Today on International Women's Day, Claire O'Leary shares about her experiences racing and doing solo adventures as a women. She recently started a new FTW gravel camp where she's working to encourage and equip more women in cycling. Hear more of Claire's story and check out her new event here. By Claire O’Leary Last week, I was chatting with a bike shop manager and he said to me, “I don’t need to see more men in cycling. I want to see more kids, bigger FTW (femme/trans/women) race fields.” It stuck with me. He was referring to his work coaching a junior cycling development program, and I was talking about my own plans to encourage more women-identifying riders to explore gravel. But it takes everyone creating safe, welcoming environments to grow this sport for everyone. On International Women’s Day (March 8, 2023), I can’t help thinking about my own experiences riding and racing this past year. In the spring, I had the opportunity to attend a free women’s gravel camp in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. I love big solo gravel adventures and fast road rides hanging with the guys, but this hit different. We were encouraging each other up mountain climbs, and smiling and sending it on the way down. It was the first time that fitness, skills, and confidence had come together for me on the bike, and I’m a better rider and a better person for the experience. With a few days off between jobs in June, I headed up to the North Shore for a few days of solo adventure. My big ride of the trip was riding two-thirds of the storied Straddle and Paddle bikepacking route in a single ride. Afterward, another rider sent me a message that she barely rides around Minneapolis by herself. That comment made me sad, but also made me want to share more about going on adventures that make me question the root of my fear. Last summer, I wrote about how amazing it was to have a big field at Freedhem 76. I’ve been at gravel races where I looked around at the start and didn’t see any other FTW riders. This was not one of those races. At the finish line cookout, other riders remarked about how cool it was to have so many strong women trading pulls. And in August, I got to be a part of the 1,000 Women of Gravel. When Gravel Worlds (the “real” one in Lincoln, Nebraska) announced their plan to get 1,000 women registered across all distances, a lot of people wondered if they’d hit that mark. But as the initiative progressed, the race promoters showed that it was more than a hashtag. The elite women got to line up at the very front and lead the entire field out of town. In the final minute countdown before the race started, I looked around that front corral with the biggest smile on my face. These experiences churned around in my brain while I rode countless hours last fall. As I started a spreadsheet to plan 2023 adventures, I jotted down a few overarching goals. One of them: “Encourage more women in cycling.” I didn’t know what that would look like at first, but as I talked with other riders, we shared stories of gaining competence and confidence–and the kind of environments where our confidence blossomed. I wanted to create a space where riders wouldn’t be afraid to ask questions or tackle terrain that scared them. From there, a plan hatched to create a women’s gravel camp in the Driftless Area this spring. As I’ve talked with potential riders, themes are emerging. They wanted to build community and learn skills in a supportive environment–one that they might not have found yet. It takes momentum to encourage and equip women in cycling. The Nxrth has published countless stories about strong women racing and adventuring, including Lisa Gose-Nelson’s account of overcoming medical challenges to finish The Filthy 50, and Nicolete Reker’s epic Driftless bikepacking trip. We need more women (and that means all people who identify as women) out riding bikes and creating more of those stories. And that starts with every one of us.

You're invited to the first ever "Bikepacking Gear & Adventure Day", a virtual event where we geek out about all the bikepacking gear and adventures we're most excited for this summer. Guests Ashley Carelock, Matt Acker, and Dave Schlabowske will be joining us on Monday, April 3 at 7pm CST. Learn more and register for FREE here. It's time to start putting some epic bikepacking adventures on the calendar and planning the gear that'll help you go further and have more fun this summer. The Nxrth is thrilled to announce a brand new virtual event called "Bikepacking Gear & Adventure Day" presented by Tailfin. We have some fun guests joining the event and we want you to be a part of it too. REGISTER HERE We'll talk about: Favorite gear picks for 2023 Best bikepacking routes Incredible bikepacking adventure destinations in the Northwoods and beyond Q&A with your questions about gear and adventures Join us on Monday, April 3 at 7PM CST for this live bikepacking event. Register for FREE here. REGISTER HERE Win Prizes We'll be giving away a few prizes during the event. Check them out here. 1. Wren Sports: Perseverance Adventure Drop Bar (See More) 2. The Nxrth: Gravel Bear Tee (See More) REGISTER HERE

Wyatt Bikes was founded in 2011 by a 21 year-old named Wyatt Hrudka. Originally selling asian-manufactured singlespeeds, he now manufactures high quality, fully-customizable, 100% made in USA bikes near La Crosse, Wisconsin. Today we share his bike manufacturing story and take a look at his fat bike, the Maverick. To learn more about Wyatt Bikes, visit their website and follow them on Instagram. From Loading Docks to Local Bike Shops Wyatt Hrudka learned to ride a bike when he was 4 and would soon be jumping off loading docks with it. As he got older, he worked in a local bike shop in Manitowoc and later attended The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse where he worked in the outdoor recreation department. Working in the outdoor recreation department, he noticed that gear was often out of tune and that a lot of people didn't take good care of their bikes. This inspired him to start his own bike company that focused on providing a solution to these problems: a brand, "Wyatt", of single-speed bikes that were affordable and easy to maintain. Perfect for college students. Starting Wyatt Bicycle Company While studying Business Information Systems in college, Wyatt chewed on this dream to build his own bike and start his own bike brand. But the complications that come with manufacturing were enormous, and