The Small River Town of Lanesboro, Minnesota The small river town of Lanesboro, Minnesota has been known for its bike culture for years as well as its placement in the middle of miles of paved rail trail that can take riders up and down the mighty Root River. In addition to the paved trails, the town is also known for its cute bed n’ breakfasts, historic hotels, an ice cream shop, the perfect bike themed cafe, pastry shop, a five star wine bar, and the best craft brewery around. One thing that it hasn’t been known for (until recently) are its ancient limestone gravel roads. Gravel Guide Created by Trenton Raygor @trigunw0lf Jump to Section Map Overview Gravel Routes Paved Trail System Where to Eat Where to Stay Where to Drink Bike Shops The Filthy 50 moved to Lanesboro in 2019 and has since introduced thousands of people to the area. The area features some of the best gravel roads in North America. Combine the thousands of miles of primo gravel roads with the accommodations, cuisine, and culture that Lanesboro provides makes this the ideal gravel adventure destination. We will give you a few routes to get you started, however, you’re going to want to explore. There are so many amazing gravel roads that the routes we share below don’t highlight. Where to Bike Gravel From Lanesboro, Minnesota The area of the Driftless Region that surrounds Lanesboro is colloquially referred to as “bluff country”. Yes, you guessed it, that means elevation! Bring your climbing legs. When you’re in Lanesboro, stop, stand in one place, and look around in all directions. The only way out (that doesn’t directly follow the river) involves going up. Note: there are purposefully very few miles of pavement included in our routes both for enjoyment and safety. Here are several of our favorites. Gravel Bike Routes The Pretty Filthy 25 [23.6 miles] This route takes you south out of downtown Lanesboro. You will follow the creek as you climb Grosbeak and Gentle eventually descending on Easy Street and then will turn south, following Gribben Creek out of the valley. It’s a bit of up and down before an epic return featuring Grit Road and hitting the finish line in the middle of downtown Lanesboro. This route features minimum maintenance roads, 1900+ feet of climbing, no towns to refuel, but some of the prettiest scenery you ever did see. LINK TO MAP . The Filthy 50 [50.9 miles] This takes you south out of downtown Lanesboro. You will follow the creek as you climb Grosbeak and Gentle eventually descending on Easy Street. You will then climb the infamous Dew Drop and turn south towards “The Big Woods” and Amish country. Riders will want to keep their wits about them when they hit the Amish maintained MMR just west of Henrytown. After making your way down Grit Road, crossing the finish line in downtown Lanesboro is gonna feel good. This route features several minimum maintenance roads (MMRs) and 3200+ feet of climbing. There are no towns for refueling. It ain’t easy, folks. LINK TO MAP . The North 50 [49.5 miles] The North 50 takes you east out of downtown Lanesboro. You immediately get into some heavy climbing, but then get to enjoy a swift descent into the small river town of Whalen. From there you grind scenic Deep River Road until you’re shot north up the 105 along Big Springs Creek. You’ll get far enough north to hear the sounds of Interstate 90, but then jog west and begin your trek south toward Pilot Mound. After that, soak in the vibes of Harrow Rd and get your last bit of climbing done before you bomb Gaelic and roll some smooth pavement back into Lanesboro. This route features some eagle nests along the Root River, a pie shop, and 3200+ feet of climbing. LINK TO MAP . The Extra Filthy 100 [100.6 miles] This takes you north out of downtown Lanesboro, then west and north toward Pilot Mound, then north and east toward The Village of Rushford. Riders will then adventure south through the small river town of Peterson (mile 50 and your only refueling stop) and will meet up with the 50 mile route further south in Amish country. This