Life Time Fitness owns and operates several athletic events including running and cycling events. Their cycling events range from MTB to gravel and span through much of the west and midwest. Here we list every single bike race that they operate. The Life Time Grand Prix has recently brought even more attention to the many cycling events owned and operated by Life Time. That series has included 6-7 of their mtb and gravel events but they own several other bike races beyond those. Their races are known for really high quality cycling experiences, equal payouts for men and women, and exceptional courses and host towns. Here we list all of their cycling events in both a list and map format. Map of Every Life Time Bike Race List of Life Time Bike Races Life Time Sea Otter Classic presented by Continental Month : April The Sea Otter Classic is a massive cycling event held in Monterey, California, marking the beginning of the cycling season. Participants can race, ride, and test gear from over 1,000 bike brands at the Sea Otter Expo. The event features 12 competitive races across various terrains, as well as untimed recreational rides for cyclists of all skill levels. Learn more at Sea Otter Classic Life Time UNBOUND Gravel Month : First Weekend After Memorial Day UNBOUND Gravel, founded in 2006, is a gravel cycling event held in the Flint Hills region of Kansas. Originally a 200-mile race, it has expanded to offer five distance options: 25, 50, 100, 200, and 350 miles. The event takes place on challenging gravel roads known for their rough terrain and steep hills. UNBOUND Gravel has grown from 34 participants in its first year to nearly 4,000 riders from across the U.S. and around the world. It plays a significant role in the local Emporia community, with a portion of the event proceeds benefiting local charitable causes. The event emphasizes its grassroots origins while offering a range of experiences for cyclists of different skill levels. UNBOUND Gravel is held the first weekend after Memorial Day each year. Learn more at UNBOUND Gravel Life Time Lutsen 99er Month : June The Lutsen 99er is a mountain bike race set in Minnesota's North Shore region, featuring a 99-mile course with additional distance options of 69, 45, and 29 miles. The race begins at Superior National Golf Course in the Sawtooth Mountains, with a Category 3 climb offering views of Lake Superior. Riders traverse glacially shaped terrain, rolling hills, and areas rich in lakes and streams, passing through sections of road and trail that are frequented by both wildlife and people. The event also includes Little Niner races for kids, making it a family-friendly experience. Learn more at Lutsen 99er Life Time Leadville Silver Rush 50 Mile MTB Month: July The Silver Rush 50 MTB is a 50-mile mountain bike race in Leadville, Colorado, featuring 8,000 feet of elevation gain. The course, known for its technical climbs and fast descents, offers a challenging ride through the historic mining district on the east side of Leadville. The route is primarily on dirt roads originally used by miners, starting at the Cloud City Ski Hut near Colorado Mountain College. Riders will pass by historic gold and silver mines under the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, including views of 14,000-foot peaks. The race also serves as a qualifying event for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB. Learn more at Leadville Silver Rush 50 Life Time Crusher in the Tushar Month: July This 69.9-mile race takes riders from historic downtown Beaver, Utah, to the Eagle Point ski and summer resort. The course, with a 60/40 mix of gravel and tarmac, travels through Utah's Tushar Mountains and Fishlake National Forest. Riders will experience over 10,000 feet of elevation gain while navigating the backcountry of this lesser-known region. The race offers a challenging ride and scenic exploration of the area. Learn more at Crusher in the Tushar Life Time Tahoe Trail Month:  July The Tahoe Trail 100 is a 50-kilometer, two-loop mountain bike course set in Northstar California, offering scenic views of Lake Tahoe, rocky summits, and pine forests. Riders navigate Northstar's ski area trails, including singletrack, mountain Jeep roads, and descents through the Northstar Bike Park. With over 6,000 feet of elevation gain, the course ends at the Overlook area in Northstar Village, where food and entertainment are available for participants and spectators. Learn more at Tahoe Trail Life Time Leadville Stage Race Month:  July The Life Time Leadville Stage Race is a multi-day event covering the iconic Leadville Trail 100 MTB course over three days. Riders tackle high-altitude terrain, ranging from 9,209 feet at Twin Lakes Dam to 12,497 feet at Columbine Mine. The course primarily consists of two-track fire roads, with a total distance of 100 miles split into three stages. A sub 11-hour finish time is required to be considered an official finisher. The race is part of the Leadville Race Series, which has a history spanning over 40 years. Leadville, originally a mining boomtown, retains its historical character, with landmarks such as the Tabor Opera House and the National Mining Hall of Fame. Today, the town is known for outdoor activities like skiing, fat biking, and hiking, in addition to its endurance racing events. Learn More at Leadville Stage Race Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB Month:  August The Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB is a challenging 100-mile mountain bike race, first held in 1994. Riders navigate steep climbs and technical descents, gaining approximately 