Chequamegon Fat Tire

Chequamegon & Gu Team Up to Clean Up

March 29th, 2012

The Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival sponsored by Trek has a long standing sustainable and responsible trail use philosophy. This commendable core value insures that the area trails are left in great shape for future rider’s enjoyment. In support of this tread lightly focus, Gu Energy Labs returns to the 2012 event to sponsor the Gu Clean Up Crew.

The GU Clean Up Crew will be on hand to see that what ever is inadvertently left behind when 2,750 riders pass is packed out and disposed of properly. You can be a part of this commendable trail advocacy assignment as a volunteer crew member. Sixteen volunteer crew members will be selected from those who best complete the statement, “I want to be on the GU Clean Up Crew because…”

Those interested in being considered for one of the crew spots should send a short written statement to the Chequamegon race office postmarked by July 1. Team members will be selected from among the submissions received. All applicants will be notified of the crew selections by July 15. Before the event weekend draws near, those selected will receive further instructions about their specific race day clean up assignment. On race day, the crew members will be assigned one of three trail clean up sections insuring that the entire trail is left in good shape following the racer’s passing.

Gu Clean Up Crew members ready to pick the trail clean

A job well done deserves an appreciative thank you. Each volunteer GU Crew member will receive an assortment of GU Energy Labs products including GU Energy Gel, GU Brew, GU Chomps and other GU premiums. In further recognition of the noble clean up efforts, each GU Crew member will receive a guaranteed Reserved Registration for the 2013 Chequamegon event.

This is a great opportunity to participate in a note worthy Chequamegon weekend effort to do something good for the trails. Join the GU Clean Up Crew, you will be glad you did.

Crew applications should be submitted in writing by the July 1 postmark deadline to: GU Clean Up Crew, PO Box 267, Cable, WI54821or you can email your submission to cheqfat@lifetimefitness.com . The Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival is produced by Chanhassen, Minn. based Life Time Fitness (www.LifeTimeFitness.com ).

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Essay Contest Awards Race Spots

March 28th, 2012

With a random lottery drawn limit of 2,750 riders, hundreds of applicants will fall short in the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival selection process. Shortly after the March 15 entry submission postmark deadline, race applicants will learn if they made it or not. Those unlucky in the draw or late in the application process still have a chance to ride in the sold out September 15 cross county events.

The Chequamegon Festival which is sponsored by Trek and produced by Life Time Fitness will award fifty guaranteed reserved entries to the winners of the 50 Ways to Ride the Chequamegon essay contest.

In spite of the contest title, you do not need to list fifty individual reasons for wanting a race spot. Past contestants have submitted Chequamegon themed stories, songs, poems, drawings, parodies and even children’s chunky crayon notes. Submissions may be written, drawn, photographed, filmed and/or recorded.

Past contest winners have used tales of personal relationships, lifestyle motivations, historical connections, advocacy efforts, competition goals, personal demographics, geographic location and countless other reasons to sway the contest judges. What ever the reason, the authors of the winning essays will receive a reserved race spot in the sold out event.

A multi-point scoring system is applied to each contest submission. Originality, creativity, humor, sincerity, special effort and other undisclosed factors will produce a total essay score. Contestants are advised to give it their best shot. With hundreds of contest submissions, the competition is keen.

Essays must be legible, with a 500 word maximum (most are much less) and if three dimensional in nature be less than two foot by two foot in overall size. All submissions must be postmarked, emailed or otherwise delivered to the Chequamegon office no later than July 1. After the submissions are judged, winners will be selected and all contest participants notified of the outcome by July 15.

Winners will get reserved entries. Those out of the winning column will be encouraged to join the spectator or volunteer fun over the Chequamegon event weekend. The decision of the judges is final in this last-chance-at-an-entry-spot essay contest. All essays become property of the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, will not be returned and may be reproduced at some future date without further notification.

To be included in this year’s “50 Ways to Ride the Chequamegon” essay contest postmark your submission by July 1 to the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, PO Box267, 13460 Spruce StreetCable, WI54821. Emails are acceptable if received by that July 1 deadline at cheqfat@lifetimefitness.com.

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How Early Can I Set My Bike Up at the Start Line ?

February 8th, 2012

On Saturday morning, many riders who did not qualify for one of the designated starting gates hope to get the jump on a good start line position in the first come first served start gates. An undesirable and illegal hazard exists when bikes are laid down on the city streets prior to the officially posted street closing time.