route features several MMRs and 7000+ feet of climbing. It’s packed with valleys and vistas, and is as tough as it is beautiful. This beast is bound to push your limits. Plan accordingly. LINK TO MAP . Lanesboro Paved Trail System The Root River State Trail provides a paved option that starts in Fountain and takes you 42.3 miles to Houston, with Lanesboro, Whalen, Peterson, and Rushford as towns along the way. A fun and short one to do with the kids is the 4.6 miles from Lanesboro to Whalen, eat a piece of pie, and ride the 4.6 miles back. The Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail provides a 17.8 mile paved option between Harmony and where it connects with The Root River State Trail just several miles west of Lanesboro. Preston is your only town along the way. You might want your climbing legs for this stretch, especially if you’re planning on venturing all the way to Harmony. Take a look at the Root River & Harmony-Preston Valley State Trails Map if you’re looking to take advantage of these scenic paved options. Video: A Love Letter to the Driftless Region by Filthy Founder, Trenton Raygor Where to Eat Another Time Ice Cream Parlor If a post ride ice cream treat is your thing (it’s definitely mine), here is your goto. These folks are super kind and located at the Filthy start and finish lines. Pst…they also serve up a mean espresso. Lanesboro Pastry Shoppe This is a favorite of ours for that pre-ride breakfast or mid-ride cinnamon roll. The chef will literally make you anything you ask for on or off the menu. Bring cash. Pedal Pushers Cafe This is probably our favorite restaurant anywhere. Hands down. Scott and Angie make the best post-ride meals and if you’re riding a Filthy route, they are conveniently located quite literally at the finish line. Where to Stay Camping City of Lanesboro Sylvan Park Campground: is an economical option and a convenient place for tent camping. Sites are limited to 35. A bathhouse is available with coin operated showers, which are handy after a long ride. Highway 250 Campground: is the closest option to downtown Lanesboro for parking your camper overnight. It’s also on our 100 mile route making your start and finish super convenient. Hotels We are big fans of Stone Mill Hotel and Suites, Cottage House Inn, Iron Horse, and Root River Inn and Suites due to their proximity to downtown. Check the Lanesboro website for more options and availability. There are some historic bed and breakfasts in town that we’ve been meaning to try out as well. Where to Drink Coffee Parkway Market & CoffeeHouse: the perfect quick stop to load up on provisions and get caffeinated before your ride. Beer Sylvan Brewing : Andy and Karen make the best beer around and even make a special Filthy beer each year for the finishers. Ask them about it. A great post-ride destination. Wine Root River 102: where you need to be for that post ride cocktail or glass of wine. They have an incredible bar and also serve really good food. Bike Shop Your Lanesboro option: Little River General Store

Created by Chris Stindt Gravel is a La Crosse area specialty - the region is part of the driftless; we have some amazing views, bluffs to climb, a great river, oh, and quality crushed limestone roads, plus the benefit of a mid-sized town to offer breweries, distilleries, great food and places to stay. Jump to Section Map Overview Gravel Routes Rail-Trail Routes Bonus ATB Route Where to Eat Where to Stay Where to Drink Bike Shops This guide will help you figure out where you want to ride, where to stay, eat and drink, plus some great local bike shops. The area offers everything from pancake flat rails-to-trails to hilly rides with over 10,000 feet of climbing. You can stay on the cheap at a campsite, or at a 5-star hotel overlooking the Mississippi River. Taco trucks to steak houses, dine in your kit or throw on some fancy duds, the choice is yours. Oh, and we don’t recommend trying to drink out of the world’s largest 6-pack, we have multiple other better options. Where to Ride Gravel From