The US Fat Bike Open was held on Feb 24 at Ariens Nordic Center as part of the Snow Crown series. Brian Davis just dropped his Youtube recap of the race. To get an inside look at the race and what might be planned for next year, check out his video here. To learn more, visit Brian Davis Races on Youtube or check out the Snow Crown fat bike series. Cover photo by Mitchell Vincent.

We just opened our Nxrth jersey store for a summer batch of orders. Designed and manufactured right here in Wisconsin's beautiful Driftless region by Borah Teamwear, these Pro jerseys are available until Thursday, June 13. Every jersey comes with: Fit guarantee Recycled materials Silicone waist gripper Three rear pockets Lightweight Moisture wicking Made in Wisconsin Shop the 2024 Nxrth Jersey

The second annual Hotdish 100 recently took place in Winona Minnesota. Riders got full scoop of Minnesota culture and Driftless gravel on their choice of three distances. Chris Stindt chose his his tires the night before the race, forgot to get groceries, left late, and has a great story to tell about his 100K ride. Words by Chris Stindt Learn more about the Hotdish 100 from Wark's Cycling Service This summer was feeling a little quiet, but things lined up nicely for me to attend my newest local gravel race, the Hotdish 100. Chase Wark is a gravel pro who lives nearby in Winona, and offered this race for the second time. I have appreciated Chase participating and supporting the local events I’ve put on, so I was excited to return the favor. I said things lined up, but that basically means we didn’t have weekend plans out of town, and my wife didn’t say NO when I asked if I could go. However, she had work and volunteer plans involving our only automobile, so I had to decide if I wanted to catch a ride to the 100 mile race, starting at 7 am, or possibly consider the 100k at 9 am. Side note, Chase Wark is a bit of a beast on the bike, and earlier this summer he rode to, raced, and won a 100 mile gravel event. I decided to pay homage to him, and ride over to the 100k, race it, and then either bum a ride home or maybe even ride back. Alas…I am not Chase, as I’d soon find out. Or rather, be reminded of. I mapped out the route to the start, and then started thinking about actually racing. Chase shared a pre-race email about the course and said it was mostly hero gravel, with some fresh grading. I used my one ‘email a race director an annoying question’ and asked him if 35 slicks or 38 semi-slicks would be better. He said the 35 everywhere except the fresh. I had more follow ups, but as an event director myself, I knew not to bother him the day before the event with minutiae. Yes, I was figuring out my tires the day before. And...I went with the slicks. I’m ok in loose stuff, plus I wanted to go fast, oh and I had to ride 24 miles to the start. In the morning, things didn’t go exactly perfect. We hadn’t gotten groceries for a while. I don’t know why I didn’t realize we were out of eggs. No fried egg, egg sandwich, waffles, pancakes, nor milk for cereal. Sheesh. Finally found something, got myself together, and left 10 minutes late. Not a big deal, but I wasn’t exactly sure how long it would take to get to the start. Oh and then I remembered that there was construction on the main road I mapped out, and I needed to go around. Not a huge deal. Oh, and it was head wind the whole way there, and I wasn’t going super slow, but I was on 35c mondo endurance tires. I didn’t panic, but I did start to push the pace a little. I also couldn’t get my GPS to sync, so I was going off of memory, and couldn’t tell how far away I was. Haaa. Got there with 16 minutes to spare. I rolled up, got my number, chatted with Chase, thanked his fiance for all her support (I know how these things go and that means she did a lot), ditched my backpack and bar bag, loaded up my snacks and water, and rolled out to the start line with 2 minutes to spare. Whew! The first climb is nicely paved. The 100k is really about 60 miles, with 4500 feet of climbing or so. I am at the front doing a little work, but eventually when no one comes around I basically soft pedal until someone else comes by. We all chill for a second and then someone attacks finally. A small group gets away over the top, but typical for a bike race, no one wants to work together, and the stragglers catch back up. As we hit the second hill I realize it’s the one that was freshly graded. It’s also got up over 18% gradient, which combined with any gravel, and loose soil plus slick tires…well it was hard. I went full gas, and at the top looked back to see no one behind me! So I decided to roll it. Silly, really, in retrospect, but at the time I figured why not