The City of Hayward and Town of Cable grant permission to close down Main Street for the Chequamegon 40 and Randysek Road for the Short & Fat event at 6:00 a.m.

It is important that bikes are not laid down on the streets before the street closing barricades go up to officially close the streets.

In both Hayward and Cable the start lines are in close proximity to fire departments and ambulance services. These essential services must be able to access their service areas via the customary roads. Since the official closures do not go into effect until 6:00 am, early morning local traffic is also inconvenienced with early bike lay downs.

At each start line there will be signed off-the-street early line up areas adjacent to each of the designated start gates. Early arrivals should line up in an orderly fashion near their designated start gate and wait until the start line chief gives the word to move to the street. At the discretion of the start line chief, an earlier that 6:00 a.m. on street line up may be allowed. Riders arriving early should remain with their bikes in the early line up area until movement to the street is permitted.

We ask all racers to maintain order, fairness and safety at the start line. Please do not jeopardize our valued municipal permissions and observe the posted lay down times and locations.

Placeholder Bikes at the Start Line

In the Chequamegon start line operations, placeholder bikes in the start line area that have no one attending them are referred to by the bandit patrol as “ghost bikes”.

The unattended ghost bikes fall into two basic categories: a bike that has NO RACE NUMBER attached to it or a bike has a RACE NUMBER attached to it. In either case ghost bikes belong to registered participants who plan on returning to them just prior to the start.

In general, registered riders leaving ghost bikes at the start line are off warming up on their race bike, standing in the portable toilet line or perhaps having just one more cup of coffee before the start. The riders have every intention of coming back to the start line and claiming or replacing their ghost bike just prior to the start.

Bikes at the start line in Hayward

As the start time approaches ghost bikes are problematic if the owner does not return in a timely fashion. For that reason there is a specific time that unnumbered ghost bikes must be replaced with bikes with numbers and when race numbered ghost bikes must be attended at the start line.

All ghost bikes without race numbers must be removed by their owners and replaced with race bikes with race numbers no later than 9:30 a.m.

All ghost bikes with a race numbers must be attended by the rider no later than 9:50 a.m. or they will be removed from the start line.

Tags: race day information, start line
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Start Gates Added to Chequamegon 40 Start

February 2nd, 2012

This September’s Chequamegon 40 start line will include an expanded start gate system allowing additional spots for preferred rider placements.

In the long race, five start gates will be available with specific qualifying criteria. Start gate qualifications will be as follows for the Chequamegon 40:

Gate 1 Top 100 men, top 40 women, top 5 tandems, top 5 mixed tandems based on the better of the two previous years ranking. Gate 1 will replace the traditional “Preferred Start” area that has existed in the Chequamegon 40 start for many years.

Gate 2 Overall rank 101 through 200 based on the previous two years ranking.

Gate 3 Overall rank 201 through 300 based on the previous two years ranking.

Gate 4 Overall rank 301 through 400 based on the previous two years ranking.

Gate 5 Overall rank 401 and above on a first come first served basis.

Those without previous two year’s Chequamegon 40 results may submit recent race resumes for consideration for placement in start gates 1 through 4. Gate placement is at the discretion of the race officials.

Each gate will have some discretionary space available that will be filled solely by the decision of race officials. While Gate 1 will include the noted men, women, tandem and mixed tandem rankings, Gates 2-4 will be based on overall finishing rank regardless of gender or competition class.

As riders are added to the entry database, the past two years overall finishing data will automatically be reviewed. Gate placements will be assigned and riders notified on their confirmation cards sent once all the entries are added to the database. On site, race day entrance to the specific start gates will be monitored by range specific bib numbers issued to each who qualified.

For those who do not qualify for Gates 1 through 4 there will be little change in the traditional first come first served line up in Gate 5. For those who do qualify for Gates 1 through 4 based on the previous two year’s overall rank the line up spot will offer an improvement over the past. Please note that the position within each of the gates will still be on a first come first served basis.

For the Short & Fat event, no change is planned in the start gate system this year. The traditional “preferred start” will take place in Gate 1 with the balance of short race riders filling in on a first come first served basis in Gate 2.