La Crosse The little secret is that most of the gravel routes we have are actually over the Mississippi River, in Minnesota. Yes, you can get to gravel in Wisconsin, but it's consideralby farther away than the gravel in Minnesota. Gravel Biking Routes Each route can be modified; if you’re the hardy type to ride from your hotel, but want to be in the city, then you have 5-10 miles of road riding at the beginning and end of each route. Alternatively you can stay in La Crescent or simply drive to the start of the gravel. Based on experience, there is something magical about crossing one of the biggest rivers in the world to start an epic adventure. But generally, if you’ve done it right, the hardest climb of the day is coming back over the blue bridge at the end of the day. Some days I start in town, other days I drive over; choose your own adventure. The Appetizer [30 miles] This route starts in La Crescent and heads west. What little traffic you see on County Road 6 is quickly left behind, as you turn on to Pine Creek Road. Pavement gives way to gravel and almost immediate views. A climb takes you to Nodine, and then a gravel descent brings you to the prettiest swale in the country, between east and westbound traffic on I90. A challenging climb up an (in)famous MMR brings you back to the ridge top. Enjoy this great taste of driftless gravel! LINK TO MAP . Deceptive Distance [35 miles] Multiple times I’ve mapped this route and left my house, thinking I’d just be out for a couple of hours. Alas, as my wife will tell you, I’ve never done it in less than 3 hours. Partially because it’s closer to 50 miles if you leave from La Crosse, but also because it features 4 full bluff climbs. But damn, this is a great route close to the city. If you want to get the full experience of driftless gravel, but don’t have time to commit to a full day of riding, this is your best option. LINK TO MAP . The Skullsplitter [56 miles] This is a former race route I used to coordinate. If you want all gravel and still want over 50 miles, this is a bruiser of a route. No services, again, except Little Miami. LINK TO MAP . Metric Century [65 miles] Notes on this route…make sure you have plenty of fuel and liquids. More than you think you’ll need. I’ve been picked up at least twice trying to finish this one on two bottles and not enough snackies. There is a soda machine at Little Miami in Freeburg, and to be honest, you might want to just plan on stopping there so you can say you did. Otherwise start with a lot, or hit the KT in Hokah. Grab a snack at Free Range Exchange on the way back. Other fun bits: Country Road 5 is one of my favorite roads…period. Cut into rock, running downhill and along a little river valley, it’s really special. LINK TO MAP . Gravel Monster [105 miles] This route was created by a couple of local gravel aficionados, who had created a ‘monster’ road route with 10 climbs, and wanted to do the same for gravel. I was one of, if not the first, to test it out, and it was definitely a challenging ride. If you want to make sure you hit triple digits on the odo, start in La Crosse. Refuel in Houston. If you time it right, stop in Hokah for baked goods to fuel the last bit to home. What else…oh 7200 feet of climbing. Brace yourselves, gravel is coming. LINK TO MAP . Big Dumb Dirt [127 miles] This route combines some of the above south and west options into one dumb massive ride. You’ll need to be a) strong b) masochistic and c) have a LOT of time to complete this. LINK TO MAP . BONUS : ATB Route [55 miles] [ATB = All Terrain Bike]: Do you have a road bike and don’t mind underbiking? A gravel bike that is fine on the road? Enjoy a bit of hike-a-bike on singletrack with amazing views? Do you crave only the best coffee, food and baked goods on offer (see Wonderstate)? Try this bonus route out. LINK TO MAP . Rail Trail Routes We are fortunate to be at the intersection of a couple of great rails to trails conversion options. Westward goes to Trempealeau and Eastward goes…to Milwaukee, if you’re adventurous enough. You