try. However, the top was rolling and the group finally started taking turns working together and I watched them get closer every time I looked back. Finally I sat up to eat and drink, and jumped on the train when it came by. I decided to play it smart and wait until later climbs to break away. The rest of the ride was classic rural Minnesota Driftless gravel. Fantastic! We went down a MMR (Minimum Maintenance Road) outside Lewiston that was…very interesting. Baby head sized rocks, steep loose gravel, ruts, and leaves covering much of it up. Turns out it was a decisive downhill that eventually split up the group. I caught a couple guys and started to drop them on the next climb back up. I caught one more guy and we worked together over the top, but the two behind caught us, and we all four rode together into Winona at race leaders. And then the cramps hit. Turns out I’m no neo-pro, and my legs are very mortal, ha! I kept shaking them and stretching, as our group grew by a couple more. Eventually one of the catchers launched a little attack leaving town and my legs seized up, and I watched everyone ride away. I spoke unkindly to my legs and shook them a lot and stood and sat, and eventually pedaled my way back to the first two stragglers. I saw 2nd place ahead on the final hill, but at this point there wasn’t anything left in my legs. I slowly made my way up, onto the pavement, and back down the final paved descent. It was great! At the finish I was out of fluids, and a bit toasty. I thanked Chase, and then chugged a Coke, immediately followed by a lemonade. I don’t think I’ve ever had two sodas in 2 minutes in my whole life. I grabbed a root beer to go, did a quick podium shot, and decided to try riding home. I felt okay, until halfway up the first gravel climb when my right leg fully locked up. I called Anna, and agreed to meet her. I thought maybe I’d still get to 100 miles. Slowly up the climb and across the ridge, with a nice tailwind, I was cruising along when boom both legs locked up. I stood for awhile, but realized I couldn’t coast all the way home, so I accepted my ride. Woof! 97 miles. Just a great all around day, playing bikes. If you get a chance - do the Hotdish! And ride some driftless gravel, it does not disappoint. I’m really glad I got to see some new roads, and maybe next year I’ll just to the 100 mile event.

Following the Gandy Dancers is a new bikepacking route from Todd Gunzenhauser that connects St. Paul to Duluth, Minnesota. Enjoy cycling through rich history, remote roads, and great handpicked spots for camping, food, and more. Route & Photos by Todd Gunzenhauser Escape the Twin Cities' rhythm and find gravel freedom on this multi-day route from Saint Paul to Duluth. Each part of the ride offers unique charm, from urban trails to charming towns and remote forests. Much of the route follows the Gandy Dancer Trail which is named after the railroad workers who laid the railroad tracks in the early 1900s. Using tools known for their rhythmic work style made by the Gandy Tool Company of Chicago, the early railroad workers laid down rails from Duluth down to St. Croix Falls and beyond. While many cyclists have completed the Twin Cities to Duluth via the paved Munger Trail we wanted a little something more remote. This route is about 60% gravel ranging from smooth crushed stone to soft-sandy ATV track. Route at a Glance Distance: 166 Miles Days: 2-3 Days Elevation: 4,110 ft Gravel: 60% Pavement: 40% Full Route Guide Includes 10 Camping Options Parks Grocery Options Pizza Stops Pubs & Taverns Coffee Shops Trail Info Lots more

The Driftless region of WI, MN, and IA was missed by the glacial flattening of the surrounding area. Here the rivers cut deeper and the hills roll freely. This route runs both sides of the Wisconsin/Minnesota border and explores the region for 3-4 days. Created By: Nicolette Reker @nikity_nak Watch a video overview of the Driftless Loop by Katrina Hase. The Driftless Loop gives an overview of the Southeastern Minnesota Driftless area with a brief jaunt across the cheddar curtain crossing the Mississippi river at LaCrosse and again in Winona. It includes several camping options and passes through towns to reduce the amount of food and cooking supplies you'll need to pack along. If you're from the area, you'll love that our beloved Kwik Trip stores make several appearances on the route where you can pick up some Glazers or a corn dog for your jersey pocket. While the majority of the route is gravel, it stops in several towns. Make sure to leave time for the many coffee stops along the route and Island City Brewing in Winona. Driftless Loop Bikepacking Route Map: 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.

