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Best of Biking Reader Poll

2025 WINNERS

2025 WINNERS

Gravel, Dirt, & Snow: Best of Biking

Readers of The Nxrth took to voting for their favorites in the 2025 Gravel, Dirt, & Snow: Best of Biking reader poll. This year saw more categories, more questions, and more readers helping choose the best bike things up north.

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Every poll question is 100% focused on our local things and places in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula. These are the community favorites that make us excited to ride here, proud to live here, and that help drive our regional momentum forward.

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Here are the 2025 winners!

 

Gravel

From fast-paced race days to laid-back launch points for weekend rambles, the gravel scene in the Northwoods keeps getting better. These winners stood out to our readers for their routes, vibes, and the unforgettable adventures they inspire.

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Best Gravel Bike Race

  1. Hungry Bear - Cable, WI

  2. Epic Bike Fest - Cable, WI

  3. Red Granite Grinder - Wausau, WI

  4. Le Grand Du Nord - Grand Marais, MN

  5. Filthy 50 - Lanesboro, MN

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Best Gravel Hub

  1. Cable/Seeley, WI

  2. Lanesboro, MN

  3. Northfield, MN

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Mountain Biking

From flowy singletrack to technical climbs, the Northwoods is packed with tons of incredible mountain biking destinations. This category highlights the top places to ride, race, and spend a weekend shredding with friends, whether you're chasing berms or backcountry vibes.

 

Best MTB Event

  1. Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival - Cable, WI

  2. Epic Bike Fest - Cable, WI

  3. Wausau 24 - Wausau, WI

  4. Marji Gesick - Marquette, MI

  5. Cheq Challenge - Seeley, WI

 

Best MTB Destination (Multi-Trail Network)

  1. CAMBA Trails

  2. Cuyuna, Minnesota

  3. Copper Harbor, Michigan

 

Best Mountain Bike Trail System (Single Trail Network)

  1. Trek Trails at Mt Telemark

  2. WinMan Trails

  3. TIE: Redhead

    TIE: Levis Mound Trails

    TIE: Mt. Ashwabay

Founder's Blog

Minnesota vs Wisconsin vs the U.P., Which State is the "Best of Biking"?

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Bikepacking

Slow miles, starry nights, and stories shared around the campfire. This category highlights the events that bring riders together to explore rugged routes, remote campsites, and unforgettable overnighters.

 

Best Bikepacking/Bike Camping Event

  1. Tour de Chequamegon

  2. The Fox

  3. TIE: Hodag Country Ramble

    TIE: Midwest Bikepacking Summit

 

Culture

Biking isn’t just about the trails, it’s about the places, people, and post-ride hangouts that make the ride even better. From legendary bike shops and gear makers to cozy basecamps and unforgettable food stops, this category celebrates the heart and soul of our biking community.

 

Best Bike Shop

  1. New Moon Ski & Bike Shop - Hayward, WI

  2. Smith’s Bike Shop - La Crosse, WI

  3. Angry Catfish - Minneapolis, MN

 

Best Bike/Gear Maker

  1. Wolf Tooth Components

  2. Borah Teamwear

  3. 45NRTH

 

Best Post-Ride Food/Drink Spot

  1. Rivers Eatery - Cable, WI

  2. Velo Cafe - Cable, WI

  3. Castle Danger Brewery - Two Harbors, MN

 

Best Cabin/Lodging for Bike Adventures

  1. ROAM Basecamp - Seeley, WI

  2. Homebase at Mt Telemark Village - Cable, WI

  3. TIE: True North Basecamp - Crosby, MN

    TIE: Red Rider Resort - Crosby, MN

 

Fat Biking

Snow-packed trails, crisp air, and the crunch of tires on groomed singletrack, winter in the Northwoods is in a league of its own. These community favorites deliver the best in winter racing and beautifully groomed trails that keep the good times rolling all season long.

 

Best Fat Bike Race

  1. Fat Bike Birkie - Cable, WI

  2. Seeley Big Fat - Seeley, WI

  3. Fat Forest Fourteen - Cohasset, MN

  4. Sweaty Yeti - Neilsville, WI

  5. US Fat Bike Open - Brillion, WI

 

Best Groomed Trails for Winter Fat Biking

  1. CAMBA Trails - Hayward/Seeley/Cable, WI

  2. Winman - Winchester, WI

  3. Cuyuna - Crosby, MN

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