the minimum order quantities for bike frames were really high. But with some light connections to overseas manufacturing (thanks to another previous job), Wyatt was able to source manufacturing options and place an initial order for half of a shipping container, 150 single-speed bikes. Despite being turned down for loans from every lender, Wyatt did what any scrappy college student would do. He went to his parents for a loan. With a small loan, 150 bikes, and an unheated storage facility with no electricity, he set out to sell single speeds for $350 apiece. To oversimplify the long, arduous process of figuring out the heck he was doing, he slowly but surely got some bike shops on board as well as made a website to sell direct to consumer. Made in Asia to Made in USA: The Journey to American-Made Bikes Wyatt always dreamed of building his bikes in the USA, but it was a long and difficult journey to get there. After a failed Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for a USA manufacturer, Wyatt was forced to design and build a new fat bike, the Driftless Fatbike, in Asia. But after years of working with Asian manufacturers and the inability to control the quality of the product and ensure ownership of his designs, Wyatt was ready for a change. He bought a welder, a mill, some belt sanders, and a frame jig, and began to look for welders in La Crosse. With the help of a local manufacturing partner, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Wyatt was able to start building frames start to finish right in La Crosse. He even switched his tubing to 6061 aluminum, which is manufactured right in the USA. While most other "Made in USA" bike companies only assemble in USA their foreign imported materials, Wyatt gets American-made tubing, American-made filler material for welding and then does all of the manufacturing and welding right in the USA (Bangor, WI) as well. Quality and Customization Wyatt bikes are for people who care about where their bike is made and want the most capable and fun bike that they can ride year-round, even in the winter and on the beach (more on Wyatt's fatbike later). Every part of Wyatt Bikes are designed with the highest quality in mind. No cutting corners. Wyatt Bikes doesn't use model years just for the sake of putting out an annual update. Instead, they view their bikes as constantly improving and are small enough to just make things better and better and constantly improve. Wyatt's goal is to make as many bikes as possible, as efficiently as possible, without waste and added cost. With competitive pricing and the ability to customize every aspect of the bike, from color to any components you want, Wyatts are are thoughtfully designed and constructed to be the most capable and customized bike you can get. Meet Maverick, Wyatt's Fatbike Wyatt makes two bikes: The Maverick and the Vista. The Maverick is their fat bike and is designed to handle any terrain, from the snow-covered forests of winter to the sandy beaches of summer. It can be equipped with the largest tire on the market, the 5-inch V-tire 2XL, making it possible to conquer even the toughest terrain with ease. The bike is designed to be lightweight, yet durable, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride no matter the terrain. According to Wyatt: "The Maverick is different from the rest of the pack. It is an American-made fat bike with modern trail geometry and massive tires. It is the missing tool to keep your free riding spirit alive when the snow hits the ground. The Maverick’s roomy cockpit is made for short stems and wide bars for better control over the big front tire. The slack head tube angle, low bottom bracket, and optimized chain stay lengths make for a balanced ride to keep you feeling confident on the steep downhill sections and allow you to climb like a mountain goat on those daunting hills. Maverick is designed for having fun whenever and wherever you ride." A Purposeful Adventure Wyatt's journey to starting Wyatt Bicycle Company and building American-made bikes was full of complex logistical challenges and is an ongoing labor of love. Making bikes in the USA that have so much quality and capability at a competitive price point can't be easy. But it sets Wyatt apart from other other companies and puts a lot of passionate riders on his bikes. Want to learn more about Wyatt? Check out WyattBikes.com and go peek at the Maverick while you're over there.

5 local fat bikers are competing in the Iditarod Trail Invitational starting in Knik Lake, Alaska beginning this Sunday, Feb 26 at 5PM Central Time. The race has a 350 mile and 1,000 mile option and is the world's longest running winter ultra-marathon. Hear from the 5 local riders competing and follow their dots on the embedded map. Jump to Section Track Leaders Map List of Local Racers Question: How did you get here? Question: What are you most challenged by? Question: Gear Highlights? About the Iditarod Trail Invitational in Alaska The Iditarod Trail Invitational is an annual ultra-endurance race that takes place in Alaska and is considered the oldest event of its kind in the world. The race follows the historic Iditarod Trail, a 1,000-mile route that runs from Anchorage to Nome. The event is open to both runners and bikers, with participants either completing the entire distance or the shorter courses that finish at the 350-mile mark. The ITI is known for its brutal conditions, which can include sub-zero temperatures, strong winds, and deep snow (read: hike-a-bike). Participants must carry all of their own gear, including food, water, and shelter. Sound fun? Here's where you can follow their dots starting on Sunday at 5pm Central Time Follow Their Dots on the Interactive Track Leaders Map 2023 ITI Racers from Wisconsin & Minnesota Leah Gruhn: Duluth, MN [1,000 Miles] Jere Mohr: Duluth, MN [350 Miles] Amanda Harvey: Minneapolis, MN [350 Miles] Kendall Park: Madison, WI [350 Miles] Matt Fluegel: St. Paul, MN [350 Miles] Interview with racers from MN & WI: How did you get to this point and what made you interested in biking the Iditarod Trail Invitational? Leah Gruhn I want to ride my bike to Nome in the winter, across the Alaska Range and along the coast of the Bering Sea because it sounds like a terrific adventure. The Iditarod Trail Invitational (ITI) is the longest, oldest, and most prestigious winter bike race that there is. For many years I have raced the Arrowhead 135 (in northern Minnesota), which was inspired by the