Earlier this year, Andrea Larson became the first ever female finisher of the Marji Gesick 200 which only takes place every 5 years. She had previously completed the MG-100, running it on foot in 2019. Hear her story, in 2 parts, of planning and completing this grueling race. Words by Andrea Larson Find your limits. Destroy them. That’s one of the defining mottos for 906 Adventure Team and notorious Marji Gesick. The epiphany I had mid-race was that my fear was the biggest challenge of completing the Marji Gesick 200. Jeremiah Bishop has stated that the Marji Gesick 100 is the single day hardest bike race in North America. I wondered by doubling the distance with the out-and-back course of the 200 and having two days to finish the event, does that make the 200 harder or easier? The only way to find the answer is to show up on the starting line. Since 2019, I’ve pushed to expand my limits, largely due to the event I have done for the past three years on the same day as Marji, the Baby Barkley, aka the Barkley Fall Classic. Both Laz and Todd have a desire to push the edge of human potential. Because of Todd, I got back into ultras. Because of Laz, I have gone farther distances and into the unknown – learning to navigate and setting multi-day Fastest Known Times (FKTs). Although I knew I’d miss the Barkley Family, I had to return to the Marji when I had the opportunity for expanding my limits in the 200. And the cherry on top is that by bumping up to the 200, I’d double my prize purse from 2019 (or at least I so thought)! Mindset With the expectation I’d be riding solo (since I’d be so far behind the field - see my pre-race blog post for details), I was prepared and didn’t mind riding by myself. In fact, it eased my anxiety not worrying if my lack of technical bike handling would slow someone’s momentum and force them off their bike on a rideable feature. I could feel the anxiety riding in a group. In addition, there were several early descents where I had both wheels locked up skidding hoping I’d regain control before I rammed into a rock, root, or tree. The intensity of each descent would not be sustainable. Since scouting over Labor Day weekend on the trails, it had been dry; however, if this was the culprit, I feared how loose it would be on my return trip after several hundred riders ripped up the trail. Luckily as I relaxed, I didn’t have this problem later on. I ended up riding most of the race solo under the most bizarre circumstances. Even after leaving Jackson Park just three hours into the race, I somehow lost the pack, that is I accidentally dropped them on Deer Shit. Then, the unimaginable happened: the lone remaining rider rolled behind me to announce he’d be leaving me to stop for a coffee. I couldn’t believe my ears. It was noon, are there really coffee addicts that must stop for a coffee in the middle of the day in a race? I ended up riding until dark by myself with the only time I saw any other riders was a rider lying in the middle of the non-technical snowmobile trail with a broken collarbone and someone waiting with him (more details in the following blog post). At dark, I finally caught up to two riders. Literally seconds after making contact, they both randomly stopped. I can’t make this up! (I’d later learn out one rider was having problems turning his headlamp on.) So then my conspiracy theory continued to build…did the guy with the broken collarbone feel me catching up and since there weren’t any coffee shops nearby, he orchestrated a way to break your collarbone instead of riding with me? Risk management Risk management was my motto of the day(s). In fact, I expressed it out loud dozens of times during the race and silently even more frequently as I justified dismounting time and time again. I likely dismounted hundreds of times, and to prove it I wore out my brand new cleats that I broke in just for the event…well before the finish line. But I managed finishing Marji without a drop of blood! I found the limits of my bike shoes…and I destroyed them! Most of my falls were embarrassingly during the hike-a-bike. After my second near fall on an uphill where I tried to save myself by grabbing a tree, I decided it would probably just be safer and expend less energy to fall. Each time I ended up with road rash as I wrapped myself around a tree…if only the trees could talk! Setup modifications The dropper post was invaluable but between fearing the grit from the rain would seize it up and worrying my thumb may get too sore to activate it later in the race, I didn’t use it as much mid-race as I could have. Regardless, I was far less fatigued than when I scouted the trails a few weeks earlier without a dropper post. Changing the handlebar grips last minute was helpful and I only had a slight tingling in my right pinky for a few days. This is much better than my 2012 Wausau24 experience of having two numb fingers for months on an old hardtail. So after that experience, I was conscientious about changing my hand position, especially when I was hike-a-biking and shaking my hands when possible. Fueling strategy Despite a lot of ultra running experience under my belt, I knew that I may gravitate towards different fuel on this effort. On my unsupported running FKTs, I chose the most calorie dense foods. During long runs and adventure races when I don’t navigate I often eat foods to stave off boredom, such as individual M&Ms, peanuts, or gummies. Since I don’t have good balance on a bike and don’t trust myself to ride without hands, granola bars and cookies in pre-opened packages that I could slide a mouthful in at a time was the way to go. During my pre-race scouting, I noted stretches that had non-technical double track and roads where I could quickly refuel. I usually consume about half my calories as liquids for ultra runs, so I planned to consume 500 liquid calories contained in two bottles on my bike frame every few hours. My goal was to have my bottles empty each time I met my crew. Staging my food takes up a large portion of my bedroom the week of races. Protein has become my silver bullet in recent years for long efforts. Therefore, I consumed a boatload of protein