David Markman made a shift from racing to photographing gravel races, ultras, and other competitive events. His photos capture grass roots community and cyclists fighting through their hardest hills. In this interview, we talk about his background and what the heck was up with that crapper. To view more of David's photography, visit his adventure photography website or check him out on Instagram. Photos: @markmanoutdoorphotography What makes you interested in photographing bike races and ultras I’ve raced cycling and ultra events for many years, and I’m a strong believer of giving back. My focus shifted after racing the tour divide in 2016. I was really burnt out of all things bikes. When you trained as much as I did to overcome such a wild race as the divide you end up eating, sleeping and living on your bike. I had lost touch with why I got into cycling in the first place, I had lost touch with friends and family. I needed to take a break from bikes but I loved the community I had become a part of. So I decided to pick up a camera a start photographing small events, it really just grew from there. I still ride bikes but now it’s at a dad pace with my girls. Maybe one day I’ll get back into ultras. You've photographed a zillion races. What's your favorite and why? I don’t know if I have a favorite they are all so unique and I enjoy every one. I enjoy working with races that still have a grass roots feel because that’s what got my into ultras. It wasn’t big events with aero helmets and a call up for all the pros who were going to destroy the field. It was guys in jean shorts and sleeveless flannel who would stop mid race and enjoy the place they were in and probably pass around a malty beverage. These are the kind of events I can be the story teller. I can bounce around and find outstanding spots to capture the blood, sweat and tears. Typically it will be at the top of every hill or at the end of the muddiest road. I saw a great photo of you wearing Crocs on a toilet in the middle of a gravel road. What's the story there? Haha yeah that’s a good one. I’m a part of an event called the filthy 50. As a part of that we have this unspoken option for racers to “catch the crapper”. We put a toilet on course near the end of the race and people can sit on it and get their photo taken. There are always snacks and beverages there but it gives people the motivation to keep going. If you’ve made it to the crapper then you can finish the race. I ended up photographing the crapper last year and needed some test shots so I photographed myself. Not too often I can post a photo of myself on the toilet. Do you bike? If so, what bike and where do you love to ride? Like I said I still ride but not as fast or as much as I used to. Family pace is good for now, I like watching the kids figure it out. Hopefully they will want to race when they get older. I wish high school bike programs were a thing when I was in school. Favorite camera? Oh my Nikon D850 for sure, it is a beast of a camera-but I rarely use it for events other than headshots before the race. I have two Nikon D7200 that have been my work horse event cameras from day one. They both have over half a million shutter clicks. I have put them through rain, snow, mud, drops, basically the ringer and they keep up with me. I don’t mind shooting with older equipment as long as I have good glass. I put all of my money into my lenses.

Nate Long took his 5-year old son on a 30 mile 2-day bikepacking trip on the Red Cedar Trail in Menomonie, WI. It was his son's longest ride to date, and they did it back to back days for a total of 30 miles. Check out their father/son story and video here. Story and Photos: Nate Long (Nathan Long on YouTube) The trip started out as a spur of the moment decision. I had some days of vacation with nothing else planned, and my son also had the same days off from 4K school. He had just turned 5 years old, and the weather was quite warm for early October, so we decided to take advantage of the unseasonably warm conditions before the weather turned cold in Wisconsin. A week earlier, a couple friends had bikepacked the Red Cedar Trail with their kids, and it was a great route to introduce my son bikepacking. We had biked a couple miles of the southern section before, but this would be the first time biking the entire 15 mile route from Menomonie to where it meets the Chippewa River. My son's longest ride yet The route is quite flat, being a railroad grade that was converted to trail. The route follows the Red Cedar Valley and passes the small communities of Irvington and Downsville, and also into the Dunnville State Wildlife Area. It offers great views of the Red Cedar River, old train bridges, small waterfalls, prairies, marshes, forests, and sandstone bluffs. The longest ride my son had done prior was 12 miles, so this would be a big challenge for him, especially on a small 16” wheeled single speed bike. While I do have proper bikepacking gear, the spur of the moment trip did