ITI and is similar in many ways. The ITI is the event that many Arrowhead 135 racers look to as the next step in longer, more remote, more challenging winter racing adventures. I raced the ITI 350 to McGrath seven years ago, and I was struck by the beauty of the landscape and the camaraderie of the racers. I have wanted to go back ever since. This year I am looking forward to many of those same experiences and more – my husband Jere will race in the 350 mile ITI, and then I will continue on for another 650 miles to Nome. In that last 650 miles, the new experiences that I am most excited for include the feeling of the energy of the famed Iditarod sled dog race, traversing new (to me) terrain, and passing through numerous Native Alaskan villages. Many of the racers on bike in this event have a background of bike racing, and then they add on the element of winter camping in order to do races like these. My background is different from that model, in that I was going on long and remote canoeing and winter camping trips long before I ever thought of participating in a bike race. After I participated in my first bike race 13 years ago, I was able to utilize my winter camping background to be successful in biking winter ultras. Finally, long trips are special to me because I find it easy to be immersed and live in the moment. On shorter trips, I’m often thinking about what came before the trip, or what will happen after the trip. But long trips becomes more of a lifestyle than simply a trip. Amanda Harvey Getting to the start of the ITI 350 has been a years long process. Going from track racing to winter ultras was a bit of a pivot. But I love adventures and riding my bike, so it makes sense for me to go on big rides with my bike. Wanting to complete the Arrowhead 135 was my starting point. So I worked on my qualifier for that race, did the St Croix 40 to prep and make sure I actually enjoyed racing in the winter. Turns out these races are just my speed, a mix of riding, camping and a lot of planning. Kendall Park I haven’t been racing bikes for very long, but I’ve been an athlete most of my life. I used to play football in the WFA and a bit of rugby during the off-season. These days I’m too beat up for high impact sports, so I picked up cycling. It was no surprise that I gravitated toward the more extreme end of the sport. The past two years have been a whirlwind of escalating races. My first race was a local Wisconsin gravel grinder, the Ironbull 85. Last summer I completed Unbound XL and the North South Colorado. When I learned about the Iditarod, I had to do it. Even when I was training for the XL, I was looking past Unbound towards the ITI. My first winter ultra was Actif Epica 2022 during a blizzard. Riding through bad conditions is a great way to stress-test equipment and winter cycling skills. I recently wrapped up a four-day, 200-mile bikepacking trip in Minnesota's North Shore region, led by Alexandera Houchin and Ben Weaver. The temps rarely rose above 0 during the day and dropped down to -30F at night. It was an invaluable experience in many ways, including being the best possible ITI shakedown I could get in the lower 48. Matt Fluegel I saw a fat bike outside a bike shop for the first time the Summer of 2014 and I was instantly drawn to it. After a test ride and some rentals of fat bikes that Winter I decided to purchase my first fat bike in the Spring of 2015. Because of the time of year I first used my bike for ripping up the local single tracks. The more I rode the more I became interested in the sport and all that it has to offer. Soon I was Bike-packing in the Summer and competing in my first Winter fat bike race that following season. I kept pushing myself to train and race in longer races and now that hard work has brought me to my rookie attempt at the 2023 ITI. I became interested in doing the ITI in 2019 while I was preparing for Tuscobia 80 in early 2020. Once I finished Tuscobia I could put the qualifying races for ITI in my short term goals and the ITI in my long term goal. Everything came together really quickly. I’m always looking for the next big race to take on in my life and the ITI is the perfect challenge for me right now. Looking ahead at the race, what are you feeling most challenged by? Leah Gruhn In events like these, anything can go south at any moment, whether it’s something that is easily fixable (e.g. flat tire or broken chain) or is an insurmountable issue. For me, keeping moving on the trail will be all about careful and thoughtful work before and during the race to reduce the chances of problems, being my most resourceful problem-solving self on the trail when issues arise, and being grateful for every moment that I am not having problems. From past long-distance cycling trips, namely racing Tour Divide in 2017, I am anticipating that I will be careful to pace myself, balancing moving with resting in order to be as efficient as possible. I also know that I will be pushing myself hard, with little margin for error. Amanda Harvey First thing I'm most challenged by is some persistent knee pain that flared up before Arrowhead this year. I've been working on it with my coach and my PT, but I'm still apprehensive. The other big thing is just the unknowns, mainly the weather. Anchorage has gotten a lot of snow, so will the trails be packed in enough for riding? I hope so. If there is a lot of hike a bike, then getting my mind ok with that will be something to work on. Kendall Park My biggest concerns are major mechanicals, getting sick, the airline losing my bike, and other uncontrollable, race-ending mishaps. I want to say that I feel prepared, but I feel it’s better to approach the ITI without expectations. You have to respect the Alaska wilderness. Matt Fluegel I think the most thing I feel challenged by is keeping my fingers warm and frost bite free. I had some challenges at Tuscobia 160 with frost nip and I came away from that race more concerned about temperature regulation in my hands then I ever had before. I have planned a more complete glove and expedition mitten layering system for the ITI. I will also not only bring along chemical hand warmers on the trail, but I plan on proactively using them. Do you have any gear highlights you want to mention? Leah Gruhn I will be riding a 2023 Salsa Mukluk with studded Dillinger 5 tires. On that I have a set of custom Cedaero bags, which I love due to their quality construction / durability, light weight, and customizable