can really choose your own adventure, do an out and back to Tremp and then head east to Sparta or try the tunnels of Elroy Sparta. Go as far or as short as you want, these are your best chances to ‘recover’ on gravel, while enjoying sites and sounds (Mississippi River and more). *You need a state trail pass. All local shops sell them, but Coulee Bike Co. is located right near the trailhead at Great River Landing on Onalaska. Westward Route [41 miles] This route goes through town, if you’re staying downtown, on mostly bike paths. Or start in Onalaska at Great River Landing and you’ll be all on trail. It’s an out and back to Trempealeau, which has a nice little cafe for a coffee and snack. LINK TO MAP . Eastward Route [69 miles] This route goes all the way to Norwak. Black Squirrel Capital of the World? Sure why not. If you haven’t seen it before, this goes through 3 tunnels, carved through the bluffs, to keep things flat. Bring a light and a sense of adventure. LINK TO MAP . Where to Eat Freighthouse Supperclub, La Crosse Freighthouse is a really nice place, down near the river. Dress up and dine inside or chill on the back patio. Great food and nice ambiance. Pearl Ice Cream, La Crosse (the President came, ok, it’s not political, it’s just that good) Homemade ice cream! Candy! I’ve definitely eaten ice cream on the sidewalk in a kit at mile 85 of a century. Free Range Exchange, Hokah MN & La Crosse WI Hokah is a nice little town that is a jumping off point for a lot of the gravel. Stop mid ride or after for a baked good and hot coffee. You won’t regret it! La Crosse also has a downtown Free Range Exchange location with a patio. Barista’s Coffee, Houston Toward the western end of our usual gravel routes, Houston has a couple of gas stations, but if you have time, stop at Barista’s for a coffee, snack or quick lunch. Meringue Bakery, La Crosse [ yeah, you’re gonna wanna stop here ] A bakery from 3-time Food Network Champion, Jen Barney. I’ll leave it at that. Where to Stay Camping Perot State Park : A bit out of the area, but great for bikepackers or those who prefer to be off the beaten path. Pettibone Resort : Camping right on the Mississippi between Wisconsin and Minnesota. Great for starting rides but still being close to town. Goose Island : South of the city, this county owned campground is gorgeous and also right on the river. If you are ok riding a bit longer to gravel, or driving, this option is very nice. 5 Star 5-Star Luxury Charmant : This converted candy factory is a block from the Mississippi River. Gorgeous views and very nice rooms, they also have a restaurant and cafe. If you want the best, this is it. Hotels Downtown: Most chain hotels have options in downtown. If you want nightlife or city access, you have options here. Onalaska: Picture any busy interstate stop you’ve ever been to, and this is it. Hotels, restaurants, a mall, etc. Lots of options to stay here. La Crescent The new Best Western is a great option if you want to stay in a smaller town, closer to the gravel. Airbnbs: Lots of options. If you want close access to gravel, find something in Minnesota. If you prefer city amenities, try downtown La Crosse. Where to Drink Coffee Wonderstate Coffee, Viroqua : Great roasted coffee, incredible food, ambiance. Grounded Coffee Patio, La Crosse : A really nice downtown cafe with outdoor seating, if you want to sit by your bike. Breweries & Distilleries Turtle Stack Brewery or 608 Brewing : We like beer in La Crosse, and have two small microbreweries in/near downtown. Can’t go wrong. La Crosse Distillery :This newer option is a great place to grab dinner or a drink, and to take some local distilled spirits home with you. [food and drinks] Bike Shop Picks Downtown La Crosse: Smith’s Bike Shop Onalaska: Coulee Bike Co [near the Great River Landing] Onalaska: River Trail Cycles

The Nxrth just formed a Strava Club for sharing rides, routes, ideas, and bike things. Join the club to connect with more cyclists, catch what's happening, and share your rides. The Nxrth Strava Club .