not allow for much preparation time. Knowing the route was flat, I decided to use the Burley to haul our gear. This allowed us to pack more than I normally would as weight and space wasn’t an issue. We loaded up the gear and bikes, and took the short drive to Menomonie to start the trip. We set out shortly after noon, and the temperatures were already above 80ºF. The plan was to make a stop half way in Downsville and visit the Scatterbrain Café for food and ice cream. My son enjoys the views of sandstone cliffs, autumn colors on the trees, and the many small bridges we cross along the way. We spot a gaggle of turkeys that cross the trail in front of us. Further along the way we see a field to our right with round hay bales covered in white plastic. My son comments on seeing the “White marshmallows out there” and asked jokingly “Do they put them out there to roast?” Kids say the funniest things. We turn off the trail in Downsville and up the street to the Scatterbrain Café. Here we refuel our bodies with food, soda, and ice cream and escape the Indian summer heat for a short bit. Then back on the bikes, we get back on the trail and continue the mission to reach the Chippewa River and our camping spot. Stopping occasionally for snacks, checking out waterfalls, and some encouraging words, my son continues to count the mile markers as we near the Chippewa River. With renewed strength as he sees the end, my son motors ahead and we make our way onto the sandy beach and pick out a spot to setup camp. A tent, a campfire, a river, and a well earned night of sleep I pull out the sand toys we packed along and my son quickly goes to make sand castles, stacking rocks, and also throwing stones in the water to make the biggest splashes he can. We roast marshmallows and make s'mores by the campfire. It was a long strenuous day for a little 5 year old, so we head into the tent early for a good nights sleep. In the morning we awaken to a beautiful sunrise and watch an eagle hunting for fish on the river. I make my coffee and we eat breakfast and pack up camp for the return trip, to hopefully beat the climbing temperatures. We make stops in the same locations as the day prior, along with another stop at the café for a root beer float and some food. Life lesson: the last leg is always the hardest The remaining 7 miles were challenging for the tired legs of a 5 year old. I remind him that our only option is to bike back to the truck, as no one was coming to rescue us since mom was at work still. I have him count down the mile markers and he realizes we only have a few miles to go. When he spots the parking lot up ahead at the trailhead, he sprints ahead with renewed energy, excited to have completed the trip. 30 miles in two days is quite a feat for a 5 year old. Showing him video of the trip, he’s excitedly asking me when are doing another one. Adventures with your kids make great memories!

In the summer of 2021, ten guys and I went up to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for a bikepacking trip on parts of the Crusher route. Story, Photos, & Video by Josh Rizzo Our annual tradition is to explore Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Michigan for 3-4 days and this was our first route that wasn't an official bikepacking.com route. Despite studying aerial maps and reading about the area, what we found was a complete surprise. As Wisconsinites, we often joke about how Michigan "stole" the Upper Peninsula from Wisconsin. But after learning more about the history of how the UP became part of Michigan and how it often gets left out of Michigan maps and USA maps, I started calling the UP the "forgotten peninsula". Here's the video of our trip and our thoughts about the forgotten peninsula: ROUTE INFO:

Polar Roll is definitely a crazy venue, and a race that's unpredictable. Come along in this shortened version of the race and hear how things went. After 45 minutes hydration on the bike was frozen, how long can you push the limit without hydration? Let's Race! See more on the Bike Life With Rob YouTube Channel.

The Kasner family has two young boys diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Friend and neighbor Adam Klotz is hosting the KKD Gravel Ride which is intended to raise awareness and money for research to fight this terrible disease for the Kasner boys and others who battle Duchenne, a rare genetic and eventually fatal disease. The inaugural KKD Gravel event takes place on Sat June 11, 2022 at the Dakota County Fairgrounds. The event has 3 distances: the Gravel Half 79er, The Gravel 79 Challenge, and the Gravel 158 Ultra. The first 100 registered will be entered into a drawing for a brand new Wahoo Kickr (V5). To learn more, visit the KKD Gravel Facebook event, the Registration Page, or the Kasners family page here. Interview with friend and neighbor to the Kasner family, Adam Klotz: Who are the Kasners and what is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy? The Kasner Family is made up of 4 crazy