during the event. I estimated that I took a bottle with 60 grams of protein 12 times in a day-and-a-half. Yes, that math says I drank nearly ten times the recommended daily dose of protein. And my legs (and arms) felt no fatigue over that time. Caffeine has been shown to improve reaction time by 10%, endurance by 2-5%, and power by 3-8%, with the ideal dose about 300-500mg. I simply took caffeine during night sections to proactively stay alert and gain an edge. Since I normally don’t consume any caffeine, I tend to err on the side of caution, so I usually don’t take caffeine more than I think is necessary. I intentionally chose not to wear a pack. Even though there was potential of bottles rattling out of the cages (which never did), I saw several advantages of no pack which proved useful during the event: 1) less back fatigue, since I used to get a sore back on long rides and especially since I hadn’t conditioned my body for long rides 2) heat dissipation, which was vital for day 2 when temperatures approached record highs in the mid-80s, and 3) less opportunity for getting clammy and cold overnight. Unique considerations As I dove into preparations for the event, I made considerations for things unique to this event. First, I needed to find shoes suitable for hike-a-biking. Folks on the Marji Gesick Talk Facebook group estimated they hiked upwards of ten miles and even recommended running shoes. I considered using my running shoes and Power Grips I use for all adventure races, but opted to dig up my first pair of bike shoes out of the attic. After sitting for 12 years, I dumped out mouse poop and squeezed them on like one of Cinderella’s stepsisters. Over this time, my feet had splayed with my running shoes going up 2 sizes. In the same box was the receipt from the shoes that I bought in 2012 that replaced them and quickly decided not to spend a boatload on a pair of shoes and figured I could make these work. Diligently reviewing my pre-race checklist at the hotel the night before the race. The high degree of technicality gave me an advantage over most bikers with my strength being on foot for all the hike-a-bike sections. Unfortunately, as I rode with Kristy McBride, I was brought back to the reality that a good rider is capable of riding almost all the features and I was not one of them. But Kristy is in a class of her own, even when you throw her into the entire mix with the men. Listening to every podcast I could find on Marji, many riders noticed fatigue in their upper body limiting them more than their legs. I noticed slight soreness in my triceps and am thankful for my double poling workouts on rollerskis and biweekly strength sessions. I was pleasantly surprised that my husband’s old Timex watch that is too big for my wrist (this is my only watch for the past year since I’ve been procrastinating investing into a smartwatch) took until about 30 hours before it had rattled so much that it was bruising my wrist. I made a Labor Day weekend trip to pre-ride the course where I learned how to use my Garmin. My previously longest ride of the summer had only been 4 ½ hours, so I built up my confidence with about 26 hours in the saddle over four days. (Well, not quite, since I did a ton of hike-a-bike, where I came to the sobering conclusion that I didn’t have any speed advantage on foot since I was barely moving as I lugged my bike up punchy climbs or clutched my brake levers so my bike wouldn’t become a runaway train on the descents). Despite pre-riding the entire course in the forward direction (except the private properties) and plus a bit of the course backwards, I had only covered a little over half the distance I’d be covering in a single go! That means rather than breaking up rides, I would be on course almost a full day longer during the event, without any sleep, a sobering conclusion! To boost my confidence, I studied my 2019 MG100 run splits to ensure I could cover the course within the cutoff time. As I scouted, I often noted the lack of free trail. Upon returning to the “hard” trails back home, I amused myself at how easy they were as I danced up hills and rode seamlessly over rocks and roots. Weeks later, I couldn’t believe how little I had to brake while riding technical sections…a stark contrast to the constant white knuckling at Marji. Marji definitely grew me as a rider…after the Marji I had no problems riding a local black diamond trail that I concluded earlier in the summer I wouldn’t bother going on again after struggling and walking most of the trail. After scouting, I wondered if I should just hike-a-bike the entire Scary Trail rather than bother get on and off my bike. Ironically, during the Marji I intentionally stayed off my bike to avoid crashing on a wooden bridge on Scary Trail, (forgetting I was in my backup pair of bike shoes not suitable for hiking) I slipped on the wooden bridge and had my hardest fall of the event. Immediately, I heard someone asking if I was ok. I told the 3rd place 100 mile runner I was ok and he had a front row seat to a great show. Race mode My husband calls me “putt-putt” because I only have one speed mountain biking, slow whether I’m going for an hour or all day. And this summer a lot of my mountain biking was with the kids, so I didn’t get any faster. However, I was pleasantly surprised that despite starting a two day race, I had speed. Since my last (and only) bike races were in 2012 and 2018, I didn’t have any relevant data points. I’ve raced very little in the past couple of years. In fact, I was blown away at my foot speed in my last running race, exactly a year ago, the Barkley Fall Classic. Since this event falls on the same day as the Marji Gesick, I’ve had to pick one or the other each year. This year with the Marji Gesick offering the 200, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity which was amazing in every way. For a detailed breakdown of the race, check out my following blog post. Thank you to Todd and the entire 906 Adventure Team for what you do inside and outside of the 906 area code. You have changed my trajectory, empowering me to take on new challenges. I look forward to chasing a buckle in 2029.