nature. Cedaero is based in Two Harbors, Minnesota and they have been absolutely wonderful, working with me to create a set of bags for this event. Some of the bags that I have are standard patterns (e.g. Custom Full Frame Pack made for a Large Salsa Mukluk, a Tank Top Bolt-on Pack, and two Devi’s Draw Packs). Other bags have been customized for me include a lightweight handlebar bag that will hold my puffy jacket, panniers sized to my needs, and a padded bottle holder that will securely hold my thermos yet keep it easily accessible. All of these bags are color-coordinated - grey with trim in Bordeaux to match my bike frame. My wheels were built with Onyx hubs, made in St. Cloud, Minnesota, which are considered to be the best for cold weather. With only a few exceptions, everything on my bike has been made by Minnesota companies, which I am proud to ride to Nome. Amanda Harvey Firstly, I love my bike Aurora. She's an Otso Voytek. We're gonna see the aurora together in Alaska or I'm camping out until it shows! Second, I'm gonna shout out my -40⁰ Marmot CWM. It's the coziest sleeping bag that makes snoozing when it's below zero something to look forward to. Third, I'm looking forward to riding with my Sturdy Bags XL Cargo bags. They have patches for inspiration and a reminder that I can do hard things. Amanda Harvey's gear setup Kendall Park I design and sew a lot of my own gear. The centerpiece of my kit is my mid-layer, which keeps me warm and dry in a wide range of temps. It has minimized the amount of layering/delayering I have to do during a race. This sport is a niche within a niche. Very few companies make gear specific to winter ultra fat bike racing. Racers are forced to cobble together a mix of equipment designed for skiing, mountaineering, cycling, etc. Drafting my own gear takes a lot of work, but it is worth the advantage of having equipment made specifically for me and the demands of the sport. Matt Fluegel I made a lot of gear updates to my system for the ITI. I’m excited to race in my new 45NRTH Wolfgar BOA boot. I’ve always raced with 45NRTH boots before but the Wolfgar is their extreme Winter cycling boot. My sleeping system got a big o’ upgrade on the temperature rating when I brought along my Sea To Summit Alpine Ap3. With a temperature rating of -40 I won’t have to worry about sleeping cold if the trail is my lodge for the night. Finally two of the most important pieces of equipment with me during the ITI will be my Garmin eTrex 22x for navigation and my Garmin inReach Mini 2 for satellite tracking and emergency communications. My Mom sleeps better knowing I have those two Garmin products. Jump Back to the Track Leaders Map Above

The Mammoth Gravel Loop was derived from a now defunct gravel race that took place in northwestern Wisconsin called the Mammoth Gravel Classic. Only an hour from the Twin Cities the route is a great opportunity to dip your toes into bikepacking or just get away for a quick overnighter. Created By: Bill Biwer Originally published on Bikepacking.com and featured here with their permission. From BIKEPACKING.COM: This 110 mile route is over 80% gravel roads, most of which are well maintained and fairly hard-packed. If you ride just after a heavy rain, which can wash out the crusher fines on the hills, expect to find exposed baby head rocks. To give riders a taste of the other riding options in the area, we included 3 1/2 miles of rough, looser ATV trail, a similar length of easy CAMBA single track and the last 12 miles are on low-traffic, rolling, freshly-paved town roads. Think of the ATV trail and single track as the amuse-bouche, gravel as the main course, and the pavement as dessert. Mammoth Gravel Bikepacking Route Map: BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. They inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. They believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. More here. Disclaimer: If you choose to ride this route, you do so at your own risk. You are 100% responsible for being prepared for all conditions and making sure that biking these routes is legal. Before riding, check local weather, road conditions, closures, and property ownership. Obey all traffic laws and follow land use restrictions. Do not ride these routes without proper safety equipment and navigational tools. The accuracy of these routes cannot be guaranteed neither can we guarantee that these routes are on public property. TheNxrth.com and its contributors are in no way liable for the personal injury or damage to property that may result from cycling this route or any other routes on this website.

Boasting over 100 miles of unpaved dirt and gravel, and accessibility for a midwesterner with a family and full time job, this weekend bikepacking route is a great escape that provides easy access to the Chequamegon-Nicolet wilderness. Created By: Dave Schlabowske Originally published on Bikepacking.com and featured here with their permission. From BIKEPACKING.COM: This 110 mile route is over 80% gravel roads, most of which are well maintained and fairly hard-packed. If you ride just after a heavy rain, which can wash out the crusher fines on the hills, expect to find exposed baby head rocks. To give riders a taste of the other riding options in the area, we included 3 1/2 miles of rough, looser ATV trail, a similar length of easy CAMBA single track and the last 12 miles are on low-traffic, rolling, freshly-paved town roads. Think of the ATV trail and single track as the amuse-bouche, gravel as the main course, and the pavement as dessert. Tour De Chequamegon Bikepacking Route Map: BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. They inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. They believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. More here. Disclaimer: If you choose to ride this route, you do so at your own risk. You are 100% responsible for being prepared for all conditions and making sure that biking these routes is legal. Before riding, check local weather, road conditions, closures, and property ownership. Obey all traffic laws and follow land use restrictions. Do not ride these routes without proper safety equipment and navigational tools. The accuracy of these routes cannot be guaranteed neither can we guarantee that these routes are on public property. TheNxrth.com and its contributors are in no way liable for the personal injury or damage to property that may result from cycling this route or any other routes on this website.