boys, AJ, Ben, Caleb and Dunky (ABCD) and their parents, Sarah and Dan. They reside in South Minneapolis where they love their neighborhood and thoroughly enjoy the summers where they walk, run or bike wherever they go. AJ and Ben are college-aged and living their best life. Caleb and Dunky are 8 and 6 and are living a life different than any of us ever dreamed of. Nearly 4 years ago, these boys were diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (Duchenne). Duchenne is a progressive, neuromuscular disease that affects primarily boys and is terminal as there is no treatment or cure. The disease happens because these boys are missing dystrophin, which is a necessary protein found in the muscles. With each muscle movement, muscles breakdown and build back up, but Caleb and Dunky's never build back up. So essentially they are losing the ability to move their bodies with each movement they make. Kids with Duchenne are usually wheelchair bound by 8 - 12 and have a life expectancy around early 20's. In addition to their physically failing bodies, there are also behavioral issues that come with Duchenne, which are exacerbated due to the daily steroids they have to take. You're a friend of theirs. Why go through all this work to raise awareness and funds when it's not even your own family? Fortunately, I don’t consider it “work” because I very much enjoy all things bikes, riding in organized bike rides, and being in charge. Adding to that is the pure joy I get out of doing something for my neighbors the Kasners. Dan and Sarah have been neighbors and friends of ours for something like ten years. My wife and I have two children who are roughly the same ages of Caleb and Dunky, and our kids have grown up with one another. Seeing the impact of Duchenne on them made me want to do something to show my support and maybe even help. Biking and the biking community has been very helpful for me in my life, and so an annual biking event to raise awareness and funds made sense. Tell me about Dakota County. What are the gravel roads and scenery like? KKD Gravel is the gravel roads that everyone grew up with. KKD Gravel starts and finishes in Dakota County, and it travels into Rice, Le Sueur, and Scott Counties as well, depending on the distance ride you are doing. I chose that location because I grew up in Dakota County (minutes from the starting line), and so growing up I knew the surrounding gravel roads well. And when I now ride these gravel roads with my wife, who is also an avid biker, she describes them as the type of gravel roads that she also knew growing up, despite her being from the Duluth area. So we’ve concluded the best way to describe the gravel roads we ride for KKD Gravel, is to describe them as the familiar gravel roads that everyone grew up with—relatively flat, uninterrupted skylines, corn and soy fields, spattering of cows, small townships here and there with their clusters of small surrounding homes, farmhouses, scents of manure and fertilizer, large irrigation systems, suburban outskirts, and various paved connecting thoroughfares. KKD Gravel is not a gravel ride in the harrowing driftless region, nor one that takes place in a densely wooded logging region, like in Cable, WI. While I love riding events in those regions, KKD Gravel is different, and I’m particularly fond of it for that reason. A couple last things: The gravel is fast, which is great because in my opinion it makes rides like these more accessible to those who are new or relatively new to riding gravel. And for those veterans of the discipline, it allows for you to perhaps complete your first Ultra, or ride 79 or 158 miles and then weed and mow your lawn later that day. For the 158 Ultra riders, you’ll also get lakes for your scenery, and a surprise or two for the course medium. What's the significance of 79? The distances offered for KKD Gravel are 39.5 miles (or the Half 79er), a 79 mile Challenge, and a 158 mile Ultra. I’m also considering adding a 17.9 miler. The distances are based on the number 79, which is significant in the Duchenne community. 79 represents the 79 exons in the dystrophin gene. The dystrophin gene is the largest gene in the entire human body, which makes any treatments extremely difficult. Every child with Duchenne has a mutation in the dystrophin gene. There can be duplication of exons, deletion of exons or nonsense mutations where the gene just stops. Caleb and Dunky are missing exons 6 - 17, which is considered a rare mutation of the disease. Believe it or not, there are hot spots of this rare disease and Dunky and Caleb do not fall in the hot spot, making their mutation even more rare. We target 79 because our goal is someday they can have a treatment that would help them produce full length dystrophin, the 79 exons that they need. It's hard to believe how lucky most people are to just be able to jump on their bikes and go for a ride. Just one exon missing from one of our many genes we have can result in such a terrible disease.