Author: Josh Rizzo @the_nxrth The Nxrth is your basecamp for all things gravel, fat, and bikepacking in the Northwoods of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the U.P. We'll be posting regular event coverage, ride reports, and stories of the creative and adventurous cyclists from around these parts. Hey friends and riding partners! This is Josh Rizzo from The Nxrth. I started this site in January of 2022 to tell your stories and highlight the incredible, wild, and beautiful places we love to ride. Join the community by signing up for The Nxrth newsletter and we'll keep you in the know. Let's ride! About Me Based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, I'm a sucker for overnighters, winter cycling, and biking to the local pizza farm with my wife and kids. I love short adventures. My main philosophy around bike adventures comes from Edmund Hillary (the first person to climb Mount Everest's summit) who said, "I have found that long expeditions are rarely as much fun as short ones". My goal is to connect the off-pavement cycling community with the best events, people, and destinations in the Northwoods. If you have a story or event you want to share, feel free to get in touch! What Does "The Nxrth" Mean? You know what, that's a great question. The answer is...I'm not exactly sure. I love the feeling of having our own special thing in the Northwoods and I guess the "x" reminds me of turning every ride into an adventure, getting off-grid, finding new paths, and just enjoying creation together. Wow - what a beautiful world we live in! (Plus, adding an "x" just makes everything look cooler.) New Here? Here's Where To Start. I'm jacked that you stopped in to check the place out! Here is where I recommend starting. 1. Join The Nxrth newsletter The number one way to join the community and learn about new events, connect with other cyclists, and read route reports. 2. Follow us on Instagram Get inspired with beautiful photography of epic rides from your own neighbors doing what they love most: riding bikes and trying not to get injured. 3. Join us on The Nxrth+ for exclusive exclusive routes, maps, stories, and guides all year long. Support the community and adventures you love up north by joining us on The Nxrth+. Your support helps us grow this community and you get unlimited access to everything everywhere on The Nxrth. 4. Discover an incredible gravel race or fatbiking race with our complete event listings. The Nxrth has the only complete listing of every single gravel and fatbike race in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and U.P. 5. Check out our extensive map collection of WI Bikepacking & MN Bikepacking routes. This is my favorite part of the website, our collection of bikepacking routes to discover new adventures right here in the woods that we live in and love. Well, hey, keep in touch. Have a story to share or just want to say "hi"? Reach out at josh at thenxrth dot com. Hopefully I'll get to meet more of you, ride together, or bump into eachother at an event someday. In the meantime, poke around the site and let me know what we can add. Thanks! Josh Rizzo

Winter trail grooming for fat bikes is a process that takes trial and error. GetGetting the Here we give an overview of the process as well well as tips for grooming and choosing the best equipment. This guide is written in collaboration with the WinMan trails grooming team. Jump to Section The Trail Grooming Process Types of Trail Groomers How to Pull a Trail Groomer Tips for Grooming Fat Bike Trails Best Fat Bike Trail Groomers A perfectly groomed fat bike trail is an art form that's dependent on a lot of different factors. Temperature, snow depth, moisture content, and the natural curves of the terrain all play huge roles in the groomability of your singletrack trail under the winter snow.. In this guide, we'll talk about the process of grooming snow, types of groomers, tips for tricky situations, and the best groomers for singletrack trails. 3 Parts of the Trail Grooming Process 1. Remove the Snow If the snow is deep and dry, your first step is snow removal which not all trail grooming equipment does. Deep dry snow just isn't going to compact no matter how many times your run over it, so you'll want to plow excess snow off of the trail to get ready for compacting your base. 2. Compact the Snow To make a long lasting trail, you'll need a firm base that isn't going to smoosh like mashed potatoes or be prone to ruts. Compact the snow with with a heavy groomer, weighted pan, or weighted DIY tire pull. 3. Shape the Snow This is optional but separates great trails from the rest. Shape the snow using a grooming pan with manufactured wings or DIY tire pull with handmade wings. This creates a beautifully concaved trail that is a blast to ride on rollers and berms and helps the whole trail profile to hold up better. Types of Fat Bike Trail Groomers Here's what makes a trail groomer. Some of these are types of groomers while others are components of a groomer. For example, an all-in-one groomer might have a plow in the front, a main pan that can be weighted down, as well as a corduroy scraper to texture the snow in the back. Rollers Rollers are best for creating a new, basic trail in the snow rather than going over an already built trail or a trail with features. They work best in flatter areas since they aren't great for slinging them up a berm. If you're trying to use them on berms, they just slide down and don't usually stay in the desired path. But if you're looking to pack down a few inches at a time, rollers do a great job. Corduroy Scraper Corduroy scrapers are usually an additional component of a trail groomer rather than a stand alone groomer. They drag on the back to further compact the snow and remove air. Some would consider corduroy scrapers to be unnecessary. But when there isn't very much snow, they add traction and can help prevent slipping around and causing further icing. Plow Pretty straight forward, plows remove the snow and if you have a deep