Today's Reader's Route is from Mary Mills and takes you up through some old forest service roads in Northern Minnesota. Enjoy this gravel route and submit your own for a free patch. Submission from Mary Mills The Jackpot Loop consists of old Forest Service Roads and gravel roads. There are a number of significant hills with loose rock on some of the forest service roads. This route is also a popular ATV route so is best ridden during the week. Submit Your Reader's Route All Reader's Routes So Far

Chase Wark is a professional cyclist, endurance coach, and race director from Minnesota. He recently became a last minute addition to the 2024 Life Time Grand Prix. Here we pick his brain about Kwik Trip, his cycling goals, and what it was like to go all in on professional cycling. Follow along with Chase Wark @chasethebiker or learn more about his coaching services and gravel events at Wark's Cycling Service . Interview with Chase Wark: How did you become a last minute addition to the 2024 Life Time Grand Prix? Getting a last minute spot into the Life Time Grand Prix was a bit of a surprise to me. I was standing in line at a Subway and got a call from an unknown Minnesota phone number. I thought it was someone calling to ask a question about one of the gravel events I put on, but when I answered the person said “Hi, this is Bekah from Life Time” and I knew then I was going to get offered a spot. I don’t know if it was the early season results I got (1st at Rock Cobbler, 2nd at Valley of Tears to Keegan, and 13th at BWR AZ) or if it was my application from 2023 that I submitted that got me the spot. I guess I could probably ask. Getting into the Grand Prix has made me change my schedule a lot. I was going to do a decent amount of local midwest races like I’ve always done, but now I’ll be mostly focused on training for the big races, traveling to them, and then recovering from the travel. What do you hope to accomplish this year in the Life Time Grand Prix? I have two goals for my season in the Grand Prix. My first goal is I hope to get a top 10 result at one of the races. My second goal is I hope to get an invite back for 2025. It would be nice to know months in advance next time so I can plan out my season and my training better. You're more of a gravel guy, right? How are you enjoying mountain biking and what was Sea Otter like? I think I’m the most midwest gravel guy out there since I can’t handle a bike unless it’s a 90 degree turn, even then I struggle. Last year I actually bought a mountain bike to work on my skills a bit and so I could go on some fun off-road adventure routes in Winona. I don’t have a power meter on it so it’s a fun way to just enjoy riding with friends. Going into Sea Otter though I had to practice on actual singletrack at race pace. I only did that for 2 weeks before Sea Otter so my skills were subpar compared to everyone else. I was just happy to not end up dead last out of the LTGP athletes. Outside of the racing at Sea Otter, the expo was huge! Imagine the MN State Fair, but it’s all bike stuff. It was a fun way to connect with current sponsors and meet new ones! What was it like quitting your job to pursue full time professional cycling? Quitting my job was a huge leap of faith that somehow everything would work out. Everyone I talked to and asked for advice from all pretty much said the same thing, and that was that I would regret not chasing my dream. My family, wife, friends, and co-workers were all super supportive when I made the decision. I feel even more busy nowadays that I don’t have a job. I coach 30 athletes , run an Airbnb with my wife , and I host Granny’s Gravel Grinder , The Hotdish , plus the new Zinger MTB Race. There’s been a lot of learning from the highs and lows of everything, but I’m glad I made the decision to quit my job to