The Straddle and Paddle bikepacking route traverses the north shore of Lake Superior and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, two of the Minnesota Arrowhead’s finest natural playgrounds. Straddle your bike through the north woods and paddle a canoe on the finest short day-trip loop the Boundary Waters has to offer. Created by: Peter Pascale Originally published on Bikepacking.com and featured here with their permission. From Bikepacking.com: Straddle and Paddle starts and ends on the scenic Lake Superior shore, and travels the gravel, double-track and trails of the Superior National Forest. Dubbed ‘the Minnesota Arrowhead’ for its pointed shape, this region supports some of the best gravel and adventure races in the midwest – the Heck of the North, the Grand du Nord, and the Gravel Conspiracy to name a few. And now this route ties it together to support your northwoods rambling adventure. Lakeside rustic campsites abound (some with well water), and dispersed camping is allowed anywhere in the forest – providing ample flexibility. Straddle & Paddle Bikepacking Route Map: BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. They inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. They believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. More here. Disclaimer: If you choose to ride this route, you do so at your own risk. You are 100% responsible for being prepared for all conditions and making sure that biking these routes is legal. Before riding, check local weather, road conditions, closures, and property ownership. Obey all traffic laws and follow land use restrictions. Do not ride these routes without proper safety equipment and navigational tools. The accuracy of these routes cannot be guaranteed neither can we guarantee that these routes are on public property. TheNxrth.com and its contributors are in no way liable for the personal injury or damage to property that may result from cycling this route or any other routes on this website.

The US Fat Bike Open recently took place on Feb 11 in Green, Bay WI which was the final race of the 4-event Snow Crown Series. Casey Hildebrandt and Leah Vanevenhoven won 1st place in the Men's and Women's categories that included $1,000 prize from Wren Sports in both categories. Here we chat we them about leading up to the race and the most challenging moments of the day. The Snow Crown Series is a 4-race series taking place around Green Bay, Wisconsin. To learn more about the series, visit their website. Interview with Leah Vanevenhoven and Casey Hildebrandt. Have you done the Snow Crown events before and what are they like? Casey Hildebrandt Actually, this was my first Snow Crown series event! I've always wanted to do the series, or at least one event in the winter, but by the time my cyclocross season winds down in December or January, I'm pretty spent and just want to be home and spend time with family and friends. I've done a few fat bike races in the last decade or so, like the Badger State Games and the Fat Bike Birkie, but the U.S. Fat Bike Open is by far the most professional and best atmosphere. Shoutout to Sarah and George Kaptiz along with all of the volunteers and venues that make this series pretty rad! Leah Vanevenhoven Yes! This is my third season doing the Snow Crown series. I bought a fat bike from George at Broken Spoke when I moved back to the USA in 2020 and he gently nudged me to race. Three years in, the Snow Crown races are some of my favorites of the year. It's the dead of winter, often terribly cold conditions and yet everyone is bundled up and in good spirits to have some fun in the snow! George and Sarah do a fantastic job hosting the series, it's a very uplifting environment and the positive energy is quite contagious. How did you feel going into race day morning? Leah Vanevenhoven I felt great. I've tried extra hard to simply enjoy the Snow Crown races this winter because my schedule hasn't been allowing me to train as much as I'd like. I'm not much of an early riser so the 1pm races suit me well. I did pre-ride the course because last year I flopped at this race; dropping my chain and having a hard time maintaining power. With minimal snow, the course had more of a MTB feel to it this year; this style of racing is within my wheelhouse. Casey Hildebrandt I wake up most race mornings wishing I would have slept better or gotten more sleep - I was tired, but I think the drive over to Green Bay made me feel a bit more tired than I actually was. Once I arrived, checked it, and got on course I was ready to roll. I finished off my cyclocross season in the U.S. with a top ten finish at the National Championships in Hartford, Connecticut and then came back home for two weeks before heading over to Europe for the Kerstperiode - three weeks of the most legendary cross races in the world all within a couple hours of each other. I raced seven UCI races in 12 days, capping it off with two races in the United Kingdom before heading back home and was absolutely spent mentally and physically. I took three weeks off the bike, had