12,000 feet in elevation and reaching a peak of 12,600 feet at the Columbine Mine summit. The course features a variety of terrains, including the rocky Powerline section and scenic mountain views. The race is known for testing both endurance and skill, with participants pushing through high-altitude conditions to complete one of the most demanding mountain bike events in the world. Successful finishers can earn a silver or gold belt buckle, a coveted symbol of achievement in the Leadville race. Learn More at Leadville Trail 100 Life Time Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival presented by TREK Month:  September The Chequamegon 40 is a 40-mile mountain bike race through Wisconsin’s Northwoods, starting in downtown Hayward and finishing at the Great Hall in Cable. The course follows the American Birkebeiner Ski Trail, forest roads, and snowmobile routes, offering a mix of terrains. Established in 1983 with just 27 riders, the event has grown into one of the most well-known off-road mountain bike races in the U.S. The race weekend features a festival atmosphere with live music, craft beer, and food from local vendors. Learn More at Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival Life Time Rad Dirt Fest Month:  September The Rad Dirt Fest, taking place in Trinidad, Colorado, offers three off-road cycling courses of 110, 70, and 40 miles. Riders traverse gravel roads through the rugged landscape of the Spanish Peaks and expansive mesas in southern Colorado. The courses are primarily on maintained gravel roads, with scenic views and rolling terrain. However, the elevation and climbs present a significant challenge, particularly on the longer routes. Trinidad, located in the Purgatoire River valley near the New Mexico border, is known for its rich history, vibrant architecture, and thriving outdoor culture. The area provides a unique setting for cyclists, with diverse wildlife and scenic surroundings making it a popular outdoor destination. Learn More at Rad Dirt Fest Life Time Little Sugar MTB presented by Mazda Month:  October Little Sugar MTB takes riders through Bentonville and Bella Vista, Arkansas, along the hollers and ravines of the Little Sugar and Back 40 trail systems. The course features scenic bluff lines, caves, waterfalls, and the well-known Ledges in the Ozarks. Riders will face challenging climbs balanced by fast descents, as well as technical rock features in the Slaughter Pen trail system near Bentonville. Participants can choose from three course options: 100K: A demanding course with steep climbs, rolling descents, and technical features. 50K: A mid-distance option covering the rugged terrain of Bentonville and Bella Vista. 20K: A shorter, fast course suitable for cyclists of all ages. Learn More at Little Sugar MTB Life Time Big Sugar Gravel presented by Mazda Month:  October Big Sugar Gravel, takes place in Bentonville, Arkansas and brings cyclists through canopy-covered gravel roads in the remote Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas and Southern Missouri. The routes follow Sugar Creek and pass through bluffs and hollers, offering scenic fall foliage. The course features loose, rocky gravel, occasional pavement sections, water crossings, and bridges, making it a challenging ride. The event is part of a week-long celebration in Northwest Arkansas, which also includes the Life Time Little Sugar MTB race the weekend before. Riders can enjoy both mountain biking and gravel riding in one of the top cycling destinations in the U.S. Learn More at Big Sugar Gravel Life Time Austin Rattler MTB Month:  November The Austin Rattler MTB takes place at Reveille Peak Ranch in the Texas Hill Country, offering a mix of singletrack and fire roads over a 20-mile loop. Riders can choose to complete one, two, or three loops, depending on their endurance level. The course is designed to challenge cyclists with varied terrain, while still providing room for passing and minimizing choke points. The event also features live music, camping, kids' races, and Texas BBQ, creating a celebratory atmosphere for participants and spectators alike. Learn More at Austin Rattler

The Snow Crown fat bike series is back for 2025 with 3 events in January and February. Dates and locations have just been set. Last year the US Fat Bike Open was move to the Ariens Nordic Center for the first time and will taking place there this year as well. Here are all 3 events. Fatty Shack January 11, 2025 De Pere, WI Fat Camp January 25, 2025 De Pere, WI U.S. Fat Bike Open February 8, 2025 Ariens Nordic Center Brillion, WI More info at Snow Crown series .

Inspired by cool summer and fall nights biking by the lake, we're sharing our new custom mobile wallpaper artwork. Designed by our friend Barry Lachapelle from Bike Gear Database, members of The Nxrth+ can now download this artwork for your mobile phones via the link below.

Traditional paved bike touring has had a decline in the last decade while bikepacking is still accelerating. What's causing the shift and how do we even know that this IS a trend? Here we break down some of these trends and offer a few guesses as to what might be contributing to it.  MEMBER EXCLUSIVE Words and photos by Josh Rizzo

If you're looking to explore new forests, ride the most beautiful remote gravel roads, and meet other bikepackers, we've rounded up a list of 8 beautiful bikepacking events up north. From the farthest corners of northern Minnesota to way up in the Upper Peninsula, there's tons of variety and event formats to discover something new this year.  MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.