Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival
P.O. Box 267 – Telemark Resort – Cable, Wis. 54821
715-798-3594 – phone/715-798-3595 – fax
cheqfat@cheqnet.net
cheqfattire.com

Cable, Wis. – For release the week of Sept. 6-12
Contact: Gary Crandall, cheqfat@cheqnet.net

The 26th annual Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival sponsored by Trek is set for Sept. 12-14. The field, capped at 2500 riders, has been filled since March.

The main event, the Chequamegon 40, rolls down Main Street in Hayward at 10 a.m. as it has since 1983, while the Short and Fat, the 16-milerace, starts in Cable at 10 a.m. Both races finish at event host Telemark Resort east of Cable.

In 1983 at the first Chequamegon Fat Tire Fest, 27 riders pedaled north from Hayward, finishing then at Lakewoods Resort. From that humble beginning, the race has grown into the largest mass start mountain bike in the country, with 2500 riders in both the short and long races.

Festival director Gary Crandall once again used a lottery in March to select the riders for the September races. Nearly 1000 riders got turned away as the Chequamegon Festival continues to hold its total registration to 2500 riders, making the race one of the most popular mountain bike events in the country.

Several special events are planned for the 26th running of the race. The Cable Hayward Area Arts Council (CHARAC) and the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival will co-sponsor the Bicycle as Art contest. Artists can enter either 2D or 3D bicycle art. On Sept. 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. a Meet the Artists reception will take place at Telemark Resort. The exhibit will be open to the public that Friday evening and all day Saturday.

At 1 p.m. Friday, CAMBA (Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association) will offer trail tours out of Telemark Resort, showcasing their singletrack trails in the area. Vendors will be on hand all weekend, starting on Friday with Trek displaying their new line of mountain bikes, including the new Top Fuels.

Saturday's races are preceded by Children's Bicycle Parades in both Cable and Hayward at 9 p.m.

The Chequamegon 40 will use the same course as last year. A dry summer has left the course in great shape, with a minimal number of mud holes. The 16-mile Short & Fat starts in Cable and will use the traditional course that leads the riders south on Randysek Road then onto logging roads south of Telemark Resort. Expect the first Short & Fat finisher just before 11 a.m., while the winner of the Chequamegon 40 should reach the Telemark Resort finish line sometime shortly after noon.

Jesse Lalonde, a Gary Fisher-sponsored rider, will be back on his singlespeed to defend his title, along with his younger brother Marko who finished 4th last year, also riding a one-geared bike. The Lalonde brothers will be challenged by several former champions, including three-time champion Steve Tilford of Topeka, Kan. Sheboygan, Wis. rider Brian Matter, winner in 2004, will be chasing a second title, as will Jeff Hall and repeat champion Doug Swanson. In all, five former winners will line up on the start line in Hayward. Joining the championship race in his first appearance will be American Jonathan Page of Oudenaarde, Belgium, a silver medalist in the 2006 World Cyclocross Championships.

The women’s race will see two former champions on the line. Kyia Anderson, 1999 winner, and Catherine Walberg of Topeka, Kan. who won in 1997, 2000 and 2001 and finished runner-up in 2002 will battle with Jenna Zander who is showing good form in winning several top Midwestern races. Trek/VW professional racer Lea Davison, Jericho, Vt. the 2007 third place podium finisher will also be in contention.

The men’s Short & Fat race will see the top three return from last year’s race. Mitch Gantz hopes to repeat as champion, but he will be chased by Seeley rider Tom Meyer and David Pipho of Duluth, Minn. The women’s Short & Fat event is wide open with first and second from 2007 moving onto the Chequamegon 40. Hayward’s own Bean Linzmeyer who finished third in last year’s short race will be leading the charge for the championship.

Chequamegon 40 riders should note that bib pick up on Saturday Sept. 13 in Hayward will be in the gym of the primary school adjacent to the start line.

Sunday offers numerous fun events after a serious day of racing on Saturday. Contestants can register for these events the day of since they haven’t filled. The Rough Stuff Rendezvous starts at 9 a.m. with over 200 cyclists circling the wooded hills and valleys of Telemark Resort in an orienteering race. The rider to find all of the checkpoints and return to the start/finish line in the lowest time wins.

The Cable Criterium, the crowd favorite, begins at 11 a.m. Mountain bikers will compete in this exciting, multi-lap event the bowl at the base of Telemark ski hill, which culminates in a championship round mixing together riders from all classes. This begins at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Other fun events Sunday include the Hammer Slammer Hill Climb, the Klunker Bike Toss, the Lumberjack and Jill Log Pull, the Bicycle Limbo and a Children's Bicycle Rodeo, events that take place between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. These low-key events are free, fun and open to the public.