become a full time bike racer. I've seen some posts about you and the "spirit of gravel". What's that all about? That’s mostly me just trolling with the folks who get upset that I tend to geek out over aero bike racing equipment. They think somehow some dude riding a disc wheel is ruining the spirit of gravel, even though they’re getting upset at the event where they paid $300 to register, $1000 for hotel rooms, and had to ask their family to come out to the aid stations since the race doesn’t provide any support. I only show up to those races since that’s where the big names show up to race. If I wanted to truly experience the spirit of gravel I would have my schedule full of events like Ragnorak, The DAMN, Filthy 50, Granny’s Gravel Grinder, Hungry Bear, and so many more small events that still offer amazing courses and support for a fraction of the price. You seem like a big Kwik Trip fan. What do you like to get there? I’m a big Kwik Trip fan and would love it if they sponsored me. I rode 480 miles only stopping at Kwik Trips in one day hoping they would see it and sponsor me, but I only got some stickers and a shirt. I have two go to items when I stop at Kwik Trip. I usually get a Mega Buddy (44oz fountain drink) , half lemonade and half strawberry flavored mountain dew and I’ll sip some of it and then put the rest in my bottles. I’ll also get 2 glazer donuts. If I eat 3 I get an upset stomach, if I eat 2 I get more hungry for some reason. Sometimes if I’m with a friend we will buy a box of donuts, eat 3 each, and then ride with upset stomachs for about an hour and regret the decision. What's your proudest accomplishment on the bike so far? I don’t have one specific moment that stands out. Most of the time when I’ve won a race I thought I could win going into the event, and I’ve never won a race where I thought I wouldn’t. I would have to say either my 2nd at Valley of Tears or my 2nd at Gravel Worlds last year (use code “Chase” to save $15 for this year’s registration) were my 2 best results. Winning the DAMn on a road bike is also one of my proudest moments. That’s what made me fall in love with gravel actually. The following year at The DAMn I proposed to my now wife and that is one of my favorite biking memories. How did you decide to start your own gravel races and what's it like putting on events that you aren't a participant of? The ideas came from thinking too much on my bike rides. For several months on my rides all I could think about was hosting events where I grew up and where I live now, and making the gravel events have a fun theme to them. Before gravel events I hosted cyclocross events at my parents and always knew people loved the grassroots stuff. Gravel events are a lot less physical work than cyclocross events, but there is more planning involved and since we serve food that takes a lot of time to make. I enjoy putting on the gravel events more because not everyone is racing. At Granny’s this year we had several people do their first 100 miles and I think that’s super cool since you’ll never forget your first 100 mile ride. When Life Time Grand Prix announced you, they said that one interesting fact about Chase is that he is from Winona, Minnesota. Is that really the most interesting thing about you? I don’t know if I was tired when I sent that answer over that an interesting fact about me was that I live in Winona, MN or if they were just scrambling to find something so they added it. I don’t know what interesting fact I would add. Maybe that my two front teeth are fake or that I’ve drank half a gallon of root beer on a bike ride once?? I don’t really know. I don’t have any special talents or any interests that are too out of the ordinary I feel like. Maybe I’ll ask my wife what’s quirky about me and I can get it added when they print new cards.