snowfall, these are non negotiable. Before you can event start compact or shaping your base, you'll first need to make a pass or two with the plow to remove excess snow. Pan This is the flat part of the groomer which is often behind the plow and in front of the scraper. You can add weight to the pan to help compact the snow. Sno-Blaster Sno-Blaster is a brand, but it's a popular brand and deserves mentioning here. They're really customizable and have several of the necessary components (but not all) of trail grooming. If you want to establish a compact base with minimal snow, this will probably do everything you need. But if there are undulations in the trail, sloped corners, or berms, you'll need a DIY tire draft to get those rounded corners and create a bobsled chute. DIY Tire Drag It might seem like a DIY tire drag is a low-class way to make a fat bike trail, but a correctly built tire drag creates that heavenly concaved bobsled chute that no other single track groomer can come close to making. In deep snow, you'll still need to make a few passes with a plow, but then the tire drag can work its magic. The reason they're so great is because they're so customizable. You can add 50-100 pounds to the tire, bolt a scraper to the back, add a fin on the underside, and create wings for the perfect concave trail. When you sling it around angled corners, you can create amazing berms that make other trails jealous. See below for an example form WinMan trails. How to Pull a Fat Bike Trail Groomer You've got two options for pulling a singletrack trail groomer. You can use a traditional snowmobile which is most common or you can save some money and use a Snow Dog but it comes with tradeoffs. Snowmobile Fast, powerful, and versatile, a snowmobile is the number one way to pull a groomer. If you have means to get a snowmobile, there's likely no need to consider other options like a Snow Dog. But if you need several machines in several locations, you might need to consider options like a Snow Dog. If you're creating trails in deep snow, make sure that your first pass is with a groomer that has minimal weight since you could get start and snowmobiles will quickly start creating ice if you slip. Snow Dog The Snow Dog is a popular tool for ice fishing but can also be great as a dedicated trail groomer, albeit with some limitations. A Snow Dog is cheaper than a snowmobile, much lighter, easier to transport, and works differently as well. To operate it, you either stand in a sled or a grooming pan behind the Snow Dog and hold onto the handle of the machine and get pulled behind it. You can use this to create and compact trails but it doesn't remove the snow which will prevent you from building a strong base if you're dealing with deep dry snow. Tips for Grooming in Fat Bike Trails in Every Condition Deep Snowfall If there is a deep snowfall with a lot of fresh snow, it's going to take several passes before the trail is ready. One pass on any kind of trail groomer won't get the trail ready. Remove as much snow as possible using a plow groomer and then make another pass (or multiple passes) with a weighted pan or DIY tire groomer to create a sustainable base. Lots of Dry Light Snow That Won't Pack Down Start with an unweighted Sno-Blaster (or other plow) to remove snow, then put weights in Sno-Blaster. After snow removal and compacting, switch to the tire drag with minimal weight because you might get stuck and snowmobiles quickly create ice if they slip and create heat. Your main priority is to move the snow. After enough snow has been removed, add a bunch of weight in the tire and make another pass. Even after all of thewse passes, you still might not get that firm base you're looking for, especially if the snow is really dry and there is no humidity and no sun. It might just take time for the snow to set and start to be compactable. Wet Packy Snow This snow is great for grooming. The snow sets up fast as long as it freezes at night. You likely won't need to use a plow. Just groom the trails with a weighted pan to to create a firm, long lasting base Regular Daily Freeze/Thaw The most most important thing to do here is to delete all of the imperfections in the trail before the wet melting snow freezes at night. After a warm sunny day when the snow is getting wet and heavy, groom in the afternoon or evening to clean up the ruts and the hike-a-bike holes. Then when it re-freezes at night, you'll have given the trail a fresh smooth surface that will harden again Best Fat Bike Trail Groomers 1. Sno-Blaster This is a very popular groomer that you'll want in your quiver. If you get a lot of snow, using a plow like that on a Sno-Blaster is a requirement for achieving a clear trail with a solid base. Learn More . 2. Yeti's Revenge Built to last with 304 stainless steel and aluminum, this groomer is made for navigating tight trails. Its angled shape diverts and packs snow, while the slightly rounded bottom mimics a seasoned single track groove. It has a spring-loaded, removable rear corduroy rake and optional Bat Wing accessory to help manage snow drifts and build berms. Learn More . 3. Snowdog with Singletrack Groomer Attachment As mentioned above, this is a great way to create new trails in areas with minimal snow. This will create a trail and compact the snow but it won't remove snow which is a limiting factor if you dealing with deeper snow falls. Learn More . 4. The DIY Tire Drag After plowing away excess deep snow, this will be your most important trail groomer. It takes some work to build it but you can tailor it to your specific trail system. Add wings, a fin, a corduroy scraper, and as much weight as you want and you'll be creating beautiful concave chutes over undulating trails and up high berms. One of Most Important Things: Riders' Tire Pressure A painstakingly groomed trail is instantly ruined if riders go over it with too much tire pressure. Make sure that your community is airing down their tire pressure in softer conditions and staying off trails completely if the snow is too soft.