Kate Coward found ultra endurance racing later in life. Now she's hooked on pushing boundaries, losing her GPS in the middle of storms in the dark, and helping others live their fullest potential. In this interview, we talk about biking, motherhood, and Arrowhead 135. Kate Coward is a Minnesota based athlete, mother, business owner, and coach with an addiction to pushing boundaries in everything she does. She helps people discover their full potential with custom ultra-endurance training plans. To learn more about Kate or her business, Full Potential Performance Coaching, visit her website. Kate, you've already had an incredible career as an endurance athlete. Where do you go from here and what exactly is your personal best? Thank you! I’m a little panicky because I feel like I found this sport late in life and there is so much I want to do! I’m still searching for my personal best. I seem to be getting stronger and faster as I roll through my 40s — so I’ll take it! I have a number of goals on my list to accomplish, and you never know where life will head but I will work toward them. The toughest thing for me is focusing on a sport or a season. I enjoy anything long and hard across any mode of transport all year around, but to be truly competitive you have to specialize and have an off or rest season. What's the hardest event you've ever done? 2020 Iditarod 350 hands down. It was the most physically and mentally demanding event I’ve done. I lost my GPS at mile 100 and then my phone. I was blind for the next several days feeling my way through windblown “trails” or whatever was left of a trail I could find, through lakes, rivers, and mountain passes. I had to use my intuition to get to the checkpoints - thank goodness I have a great sense of direction. There were a few hours here and there I thought I was walking off into the abyss. "I walked for endless miles through storms, in the dark, in -50 F weather and had a lump in my throat for 2 days straight on the trail. I was scared and lonely. There was a legit threat of safety from the outrageous numbers of moose on the trail. Everything hurt. My brain was tired from all the emotions and working so hard to overcome the mental pressures. So that win was so sweet and catapulted my confidence. Maybe that is what I’m the most proud of? How was your 2022 Arrowhead Ultra? Highs, lows, and how does it compare to your other Arrowhead events? I love the Arrowhead trail and community, so that did not disappoint! The 2022 race was somewhat uneventful for me. The weather was warm and the snow wasn’t super fast, but firm and rideable. There was no risk of frost bite. I had no epic battles with myself or the trail. I didn't eat or drink enough which hurt me, but my body knows what to do. I had some aches and pains, but nothing unusual. I think the biggest hurdle was that nearly the entire race was rideable, and so it was very physically demanding because it was just non-stop riding. I’ve completed this route 8 times, 6 of which were actual races, and every other journey had a struggle, either internal or external. I’ve walked my bike for hours on this trail, fallen asleep at the wheel and ridden into trees, shared hours on the trail with new friends, breast pumped milk at checkpoints, biked alone during a -30 F night unsupported when there was no race in 2021. When I did the race on foot, I did a double 270 mile with very little training and in my first trimester of pregnancy. On skis, I had to get cortisone shots in my forearms after my tendons flared up and I got nerve damage from double pole planting for 35 hours. So much drama! 2022 was “easy” relative to other years. I was kind of trained - just held onto some fitness from the summer gravel season. Weather-wise, we lucked out because just 1 day after the race cut off, the region experienced record temperature temp of -42 for the date! I had some “lows” but pretty quickly pulled myself out of them with my mental techniques. I know the course well enough now I sort of know where I am, but I don’t bring a computer or watch, so sometimes an hour feels like many hours … so the biggest challenge is staying present and trying not to anticipate the finish. I think time was slowed down since there wasn’t anything interesting to focus on, people to chase or be chased. "The highs were DEFINITELY being on the starting line with this awesome community after 2 years apart, and then rolling into CP2 and CP3 because the volunteers and Embark Maple crew were totally awesome!" I always look forward to these checkpoints for the people as much as the recharge. How does motherhood tie into your purpose as an athlete, coach, and business owner? Many of us have been socialized to think your life is over when you have kids — or that you won’t be able to be as fast or strong since your body changes (as a woman). I’m still besties with all my alpine ski racing friends from when we were teenagers, we are all raising our kids together now and sharing outdoor experiences with them. Also, pay attention - there are a number of the most insane female pro female athletes out there who have kids and continued their careers and are thriving. This has been such a passion of mine. "I changed my expectations and approach to my training and competition after having my son, and turns out I just got stronger and faster." Ultra racing it the greatest equalizer … age and gender seem to fade as we do harder and longer events. This really inspired me to show other (women especially) that you have so much more potential than you know. Maybe things change with kids. Maybe your long run on Saturday is half with a kid in a stroller at a slower pace. Or maybe you have to get on the trainer at 9pm. It’s all possible, just about changing your expectations, getting creative with your workouts, and having a supportive partner or family. What's the achievement you're most proud of? Hard to say. I usually put everything I have into everything I do in many areas of life, so I usually walk away feeling proud I gave it all. Finishing in the top 15 at Unbound 200 last year, my second gravel race, was definitely a highlight. The caliber of talent was the most concentrated I’ve ever been around. I was very surprised at the finish! Flat bars or drops? Equal opportunity! Music or silence? If I’m with others, always silence (or chatting of course). Long runs - podcasts Short runs or races - music. Biking: podcasts. Bike races: silence. Favorite on-course snack? Embark Maple! Favorite place to ride in The Nxrth? I love the Driftless region down near Lake Pepin. It’s as close as we can get to mountains and gorgeous views. Book recommendation? My favorite book is the 2nd of the Pillars of the Earth Series by Ken Follet, World Without End. love epic sports books such as Iron War by Matt Fitzgerald, about the epic Ironman Triathlon battle between Dave Scott and Mark Allen, arguably two of the best Ironman triathletes of all time. Otherwise I recommend Andrew Coggan’s Training and Racing with a Power Meter book -haha!