The 26th annual Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, the nation's largest mass start mountain bike race, is set for Sept. 12-14. For further information, visit www.cheqfattire.com, call 715-798-3594 or e-mail cheqfat@cheqnet.net.

CHILDREN'S EVENTS
On Saturday, kids can ride in bicycle parades in either Hayward or Cable. Children should gather on the 200 block of Main Street in Hayward or at the Fire Hall behind the Old School Mall in Cable. Bike decoration starts at 8 a.m. and the parades begin in both towns at 9 a.m.

The Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival will provide balloons and streamers for bike decorating, or kids can decorate their bikes beforehand. Prizes, surprises and treats for all involved.

Sunday, Sept. 14 kids can ride in the Bicycle Rodeo at the base of the Telemark ski hill at Telemark Resort from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Events in the rodeo include bicycle limbo, a bike relay, a log pull and an obstacle course. The parade and rodeo are free and open to all children under 12. All riders must wear helmets.

RIDERS TO WATCH
Chequamegon 40 Men
Dewey Dickey: Mercy/Specialized, Cokato, Minn. – always seems to be in the hunt with several top three finishes.
Jesrin Gaier: Trek/VW, Seeley, Wis. – Short & Fat winner in 2006. Local rider who knows the course.
Jeff Hall: Salsa Cycles, Farmington, Minn. – 1995 champion.

Jesse and Marko Lalonde, Gary Fisher 29/BKB, Twin Six. Madison, Wis. – the Lalonde brothers are crowd favorites riding their singlespeed bicycles. Jesse won in 2007 and Marko was a few seconds behind in 4th. Both were part of the 24-hour national champion four-man team in 2006 and 2007.

Brian Matter: Gear Grinder/Trek, Sheboygan, Wis. – 2004 Chequamegon champion. Winner 2004 and 2005 Ore-to-Shore, 3rd in 2003 Chequamegon 40.

Jonathan Page, Oudenaarde, Belgium – 2007 silver medalist in the World Cyclocross Championships and several time USA Cycling National Champion.

Michael Simonson: Trek/VW, Oxford, Mich. – 2008 Ore-to-Shore Champion.

Doug Swanson: Minnetonka, Minn. – 2003 champion in convincing fashion winning by nearly eight minutes. Also won in 2006. 2nd in 2006 and 3rd in 2001 and 2002.

Steve Tilford: Trek Stores, Topeka, Kan. – He keeps ticking at 48. Three-time Chequamegon 40 champion. 2nd in 2003 and 2004. The most experienced and maybe the smartest racer in the peloton.

Travis Woodruff: Gear Grinder/BMC, Tucson, Ariz. – 2nd at the 2008 Ore-to-Shore. From the Spooner area originally and knows the course.

Chequamegon 40 Women
Kyia Anderson: Ekho/Cannondale, St. Cloud, Minn. – 1999 Chequamegon 40 champion.

Lea Davison: Trek/VW, Jericho, Vt. – 2007 3rd place woman.

Casandra Perkins: Sobe Cannondale, Reno, Nev.

Catherine Walberg: Kenda Tires, Topeka, Kan. 1997, 2000 and 2001 Chequamegon 40 champion, runner-up in 2002.

Jenna Zander: Sobe/Cannondale/Mankato, Minn. – 3rd in 2007, Winner of 2008 Ore-to-Shore.

Short & Fat Men
Mitch Gantz: Slingshot, Green Bay, Wis. – 2007 Short & Fat Champion.

Tom Meyer: Chequama Mamas/Amsoil, Seeley, Wis. – 2nd in 2007 Short & Fat, 7th in 2006.

David Pipho: Duluth, Minn. – 3rd in 2007 Short & Fat.

Short & Fat Women
Bean Linzmeyer: Chequama Mamas, Hayward, Wis. 3rd in 2007 Short & Fat at 57.

Murhpykate Montee: Singular Cycles/Muddy Cup, Sturgeon Bay, Wis. 1st singlespeed.

SAFETY FIRST IN THE FAT TIRE FEST
The safety and well being of the off road cyclists in the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival over the September 12-14 weekend is the highest priority on the event’s planning agenda. With 2,500 riders and over 650 volunteers stretched over the 56 miles between the start and finish lines of the two cross country races, it is likely that some one will need a Band Aid.