The Hygge House is a cozy retreat nestled in the woods, offering a peaceful escape with room for up to six guests. Enjoy simple pleasures like board games, vinyl albums, and outdoor lounging, right on the Chequamegon Gravel network. View this cabin on Airbnb. Details Entire Cabin 6 guests 3 bedrooms 3 beds 1 baths In Danish, hygge (Hoo-guh) is described in many ways, but it is simply the Danish ritual of enjoying life's simple pleasures. Friends, family, graciousness. The Hygge House encapsulates this definition by arming itself with a slow and peaceful way of living. No television, Chemex coffee system, gas fireplace, blankets to snuggle, outside deck for enjoying the peace, yet only 2 miles from town if you're craving some local action. Gravel Routes Near This Cabin This cabin is right in the heart of the Chequamegon Gravel Guide routes. Check out several handpicked gravel routes plus some stops for food, drink, and other fun. Plan a Gravel Getaway Near Cable, Wisconsin

Time for a digital gravel game. How many of these regional gravel races can you guess just from their brand colors? There are 10 races plus 1 tiebreaker round. Don't scroll to the bottom and spoil it until you've guessed all 11 races. Ready to test your knowledge of our region's gravel racing scene? Check out these 10 gravel race brand colors and see how many you can accurately guess. Official Rules: Scroll through these 10 gravel race brand color palettes Guess which race goes with each brand color palette When you've guessed all 10, scroll to the bottom to see how many you got right. Share with your friends to see if you're smarter than them After the 10 options, there's 1 final tie breaker. 1. Guess Which Race This Is: 2. Guess Which Race This Is: 3. Guess Which Race This Is: 4. Guess Which Race This Is: 5. Guess Which Race This Is: 6. Guess Which Race This Is: 7. Guess Which Race This Is: 8. Guess Which Race This Is: 9. Guess Which Race This Is: 10. Guess Which Race This Is: TIE BREAKER: Guess Which Race This Is: Answers Answer 1: Answer 2: Answer 3: Answer 4: Answer 5: Answer 6: Answer 7: Answer 8: Answer 9: Answer 10: Tiebreaker Answer: Looking for 2024 Gravel Races?

This year we launched a new series called "Gravel Goals" to help you train for your 100 mile gravel races. Today Coach Paul Warloski discusses how your training, nutrition, and recovery should change as you're riding past age 50. Words by Paul Warloski of Simple Endurance Coaching. To learn more, visit our Introduction to the Gravel Goals series. Gravel Race Success As A Cyclist Over 50: A Guide to Training, Nutrition, and Recovery Changes Cyclists over 50 are putting in some of their best performances at long gravel races. While we may not be able to compete with the 20-year-olds at the pointy end, older men and women can complete and excel at gravel races of all lengths. Whether training for improved health, competition, or personal growth, gravel racing is a great sport for those of us who are older than 50. For older cyclists, though, there are some key differences in training, strength training, and nutrition that we need to understand to adapt. This is the seventh in a series of articles about gravel racing. Using the 80/20 model to schedule workouts. Learn More. Building a base for gravel racing performance. Learn More. Five keys to training for gravel racing. Learn More. Why you should do intervals and how to do them right. Learn More. Strength training for endurance, power, and comfort. Learn More. Optimizing Hydration & Nutrition on Longer Rides. Learn More. Maintain endurance miles We have discussed the importance of base building to improve aerobic capacity and fitness. Start with an endurance phase, gradually increasing your mileage each week to build endurance without overtraining. If you haven’t been riding long, it’s critical to be consistent in your training and do most of your riding at zone 2 endurance pace. This means building up long endurance days. You don’t need to ride a century to get ready for a century, though. You can do fifty-mile rides back to back on a weekend, for example. But get the long rides in to practice your nutrition and get your butt used to long hours in the saddle. Make sure you include rest and recovery Incorporate rest weeks to allow your body to recover and adapt. As a master cyclist, the key to endurance training over 50 lies in listening to your body and allowing for adequate recovery. Recovery time is longer as we age, so incorporating more rest days into your training plan is essential. We must take the time to properly recover since it takes longer to repair the muscular damage we do. On the rest days, do some active recovery like taking a walk, doing yoga, or swimming. Intervals are more important than ever Intervals are even more important for gravel cyclists over 50. As we age, we lose muscle mass and strength. So we need to do the kind of high-intensity intervals that stimulate a variety of muscle fibers. VO2 work and intervals done above the second threshold will recruit and strengthen fast-twitch fibers that tend to weaken and disappear with age. We talked about intervals in a previous part of this series. Get in the gym and lift weights Along with the challenging intervals, cyclists over 50 need to be in the gym lifting weights. We need full-body strength training to prepare our body to be ready for the challenges of gravel racing. This means two to three sessions a week in the gym. Heavy weights also appear to stimulate hormone production, especially