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KEWEENAW CHAIN DRIVE FESTIVAL JUNE 15–16
The eighth running of the Keweenaw Chain Drive Festival features a new event sponsor and has expanded to include two race distances, a kids
race and a technical time trial. The festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 15–16.
Portage Health System has signed on as the sponsor for the festival,
which will kick off on Saturday with the Kids Cup Race at 1 p.m. at the Michigan Tech University trails in Houghton. There is no entry fee for the kids race, which will cover a 1K loop.
A new event, a technical time trial for the adults, will follow the Kids Cup at 2 p.m. The two–mile course includes natural and manmade obstacles.
On Sunday, racers can choose between a 16– and 32–mile race, with a roll–out through downtown Houghton, starting at the Best–Western Franklin Square Inn, proceeding to the rugged Maasto Hiihto trail system
in Hancock and ending at the Portage Health System facility in Hancock. Both races feature varied terrain and start at 10 a.m.
All participants registered by May 31 will receive a free jersey, and the
top three men's and women's finishers in the 32–mile event will receive cash awards. Special awards will go to the top male/female in the time trial and to the top three male/female competitors with the lowest
combined time for the time trial and 32–mile event.
For more information about the Portage Health System Keweenaw Chain Drive Festival, contact the Keweenaw Tourism Council at
1–800/338–7982, e–mail Lori Hauswirth (haus@up.net), or go to www.chaindrive.org.
MINOCQUA WINTER PARK BAILOUT RACE
Minocqua Winter Park will be hosting a mountain bike race and tour on Saturday, May 11. The race will be taking the place of the Mudder's Day race that was previously held in Rhinelander. The hilly terrain that
has become well–known among cross country skiers will make a very challenging and fun course for mountain biking.
The Winter Park Bailout Bike Race is a fund–raiser for the Minocqua
Winter Park Trails Fund. After the last two years, especially this year, Minocqua Winter Park has gone into the red. We are encouraging people to participate in the race or the tour to raise money to keep
Minocqua Winter Park going. Minocqua Winter Park is run by a nonprofit foundation, and all funds that are generated by any revenues go into the operation of the facility. It is one of the few cross country ski
areas that are almost totally funded by user fees. Bad snow years have devastating effects on an operation that runs so closely to a break–even budget.
The Winter Park Bailout Bike Race & Tour will include several fun and exciting events throughout the day. The day begins at 10 a.m. with the Drag Races. All racers must wear a skirt. This is a timed, dual–start
sprint up Squirrel Hill. The 15K race begins at 11 a.m., the 30K race begins at noon and will be a two–lap course, giving spectators a chance to see the racers several times. The 15K tour will begin at 1:30 p.m. and
follow the same course as the race. The kids race will be one lap around the base loop for a 2.2K loop at 1 p.m. Food, beverages and music will be available in the afternoon.
Come out for some great mountain biking, share some food and beverage with friends, and start the biking season off with a ride for a worthwhile cause.
For more information: call 715/356–3309, 715/588–3568 or visit the Web site at www.skimwp.org.
ALPINE VALLEY TO HOST NORBA NATIONAL EVENT
For the first time in state history, a national championship–level mountain bike event will be taking place in Wisconsin at Alpine Valley Resort, just
north of Lake Geneva, a place that has been a hotbed for the winter and summer sports for years and has been frequented by outdoor lovers and vacationers from Chicago and all over the Midwest dating back to the
late 1800s.
Waukesha–based TS Events Inc. and Alpine Valley Resort will host Round 2 of the Chevy Trucks National Off–Road Bicycling Association's (NORBA) National Championship Mountain Bike Series
(NCS), the top professional and amateur mountain bike series in the country, June 13–16, 2002.
The event will bring world champion, Olympic, national and international
professional and amateur mountain bike racers to southeastern Wisconsin for four days to compete in events including cross country, short track
cross country, dual slalom, trials and downhill. The event is estimated to be attended by 2,500 athletes and 15,000 spectators.