From KevDoes YouTube Channel: If you want to start bikepacking, but are worried about going too far from home or don't have the time or money to travel somewhere far, this video gives you a quick one-night bike packing idea that you can do from your backyard! Visit parksandtrails.org for more information on the Parks and Trails Council!

Elena Willmot has a tendency to do things on a whim. During the height of the pandemic and the low of a blah looking calendar, she discovered Le Grand Du Nord, promptly registered, and embarked on the adventure of her very first gravel race. Read about her accomplishment and the familiar mistakes we've ALL made at one point or another. Le Grand Du Nord is an event of Heck of the North Productions. The 2022 event takes place on May 28, in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Options include 26-miles, 54-miles, and 110-miles and all routes follow the beautiful Lake Superior shore linen before climbing to their final destinations. Story: Elena Willmot Photos: Elena Willmot and Clint Austin At the height of the pandemic last winter, with nothing to do and no one to see, I found myself glued to my phone for hours, sinking deeper and deeper into the couch cushions. Normally, this time of year was bearable - enjoyable, even - but not being able to travel meant we had no big events to look forward to. No family holidays. No ski trips. No trips to see friends in southern climates. It would be another month or two until the snow was deep and compact enough to ski on and several more months until I could get back on my beloved mountain bike. I scrolled through an endless supply of photos and videos, swapping between social media platforms, looking for that hit of dopamine, when I saw it: an image of a cyclist riding down a gravel road banked by healthy evergreens and a small pond, ‘Le Grand du Nord’ in bold red letters across the top. The photo exuded warmth and sent my heart into overdrive - I desperately missed being on my bike. I clicked the image and was taken to the Heck of the North Productions webpage, where I read about a gravel bike race, called Le Grand du Nord, that was planned for the end of May. Registration was only a few days away! There were three race options advertised: 20, 50, or 100 mile race along the hilly backcountry gravel roads that snaked around the small town of Grand Marais in Minnesota. Twenty miles felt doable… I had friends that biked from Duluth to Two Harbors and back in a day, which was way more than 20 miles. The course wasn’t advertised until the day of the race and I would be required to navigate using a GPS watch and cue card, neither of which I had any experience with. I quickly sent the link to several friends, hoping to drum up some interest, and I just as quickly received several declines. I desperately needed something to work towards, something to look forward to, so I decided to do it alone. Preparing While the countdown to race registration began, I fixated on learning as much as I could about the race and gravel biking in general. Was this doable for an average person, like myself? How would I train in the snowy, wet winter months? What on Earth is a cue card and how do I read it? I researched GPS watches and invested in one I could use across sports. I watched YouTube videos about cue cards and gravel biking. I read the Heck of the North website so many times, I could have re-written the ‘Event Info’ page verbatim. I went deep into past race archives hoping to spot a name I recognized - someone I could reach out to and bother with all my beginner questions. Being relatively new to this town, I wasn’t surprised that it was a fruitless exercise. On registration day, a 9 am alarm reminded me to sign up. I tentatively opened the registration link and began filling out my information. My fingers hovered over the Submit button - I’ve always been anxious about trying something for the first time. My anxiety had been at an all-time high while navigating pandemic life, and I was tired. A wave of frustration hit me and I hit Submit. It was time to throw myself into new things. What was the worst that could happen? I suppose my bike could break down. On that thought, I researched bike maintenance clinics in town and enrolled myself in the first one I could find (thank you, Ski Hut). With a new GPS watch, an indoor stationary bike, a bike-tuning multi-tool, and a spare tire, I was ready to start my training. I created a training plan that mimicked the half marathon training plans I had used in the past: I biked on the stationary bike 3 days a week with a longer weekend ride and some yoga mixed in. I followed various YouTube videos that helped add structure to my rides. When pavement finally emerged from under layers of snow and ice, I hit the trails. As race day approached, nerves seeped into every part of my days. What if I couldn’t finish? What if I got hurt? Or lost? As if heard by the gravel bike gods, Heck of the North decided to release the course map 6 days in advance. However, in order to make a nice loop, they needed to extend the race an extra 6 miles (for a total