In the Short & Fat the top 75 men, top 40 women, top 5 tandems, top 5 mixed tandems from the previous two years will automatically qualify. Other Short & Fat Gate 1 placements will be considered based on previous finishing results on a space available basis. Those without Short & Fat event history who wish to be considered for Gate 1 placement must submit a short verifiable race resume for review. The decision of the event officials is final.

As with any other database change, once the assignments are made and the confirmation cards sent, any further request for consideration or further review for qualifying gate assignments must be made in writing prior to the September 1 deadline. As with all event of choice, competition class or start gate requests a $10.00 fee must accompany the request. After September 1 no further requests will be reviewed or changes made.

Our goals in the expanded Chequamegon 40 start gate system include: qualifying a greater number of top riders with a specific start gate assignment, alleviating some of the early morning line up crowding and providing additional opportunities for some discretionary placement in start gates.

Due to staffing limits, space requirements and city service logistics, it is not a goal to manage the entire start area line up or to institute a wave start. Even with the expanded gate system, riders who do not qualify will still show up early for the first come first served spaces. While we do not intend to manage the entire line up, we do hope to provide a better start for the greater numbers who qualify.

Tags: preferred start, start line
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2012 Entry Blanks Now Available on Line

January 26th, 2012

While a blanket of white covers the north land, cyclists are turning toward warm weather dreams of two wheeling on the area’s mountain bike trails. In the midst of the mid-winter freeze out, the race is on to submit an entry blank for the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival sponsored by Trek and produced by Life Time Fitness. The September 14-16 weekend will mark the popular off road event’s historic thirtieth at Telemark Resort in Cable, Wisc.

Chequamegon Festival participants hopeful of being a part of this year’s race must meet the March 15 entry blank submission deadline to be included in the random lottery drawing. Participation in the cross country events is limited to 2,750 riders that will include 1,850 in the Chequamegon 40 and 900 in the Short & Fat 16 mile.

Entry blanks can be obtained in two ways. First, from early February to March 15 the entry form can be downloaded from the event’s web page at www.cheqfattire.com . Those preferring to receive a hard copy sent via the postal route, should send a self-addressed stamped envelop to the event headquarters in time to receive, complete and return the entry to meet the postmark deadline. Those who have already submitted an envelope or who purchased one at last year’s event will see their entry blanks delivered shortly.

To be included in the 2012 random lottery, entry blanks must be completed and submitted with the entry fee payment by the March 15 postmark deadline. Entries mailed after the postmark deadline will not be included in the drawing.

Be sure to add your 2012 entry to the pile

After the entries are randomly selected and processed into the event database, confirmation cards will notify those who have been accepted into the event. Those who are not picked in the lottery drawing receive a “better luck next time” letter along with the return of the submitted entry fee. Each year hundreds of entry submissions are returned to their senders when the event limit is reached during the lottery drawing.

For complete details of the registration lottery procedure and other event information visit the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival web page at www.cheqfattire.com. Direct all correspondence to CFTF, PO Box 267, Cable, WI54821, 715-798-3594 or via email to cheqfat@lifetimefitness.com . If you find yourself in downtown Cable, stop by the event headquarters at13460 Spruce Street.

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Dates Set for 30th Chequamegon Festival

December 8th, 2011

Cable, WI – For immediate release – December 1, 2011

Off road bicyclists from across the country and overseas will converge on Telemark Resort in Cable, Wisc. for the running of the historic 30^th Annual Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival sponsored by Trek on September 14-16. A sold out field of 2,750 riders will test muscles, minds and pedal powered machines in the nation’s largest mass start point-to-point off road bicycle event. The Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival is owned and produced by Chanhassen, Minn.-based Life Time Fitness.

The main event of the weekend, on Saturday, September 15, is the Chequamegon 40. The mass start roll out of 1,850 riders fromHayward’sMain Street at 10:00 a.m. is not to be missed. A select few elites will compete for the chance to be called champion, while the rest of the field is made up of citizen’s class athletes in it for the adventure and personal challenge inherent in the forty mile off road journey.

The Short & Fat, a 16-mile companion event, offers an additional 900 cyclists a shorter but challenging back woods cycling opportunity. This rolling mass of cyclists will launch from Randysek Road in Cable at 10:00 a.m. Both events head cross-county utilizing a twisted maze of wooded trails to arrive at the Telemark Resort finish line in Cable. A Children’s Bicycle Parade is held before the start of the racing excitement at both start lines on Saturday.