In addition to great mountain bike racing, the event will feature a
competitive six–mile trail running race, The Cheddar Challenge Trail Run Race, on Sunday (for more details check out www.teamsportsinc.com).
"Bringing this Chevy Trucks NORBA National Championship Mountain
Bike Series event to Wisconsin is a great way to showcase the great cycling and festivals our state has to offer the country and world," says Tom Schuler, president of Team Sports Events. "This event will bring in
some very exciting racing and festival activities that can be enjoyed by the entire family, with or without a bike."
The Alpine Valley NCS event will feature events and activities for
everyone in the family. There will be treasure hunts, fun rides, a petting zoo, a trail running race, face painting, popcorn, concerts, and exhibitor
and tech exhibits from the bicycle industry and many other merchants. Many other activities are in the works.
"Receiving the bid to promote this top–notch event is very exciting for TS
Events, Alpine Valley Resort, the Midwest and Wisconsin," says Kevin Eccles, event director. "The Chevy Trucks NORBA NCS at Alpine Valley will give Wisconsin's athletes, companies and vacation
destinations a chance to show what they have to offer to a national and international audience."
"Going to the Midwest and especially Wisconsin is something that we
have felt, as a top–level race series, is very important," points out Rick Sutton, Chevy Trucks NORBA National Championship Mountain Bike Series director. "Wisconsin and the Midwest is home to one of the
largest mountain bike racer populations in the country, and it helps make the NCS truly a nationwide series, with races in every region."
Wisconsin is home to one of the largest mountain bike series in the
country, the Wisconsin Off–Road Series (WORS), which attracts nearly 1,000 racers during each stop on its 11–event schedule from May to October. TS Events will also be promoting a warmup event to the NCS,
which is Round 1 of the WORS Series, and is anticipating 1,300 athletes to attend this regional event May 4–5, 2002, at Alpine Valley.
To register or to find additional information about this event or the Chevy
Trucks NORBA National Championship Mountain Bike Series, go to: www.teamsportsinc.com or www.usacycling.org/mtb or e–mail alpinevalleyncs@aol.com.
In addition to the WORS race and NORBA NCS, TS Events also promotes Pedro's Midwest Mountain Bike Festiva, Hatfield, Wis., June
28–30, 2002; 24 Hours of Nine Mile Mountain Bike Relay Race, Wausau, Wis., Aug. 17–18, 2002; and 24 Hours of Telemark XC Ski Relay Race, Cable, Wis., Jan. 11–12, 2003.
Chevy Trucks NORBA National Championship Mountain Bike Series uses the National Championship Series to determine national champions and is attended heavily by professionals from all over the world. In
Summer Olympic years, the series is used to select United States Olympic Team members to compete in the discipline.
For more information, contact Al Krueger, Team Sports Events, at alkrueger1@aol.com or 262/549–6801 ext. 15.
TS EVENTS TO HOST CHEDDAR CHALLENGE TRAIL RUN
Affirming its commitment to hosting exciting alternative endurance sports events, Team Sports Events will host the Cheddar Challenge Trail Run Race in conjunction with Round 2 of the NORBA National
Championship Mountain Bike Championship event at Alpine Valley Resort, just north of Lake Geneva, Wis., on June 16, 2002.
The mountain bike event is estimated to draw nearly 2,500 competitors
and 15,000 spectators and will offer exciting mountain bike racing and other great activities during the festival weekend. Activities on–site will include concerts, tech and merchandising expo, fun kids events,
autograph signings and fun rides, just to name a few.
The Cheddar Challenge Trail Run will take place on the same course that the professional and amateur mountain bikers race on (no mountain
bikers will be on–course during the running event). The event will offer an exciting mix of trail running with nearly every terrain imaginable, from
flats, narrow trail, hills and descents. The event will offer great running fun and competition for every level of runner. Cash prizes will be awarded to
top placing over–all finishers and there will be plenty of fun to go around.