a week of easy riding, and then did some baseline testing with my coach the week of this race. I knew I was in pretty good shape after how I felt during my power check, but was still a bit nervous how my body would respond to a race after a nice off season. What was the toughest moment of the race for you? Casey Hildebrandt Whew - this is a good question! I slotted in the lead right off the start line and into the neutral start. I stayed on the front all the way to the climb up to the 14th hole. No one came around me the entire first lap and my plan was to race smart and make a move when the time felt right. Once we hit the icy climb, I hit the gas a bit and after a minute of climbing I crested the top with Caden Budd a few seconds back and no one else close. Caden, along with Corey Stelljes, were the two guys I was concerned about, so when Corey was no where to be seen and Caden got on my wheel, we hit the gas and stayed away all race. To answer the original question, the toughest moment was when Caden pulled through halfway or closer to the end of lap one and just laid down the power. He was pulling through like a freight train and I had to really focus and talk myself through hanging on until we settled in. Corey put in a good chase and closed the gap down to 15-20 seconds on lap two, but once we recovered a bit from the initial effort to get away, Caden and I worked really well together and blew the gap wide open. Leah Vanevenhoven The first lap, I got passed by Leia. She held first place for 4 out of the 5 laps. I wouldn't let her out of my sight, thinking I wouldn't catch her but knew I could keep the consistent pace I was holding to stay within her reach. These moments were tough to work through. She climbed faster than me on the big hill climb and had a strong cadence at the top that would propel her through the next section of the course. At the end of the 4th lap, I found myself creeping in on her and the group she was with. It's all a daze of passing her on a hill, speeding down the hill, and pedaling as fast as I could for a few minutes refusing to turn around to see if she was behind me. When I finally looked back halfway through lap 5, I was alone. A great race tip I once received was to look forward, not back. Knowing she wasn't within sight, I focused on finishing strong. According to my race results, the 5th lap was my fastest. Coming around the last corner, the crowd didn't know who'd be in first. The eruption was electric from the spectators and the cheering was something I've never experienced; I threw my arms up in victory. What did you ride and do you have any favorite pieces of gear you want to mention? Leah Vanevenhoven I'm part of the Specialized family for all my bikes and raced with a Specialized Fatboy. Because it has been a mild winter, I like to race wearing the 45NRTH Ragnarok cycling shoes. They're lighter and have a better power distribution than my 45NRTH Wolvhammers I typically wear for cold conditions. I recently upgraded my helmet to the Kask Protone Icon and it's extra comfy (and light) on my noggin! Casey Hildebrandt I don't actually currently have a fat bike of my own, but George Kapitz invited me to come do this race and graciously gave me his custom, next level Salsa Beargrease to race on. That thing is decked out with the nicest equipment and is by far the nicest bike I've ever ridden! Sram Eagle AXS, HED Big Deal carbon wheels with Berd Spokes, Wren carbon bars, and even the CeramicSpeed oversized pulley on the rear derailleur. I certainly could not have asked for a nicer bike from a nicer dude! I picked it up two weeks ago and my first ride back from the off season was some winter singletrack! I was able to dial everything in one more time on my home trails at Jack Lake the following weekend and felt comfortable enough to let it rip on race day. During the pre-ride and warm-up, I dressed pretty warm with two sets of shoe covers, a long sleeve base layer, short sleeve jersey, long sleeve jersey, vest, thick gloves, and a cycling hat under my helmet. I quickly realized I was way overdressed and went back to the car to take off one set of shoe covers, change out the long sleeve base layer to a short sleeve one, and took off my cycling hat. At the start line, still feeling a bit warm, I took off the shoe covers and went with my normal shoes and even ended up taking off my gloves on the last lap finishing the race with bare hands. Thank you to George for pushing me to get to the race and providing me with such a nice bike - it was great to represent Broken Spoke and bring home the win, but even better to have my teammate Leah Vanevenhoven win the Pro Women's field! I also want to give a big shout out to Caden Budd - at just 16 years old, he made it a great race and put up one hell of a fight in that sprint finish. It's great to go to battle with someone so strong and young who also happens to be a teammate! He has a bright future ahead of him in this sport and I'm excited to see what he accomplishes. He reminded me why you always spring through the line if it's close!