This fall The Nxrth started building up a new Member area and adding stories, maps, guides, routes, and more for members of The Nxrth+ , our all-access website membership. If you love using The Nxrth to find great experiences, discover new places to ride, and connect with more of the dirt and snow community, take a look around our Member Area and then consider becoming a member of The Nxrth+ . $5 per month gets you into the center of the gravel, dirt, and snow community and our beautiful and adventurous little corner of The Northwoods. Members get unlimited access to: Member-exclusive bikepacking routes New adventure guides and resources all year long Map-version of our Gravel Race calendar Map-version of our new MTB Race calendar Master Maps of all of our Gravel Guides Our regions' best stories Behind the scenes content Member sales Way more coming in 2025 Support The Northwoods Community of Adventurers, Racers, & People Who Love Biking on Dirt & Snow

In 2024 Amanda Harvey completed a 5-year journey that started at the St Croix 40 Winter Ultra and led to completing the 350 mile Iditarod Trail Invitational in Alaska. Hear her story of getting into winter ultras and the trial and error that lead to completing one of the world's hardest endurance events. Follow Amanda Harvey on Instagram. Interview and text by Jamison Swift of the St. Croix 40 . Long distance winter biking events are not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about short-track velodrome racing. However when the outdoor stadium closes for the cold Minnesota winter season Amanda Harvey decided that there was still more biking to do. This journey led her from her first short fat bike race to eventually biking 350 miles across Alaska in the Iditarod Trail Invitational. After experiencing the joys of her first winter race, Amanda discovered the St Croix 40 Winter Ultra and signed up. This led her to more and more adventures as she got familiar with the community and learned about events such as Arrowhead 135 and Tuscobia. Of course you can’t be a part of this community for long without hearing about Iditarod, and so a plan was hatched to work her way from SC40 to ITI in 5 years. Although the original plan was more like 3 years, things like COVID got in the way. However, eventually Amanda reached her goal of traveling through Alaska on two wheels.

Happy Black Friday week, everyone. To say thanks to the 60+ people who support The Nxrth with a membership to all the routes, resources, and stories all year long, members get a 35% discount on our web store. See below for the coupon code. Join The Nxrth+ HERE . MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

Last weekend, an impromptu gravel and dirt adventure came together from a friend's new Airbnb. The unpredictable shoulder season turned into a perfect day for riding around Seeley, WI and Mt Telemark and a perfect night for breaking in a new sauna in the woods. 2 weeks before our ride, I was nearly certain it wouldn't happen. Mid-November weather is unpredictable and it seemed most likely that the dirt and gravel would be soggy and that the air would be cold and wet. Most of us in our group chat had never ridden the Chequamegon 40 race route and someone had the idea to try to squeeze in one last late fall gravel/dirt adventure and ride part of the Cheq 40 route on a weekday. I penciled it in and took off work for the upcoming Monday but assumed that it would be cancelled for soggy and cold pre-winter weather. As the day got closer, the weather held steady. Our riding would be sunny and the route would be fast, firm, and fun. A friend recently got a new Airbnb cabin, The Seeley Hills Chalet , and a group of 5 of us went up there a night before our ride to try out the new sauna and assemble some activities for a new game room. The next day was perfect. It was a cool fall day in the 40s. The sun broke through the sky and spackled our entire ride through the bare trees. I'm blessed to have my health, some good friends, and a flexible job that allows me to get away. It was a beautiful day and a really nice way to close the fall riding season. Have a beautiful Thanksgiving, Josh

The new Ironton Island cabins in Cuyuna were a couple's passion project that opened in the spring of 2024. The unique cabins are close to downtown Crosby and the Cuyuna trailheads. Take a look inside these cabins as you plan your next Cuyuna adventure. Both cabins are 2 bedroom for 4 guests.View the Iron Own or Dragonfly cabins on Airbnb or follow along with Ironton Island on Istagram. Just outside of Ironton, Minnesota and right next to the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area are two new custom-built cabins—Iron Owl and Dragonfly at the Ironton Island property. Created by Jessica and Chad, a couple with complimenting skillsets, these Cuyuna cabins are a gateway to red dirt and crystal clear lakes in the summer and tons of beautifully groomed fat bike trails in the winter. Jessica's background is in art and functional design while Chad's background spans construction, masonry, plumbing, and electrical work. Together, they’ve dreamed up and built some really special cabins that fit perfectly in the Cuyuna biking landscape and culture. Their initial cabins started with A-frames on their Lazy Loon property. Building on that, they set their sights on a new property—a peninsula they named Ironton Island, just a mile from Cuyuna’s Miners Mountain Rally Center. The location feels remote while being close to town and