To register or to find additional information about this event or The Chevy Trucks NORBA National Championship Mountain Bike Series
go to: www.teamsportsinc.com or www.usacycling.org/mtb or e–mail alpinevalleyncs@aol.com.
Team Sports Events Is dedicated to promoting Wisconsin as a top–level
state for cycling and other alternative sporting events and activities. More information can be found at www.teamsportsinc.com, e–mail alpinevalleyncs@aol.com, or call 262/549–6801.
NEW GUNFLINT TRAIL B & B ASSOCIATION FORMED
MINNESOTA –
new choices for overnight lodging – and a new way to learn more about them. Three bed–and–breakfast inns opened on the Gunflint this past year: Moosehorn Bed and Breakfast, Old Northwoods Lodge and
Poplar Creek Guesthouse. They have joined with Clearwater Historic Lodge and are collectively known as Bed & Breakfasts and Historic Inns of the Gunflint Trail. To reach potential guests with more information
about the accommodations and special offers, the association has launched a new Web site at www.gunflintbb.com.
"We all felt there was a void in lodging for the visitor who wanted to
spend just a night or two on the Gunflint Trail; most lodging on the trail has been traditionally reserved for weeklong stays," explains Gale Quistad, owner of Old Northwoods Lodge. "So we got together to
address this need with a variety of comfortable overnight and weekend accommodations that we offer."
Among the members, there are a total of 10 bed–and–breakfast rooms
and four housekeeping suites. Amenities vary from inn to inn and include in–room whirlpools, fireplaces and decks overlooking lakes. Décor spans the gamut from historic diamond willow furnishings, Mission–style
décor and Victorian antiques to cozy northwoods charm. Every overnight stay includes a hearty breakfast served with a helping of Gunflint Trail hospitality.
Another feature found on the bed–and–breakfast group's new Web site is information on event specials offered for this spring's Boreal Birding Days and next fall's Moose Festival, along with exciting and new
inn–to–inn skiing, canoeing and mountain biking programs. Go to www.gunflintbb.com/packages.html for additional information.
CLIF BAR SUPPORTS CHEQUAMEGON CLEANUP EFFORT
Continuing a noteworthy tradition of responsible trail use, Clif Bar will once again sponsor the Chequamegon–Clif Bar Cleanup Crew as a part of the Sept. 13–15 running of the 20th annual Chequamegon Fat Tire
Festival sponsored by Trek. Endorsing the "Leave No Trace" philosophy of trail stewardship, a select team of volunteers will ensure that the trails of the Chequamegon 40 and Short & Fat race courses will be left
completely free of any event–related refuse.
While participants are encouraged to pack out what they pack in during the race, sometimes, during the excitement of race day competition,
unwanted items are deposited along the trail. The task of the Chequamegon Clif Bar Cleanup Crew volunteers is to remove every spent nutrient wrapper, the occasional piece of discarded clothing,
countless jettisoned water bottles and any other castoff item (race–related or not) that they might find along the trailside. When the day is done and the last volunteer has checked in, you would be hard
pressed to find a bit of trash along the race routes.
The crew selections are made from those who request consideration via a short essay that completes the statement "I want to be on the
Chequamegon/Clif Bar Cleanup Crew because …." Written statements from prospective crew members should be postmarked by July 1 to the Chequamegon race office. After that date, the reigning monarch of
recycling, Irv Berlin, the Chequamegon/Clif Bar Cleanup Crew chief, will select a dozen volunteers from among the applications submitted. All
participants will be notified by July 15 of the crew selection and receive further instructions about the assignment.
As a reward for a job well done, cleanup crew sponsor Clif Bar will
provide each hard–working volunteer with an assortment of Clif Bar apparel, including a Clif Bar jersey and a selection of Clif Bar and Clif Shot products. In addition, each crew member will be sent a Guaranteed
Reserved Registration for the 2003 Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival.