The Arrowhead 135 is known as one of the 50 hardest races on earth. The physical and mental strength needed to ride one of the coldest trails during the coldest time of year is massive. Today we talk with Jill Martindale, Leah Gruhn, Kate Coward, and Race Director Ken Krueger about what it takes to finish the Arrowhead 135. Combined, they have completed the event 30 times... Jump to section About Arrowhead 135 What Does It Take to Finish? Kate Coward Leah Gruhn Jill Martindale Ken Krueger | Race Director About the Arrowhead 135 The Arrowhead 135 is an ultra-endurance race that takes place in International Falls, Minnesota. It's a non-stop, self-supported race, where participants have to carry all their equipment and supplies for the duration of the race, including food, water, and shelter. The race follows the Arrowhead State Trail from International Falls, Minnesota to Tower, Minnesota, a distance of approximately 135 miles. It takes place in the dead of winter when temperatures can drop to well below zero degrees and blizzard conditions are not uncommon. Participants can choose to compete on foot, on a bike, or on skis, and they have up to 60 hours to complete the race. The race is known for being one of the toughest winter ultras in the world From the Experts: What does it take to finish the Arrowhead 135 on bike? Racing through the night in the dead of winter with a slow heavy bike for 135 in the snow is incredibly challenging. If you've ever considered trying this event, you'll have a lot of obstacles to figure out before and during the race. Not only do you have to have a qualifying race to enter (for bikers, they require at least a 200 mile road bike race or 100 mile off road race, preferably in winter) but you have need to figure out how to stay warm, carry your gear, fix your bike in below zero temperatures, maintain nourishment, and stay mentally strong despite being pushed the limits of human endurance. We reached out to several seasoned winter fat bike ultra endurance athletes to learn what it takes to finish such a long and challenging event. Here are their stories. Kate Coward →Completed 8 of 8 Attempts →Completed All 3 Disciplines of Bike, Foot, & Ski →2021-2023: First Female ('21 was unofficial COVID year) By Kate Coward @kate_coward_athlete As winter approaches every year, our winter ultra stoke lights up social media. Questions and advice cover a range of topics from sweat management, sled choice, gear requirements, footwear, logistics, fear and more. There is so much to think about. So many variables. Arrowhead 135 is HARD! Layers, nutrition strategy, sleep plan are all important for this race held the coldest week of the year in one of the coldest places. But, when I think about what I consider the super power to finish the race, it’s having a strong mind. If you want to finish, you have to show up surrendering to the experience ahead of you, which means being ready to expect and accept some hardships. It could be extremely cold. You might feel lonely or even fearful in those remote stretches after Melgeorges. What are you going to tell yourself when you need a boost? How will you steer yourself away from your own destructive thoughts? Can you tell when you are making up excuses? Have you practiced being your own cheerleader? It takes a lot of physical and mental strength to finish this event. You should expect the low moments. You should expect it will not be easy. Things happen that can be impossible to overcome: your hub or derailleur breaks, you develop plantar fasciitis, you have an old injury that flares up, or you get sick vomiting. But, there are things we perceive as race-enders, with clear paths to finish. Sometimes, we just need to drag our own heads through those tough moments. Our bodies are truly amazing. We can do hard things —yes, we really can! We can physically do more than we can consciously comprehend. But our mind unlocks that full potential. We all show up with some level of fitness, preparation, knowledge of our gear, and challenges we are about to face. When truly faced with boredom, fatigue, cold, pain … how do we handle it? Do we look for excuses or do we take those moments on as challenges to overcome? Are you spiraling into your negative thoughts? Or, are you fighting to lift yourself back up? Since my first Arrowhead I have experimented with various techniques to master my mind using the power of positivity, mantras, or trickery to manage hardship. And you can, too! I have various strategies including smiling, reciting positive affirmations, dividing the course into tiny chunks for tiny wins. My friend Nick Quinn taught me the phrase “you live here now” in reference to his bike seat being his couch, so settle in. Once you figure out what works for you, COMMIT to deploying all your strategies. You don’t have to believe what you are saying, but just the practice will change your emotions. It will change your state of mind. I promise. Try it. Your mental game can become your superpower. Leah Gruhn →Finished 10 of 12 Attempts →2019 - First Female →2022 - First Unsupported Female By Leah Gruhn @leahgruhn Desire – Many people think that completing the Arrowhead 135 as a great accomplishment. Paradoxically, in order to compete, the desire to finish must be greater than the effort and sacrifice required. Are you willing to spend the time, money, and effort? Head Space – Prioritizing the Arrowhead 135 requires a unique discipline and focus. The head space I dedicate to training and preparation stems from streamlining my otherwise day-to-day concerns. Home, career, family life, relationships, care for my parents – all life needs to be simplified and streamlined to prioritize adventures at this scale. It may still be possible to train with any one of those challenges, but that would come down to an individual’s time management, ability to manage priorities, and support from family/friends. Planning – Do your research and get all the information that you can: talk to race veterans, read race reports, research equipment reviews, and pour through online forums. Start small and manageable by focusing on races like the St. Croix 40, Tuscobia 80, or longer winter bike-camping trips. For every critical system on your bike, think through different worst-case scenarios and practice using your gear! Commitment / Priorities – Heading into the race, define your priorities. Primarily, I avoid permanent damage. Frostbite is both a winter-bike-racing career-ender, and immensely painful. Secondarily, I do this for fun. Thirdly, I want to finish. In the middle of the night in the coldest temperatures, I sometimes consider dropping. Then I remember that the most interesting stories focus on overcoming obstacles and not just dropping when the first big thing goes wrong. If you must drop, it’s fine. Don’t beat yourself up about it but you absolutely must to learn as much from it as you can. If everything else is going well, I want to go as fast as possible. Note that I prioritize safety and then finishing over placing high in the field. I take my time and carry equipment that I can use to get myself out of a variety