Registration for the cross country events is limited to 2,750 and selected via a random lottery in March. Entry blanks for the event become available on line by the first part of February or by mail from individual requests. To be eligible for the lottery drawing, entries must be completed and returned with payment prior to the March 15 postmark submission deadline.

On Sunday September 16 of the Chequamegon weekend, participants can enjoy several competitive and fun events. At 9:00 a.m. the Rough Stuff Poker Ride, a bicycle orienteering event will kick off the Sunday events. The Rough Stuff offers a timed competition and a fun for all poker ride division where fastest times and top poker hands win prizes. The Cable Crit-Cross features hot laps on a fast track in a cyclocross dirt circuit beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.

Rounding out the weekend, the Sunday Funday Events are free, fat and family fun. Consisting of a bicycle toss, log pull, bicycle limbo, hill climb and more, the Funday events are a great way to wrap up the event weekend. A Children’s Bicycle Rodeo will also be held on Sunday at Telemark Resort in Cable.

With a combination of fat tires, friends, family and fun it is not just a race, it’s a really great time. For more information about the event weekend contact: Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, Inc., PO Box 267, Cable, WI 54821, 715-798-3594, cheqfat@cheqnet.net or visit the event’s web page at www.cheqfattire.com.

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Great viewing and rider support locations

September 16th, 2011

After the start of the Chequamegon 40 in Hayward you may want to catch the action along the trail before heading to the finish line at Telemark Resort in Cable.

There is a designated Road Closed area accessible only if you have an authorized Access Pass. We do not allow spectators to drive to the interior of the race course on Saturday.

However, there are four accessible spots, mid-way and late in the Chequamegon 40 course that you can reach without driving your vehicle into the closed area. Logistics won’t allow you to stop at them all however you can pick one or two and follow the race in progress.

After the Main Street start of the Chequamegon 40, drive Highway 63 north from Hayward to Seeley. From there you can encounter the race progress in four great spots. The first two are relatively easy to locate. The last two will take a small bit of navigating. As you follow the race please respect all road restrictions, course monitor directions and drive carefully. The map above will help you navigate to these locations.

“OO” and Birke Trail – @24 miles to go in the Chequamegon 40.

Drive north of the start in Hayward on Highway 63. In Seeley, take Cty “OO” east to the American Birkebeiner ski trail crossing. Park on the north side of “OO” in the large lot. You can watch or provide racer support on the north or south side of the trail. Exit the area via Cty “OO” west back to Seeley.

Janet Road & Snowmobile Trail 71 – @ 23.5 miles to go in the Cheq. 40

Off Cty Hwy “OO” in Seeley take Janet Road north to the intersection of the race course on Snowmobile Trail 77. Janet Road is marked as Road Closed Ahead and at the intersection is closed to vehicle traffic.

Boedecker & Winding Pine Trail – @ 20.5 miles to go in the Cheq. 40.

Drive north of Seeley on Highway 63, turn east on Northern Lights Road, the first road north of Seeley on the east side of 63.

Proceed a hundred yards east to the T intersection with Boedecker Road.

Boedecker should be marked with a Road Closed Ahead sign.

Turn left onto Boedecker and follow the gravel forest road to the Snowmobile Trail 22-Winding Pine trail intersection.

Here you will see the Chequamegon 40 course entering Boedecker from the south, your right, after they ride through Martel’s Pot Hole. The riders will turn right onto Boedecker and ride east to Telemark Road. This is noted by CAMBA land marker S-6 on the north side of Boedecker. Do not drive your vehicle on the race course.

Park safely on Boedecker west of the race course crossing. You can watch or support riders at this spot which is at the approximately 20.5 miles to go point.

Winding Pine Trail & Birke Trail – @ 9 miles to go in the Cheq. 40.

From this position, the fourth spot is accessible if you walk or ride your bicycle north on the Winding Pine Trail. This is noted by the CAMBA land marker S-6. Walk to the intersection with the American Birkebeiner Ski Trail at CAMBA land marker S-7.

This area is approximately 9 miles from the finish. Personal vehicles are not allowed on this trail.

Return via foot/bicycle to your car and Boedecker and proceed to the finish line via Highway 63 and Cty Hwy M in Cable at Telemark Resort.

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Chequamegon Event Race Courses Marked

September 2nd, 2011

Prior to Labor Day weekend, both the Chequamegon 40 and Short & Fat 16 mile races courses were marked in advance of the September 16-18 race weekend.