This is a great chance to be an important part of the race–day adventure and excitement of the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival. Each year many
volunteers have expressed their thanks for being a part of this responsible trail cleanup effort. You, too, can be a part of trail advocacy in action at the nation's most popular off–road event.
Application essays for the Chequamegon/Clif Bar Cleanup Crew should be postmarked by July 1 and sent to the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival at P.O. Box 267, Cable, WI 54821. For further event information, visit
the event's Web page at www.cheqfattire.com or e–mail them at cheqfat@cheqnet.net.
ESSAY CONTEST AWARDS CHEQUAMEGON RACE SPOTS
Just when you thought you completely missed any chance to be a part of the excitement of the 20th Anniversary Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival sponsored by Trek, along comes another opportunity to be included in
this fall's celebration. Perhaps you missed the mid–March drawing entirely. You might have gotten into the drawing and had your entry returned after the 2,500 person limit of the cross country events was
filled. In either case, you still have a chance to line up on the start line on Saturday Sept. 14, 2002, in the nation's most popular off–road adventure.
Now in its fourth year, the "50 Ways to Ride the Chequamegon" essay contest will award 50 reserved registrations to the creative authors of the 50 best essays about why they want to ride in this year's sold–out
Chequamegon 40 or Short & Fat.
In mid–March, a total of 2,500 racers consisting of 1,700 Chequamegon 40 and 800 Short & Fat spots, were selected from the thousands of
applications received for the Chequamegon's annual registration lottery. By May 1, applicants who were chosen will receive a confirmation card saying they are in the event. Those who were not picked in the drawing
will have their checks and entry blanks returned. Anyone who is not currently registered for the cross country races still has a chance to win a race spot in the 50 Ways Essay Contest.
Essays must be legible, 500 words or less and be postmarked to the Chequamegon office no later than July 1. Shortly after that date, all essays will be judged by a select group of Chequamegon event staff
veterans. All participants entering the contest will be notified of the outcome by July 15. All essays become property of the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival and may be reproduced at some future time.
Whatever your motivation for wanting to ride in the event, tell us in any way you choose and you may get that chance. In the past, contest submissions have included short poems, parodied song lyrics,
photographic montages, top 10 lists and a variety of bicycle–related stories from the writer's past. The decision of the judges is final in this last–chance–at–an–entry–spot essay contest.
To be included in this year's "50 Ways to Ride the Chequamegon" essay contest," postmark your essay by July 1 to Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, P.O. Box 267, Cable, WI 54821. Further information about the
event can be obtained on the Chequamegon Web page at www.cheqfattire.com or by e–mailing the event at cheqfat@cheqnet.net.
CELLCOM GREEN BAY MARATHON JUNE 23
On Sunday, June 23, Green Bay, Wis., will be partying – but not with
football fans adorned in green and gold. On that Sunday, more than just Packers fans will be cheering for the runners and walkers participating in the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon.
Four different races encompass the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon. Saturday morning is the kids run, sponsored by Wisconsin Public Service. On Sunday, athletes participate in a 5K race, half marathon or
full marathon. The Sunday events start at 6:05 a.m. at the corners of Washington and Adams streets in downtown Green Bay.
This is the marathon's third year in Green Bay, with more than 6,000
runners and walkers competing at the marathon, half marathon and 5K distances. Last year's male winner, Moges Taye of Ethiopia, finished in 2:18:44, and Tatiana Titova from Russia finished in 2:38:13 as the female
winner. Prize money is awarded to the top 15 female and male overall finishers and the top female and male masters. Age group awards, T–shirt, goody bag and medal go to all participants.