of 26 miles). I poured over elevation maps, satellite images, and Google’s Street View, trying to memorize every turn. The Friday before the race, I picked up my race packet and proceeded to find a cheap way to attach my cue card to my handlebars. My concoction ended up requiring a plastic sheet protector that held the cue card, a hole punch, duct tape, and several zip ties. My first rookie mistake was not testing my MacGyver set-up before the race… Race Day My wave didn’t start until 10am, so I had plenty of time to eat breakfast and drive the 2.5 hours up the north shore to Grand Marais. I loaded my Camelbak with water, tools, some extra layers, and sunscreen. The weather was expected to be near-perfect for a bike race with light winds, sun, and temperatures in the 50s. I parked and walked my bike four blocks uphill to the starting line, too embarrassed to risk not being able to bike up the steep incline like all the other spandex-laden race-goers appeared to do. I gathered with others in my wave and was thankful to see an assortment of t-shirts, bike shorts, and leggings - these were my people. I positioned myself behind two older women at the starting line and followed them closely when the timer hit zero. I used the cheers from the small crowd to propel me forward - I spotted my husband taking a video and waved. Within 100 yards, we hit a stoplight and waited for several cars to pass through. We all laughed, as it felt very anticlimactic. The first three miles were along a gradual hill that climbed out of town. Vehicle traffic began to die down and the racers started to space out. I decided to pass the ladies in front of me and wished them well. I felt a scrape along my knee and looked down. The plastic corner of my cue card set-up repeatedly scratched my knee with every pedal stroke. Frustrated, I was forced to swing my right knee wide when pedaling. At mile four, I turned a corner only to find myself gazing up a steep hill with at least 30 people scattered about, struggling to push their bikes up the hill. I knew this hill was coming, but it looked significantly more intimidating in person than it had on Google Maps. I pedaled as far as I could (likely a handful of yards) before I, too, had to push my bike up the hill, my heart nearly exploding my chest - I was sure it was the end of me. I stopped to catch my breath at the top, at which point the two ladies I started with biked past me, waving and smiling. I never did catch up to them again. The next 15 miles went smoothly - I got into a groove and became immersed in the scenery around me. At one point, I attempted to grab a swig of water while continuing to pedal - like the pros do. Just as I reached down to grab the bottle, my handlebars jerked to the right causing me to drop the bottle and then bike over it. They made it look so easy on YouTube! As I turned around to pick it up, no fewer than 3 people asked if I was okay and if I needed any help. In that moment, although embarrassed, I knew I wouldn’t get lost or be left behind. I biked on. Hanger Strikes Around mile 18, I started to lose my momentum. I was tired and irritable. I got frustrated easily and had to push my bike up a few hills, kicking myself for not being in better shape. I watched a gentleman with a small child strapped to his handlebars pass me, the kid waving and giggling as they passed. I was also passed by a group with toddler trailers attached, the kids happily bouncing along behind their parents. At this point I realized my second major mistake: I didn’t pack snacks. I was excessively hangry. I slogged through the last 8 miles in a state of misery. I cursed myself for doing this and for doing it alone. Maybe someone to talk to would have made this last stretch bearable. Or snacks. Snacks would have definitely made it better. La Fin du Grand du Nord Just when I thought I was going to lose it entirely, the road curved down towards Highway 7 - the paved road we started on! Relieved, I crossed onto the highway and coasted down the gentle hill back towards the starting line. The sounds of cowbells, music, and cheers started to get louder. Adrenaline kicked in and I pedaled harder, ignoring the “SLOW DOWN” signs posted along the route. I turned onto 3rd Avenue and immediately spotted my husband trying to point me out to our dog, who looked utterly confused. Thankfully, he had a feast waiting for me once I sailed over the finish line. We sat on the Voyageur Brewing deck soaking in the sunshine and reflecting on the past several months - how motivating it had been to have this goal to work towards and how biking, in general, had really brought us through the difficulty of pandemic isolation. I came into the race with zero expectations for myself, so I was extremely proud and humbled. It was a really difficult route for someone as un-athletic as myself (like really un-athletic), but I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive environment in which to try it out. I know I’ll find myself on another gravel race someday (I started plotting my next race the following day), but next time, I’ll be sure to bring snacks.

