Chequamegon Fat Tire Fest may be a mud fest
Volunteers cleared downed trees and other debris from the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival courses over the weekend, but some route changes are still possible because of standing water left from a deluge last Thursday, the race director shared Monday.
While the course has been drying, more rain is in the forecast: 1 to 3 inches tonight and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. On the plus side, riders should enjoy sunshine and temperatures in the high 50s for the event on Saturday.
It’s been about two decades since racers in Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival endured a true mud bath, but the current course conditions suggest this could be another mucky test of legs, tires and gears. Up to six inches of rain fell during the storm and high winds knocked trees across the American Birkebeiner Ski Trail and roads on the Fat Tire course.
Some sections of the Birkie remain closed because of standing water and tree obstructions. Problem spots remain near Gravel Pit Road, the Phipps Fire Lane and Randysek Road, near the Seeley Fire Tower.
“The trail is really drying out quite nicely,” Gary Grandall, said in an email. “We know where the problem spots are and have routed around a couple of them. The downed trees and organic matter on the trails is a concern but being dealt with.
“If this storm had happened on the Thursday before the event, I’m not sure we could have cleaned it up in time to hold the event.”
Roughly 3,100 mountain bikers are registered to participate in the Fat Tire Festival’s 32nd year, including five-time champion Brian Matter, of Sheboygan. The course record holder reclaimed his title in 2013, and will look to hold off the expected challenges from T.J. Woodruff, Michael Olheiser and Cole House.
In the women’s Fat Tire 40, Jenna Rinehart will look to claim her fifth win, with Sara Kylander-Johnson and Rebecca Sauber expected to be close to her wheels.
The Fat Tire 40 starts at 10 a.m. Saturday on Main Street in downtown Hayward, and the 16-mile Short & Fat starts at the same time in Cable, Wis. All riders will finish at the base of the Telemark Resort ski hill.
Check here for more updates and details on course conditions.
Tom Held writes The Active Pursuit blog for silentsports.net.