The Day Across Minnesota returned in 2024 after taking 2 years off. The conditions for the event were perfect and several records were set. One of those records was Claire O'Leary who was the first woman finisher. Here she shares about a serendipitous run in with Trenton Raygor as well as a recap from race day. To learn more, visit The Day Across Minnesota . Story by Claire O'Leary @allcontent_nocontext . Cover photo by Mateo Fischer. Three weeks ago, I was rolling south on West River Parkway in Minneapolis on my way from work to pick up new tires from Angry Catfish (tire of choice: Continental TerraSpeed 40s). I see a rider in a Day Across Minnesota kit and one cog in the back jump onto the path ahead of me. I think that’s Trenton. I put a little dig in and roll up next to Trenton Raygor, founder and race director of The Day Across Minnesota . We chat for a few miles about how our respective summers are going and the upcoming DAMn race. “I hope it’s a headwind day,” he said. “I really want to see what the human spirit is made of.” Trenton didn’t get his wish. Instead, the 2024 Day Across Minnesota will go down as “The best DAMn ever.” After a two-year hiatus, the ride was back with a bang. The temps were crisp. The gravel was smooth. The tailwinds were ripping. The fields were stacked. And oh yeah, those finish line hugs in Hager City were so, so sweet. Let’s take a look at how 240 miles of gravel from South Dakota to Wisconsin played out. Miles, Moments, and Memories Across Minnesota The beautiful thing about the DAMn is that it means something a little different to every rider and everyone has favorite moments. For some, it’s climbing out of the Minnesota River valley at sunrise. Or it’s the melee of the start, with fireworks shooting off from the roadside while the firetruck leads the field out of Gary. Photo by Mateo Fischer One of my favorite moments was one of the final climbs outside of White Rock at mile 220, where the course rolls by Belle Creek Cattle farm, owned by Kaleb and Angie Anderson. According to Jared Anderson, a multi-time DAMn finisher and Kaleb’s cousin, the Andersons were just as excited the DAMn was back as riders were. The family celebrated roadside all day – honking, cheering and offering riders cold beverages. Photos by Angie and Kaleb Anderson, Belle Creek Cattle A Year for the Record Books A Redwing local rolled up next to me on one of the last paved downhills into town. “I’m not in the race, but I’ll be at the finish line later!” he said. I thank him and say I’m the women’s race leader. “Wow, you’re crushing it.” I tear up a little. A few miles later, I finished in a new Women’s Open course record of 13:39. Trenton gives me a giant hug before I can pause my Wahoo and tell me he’s proud of me. Co-director Chase Wark is next in line to do the same. I first talked with Chase about coaching when he was lounging in Gary before the 2021 start. I was a new runner-turned-cyclist trying to figure things out, and he was just starting Wark’s Cycling Services . Three years later it felt like a full circle moment. Claire O'Leary setting a new course record. Photos by Julie Fromelt, Wark’s Cycling Services Amber Searer of Wisconsin and fellow Minneapolis rider Sophie St-Jacques joined me in earning giant KwikTrip donuts for our rides. All of us were under the old course record. Innokenty Zavyalov won the Men’s Open race in a new course record of 11:16:01, riding solo from Henderson to Hager City. Ryan Hafner and Nick Nygaard rounded out the podium, all under the old course record as well. The brave souls on one gear also had record rides on that tailwind day with Anders Hopkins setting a new record of 13:15:04. After sundown, Pallav Kumar crossed the finish line as the winner of the inaugural Non-Binary category in 22:37:44. Eamonn Casey was lantern rouge in 23:24:49. Eamonn Casey, Lantern Rouge. Photo by Abigail Wark, Wark's Cycling Services. I think it’s also important to note that some of the former course record holders were also in Gary at midnight. Kate Coward set the Women’s Open course record of 15:00 in 2020. This year, she rode her fat bike to win that category in a new course record of 17:07:45. (Chris Nelson also set a new Men’s Fat Bike course record of 16:47:33.) Chase Wark set the Men’s Open course record of 11:43 in 2020. He took another stab at it in 2021 on a Specialized Venge with a disc wheel ( IYKYK ). Although he missed the record, he proposed at the finish line – a moment documented in The Last DAMn. This year, Chase joined the DAMn Fools on the other side of the finish line as a co-race director. His wife, Abigail, was taking photos out on course . And don’t forget about those folks crazy enough to cross the state twice over 480 miles. The second edition saw 18 starters and 4 finishers. They are: Cory Rood 35:04 Corey Kronser 39:13 (Single Speed) Nick Elliot 41:11 (Two-time Double DAMn finisher) Joe Clark 45:23 The Day Across Minnesota by the Numbers It’s hard to quantify the power of community, the stars, and a sunrise – but these numbers are a good start. 240 Starters: 390 240 Finishers: 320 Youngest rider: 11 Oldest rider:85 81% Finish Rate 480 Starters:18 480 Finishers: 4 22% Finish Rate