trails. Iron Owl and Dragonfly: 2 Custom Cabins Designed for Adventure and Comfort Jessica and Chad’s newest cabins, Iron Owl and Dragonfly, opened in March of 2024. The cabins are custom designed by Jessica and built by Chad and reflect a labor of love, with all the woodsy, bike-y details carefully selected. The cabins focus on catering to the needs of outdoor enthusiasts and inspiring outdoor adventures. Both cabins feature dedicated bike storage and a bike wash station, making it easy to maintain and store bikes during your stay. For those ready to hit the trails as soon as they arrive, the great location makes it so you can bike directly from the property and start hitting dirt in minutes. A Perfect Cuyuna Adventure Weekend at Ironton Island With its location close to downtown Crosby and various trailheads, clear lakes, and local dining and entertainment options, Ironton Island is an awesome base for a weekend of exploration and relaxation. If you're booking a Cuyuna trip, here are a few ideas to make it an epic weekend. Hit the Trails and Explore the Cuyuna Lakes Area Start at the Miners Mountain Rally Center – Located just a mile from the cabins, this is the perfect launching point for a day of biking. Choose the Galloping Goose trail, a fun loop with a mix of easier trails ideal for beginners or a warm-up. Check out the Bobsled Trail – this trail offers thrilling climbs, descents, and large berms with optional jumps and features. It also winds around the tiny Trout Lake. Explore the Sagamore Unit Trails – these trails offer wider paths and a gentler ride, ideal for winter biking and accessible options for all riders. Enjoy the Lake and Explore Downtown Crosby Try a morning paddle on the mine lakes – they're clear, deep, and have minimal boat traffic, making them perfect for a quiet paddle. Kayak or SUP rentals from Cuyuna Outfitters will get you out on the water to enjoy the surroundings. Refuel at Red Raven – Stop by this coffee spot, which also has a bike shop, making it a convenient stop for bikers. Grab a coffee or a light breakfast before hitting the local shops. Try the Iron Range Eatery or Drunken Noodle for food options then, later, unwind with a craft beer at Cuyuna Brewing. Discover Adventure at Ironton Island Jessica and Chad have created more than just cabins—they’ve built a space where visitors can experience the perfect blend of adventure and serenity. Whether you’re here to challenge yourself on red dirt trails, paddle through deep blue lakes, or simply enjoy the tranquility, Iron Owl and Dragonfly at Ironton Island offer a unique and welcoming escape. View the Iron Own  or Dragonfly  cabins on Airbnb or follow along with Ironton Island  on Istagram.

With fat bike season near, we've put together a top to bottom adventure checklist including our top picks for fat bike destinations to ride, events to register for, Airbnbs to pick, and gear you'll need along the way. Start planning your winter and make time for memorable adventures in beautiful places. MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

Hollow socks are headquartered and designed in Wisconsin and manufactured in North Carolina. Their socks are made of alpaca wool, nylon, and spandex and come in black and gray. Here we share a review after using them gravel biking this summer. To learn more visit HollowSocks.com . Meet Hollow, alpaca wool socks from Wisconsin Hollow is a Wisconsin-based performance sock company that uses alpaca wool to improve comfort, dryness, and breathability. Designed in Wisconsin, they're all made in the USA in North Carolina. Their lineup is pretty simple and includes no-show, ankle, crew cut, and boot cut and are all available in black or gray. When I was recently riding the Valhalla Beach Party bikepacking route with Dave Schlabowske, he mentioned that he usually buys Wisconsin-based socks. He was wearing some gray boot-cut Hollow socks and I figured I should get a few pairs of my own to try out and share with more up-north adventure cyclists who want to support a local company. Alpaca vs merino wool for socks Wool socks are often made with merino wool. Merino is antimicrobial and breathable which makes them great for long, warm activities like hiking and biking. Hollow makes their socks exclusively with Peruvian baby alpaca wool (usually around 45% of each sock, with the rest being nylon and spandex). Alpaca wool is a finer, softer, and less absorptive wool than merino well which leads to some improved benefits that we'll break down here. Softness Alpaca wool is a physically finer strand of wool. The microscopic fibers are less pronounced and more uniform. This makes them smooth and incredibly soft. Merino can sometimes feel itchy where alpaca wool is predictably smooth. Dryness Alpaca wool can hold 8% of its weight in moisture where merino can hold 30% of its weight in moisture. Both types of wool are great at moisture-wicking and resisting odor but alpaca is going to dry faster since it absorbs less moisture to begin with. Overall Strength Without getting too nerdy, alpaca wool has a higher tensile strength (~50 N/ktex) than merino wool (30-40 N/ktex). This means it can put up with more abuse and last longer, depending on construction and other materials used of course. Warmth To be fair, I couldn't find any hard number on this one. What I did learn is that alpaca fibers are hollow (hence the name "Hollow" socks) which means every single strand contains trapped pockets of air for insulating. Merino wool on the