The Chequamegon 40 course is marked with blaze orange arrows from the Highway 77 entrance to Rosie’s Field at Fish Hatchery Road all the way to the Telemark Resort finish line.

The Short & Fat 16 mile course is marked with hot pink arrows from Randysek Road at Cty Hwy M in Cable to the Telemark Resort finish line.

Riders should note the racecourses are not closed to traffic or other trail users. Be aware that you will encounter on coming or same direction traffic on the multi-use trails, forest roads and other trails used on race day.

Please remember that the both race courses share trails and routes with other users. Traffic will be encountered and should be expected. Caution is urged as many route sections have two way traffic from the other users.

Please notify the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival office at cheqfat@cheqnet.net if you encounter any downed trees, other obstructions or any alterations to the normal course marking signage.

For further information visit www.cheqfattire.com or consult the event blog at www.blog.cheqfattire.com

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Chequamegon 2011 Children’s Programs

August 26th, 2011

During the September 16-18 weekend of the 29th Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival sponsored by Trek a number of opportunities for children to participate are being offered.

On Saturday, September 17 kids can ride in bicycle parades in either Cable or Hayward before the big cross country race starts. Bike decoration starts at 8 a.m. and the parade rolls out at 9 a.m. In Hayward, children should gather on the 200 block of Main Street and in Cable at the start line off Randysek at the fire hall.

The Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival will provide balloons and streamers, but kids can also decorate their bikes before the event. Expect prizes, surprises and treats for all.

Festive Gathering at the Children's Bicycle Parade

On Sunday, kids can ride in the Children’s Bicycle Rodeo at the base of Telemark ski hill at Telemark Resort in Cable. The rodeo includes a bicycle limbo, relay, log pull and obstacle course. All events which run from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. are part of the Sunday Funday activities that are open to the public.

The Saturday parade and Sunday rodeo are free and open to all kids under 12. Helmets are required.

For those children who wish to get an in depth and fun introduction to off road bicycling, the Little Bellasyoung girls mentoring on mountain bikes program will be presented. Professional riding sisters Lea and Sabra Davison run the all girls’ mountain bike program open to young females ages 8 through 12. With a focus on improving skills and having fun, the camp is a good opportunity for girls looking to try out mountain biking as well as those who are ready for the next level of challenge.

“We aim to create a community to empower women through cycling, accent the importance of goals and a healthy life style, and emphasize a positive female bond. While this program is centered around creating a female camaraderie on bikes, it is most importantly about having fun in a constructive environment.”

Little Bellas Program at Chequamegon

Last year’s camp was well attended and received by those who participated. Rave reviews were received from the first year participants. This well organized youth mentoring program is a welcome addition to the fun family atmosphere of the Chequamegon weekend.

Space is limited in the Little Bellas Chequamegon Mountain Bike Camp. For sign up, fees and other information visit http://littlebellas.com/?page_id=469 .

Bike racing parents with younger children who are looking for a fun opportunity during the Saturday races may want to take part in the Camp Fat Tire for Kids at the Cable Natural History Museum. This drop off program is offered for children in grades K-6. A fun-filled day of games, hiking, crafts and stories are planned at the Museum in Cable.

Early drop-off is available starting at 8:00 a.m. All children should arrive by 9:00 a.m. and must be picked up by 4:00 p.m. Please call if you need additional accommodations. A simple lunch and snacks will be provided. Space is limited. The cost is $75 members/$80 non-members. Call the Cable Natural History Museum at 715-798-3890 to register by September 1.

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Trail Genius Videos Chequamegon Race Courses

August 26th, 2011

In some ways, the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival just got smarter.

Trail Genius has partnered with the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival and will be providing an interactive race experience for this year’s event. The Trail Genius team will be documenting the 40 mile race via camera and GPS to create an online virtual ride experience. You will be able to relive the event online with all is grueling roller coaster ride glory.

Trail Genius Screen Shot

Trail Genius has developed web based software that streams real time video and GPS data providing the user with the ability to see what it is like to ride the trails, or climb “fire tower hill”. All with out even breaking a sweat.

Trail Genius Race Maps

Check out their website now at http://trailgenius.com/races/chequamegon/2010/chequamegon_map_2010.html to see coverage of the 2010 race, as well as other mountain bike trail systems and events.