The WPS Kids Run begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, on the scenic Flatley Trail, overseeing the Fox River in downtown Green Bay. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day, Prevea is sponsoring a Health Expo at the newly built KI
Convention Center. At the expo you will have a chance to buy the latest fitness wear, listen to speakers on health topics, and join in on such activities as yoga and kick boxing. Marathon staff will be available to
answer questions and preregister athletes for their events. Later that evening is the Pasta Dinner, starting at 5 p.m. in the KI Convention Center. Be sure to be there to "carbo–load" for the events on Sunday.
The entire marathon course can be traveled by spectators, including the Fox River Trail. The marathon course is a certified Boston Marathon
qualifier and is 95 percent flat and fast. It starts downtown, crosses over the Ray Nitschke Bridge, through the artistic Broadway district, near Lambeau Field, past St. Norbert College in De Pere, and to the
tree–lined Ridgeway Boulevard. The last six miles of the course travels down the scenic Fox River Trail. The trail runs along the Fox River from De Pere, past Voyageur Park, and back to downtown Green Bay.
Proceeds from the weekend events go to two local not–for–profit agencies: N.E.W. Curative Rehabilitation and the Brown County Volunteer Center. N.E.W. Curative Rehabilitation's mission is to assist
people who are elderly, have disabilities or have a special need in achieving their goals for independence. The Volunteer Center provides the community with volunteers and volunteer activities. Both organizations
are committed to the health and well–being of Brown County, and the marathon promotes just that.
This is just a taste of the weekend of excitement provided by the Cellcom
Green Bay Marathon events. For more information or to register, check out the Web site at www.greenbaymarathon.com, or call 1–800/889–1859.
TELEMARK RESORT TO HOST OFF–ROAD TRIATHLON
Telemark Resort in Cable, Wis., will host the 2002 Fat Tire Triathlon on Saturday, Aug. 24. This unique and exciting race takes place in the famed Chequamegon National Forest in beautiful northwest Wisconsin.
Participants can choose a short– or long–course race.
The race site is Telemark Pointe – a Telemark Resort property on the sandy shores of Garden Lake, eight miles east of the resort. Participants
swim in Garden Lake, then mountain bike and run on the scenic and challenging Namakagon Trail Cluster, part of the renowned Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA) trail system.
Race day concludes with a complimentary Northwoods Barbecue Awards Presentation held at the newly renovated Telemark Resort and Convention Center – home of world–class wilderness events. The race is
limited to 400 participants and is expected to fill early.
For more information and/or a race application, visit www.FatTireTri.com or call 651/762–1510.
A TRIPLE TRIATHLON TICKET IN THE KENOSHA AREA
The Kenosha area will be the place to catch exciting athletic action on July 14, Aug. 18 and Sept. 21.
"We need a sport that combines swimming, cycling and running, which are all so popular; a modern, dynamic sport to celebrate the Olympic
spirit of fair play, endurance, force, ability and passion," said Baron de Coubertin, acknowledged as "The Father of the Modern Olympic
Games," in 1875. Today we have that sport: the triathlon. While athletes from around the world will try for Olympic Gold at the Athens 2004 games, athletes from around the country have a chance to compete for
the prized top position at not one, but three Kenosha Area triathlon events in 2002.
Pleasant Prairie is a village that lies between Kenosha and the Illinois
border. It is home to the LakeView RecPlex, southeastern Wisconsin's largest indoor recreation facility, which overlooks Lake Andrea and Prairie Springs Park. It is here, among the tranquility and peacefulness of
Mother Nature, that two of the triathlons will take place.
The 2002 Danskin Women's Triathlon will take place on July 14. This event, new to Wisconsin this year, is ideal for first–time triathlon
participants. Danskin is the largest and longest running multi–sport series of races for women in the world.
The Village of Pleasant Prairie is holding the 2002 Pleasant Prairie
Triathlon on Aug. 18. In this USA Triathlon–sanctioned, international distance event, participants will swim 1.5K, bike 40K and run 10K. Proceeds will support the new Therapeutic/Special Needs Recreation
Program at the LakeView RecPlex.