other hand traps air between all of the microscopic protrusions in the fiber, but it's not hollow. Due to alpaca wool's hollow-ness, my findings seem to suggest that it insulates heat better. Hollow socks on & off the bike, up north, in the summer I've been using Hollow's black no-show socks (43% alpaca wool) and gray ankle socks (46% alpaca wool) on a lot of my longer rides this summer. Here are a few of my thoughts: Off the bike My first impression was that they fit perfectly. I have small feet (size 8) and got their size 8-10 socks. Usually when my feet are on the low range of the fit, they're always a little too spacious. But these have a great stretchiness that hugs my feet really snug. I wore them around the house, in the yard with no shoes, several days without washing and they're always nice and snug even without a fresh wash. They almost have a luxurious feel because the fibers are so fine and they just glide right into my shoes or slippers. On the bike While biking, I never really noticed them. They stayed cool and dry on extremely hot summer rides. They also never felt sweaty or sticky when I was done. Again, they kind of feel a little lux because they're so smooth to the skin and on whatever you're walking on. But I like that they don't look silky. I prefer the gray color; it looks just like a traditional tough wool sock but wears more comfortably than either my Smartwool or Darn Tough socks. ​Pros Cons Extremely comfortable Stay dry and don't smell Strong and snug construction Designed in Wisconsin ​Only available in black or gray Somewhat expensive ($20-$35/pair) Review Wrap-up I don't think I've ever had an alpaca wool clothing of any sort. And to be fair, I haven't used these in the winter yet and my feet tend to get cold in even the warmest boots. But the no-show and ankle socks performed really well for hot half-day summer rides. To learn more or pick up a pair for yourself, head over to HollowSocks.com .

Interested in a new winter fat bike ultra adventure? Jay Petervary runs Fat Pursuit in Island Park, ID and has also done Arrowhead 135 six times. Here Jay talks about what makes Fat Pursuit a unique adventure to add to your list this winter. To learn more visit Fat Pursuit . Photos by Eddie Clark Media @eddieclarkmedia Fat Pursuit is a winter ultra endurance race in Island Park, Idaho that takes place in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. There are 60km and 200km options as well as a 3-day optional workshop prior to the races. Known for its heavy snowfall and diverse microclimates, the route traverses remote landscapes where riders encounter snow-coated "goblin trees" and can see Yellowstone’s natural beauty up close. Interview with Jay Petervary: 1. You've done Arrowhead 135. How would you compare Fat Pursuit to an event like Arrowhead? I love the Arrowhead 135. I’ve done it six times and I’ve always used it to test and challenge myself with new ideas and set-ups. But it’s tough to compare Fat Pursuit to Arrowhead. Fat Pursuit is what I would describe as a winter expedition backcountry race. First off, with over 300 inches of snowfall annually in the area, snow is guaranteed! The event takes place in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem where the weather is unpredictable and even throughout the course there will be different microclimates. The landscape is also very different. The mountains aren't huge but on the high sections of the route you will see the mysterious encrusted snow covered goblin trees that have been painted by Mother Nature making you feel much higher than you are. When the route winds onto the border of Yellowstone National Park it looks and feels like it! The Fat Pursuit is also much more committing, meaning when you leave the checkpoints you are moving away from civilization, into more remote sections of the route, where deciding to quit mid-route isn't really an option. This is an event that will properly challenge you and more than likely make you use the equipment you carry. 2. Who are the 60k race, 200k race, and workshops for? We offer a 60k event on Saturday for folks who want to get a feel for the event, see the area, and not have to carry all the gear for a overnight. I believe everyone needs a chance to learn so we don't ask for qualifiers for our 200k event , it is open to everyone. It's definitely for the winter expedition-curious adventurer. By design most people will need to use the gear they carry if they want to be successful. Both distances are also open to XC skiers and runners. I always knew I wanted to add runners and skiers, and had a lot of requests to include those disciplines, so I finally opened it up to them in 2020. We don’t have a lot of folks who line up for the long distance ski or run every year, but for those who do, I have tons of respect for their toughness. The Fat Pursuit Workshop is great for everyone! Anyone who wants to advance their own winter skills, learn, and pick up on some tips and tricks – I guarantee you will walk away with something no matter how experienced you are. It's also a great experience to see all the different gear and ways to do things from others. We’ve had everyone from first time snow riders to Iditarod Trail veterans do our workshop and we are proud to be able to accommodate all. Many have done the camp more than once. It's not just about the learning but also a great opportunity to practice, acclimate, and build confidence before the actual event. As far as value goes I can't think of a better way to get properly immersed in sport by doing the workshop and then the race. You will be getting 10 years of knowledge in less than a week's time! Plus it's fun! 3. What is Island Park, Idaho like and why should people add this area to their list of ultra experiences? West Yellowstone is the gateway into Yellowstone National Park and Island Park sits just before it. It is surrounded by public lands and with over 500 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, it is a fat biker’s playground. If you are traveling with a partner or have additional time yourself seeing YNP in the winter is a bucket list item. Harriman State Park also sits in Island Park, is non-motorized, and has dedicated trails to ski, fat bike, and snowshoe. 