Snowbound in the Underdown Highlights Area Trails

The Snowbound in the Underdown offers fat tire bikers and snowshoers a winter adventure on some of the area’s premiere trails.  The event utilizes both City of Merrill and Lincoln County properties, featuring the Prairie Dells and Underdown Recreation Areas, respectively. “The City of Merrill Parks & Recreation Department is once again excited to host IRONBULL events in our community!” said Dan Wendorf, Parks & Recreation Director for the City of Merrill. 

Bringing multiple user groups on the same trails can sometimes be a challenge, but Schotz orchestrates courses and race times to bring together bikers and snowshoers for this event as well as the Underdown Trail Races, held each August.  Based on last year’s Snowbound in the Underdown anonymous post-event survey, all respondents felt the user groups coexisted well.  Additionally, the event has been drawing more women over recent years.  In 2022, the percentage of women racers have grown each year from 14% to 38%. Historically, both events appeal to racers outside the immediate area, with 62% of last year’s participants traveling beyond 90 miles to the Snowbound in the Underdown and even more for the summer event.  The range in ages was also vast, spanning seven decades. Last year, all free snowshoe rentals were snatched up, allowing the trails to be more accessible to all. “We look forward to welcoming IRONBULL and all of their participants to Merrill for these events this year and into the future,” said Wendorf.
 
John Kunert is one of those traveling to the event this year, travelling nearly three hours to the event.  Although he’s a first-time racer at Snowbound in the Underdown, he’s familiar with the notorious hills awaiting him, since these are among his favorite mountain bike trails.  After completing a different IRONBULL event this fall, he signed up immediately for this IRONBULL event. “The event was incredibly well-organized, and the rider support was outstanding,” said Kunert.  “I truly appreciate the welcoming, fun atmosphere IRONBULL brings to its events,” said Kunert.