The Seeley Big Fat Race is a Wisconsin Fatbike Race coming up on January 21, 2023. This year's race sees a new location at the Hatchery Creek Trails due to logging around the Seeley Hills. Check out the history of the event and how it supports trail grooming in the beautiful Chequamegon area. To learn more about the Seeley Big Fat Race or register, visit their race website . Interview with Jerry Wright How long has the Seeley Big Fat Race been around and how did it get started? The Seeley Big Fat was first run on January 29, 2017. The name is a play on an old Seeley Big Foot spoof. From the beginning, the goal was to put all of the entry fees collected into winter fat bike trail grooming , and I am happy to report that we have made that goal each year thanks to our generous sponsors. This is a fundraiser for CAMBA. How many miles of singletrack do you groom and how much work does it take to keep the Cheq area a fatbike heaven? We typically groom 50 to 70 miles of trail each year. The trails being groomed change from time to time due to logging and other activities. Groomed trails include some singletrack as well as some winter only sections that are not good for summer riding. In fact, this year our race course is impacted by logging and we have a change in venue. The Seeley Big Fat Race will be held on the Hatchery Creek Trails for 2023 only and then back to Seeley Hills. CAMBA owns 3 snowmobiles and one Rokon motorcycle for grooming, plus about a dozen drags for various snow and trail conditions. We also employ one private contractor who uses his own equipment for the Seeley Hills trail system, and Mt. AshWaBay provides the equipment for that trail system. We typically keep one sled in Hayward for the two trail systems there; one sled at Hwy OO for those trails, and one at Cable for the Cable area trails. The Rokon gets used mostly on technical single track during low snow conditions that make snowmobile operation unsafe for the machine, the trail and the operator. In addition to the private contractor, we typically have 2 or 3 paid staff and a number of volunteers to run the machines. Our operators logged 300 hours grooming last season. Each hour of machine operation typically is accompanied by another hour or so of prep work and equipment maintenance, which brings the total time investment up to 600 or more hours each season. Each mile of trail costs between $11/mile and $120 mile for the season, excluding equipment costs. The big range is explained by the mix of volunteers to paid staff, the experience level of the operator, and the level of difficulty the trail presents of the operator. Our annual budget is typically between $10,000 and $12,000, which the Seeley Big Fat contributes to. Winter riding conditions can vary a lot, so we keep our Trails Conditions page updated at least once daily to help users decide which trail offers the best riding on any given day. I usually spend an hour or so each morning sifting through user reports and weather forecasts to keep this page accurate. Maps and signage are significant costs. Keeping them up to date as trails change is an ongoing process. Who should do the Seeley Big Fat Race? The race course is designed to keep all levels of user happy. This year's event will take place at the Hatchery Creek Trails but during a typical year at Seeley Hills, all riders do the first lap, which typically is mostly wide ski trails that any rider can handle. The long race then does a second, more difficult lap, that is mostly narrow, technical single track. And if you don’t want to race, there are lots of volunteer opportunities that you can learn more about by emailing info@cambatrails.org What's the party like at the Sawmill Saloon afterwards? There are awards, a silent auction, this year with a bike frame and wheels, as well as a drawing for other merch. The party afterwards is always great fun! Things are a little different this year, however, due to the logging impact and the course change. With our 2023 venue of Hatchery, we are presenting awards and holding our silent auction and giveaways at Hatchery after the race. We will still have a party at Sawmill later in the day with music and celebrating! You can find more information about the event at the CAMBA Seeley Big Fat webpage .

The Day Across Minnesota (DAMn) is a 240-mile border-to-border gravel race starting at midnight, Saturday, August 10th across the state of Minnesota. Follow along with the race below to trace athletes as they ride form Gary, South Dakota to Hager City, Wisconsin in under 24 hours. To learn more, visit The DAMn . Photo by Scott Rokis.