4. What are the biggest challenges riders will face in this unique race? What I see and have seen as the biggest challenge for racers is using their equipment while accepting the current trail conditions and weather. Many succeed in the Arrowhead by putting their heads down and not stopping until they finish. That’s not always the right mindset for the Fat Pursuit. You need to be open to being out there for a couple days if that’s what the weather and conditions dictate. That openness will set you up better for success! 5. Anything else you want to add? I started Fat Pursuit in 2014 because I wanted to showcase the great fat biking in Island Park and improve non-motorized access there. Plus, I always dreamed of establishing a premier endurance fat bike race in the lower forty-eight. I used to travel to Alaska every winter for the ITI and I knew the expense and time commitment. Many riders don’t have the luxury of making that trip north, so we wanted to offer something similarly epic but more attainable, financially and logistically. 2025 will be the twelfth year and I think we’ve really gained a reputation for offering an experience that’s challenging but rewarding, with a community that’s super special and a vibe that couldn’t be better. To learn more about the 60km or 200km events or the Fat Pursuit workshop, head to Fat Pursuit .

We recently shared 4 cyclists perspectives on why they switch to XC skiing in the winter rather than fat biking. Today we hear from Ben Senkerik who is another cyclist who, after a bad original experience with skiing, now finds the change to cross-country skiing refreshing during the winter along with the enhanced physical activity. Words by Ben Senkerik My journey to becoming a cross-country skier started in high school. I was an avid downhill skier, so once I began cycling in 2008, cross-country skiing was the logical next step. Around 2010, I first attempted to cross-country ski. I thought I would naturally excel as I had spent the better part of 10 years downhill skiing. Well, that preconceived notion was quickly changed. After falling six times before we even made it to the Zillmer trailhead, my coach, Joe Cieszynski, told me to hit the kiddy loop while he completed his workout. After this day, my ego was bruised enough that I hung up the cross-country skis for the next nine years. Returning to the Trails: Training for the Birkie Now in 2019, my good friend, Chad Sova, pitched an idea to ski the Birkie for his 35th birthday. I, being blissfully unaware of what is to come, took him up on this offer. That December, we started our training at the Iola Winter Sports Club. Chad, being the great athlete he is, quickly exceeded my abilities and left me behind. Again, with a bruised ego from being unable to ski down the front straightaway, I used that fuel to propel my Birkie training and first attempt. Starting from the seventh wave, I weaved through a throng of people to complete the race in under 3-hours. Now in my sixth season, and fourth year in the elite wave, this sport is slowly becoming my primary sport. Getting back to the normal format in 2025 excites me, but I do have to say that the 2024 looped course was amazing! Skiing in the elite wave, through a crowd of people three rows deep around the entire course, was the coolest experience. Having a "World Cup" in our backyard was truly something special. Thinking about this race still gives me chills to this day. Why Skiing Complements My Cycling Training The reason I feel in love with skiing is that it gives me a reason to get outside during the cold winter months. Skiing when it is 30 degrees in a short-sleeved shirt and light pants beats sitting on the trainer or bundling up to ride outside. You also don't have to deal with the road slop and salt ruining your equipment. Along with this, coach always says, "Great cyclists are made in winter". There is a reason why skiing has produced most of the highest VO2 max numbers ever recorded. After a season of skiing, I am stronger and faster than if I stuck to cycling. Skiing makes me a more dynamic athlete. I also feel refreshed coming into the spring as I have stepped off the bike. The changing of the sporting season is now something I need to keep things fresh and exciting. For anyone looking to start or continue with their skiing journey, this sport is one of the best sports I have tried but is as equally frustrating since it is so technically demanding. Effortlessly gliding on a two-and-a-half-inch board takes years of practice and constant refining. I still find myself struggling to find my flow after a summer away but the challenge is what makes this so gratifying. Now with snow on the horizon, I hope you all find a reason to hit the ski trails this winter.