testosterone which helps to build and maintain muscle mass. Focus on core strength, leg power, and balance to improve bike handling, power output, and injury resistance. Strength training also helps to prevent injuries by correcting imbalances. Cyclists tend to have strong quad muscles, but less activated and strong glute muscles, so doing deadlifts and single-leg Romanian deadlifts will strengthen glute muscles. Also, upper body push and pull and core exercises need to be included. Nutritional needs change Cyclists over 50 have different nutritional requirements when preparing for and participating in endurance events like a 100-mile ride, compared to their younger counterparts. These differences are primarily due to changes in metabolism, body composition, nutritional needs, and recovery times associated with aging. Here are key nutritional considerations for cyclists over 50: 1. Increased need for protein Muscle maintenance: Older adults experience a natural decline in muscle mass and strength, a condition known as sarcopenia. To combat this, a higher intake of protein is recommended to support muscle repair, maintenance, and growth. Consuming protein-rich foods or supplements before and after long rides can aid in muscle recovery and adaptation. Protein distribution: It's also beneficial for older cyclists to distribute their protein intake evenly throughout the day, aiming for about 20-30 grams of high-quality protein per meal to maximize muscle protein synthesis. 2. Calcium and vitamin D Bone health: With age, the risk of osteoporosis increases, making calcium and vitamin D crucial for bone health. Dairy products, fortified foods, leafy greens, and fish are excellent sources. Vitamin D is also synthesized through sun exposure, so outdoor training can contribute to this need. 3. Antioxidant-rich foods Reducing oxidative stress: Endurance cycling can increase oxidative stress, which may impact older adults more significantly. A diet rich in antioxidants (found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds) can help mitigate these effects, supporting overall health and recovery. 4. Heart health Fats in the diet: Attention should be given to the type of fats consumed, focusing on heart-healthy unsaturated fats found in fish, nuts, avocados, and olive oil. 5. Digestive health Fiber and gut health: A diet high in fiber from whole grains, vegetables, and fruits supports digestive health, which can be a concern for some older adults. However, I recommend easily digestible foods like gels during long rides to prevent gastrointestinal distress. 6. Joint h Anti-inflammatory Foods: Incorporating foods with anti-inflammatory properties, such as turmeric, ginger, berries, and omega-3 fatty acids (from fish or flaxseeds), can help manage inflammation and joint pain, which may be more prevalent in older cyclists. 7. Stay on top of your hydration Effective hydration strategies for endurance cycling are critical, especially for older cyclists who might have a diminished thirst response. Develop a hydration plan that includes drinking small amounts of water or electrolyte beverages regularly throughout your ride. Avoid waiting until you're thirsty to drink, as this can be a late indicator of dehydration. Cycling injury prevention for older cyclists Doing yoga for mobility is a great way to maintain a range of motion and reduce stiffness, particularly in the hips, back, and shoulders. I typically have my athletes do yoga two to three times a week, more if they can. A good bike fit is also going to go a long way to enhance comfort and efficiency while minimizing the risk of strain injuries. Check in with your doctor It’s also important that we check in with our healthcare providers as well. Getting regular blood work and physicals helps keep aging cyclists on track with their training progress as well as find potential issues before they become serious. Focusing on good health will lead to good fitness. Mental preparation for gravel events One of the advantages we have as older cyclists is that we are wiser (allegedly!). Sometimes, though, we can trick ourselves into thinking we can train and race like a 20-year-old, then find ourselves in a tough situation. It’s a good thing to set realistic goals, know what you’re capable of, and build a positive mindset for training and racing. We are far more ready to know our limitations and have fun, rather than worry about the competition. For cyclists over 50, preparing for a 100-mile gravel race is as much about smart training and recovery as it is about endurance and strength. By adapting your training plan to include adequate rest, focusing on nutrition, hydration, and injury prevention, and ensuring your bike is properly fitted to your needs, you're setting the stage for a successful and enjoyable race. About Coach Paul Warloski Paul Warloski is a Level 2 USA-Cycling Coach, a certified yoga instructor, and a certified personal trainer. He supports everyday endurance athletes at Simple Endurance Coaching, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He's been racing gravel, road, mountain bike, and cyclocross for decades, so he brings both experience and training knowledge to help you to your best gravel race performances in 2024. He'll be racing the Big Rivers Gravel Series in Illinois, the Hungry Bear in Cable, likely the Coon Fork 40 in Eau Claire, and other gravel races this year. To learn more, or for a free 30-minute Virtual Coffee to talk about your training and your goals, visit Simple Endurance Coaching.