The third triathlon is the Lake Michigan Triathlon, taking place Sept. 21 in Kenosha. It will consist of a Lake Michigan swim, a rural bike route
and a lakefront run against the backdrop of two historic lighthouses.
The Kenosha Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is assisting the
planners of the respective triathlons and is looking forward to welcoming triathletes, volunteers and spectators to the community. Among the three
triathlons, an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 participants are expected, with 10,000 to 14,000 spectators and countless volunteer staff converging on the Kenosha area. In all, the economic impact on the Kenosha area is
estimated to be as much as $1.2 million.
The Kenosha area continues to offer exciting events for visitors to enjoy, along with conveniently located, quality hotels. For more information
about events, lodging and dining in the Kenosha area, contact the Kenosha Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800/654–7309 for a free visitors guide, or visit the bureau's Web site at www.kenoshacvb.com. The "News Room" page is at www.kenoshacvb.com/news_room/news_room.html.
PADDLEFEST 2002, MAY 18–19, IN MILWAUKEE
A celebration of paddle sports will be held on the Milwaukee River, May 18 and 19, at Laacke & Joys sixth annual Paddlefest.
"What sets this event from others is that we give paddlers the opportunity
to try the latest canoes and kayaks on the Milwaukee River," says Don Dziatkiewicz, event organizer. Laacke & Joys is located at 1433 N. Water St. in Milwaukee, right on the Milwaukee River.
Paddle sports are one of the fastest growing segments of outdoor sports in southeastern Wisconsin. Besides trying out boats, participants will also
be able to talk to the factory representatives on hand. There will also be clinics and demonstrations. Paddlefest runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and it's free.
For more information, call 414/272–7878 or e–mail paul@laackeandjoys.com.
LAACKE & JOYS URBAN FROG ECO ADVENTURE RACE
Teamwork, determination and fitness are all combined to make June 22 Laacke & Joys Urban Frog Adventure Race the most exciting event to hit Milwaukee in years. Three–person teams will strive to meet the
challenges of an event that includes biking along the Lake Michigan shoreline, rappelling off a four–story building, a beach obstacle course, backwoods trail running and open–water paddling on Lake Michigan.
Entry into the Laacke & Joys Urban Frog is open to anyone over the age of 18. All teams, consisting of three, at least one being female, must compete and finish together. The event will favor those who work
together with sportsmanship and camaraderie.
The Laacke & Joys Urban Frog is a team race. It takes place on the streets, woods and waters of the Greater Milwaukee area.
The race will be a great multisports adventure and a great celebration of achievement. Athletes of all fitness levels will be encouraged to enter. A
portion of the entry fees ($200 per team) will go to the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. There will be great prizes, including kayaks from Old Town, clothing from Woolrich, boxes from Yakima and more. Event
co–sponsors are 94.5/WKTI, Wheel & Sprocket and Adventure Rock. For more information, call 414/272–7878 or e–mail paul@laackeandjoys.com.
IRON OREMAN TRIATHLON RETURNS
The Iron Oreman Triathlon will return in 2002. The popular off–road triathlon will make its return on July 20, 2002, at the Al Quaal Recreation
Area in Ishpeming, Mich. Consisting of a quarter–mile swim, 15 mile mountain bike and a 5–mile trail run, competitors will vie for the coveted Gold Shovel award, along with age group and team awards.
This is the only off–road triathlon in the U.P., and is restricted to the first 200 competitors.
The Iron Oreman will again be a part of the U.P. Triathlon Series, a
nine–race series, which began Jan. 5 with the Guts Triathlon and concludes with the Deadman Triathlon in September.
The Iron Oreman Triathlon will be used as a major fund–raiser for the
Superiorland Ski Club youth program. For more information, contact Dan Hill at 906/486–4201 or e–mail at IMFINN@aol.com. Online registration will be available through active.com. Visit www.superiorlandskiclub.com for other race events and club functions.
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