The second annual Coon Fork 40 is taking place on Saturday, Aug 24, 2024. The beach-to-beach woodsy adventure has 3 routes and includes 2 lakeside parties and free food and drink. On the fence? Check out some of the best parts about the adventure. To learn more or get registered, visit the Coon Fork 40 . The Nxrth is a partner of this event. Photos by Branden Nall, Michael Lundebrek, and Nick Meyer 5 New Things for the 2024 Coon Fork 40 The first year of the Coon Fork 40 in 2023 saw nearly 300 people come out to ride and hang out. 2024 is looking forward to even more riders and some upgrades to the inaugural year. Check out what's in store. 1. Brand New Finish Line & Final Mile They've reworked the finish line to drop everybody right in the heart of the beachside afterparty after riding along the wooded backwaters of Coon Fork Lake. 2. Chip Timing New for 2024, they're adding chip timing to ensure accurate info and same-day awards 3. Halfway Hang & Finish Line Party Enhancements Even more food, music, and good vibes for the beach to beach adventure. 4. New Bathrooms & Trails at the Finish Line Party Coon Fork is getting some upgrades which will make hanging out with friends and family even more comfortable. 5. Camping! Maybe this isn't entirely new but it's fun! Coon Fork campground is BEAUTIFUL. Bring your family or friends and make it an entire weekend of community and biking. Our Favorite 7 Things About This Year's Coon Fork 40 1. Brand New Finish Line & Final Mile Already mentioned above, but this will be fun. One of the new thing for 2024 is a brand new re-worked finished line and final mile of the Coon Fork 40 routes. The final mile takes you along the wooded backwaters of Coon Fork Lake and the finish line dumps everyone right into the fun of the After Party at the beach. 2. The Hidden Waterfall Bridge This is the bridge I drove right past a whole bunch of times and never knew it was there. It's nicely hidden and is the perfect way to start a mass rollout for a deep woods adventure. 3. Hundreds of Friends Scrambling Around the Woods Sure, there are three different routes with three different distances. But the fun part is seeing friends rambling all around the woods and having the halfway hang roughly in the middle of everyone's ride so that you can intersect with friends racing different distances and different speeds. Then the everyone congregates again at the final beach at the finish line and the community fun just continues. 4. Winding Wooded Roads Let's just say that a lot of text messages have been exchanged in a group effort to put all the best segments of these woods into the best possible gravel adventures for the three distances. It's a deep woods adventure and we take a lot of pride into inviting you into some of our favorite backyard winding gravel roads. 5. Stopping at the Halfway Hang Beach Party Coon Fork 40 is more about community than speed and this is especially true with the Halfway Hang and Finish Line Party. Both parties have enhancements for 2024 and we're already looking forward to intersecting with friends from different routes at both of these spots and enjoying some lakeside food and drink. 6. Off-Grid Double Track Segments Finding a great stretch of doubletrack is the creme de la creme of exploring the woods. They're tightly treelined and are an intimate way to experience a remote ride. These segments of single lane gravel tracks are sprinkled throughout the day and are all rewarding. 7. Lakeside After Party Your registration includes a free drink, free meal, and free friends. When the races are said and done, everything keeps going long after bike are put away. We'll be hanging around enjoying some awesome people in a beautiful place. Join the Adventure! Be a part of fun and get registered at the Coon Fork 40 .

Earlier this year we launched a Gravel Routes page with a bunch of Readers’ Routes (local gravel routes submitted by readers). And we want to add your favorite local gravel ride to the Readers’ Routes map. When you submit your favorite gravel route, we’ll add your name to the map. Plus you’ll also get a free Readers’ Routes patch.

