Race Reports From Fat Bike Race Directors Regarding COVID and other Circumstances
Minnesota
Arrowhead Ultra: Scheduled for January 25 to 27. As of this writing, “Jackie’s Corner” on the Arrowhead website announced: Race is on!!! You can check for further updates at :http://www.arrowheadultra.com. An event rich in charitable giving, this is the Arrowhead Ultra’s seventeenth year running 135 miles from International Falls to Tower. This is an invitational-event only and participants apply to be accepted.
Freewheel Bikes Fat Tire Loppet: Set for February 7. A 37K point-to-point race running through Minneapolis, starting at Lake Bde Maka Ska. There are races for both advanced and beginner riders. The Freewheel shows no signs of cancellation or modification, yet. You can keep track http://www.loppet.org/events/fattireloppet.
Norpine Fat Bike Classic: January 23. Organizers got the go-ahead on the race on October 14th. A 15 or 26-mile race held from Cascade Lodge in Lutsen. Updated information is available on their Facebook page.https://www.facebook.com/norpinefatbikeclassic
QBP Fat Bike Rennet: Planned for January 9. The QBP offers a 10K or 25K course held in the Hyland Nature Preserve on groomed trails in Bloomington. Its current statement on holding the race shows determination: We are committed to holding this year’s race in person — it just may look a little different. Stay tuned for more details. You can check out updates at: http://www.threeriversparks.org/fatbikerennet.
St. Croix Ultra: Scheduled for January 16-17. A 40-mile race starting from St. Croix State Park near Hinkley, with a 10 PM start. This race still is a go with the following caveat on entry fees if the race is cancelled due to COVID or if international racers are banned from travel: Forfeit the fee by donating it to the race or apply the fee to the 2022 race. Updated information available at: http://stcroixwinterultra.com.
IMPORTANT VASA NEWS: Received January 27, 2021: Extra Note from Phoebe Miron Kroll of the Mora Ski Club: Bruce – We’ve changed the date and format for our Skijoring and Fat Vasa races, if you would like to update your website- We’re holding the Skijoring races on March 13th, with a start/finish window of 9am-noon… the courses – approx. 4K and 10K -will be well marked and skijorers will be timed but no other race support this year. The Fat Vasa will be on March 14th – approx. 12K, 24K & 36K- it will be a self timed event – there will be a QR code to scan to start/lap count/finish – with a start/finish window of 10am – 4pm. All registrations will be through moraskiclub.org, nothing in-person. We will also be holding the Founders’ Classic races – 5K, 10K & 20K- on February 21st in the same format- register online, self time, etc. The Founders’ Classic is more of a family event so, of course, families are encouraged to ski together, otherwise, it is everyone’s responsibility to be socially distant. Thanks! Phoebe Miron Kroll, Mora Ski Club
Wisconsin
LAMBO (Lakeland Area Mountain Bike Organization): Below are the dates of the upcoming events the Lakeland Area Mountain Biking Organization (LAMBO) is hosting for Fatbikers and Mountain Bikers for the end of 2020 and for 2021. As of now events will be limited entries and modified to accommodate for Covid-19 precautions. Persons interested in participating any or all of these events can find race and registration information on our website at: Lamboriders.org.
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Event by Scott Cole (⇐Event Facebook Link): Where: Iola Winter Sports Club’s lighted Ski Trail, E398 CR-MM, Iola, WI 54945, United States; When: Friday, February 12, 2021 at 5 PM CST – 9 PM CST; Price? Nope!: It’s Free! Duration: 4 hours; Open to: The Public, which means anyone and everyone on or off Facebook. With the cancellation of the Iola Snow Bully Fat Bike Race this year, myself and a few club members recently decided that we all needed a fun evening of fat bike riding on some scenic and rolling lighted groomed ski trails. Ergo, the Iola Winter Sports Club (IWSC) has offered to open the lighted ski trail Snow Bully course for this one night to ride fat bikes. Join us at the IWSC between 5pm and 9pm on Friday evening, February 12th. For those riding, we ask for a $10 donation that benefits the IWSC trails. Your donation includes a marked 3-mile course, a big warm bonfire, and some beverages to keep everyone hydrated. All activities will be outside with Covid-19 guidelines considered and maintained. Helmets required and fat bikes only with a 3.8″ minimum tire width also required to ride on the groomed ski trails. Hope to see you on the 12th! Please contact Scott Cole if you need more information about the event. To send your question via Facebook messaging, just click on his name at the top of this notice or click on ⇒https://www.facebook.com/scott.cole.7503 Thanks!
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Fat Bike Birkie: With the success of the Birkie Festival Trail Run, this March 12-13, 2021 premier event looks to be a go. Follow the Birkie trails for a 47K, 21K, or 10K course, with something for everyone. Updates through http://www.birkie.com/bike/events/fat-bike-birkie.
