Kaleb Anderson, Belle Creek Cattle A Year for the Record Books A Redwing local rolled up next to me on one of the last paved downhills into town. “I’m not in the race, but I’ll be at the finish line later!” he said. I thank him and say I’m the women’s race leader. “Wow, you’re crushing it.” I tear up a little. A few miles later, I finished in a new Women’s Open course record of 13:39. Trenton gives me a giant hug before I can pause my Wahoo and tell me he’s proud of me. Co-director Chase Wark is next in line to do the same. I first talked with Chase about coaching when he was lounging in Gary before the 2021 start. I was a new runner-turned-cyclist trying to figure things out, and he was just starting Wark’s Cycling Services . Three years later it felt like a full circle moment. Claire O'Leary setting a new course record. Photos by Julie Fromelt, Wark’s Cycling Services Amber Searer of Wisconsin and fellow Minneapolis rider Sophie St-Jacques joined me in earning giant KwikTrip donuts for our rides. All of us were under the old course record. Innokenty Zavyalov won the Men’s Open race in a new course record of 11:16:01, riding solo from Henderson to Hager City. Ryan Hafner and Nick Nygaard rounded out the podium, all under the old course record as well. The brave souls on one gear also had record rides on that tailwind day with Anders Hopkins setting a new record of 13:15:04. After sundown, Pallav Kumar crossed the finish line as the winner of the inaugural Non-Binary category in 22:37:44. Eamonn Casey was lantern rouge in 23:24:49. Eamonn Casey, Lantern Rouge. Photo by Abigail Wark, Wark's Cycling Services. I think it’s also important to note that some of the former course record holders were also in Gary at midnight. Kate Coward set the Women’s Open course record of 15:00 in 2020. This year, she rode her fat bike to win that category in a new course record of 17:07:45. (Chris Nelson also set a new Men’s Fat Bike course record of 16:47:33.) Chase Wark set the Men’s Open course record of 11:43 in 2020. He took another stab at it in 2021 on a Specialized Venge with a disc wheel ( IYKYK ). Although he missed the record, he proposed at the finish line – a moment documented in The Last DAMn. This year, Chase joined the DAMn Fools on the other side of the finish line as a co-race director. His wife, Abigail, was taking photos out on course . And don’t forget about those folks crazy enough to cross the state twice over 480 miles. The second edition saw 18 starters and 4 finishers. They are: Cory Rood 35:04 Corey Kronser 39:13 (Single Speed) Nick Elliot 41:11 (Two-time Double DAMn finisher) Joe Clark 45:23 The Day Across Minnesota by the Numbers It’s hard to quantify the power of community, the stars, and a sunrise – but these numbers are a good start. 240 Starters: 390 240 Finishers: 320 Youngest rider: 11 Oldest rider:85 81% Finish Rate 480 Starters:18 480 Finishers: 4 22% Finish Rate

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