Chequamegon Fat Tire

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.

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One month out to Chequamegon 29

August 14th, 2011

There are just four short weeks left until the running of the 2011 Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival. With the count down clock ticking you may wish to take note of the following race related items:

Entry Data Base Changes due by September 1

The last day to request a change in event, competition class or preferred start status is September 1.

Requests to switch from the Chequamegon 40 to the Short & Fat, or from geared bikes to singlespeeds (or the other way around), or to be considered for a preferred start must be made in writing.

Those requests must be postmarked no later than September 1, although we would appreciate getting those change requests sooner rather than later.

Finally any request for change of any type must include a $10.00 administrative fee payable via check in the mail or with charge card information you can call, mail or email in.

Once the changes are made in our database we will send along a new confirmation card.

Racing through Rosie's Field

Transfers of Entries or Refunds Not Allowed

As is our stated policy you may not transfer your entry from one person to another for any reason. In similar fashion we do not provide for refunds if you are unable to attend for one reason or another.

Bib Pick Up Notes

You will be required to have photo identification at Bib Pick Up to obtain your race materials. We like to see the confirmation card also, but in general the photo identification will suffice. You may pick up only your own race packet and not someone others.

Lead group in the Short & Fat

Race Courses Marked by Labor Day Weekend

Both the Chequamegon 40 and Short & Fat 16 mile race courses are scheduled to be marked the week before Labor Day weekend.

The Chequamegon 40 course will be marked from Rosie’s Field at Highway 77 and Fish Hatchery Road east of Hayward to the Telemark Resort finish line with blaze orange arrows.

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

Please note that while the race course will be marked for your information and pre-race review, the course route is not closed to vehicular traffic. Exercise caution when riding on the town/forest roads and multi-use trails.

Between Labor Day weekend and the race weekend we appreciate your help in notifying us of any tampering with the course marking arrows or course conditions that may need attention.

Good luck and we look forward to seeing you all for the 29th Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival sponsored by Trek over the September 16-18 weekend.

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Telemark Sold

June 22nd, 2011

Chequamegon access confirmed

In a long awaited announcement, on Friday June 17, Telemark Partners, LLC confirmed that they have now finalized their acquisition of Telemark Lodge. The next chapter of the Telemark saga will unfold as the new owners begin to tackle the revitalization of the historic hotel and management of one thousand acres of recreational property.

Telemark fireplace

The much welcome announcement came months after a previously anticipated April 1, 2011 closing date passed with no sale agreement in place. Reports at the time indicated that the negotiating parties had failed to dial in key agreement elements. Proving the Yogi Berra adage that, “It ain’t over until it’s over”, the undaunted Telemark Partners continued and concluded discussion with the property owner Dick Short of Glance, Inc. and other key players to seal the deal. Short’s company had acquired the motel and land in friendly asset surrender from the Telemark Interval Owners Association (TIOA). The TIOA owned and operated the property since April 1999.

With the new ownership in place the next chapter in the colorful Telemark Lodge history can be unfold. As a part of this recent development Chequamegon Festival organizers have confirmed the availability of Telemark Lodge and the use of the grounds and bike trails for this year’s event. The show will go on and we are pleased to know that Telemark will be a big part of it again.

For further information about the reopening of Telemark visit their web site at www.telemark-resort.com. For further status update on how the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival and Telemark Lodge will work together in the coming year visit the News link on www.cheqfattire.com

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Essay Contest Awards Race Spots

April 20th, 2011

Some days you are lucky and some days you are not. By the end of March those who submitted entries for the annual registration lottery learned whether luck was on their side in the annual race spot drawing. Unlucky lottery losers or those late in the application process still have a chance at riding in the sold out September 16-18 Chequamegon events.

This year over 600 entries were returned to those not picked in the lottery drawing. For those who came up short, fifty guaranteed reserved registrations will be awarded to the 50 Ways to Ride the Chequamegon essay contest winners.

Contrary to the contest title, essays are not required to list fifty individual reasons for wanting to ride. Contest Submissions may be written, drawn, photographed, filmed or recorded. Chequamegon event related stories, songs, poems, drawings, parodies and even chunky crayon notes from children have all been used to gain the judge’s favor.

Essays from previous years have sighted personal relationships, healthy lifestyle motivations, event history connections, advocacy efforts, competition accomplishments, demographics, geographic location and countless other reasons for wanting to be included. What ever the reason, the authors of the winning submissions will receive a coveted discretionary race spot.

Examples of winners from last year’s 50 Ways contest can be seen by clicking the pdf file links that follow:

Koch, John 6-24-10 Wren, Rick 4-29-100001

Toby Schifsky's 50 Ways to Ride the Chequamegon essay contest winner

Each contest submission is graded on a multi-point scoring system. Originality, creativity, humor, sincerity, special effort and other broad-spectrum factors produce a total essay score. With hundreds of contest submissions, the competition for the reserved entry awards 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 delivered to the Chequamegon office no later than July 1. After the submission judging, 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 Box 267, 13460 Spruce Street Cable, WI 54821. Emails are acceptable if received by that July 1 deadline at cheqfat@cheqnet.net.

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Telemark Saga Continues

April 7th, 2011

It ain’t over until its over and as of 4-1-11 it still ain’t over

Today I wanted to give you a status update on our Event Host Telemark Lodge. A month ago, the press release posted in the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival March 2011 email newsletter indicated that the Telemark Lodge and land sale discussions were ongoing with a 4-1-11 real estate closing date. The release, issued by Telemark Partners, LLC, the parties negotiating to purchase the property, expressed a good likelihood of the sale and revitalization of Telemark.

The projected 4-1-11 sale closing date has passed and the Telemark Lodge sale did not occur. My resources inform me that while discussions continue between the parties there is nothing definite to report at this time. Whether or not Telemark will be sold, operated, available for our use or moth balled indefinitely is to be determined.

As another resource you may wish to read the latest in Tom Held’s Milwaukee Journal online Off the Couch blog at: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/lifestyle/119193354.html

Telemark Lodge in Cable, WI

What does this mean for the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival? I can tell you for certain, that the 29th Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival will occur on the September 16-18, 2011 weekend as previously announced.

My experienced event staff is up to the task of adjusting to the realities of the prevailing conditions. We are quite resilient and resourceful in Chequamegonland. While this situation will continue to test our abilities to the max, we are up to the task at hand.

Last year, our staff demonstrated that we could produce a world class event with Telemark Lodge closed. Once again we can not confirm whether the lodge will be open or not. More importantly we can not confirm if the use of the trails and property at Telemark will be permitted or not. What transpires over the coming weeks and months regarding ownership of the property will determine our event operational plans for 2011.

The confirmation of the event venue will remain our highest priority. Whether we produce Plan A, B, C or D, the Chequamegon show will go on.

Your accommodations for this year’s event are a topic related to the current venue status. The www.telemark-resort.com web site indicates that reservations are being taken for the September Chequamegon event. At this time, with the current uncertainty and until that situation is resolved, I would suggest holding off confirming any plans to stay at Telemark Lodge.

The pre-race issue of Fat Tracks due in early to mid-May will contain display ads from area lodging providers. We encourage you to support our advertisers. You can also visit the lodging information link on our web page at: http://www.cheqfattire.com/faq.html