Fat Bike Worlds, hosted by Borealis Bikes, just announced they'll be returning to New Richmond, Wisconsin in 2023. Find a spread of race highlights, drone flyovers, and people wearing bacon costumes in this recap video. To learn more about the 2022 event visit FatBikeWorlds.org

This past Weekend, the Minnesota MTB YouTube Channel headed up to Central Minnesota to check out what Cayuna has to offer in the winter. Is it just as fun as in the summer? Find out in this latest video.

Ryan Stephens learned to shoot outdoor adventure photography in the middle of the night while capturing the stunning northern lights. A regular photographer for The Marji Gesick, Polar Roll, and The Crusher, Ryan shares his story in today's interview. Ryan Stephens is a photographer living in Marquette, Michigan. He specializes in shooting action sports and nature and is the Photo & Video Director at Northern Michigan University. Photos: Ryan Stevens Photo @ryanstephensphoto You’ve photographed Marji Gesick, The Crusher, and Polar Roll. Have you ever actually biked any of Todd’s events? I will happily go camping when it’s -40, but I’m still not crazy enough to race any of Todd’s events. Plus then I would miss out on photographing them! What’s your background and how did you choose photography? My Dad passed down his love for biking to me at an early age. He would take me to the local trails, dirt jumps or skatepark and we would often take pictures of each other to see how much (or little) air we would get on the jumps. Before long I felt the need to document the silly things my friends and I would do around town and on a jump in my backyard. I would use a little point and shoot but I found the limitations of that pretty quickly. My parents bought me my first DSLR, a Canon Rebel, for my high school graduation gift and I brought that camera to college which is when I really discovered my love for photography. How did you learn outdoor adventure photography? When I was getting started I just got outside with my camera as much as possible because I loved it and it was just another excuse to play outside. Getting into specifics and technique came along later. In the digital age it doesn't cost anything to learn by trial and error and leaves no excuses to just practice and practice. I noticed that I didn't see much night photography online, so I decided to focus on that, and for a long time that was all I did. Many nights after class and work my friends would go out on the town while I would drive to the middle of nowhere shooting the stars all night.I would check for northern lights nearly every night, and when I found them I would shoot until 4 or 5am often in sub-zero temps and still find a way to make it to my 8am class. After you master your camera shooting in the dark with freezing hands and dying batteries, every other shooting situation becomes much simpler. Through social media I eventually gained a small amount of local recognition which opened opportunities to work with some great local professional photographers who helped me learn so much about not only the craft, but the directing and business side of photography as well. The U.P. has an iconic reputation. What is it about the land and people that give it such an adventurous spirit? The U.P. is a beautiful, yet rugged place to live. Lake Superior and the surrounding landscapes are extremely unique and provide opportunities for adventure, but also bring isolation and rough weather. It takes a certain resilience to make a life here and the people that do are often the ones who embrace winter and know how to make the most of it. The adventurous spirit thrives here and this small community understands the importance of being active outside and the happiness it brings. Do you get cold shooting hundreds of active fat bikers while you stand still in the snow? My shooting style while on an event like the Polar Roll is actually very active which helps me stay warm in the winter. I make it a point to move around the course as much as possible to capture as many racers in different locations, climbing trees to get different angles, and flopping around with snowshoes to get a unique photograph of as many participants as possible. My family often joke about how many jackets I own, but being an outdoor photographer in the U.P. makes you realize quickly that you need good gear. Being able to focus on your job instead of your survival makes a big difference in the end result of a shoot day. What do you shoot with? Canon R6 with my main lenses being the Canon 16-35, 50, and 70-200. What kind of biking do you do? A big reason I moved to the U.P. was because of the phenomenal terrain here. Mountain biking is one of my favorite things to do while not behind the lens and I feel fortunate to have one of the best trail systems in the midwest a mile from my house. To see more of Ryan Stephens' work, follow him on Instagram or check out his landscape print galleries and race coverage.

Part 2: This winter, Matt Acker needed an epic bike adventure. Bringing along a few fellow 45NRTH riders, he hit the southern shore of Lake Superior from Whitefish Point to Grand Marais. To read Part 1 of the bike adventure, visit 45NRTH.com. Photos: Neil Washburn Follow along for the full story and stay tuned for Part 3 coming later in February.