of situations, rather than being a weight weenie and taking an all-or-nothing approach. Luck – Even if you do everything right, if you do enough of these events, something happens. Maybe it’s the foot plus of fresh snow, and you decide that you don’t want to push a bike in that much snow for 65 miles. … or maybe your best friend’s pet iguana passes away the day before you need to start the race and just don’t have the heart to leave your friend. Stuff happens and sometimes you need to give yourself some grace. Jill Martindale →Completed 3 of 5 Attempts →2017 - Course Record →2023 - First Unsupported Female By Jill Marindale @billfartindale I tackle winter ultras with a healthy combination of preparedness, optimism, and opportunism. I practice with gear so I’m comfortable in different scenarios. I practice fixing flats, repairing a chain, or turning my bike into a single-speed. One thing we do differently for the cold-weather is that we strip the factory grease from my hubs and bottom bracket and replace it with a mixture that works better in sub-zero temperatures. We swap the hydraulic brakes for cable brakes and I love the Paul Love Levers, which fit snugly with my warm 45NRTH gloves inside of my pogies. We wrap the metal lever in silicone so the cold metal isn’t cold on my gloved hand. Carbon bars won’t conduct the cold like aluminum handlebars will. If you’re rolling tubeless, make sure it’s set up well before Arrowhead weekend. Going into the event with confidence that my bike is going to roll smoothly keeps me level-headed in the deep cold that we experience out on the Arrowhead trail. Photos: Evan Simula (and rumor has it, the fashion police have been called and are on their way) I head into the event without expectations, because there can be so many variables out there. You’re spending hours riding - so much can happen! Staying out of a negative headspace because things aren’t going to plan is important. Take the trail one mile at a time. Stay calm and be patient, because when you start to rush you can make mistakes. Carry dry layers, go as fast as you can while still keeping yourself in check, and be okay with going slower if conditions require it. Pump yourself up by talking yourself through scenarios, envisioning getting to the end, and cheering yourself on. I like to remind myself that Ken Krueger made it to the finish on his 26” Trek well before all of this fancy winter fat biking gear existed, and that if he can finish Arrowhead by pushing a regular bike through the snow like that, then it’s possible for me to finish on my fat bike, too. Photos: Dan Martinek As for being opportunistic? If there’s a paceline at the start, which is relatively flat until the first checkpoint, grab on to someone’s wheel and hang on! Save your energy for hills surrounding Melgeorge’s by working with others. When you get to a checkpoint, if someone is offering food, eat it. Use the bathroom. Fill up your water, because there’s no guarantee how quickly you’ll get to the next spot. Take the opportunity to put on dry layers, swap out socks, and to take care of yourself. If you’re racing unsupported and you’re allowed to warm up next to a fire, do it. Cruise downhill without grabbing your brakes to use your momentum to get you further up the next hill. If the trail is riding really firm, put air in your tires for less rolling resistance. (Or let air out if you need more traction to go uphill.) Do everything you can to save your energy to get to the finish – you’ll need it on the final miles after Wakemup Hill! Ken Krueger | Race Director →Completed 9 of 9 Attempts →Completed All 3 disciplines of Bike, Foot, & Ski By Ken Krueger Over 1000 racers have finished Arrowhead (~70%) in the history of the race. The finish rate largely depends on weather and trail conditions. Very cold weather gives a fast trail but increases mechanical issues (mostly hubs and flat tires) and many racers struggle to deal with extreme cold. Sweating, frozen water bladders, frostbite, cold, and fatigue are some of the main issues in cold years. Warm weather softens the trail and makes biking much more difficult even with low tire pressures. -10 to 15 Deg F seems to be the sweet spot for bikers. There are many factors a racer can control that will help get them to the finish line. In my opinion, mindset is the most critical. There are most likely going to be issues during your race, how you deal with them is key to making it to Fortune Bay. The checkpoints are warm and cozy, it is a mind game to leave the comfort of a checkpoint and head out into a long, cold night. Racing to me is largely executing your training, I am fortunate to live in International Falls and can train in varied conditions. I've gotten up at 2 am before work to train in -40 deg F just to check out gear and my bike, I also used to keep notes on what works and what did not work. Biking also requires clothing, nutrition, and gear. I struggle with cold feet and wear -100 deg F boots and toe warmers if needed. I still have to push my bike to keep my feet warm. I use KT tape or Dermatone to protect the little bit of skin I have exposed. In very cold weather, I have to wear contacts because I have yet to find a way to prevent my glasses or goggles from fogging. It is critical to find clothes that breath. If you are soaking wet, it can be very dangerous if you have to stop. All racers must have a qualifying race to get accepted into Arrowhead, and all racers are capable of finishing. Arrowhead can be finished by most people if they train hard, have the right gear, and the right mindset. To learn more about the Arrowhead 135, visit their website.

The Nxrth gravel jersey pre-orders are ending on Thursday, Feb 16. These jerseys and bibs come in both men's and women's cuts and are designed and stitched in Coon Valley, Wisconsin by Borah Teamwear. The store closes on Thursday, Feb 16th. Shop Jerseys.

We recently published a brand new top-to-bottom bikepacking route by Frank Hassler covering the entire length of Wisconsin with photography from Scott Haraldson. The route is ~70% unpaved and snakes through farmland in the south, deep forest in the north, and hits on everything we love about Wisconsin bikepacking in this epic adventure. Patrons on our 'Adventure Team' tier get early access to this bikepacking route now and it will get published publicly later on. Join us to get early access and support more routes like this. Join to get access now. What the route guide includes: 617 miles (~70% unpaved) 35+ camping ideas A butt-ton of cafes, restaurants, breweries, and bike shops Overview of recommended gear & adventure highlights Gorgeous photography from Scott Haraldson Get early access to this route now Patrons on our 'Adventure Team' tier get early access to this bikepacking route now. Join us to get early access and support more routes like this.

For 11 days, we've opened up an online shop for The Nxrth gravel jersey orders. These jerseys and bibs come in both men's and women's cuts and are designed and stitched in Coon Valley, Wisconsin by Borah Teamwear. The store closes on Thursday, Feb 16th. Shop Jerseys.