It's time to start planning and signing up for your 2024-25 winter fat bike ultras. If you're brand new to ultras and are looking to join your first event this winter, here are 2 options for a first winter fat bike ultra in Wisconsin & Minnesota. Photo by Scott Rokis If last winter's lack of snow put in the mood for a true winter adventure this coming winter, check out some of the amazing winter fat bike ultra events around the globe, and in our corner of the midwest. Winter fat bike ultras are a true test of mental and physical toughness and if you have your eyes set on the big ones, it can take years of prep as well as working your way through qualifying events. If you're looking to do your very first winter ultra, you've got about 2 choices: 1 in Minnesota and 1 in Wisconsin. The bigger races like Arrowhead 135 in Minnesota, Iditarod Trail Invitational in Alaska, and Tuscobia 160 in Wisconsin all have required qualifying events before you're able to register. The Polar Roll Winter Ultra in the Upper Peninsula also has had a qualifier that it's only open to those who the event "allows to register" which implies a need to have experience doing ultra events, especially in the winter. 2 Options for Your First Winter Ultra in Minnesota & Wisconsin 1. The St. Croix 40 in Hinckley, Minnesota If you're winter ultra curious, this is a excellent place to start, both in regards to the distance of the event as well as everything you get to plan for and experience. According to the St. Croix Winter Ultra website, "The St. Croix 40 Winter Ultra is a winter survivalist race in the same spirit as the Arrowhead 135 and Tuscobia 160. Participants travel roughly 40 miles through St. Croix State Park on foot, ski, or fat bike, carrying all essential survival gear through a cold Minnesota night." Registration opens August 15, 2024 . LEARN MORE . 2. Tuscobia 80 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin The 80 mile route is the half-distance, one-way version of the Tuscobia 160. It starts in Park Falls and ends in Rice Lake riding on the Wild Rivers and Tuscobia State Trails. Applications open on August 1st and are open for 2 weeks. Those Applications are open on August 1, 2024 for two weeks. LEARN MORE . Learn More About Winter Fat Bike Ultras To dig deeper into the world of winter fat bike ultras, take a look at our 3-part introduction series [PART 1]: RACES, RISKS, AND RESOURCES [PART 2]: LOGISTICS OF FOOD, WATER, GEAR, & STAYING WARM [PART 3]: #1 TIPS FROM SEASONED ULTRA VETERANS

Results are in for an impromptu poll we shared with The Nxrth readers last week. We asked you what your favorite bike snack or fuel from a Kwik Trip is and here are the results. Based on 272 votes from 128 voters We enjoyed watching votes in real time when the polls first opened and were pretty entertained by some of the write-in votes. After tallying up the results and making sure there was no voter fraud, here were our top 3 observations. Top 3 Observations 1. You're Healthy Snackers (sort of?) I will give you credit. Fresh produce was the number one vote getter. This is good (but I WAS nervous that donuts was going to win a sprint finish at the end). Even at Kwik Trip, when roller dogs and blueberry dunker flavored ripple chips are staring you down through your photochromic lenses, you hold fast to your commitment to good health. But donuts was number 2, everyone. And 4th place was fried chicken. But how do you feel  afterwards riding your bike with a belly full of fried chicken? 2. You're a Little Fanatical About Very Specific Snacks There were 40 write-in votes. Yes, 40. That means 40 of you needed to get more granular than all of the catch-all generic options because you have a very attached loyalty to a very specific subset of snacks. I think it's also worth noting that within those 40 write-ins, there were 19 exclamation marks. Do you all add exclamation marks when you're voting for a president? Or is this just for Kwik Trip? Top 10 write-ins: "Those Best Maid rice crispy bars!" "Coke and a scotcharoo by the checkout" "Cheese curds obvs" "Bagged pickle" "Hash brown sticks with onion and hard boiled eggs" "Can I vote for Glazers twice? :) " "Corn dogs!!!!" "Corn dogs ftw!" "The pickles in bags, beef jerky, gummy snacks" "Persian donuts, V8 drink for sodium" 3. You Have a Strange Affinity for Roller Dogs & Corn Dogs Roller dogs wasn't originally an option on the list. But the 4th voter wrote it in so I thought it'd be worth adding as option for everyone just for the heck of it. Well congratulations, roller doggers, you made it onto the short list of favorite bike snacks. There were also 2 write ins for corn dogs which I suppose you could shove in a jersey pocket real nicely. Please don't do that though.