Snow Crown Series: Entering its 9th season, this fan-favorite series offers four races held from December to February between Wisconsin and Michigan. Sarah Kapitz (Owner/Accounts) wrote the following to Silent Sports: COVID 19 is a concern for everyone right now and we are just in the beginning stages and still working on logistics. Future updates can be found at: http://snowcrownseries.com.
Winterfest Fat Bike: Scheduled for the first weekend in February. Held at Elver Park in Madison, WI. A fun race course for all levels with several side events, like ice carving and tubing. Updates through http://www.winter-fest.com/event/big-cheese-fatbike-race.
Tuscobia Winter Ultra: January 1-3, 2021. Unfortunately, Silent Sports received the following email on November 10, 2020: Hi Bruce – Unfortunately this year’s event has been cancelled. Thank you for reaching out. We will be in touch next year. All going well, the tentative date will be Dec 31st, 2021.
Sweaty Yeti: February 27, 2021. Make your way to Neillsville for a three-hour race made from 8 to 10-mile laps on the amazing Levis trails. Expect bonfires, costumes and a great time even if you aren’t riding. This race took a “hiatus” in 2020 per its website, so it’s worth checking it again for COVID’s impact at: http://www.visitogden.com/yeti-bash/sweaty-yeti-fat-bike-race.
Badger State Games: Nicholas Ockwig, BSG Event Director, has provided the following to Silent Sports about the February 13 event, with 25, 15, or 10-mile races on the Underdown Trails in Prairie Dells: The plan is to move forward with events, incorporating CDC guidelines: Hand Sanitizer, Masks (encouraged but not required), social distancing, no day of event registration, only online registration. No Awards Ceremony or concessions. No large gathering areas. We have eliminated tents in many of our events. Basically, you come dressed, you compete, and then go back home or to your hotel. This will apply to fat tire and most of our events. Look for updates via http://www.visitwausau.com/fattirebikeracing.
Iola Snow Bully Fat Bike: From Scott Cole to Silent Sports: No Snow Bully for 2021. With COVID it would be difficult to have this event, especially if it was a very cold night with lack of lodge space for racers and spectators. Will hopefully be back in 2022!
Michigan
Polar Roll: February 13. Put on by the sadistic, yet fun 906 crew of Marji Gesick and Crusher fame, this is the third race in the Triple Crown series. You can race either the 30 mile or 15-mile course, both held in Marquette, MI. Contact for race status updates at: http://thepolarroll.com.
Shorts Brewing Fat Bike Series: From the NMMBA Grooming Team: We still plan to have the Short’s Brewing Fat Bike Series. Information and updates can be found on the website sbfbs.com and our Facebook page. Each race is held by independent promoters so links go to the individual websites and each race will set their own COVID protocols based on state requirements at the time. That said, I am the director for both the North American Vasa and Huma Lupa Licious races, and we will be taking precautions seriously while still holding fun, exciting events. This is all subject to change based on state restrictions. Race dates are: Fat & Flurrious 1/9/21; Fat Chance 1/30/21; North American Vasa 2/13/21; Dogman 2/20/21; Huma-Loopa-Licious 3/6/21.Website for updates: http://www.sbfbs.com.
Frosted Tire Fat Bike Relays In a phone conversation with race director Mark Wright, Silent Sports learned that this event has been postponed until 2022. However, The Melting Mann Dirt Road Bike Challenge has a new go-date of March 20, 2021. Updates can be found at meltingmann.com
Iowa
Triple D: This race is a go for January 23, 2021, but with many modifications. You can get full details by going to:https://silentsports.wpengine.com/2020/11/09/the-triple-d-winter-race-will-go-forward-january-23rd-with-modifications/
MacBride Fat Tire Classic: Jon Yetley of Sugar Bottom Bikes had this to say about the 20 to 27-mile event Scheduled for mid-February: As for now we are just starting to look at options for the Lake MacBride Fat Tire Classic. Restrictions that COVID-19 precautions may look like and more limiting if Lake MacBride State Park trails that were hit hard by Derecho [a line of strong storms that struck on 8/10/20] will be ready to ride. Information will be updated on the Lake MacBride Fat Tire Facebook page over the next month as we work through these obstacles. Also check out: http://www.sugarbottombikes.
Winter Iowa Games Fat Bike: Raced in George Wyth State Park, Waterloo; a challenge for any level of racer. Kylie Brandt, Assistant Sports Director for the Iowa Games, told Silent Sports that logistics for all games due to COVID are still in the planning stages. Fat bikers should go to http://www.iowagames.org/event/winter-iowa-games/fat-bike-race/ for Fat Bike race updates.