The Lil' Drifty is a bike and canoe adventure in the Driftless region of Wisconsin taking place Aug 2- 4. It's about freedom and exploration, with participants mapping their own route or just going with the flow, all while enjoying a start and finish line party and lifelong memories. Just 2.5 days and 100-ish miles, The Lil' Drifty takes place in the beautiful Driftless Region of Southern Wisconsin. Live music at the start and finish, the adventure includes camaraderie, kayaking, camping, and bikepacking. The Lil' Drifty offers a taste of the legendary Driftless area, known for its rugged landscape, cold water streams, and rolling wooded hills. Participants begin near Madison, biking to the Wisconsin River where they embark on a 21 mile canoe journey. The second day, you'll spend spend the day riding through the beautiful landscape back to the starting point, covering around 50 miles, with all logistics taken care of by the event organizers. With options for solo or team participation,The Lil' Drifty promises an unforgettable experience in the heart of Wisconsin's Driftless region. To learn more or get registered, visit The Lil' Drifty.

Katrina Hase and her friend Ashley recently jumped into an early spring bikepacking trip on The Nxrth's Driftless Loop by Nicolette Reker. Check out the ins and outs of this route along with a great video, photos, and a story. Words by Katrina Hase. To learn more, visit her YouTube channel or follow along on Instagram. Photos by Ashley Busack and Katrina Hase Eager to get back to bikepacking after a long winter, I enlisted my friend Ashley to head to La Crosse, Wisconsin for an overnight bikepacking excursion. We hoped to find signs of spring—ephemeral wildflowers, migratory birds, budding trees and greening hillsides. We weren’t disappointed, but we did get a reminder of how fickle spring in Minnesota can be. We chose to ride The Driftless Loop—a route created by Nicolette Reker and published on The Nxrth. The 168-miles route, intended to be toured over 3–4 days, includes over 9,000 feet of elevation, as it climbs and descends many of the driftless region’s bluffs. Limited by time, we’d condense the route into two long days of riding, then drive back to Minneapolis on the completion of the second day. Our first day was chilly—we carried on in a pattern of warming up on manageable climbs, getting pelted with a headwind over the farmland and prairie bluff tops, then shivering through a descent into the safety of the softly rolling and scenic valleys. Deer, Barred Owl, Belted Kingfisher, and Bald Eagle sightings delighted us along the way. We regretted not stopping to photograph Virginia Bluebells and blood root that we spotted along our bluff climbs. At the end of our first day, we enjoyed a warm meal at the Ivy Grove Café in Spring Grove, Minnesota. Chilled to the bone, we decided to forgo our plans to camp at the Vinegar Ridge campground and managed to book a really nice AirBnB right in town for the night. Faced with an unmanageable distance to ride our second day, I rerouted and shaved some miles off the original route, meeting up with the main route about 15 miles from Winona, Minnesota. Our second day was markedly different: sunny, warmer and fewer climbs. We were in Winona by lunchtime (we ate at the Acoustic Café), and then it was back to the Wisconsin side of the loop. Nicolette Reker, the route designer, clearly knows the area well, as she deftly routed us from one bike-friendly trail to another, offering up a variety of surfaces and views. We enjoyed river views, backwater bridges, railroad activity, a steep quarry climb, ripping two-track descents, a golf course trail, and singletrack before returning to the streets of La Crosse. Ashley and I both thoroughly enjoyed the route, although at times we regretted pushing the season a bit! We discovered some great new trails and experienced the region’s warm hospitality. And while completing the route in a weekend is possible, you might enjoy taking your time to breathe in all that this beautiful area has to offer. To learn more about this route, visit The Driftless Loop.