The Chequamegon race’s professionally planned emergency medical response team is lead by Gary and Jan Victorson of Delta, Wis. Consisting of approximately eighty-five trained volunteers, the team is assembled from near and far, to provide medical services throughout the race weekend. Members of the Mason Area Fire Department, the Victorsons have coordinated the safety team for twenty-two years, joining the event in its formative days in the early 1980’s. Their professional service has contributed to the event’s national reputation and great success throughout the years. Through their pre-race planning and race day participation, participants, staff and volunteers can have complete confidence that professional care is nearby if the need arises.

The point-to-point emergency medical plan consists of a detailed coordination of personnel, vehicles, communications and supplies. On race day, the start line presence by the Sawyer County Ambulance Service in Hayward and the Great Divide Ambulance Service in Cable ensures the day starts off on the right pedal stroke.

Along the forty miles of the Chequamegon 40 course and sixteen miles of the Short & Fat course, EMS teams are stationed at seven aid stations scattered in the Sawyer and Bayfield county forests. In addition to the stationary locations, a fleet of medical response team professionals follow the race on ATV’s providing a point-to-point coverage, positioning them where they are needed when they are needed. Providing access to medical evacuation transport, several medical rovers in four-wheel drive trucks track the racers from start to finish. Evacuation vehicles from area volunteer fire departments in Cable and Namakagon add another level of response the medical transport program.

At Telemark Resort, a well staffed and supplied medical tent serves as the focal point of the medical team’s finish line presence. Adding yet another level of care and transportation to the entire emergency response system, the Lifeflight helicopter transport team from St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth provides the highest level of preparedness.

The point-to-point mobile presence of the members of the National Mountain Bike Patrol (NMBP) compliments the race day coverage. Coordinated by Hans Erdman, Director of the Minnesota based Backcountry Trail Patrol, a team of up to twenty emergency response-trained and well equipped cyclists ride in and among the racers monitoring any medical or other safety concerns. Erdman, a Senior Instructor/Trainer for the NMBP program, and his team will celebrate their thirteenth year of providing medical response service to the Chequamegon event. Participating patrols include Backcountry Trail Patrol, Isanti/Deer River, Minn.; Barmy Dogs MTB Patrol, Spooner/Hayward, Wis.; MORC (MN Off-Road Cyclists) MTB Patrol, Twin Cities, Minn.; WORBA MTB Patrol, Madison/Milwaukee, Wis. Participation in the team is open to individuals having received certification from the NMBP.

As an added service, NMBP members are well versed in on the trail repairs, lending a hand for the occasional mechanical breakdown. The NMBP program is supported by the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) which helps coordinate standards, practices and certifications for the two wheeled response teams across the country and around the world. Visit www.nmbp.org for more information about the NMPB.

Unifying the large response team scattered throughout the forest in two counties, a communications center is established at the race headquarters in the Hytte at Telemark Resort. From the comm center, Jan Victorson and her staff receive communications from the field and dispatch the closest care to monitor any areas of concern throughout the race.

The physical challenges and unpredictable circumstances faced by 2,500 riders over a great expanse of linear space require a high level of preparedness. The CFTF’s qualified emergency medical team has handled this responsibility effectively throughout its twenty-six year history.

ROAD CLOSURES DURING THE RACE
Spectators and support crews should take note that unlike previous years, forest roads normally open to vehicular traffic on race day will have limited access Saturday, Sept. 16. Affected roads will be closed from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. except for permitted race vehicles, local residents and seasonal bear hunter traffic.

In the town of Spider Lake, Telemark Road/Spider Lake Fire Lane from Clear Lake Road north to the town line, Boedecker Road from the town line east to Spider Lake Fire Lane and Janet Road from the town line north to Boedecker Road will be closed.

In the town of Lenroot, Boedecker Road from Northern Lights Road east to the town line and Janet Road from OO north to the town line will be closed.

And the Spider Lake Fire Lane from Telemark Road south to the town line will be closed in the town of Cable.
Race support vehicles using these routes need to get a vehicle permit from race headquarters prior to race morning to access the course. Those interested in an access pass should contact the Chequamegon office at cheqfat@cheqnet.net prior to the event with details of the rider receiving support, the support vehicle driver’s name and vehicle type.

These road closures will increase the safety of the riders during the event. Increased vehicular traffic on the course the past few years has endangered rider safety and also resulted in long delays for traffic on the race course. Spectators using these roads need to be in place before 10:30 a.m.

NO PARKING RESTRICTIONS IN HAYWARD ON RACE MORNING

Hayward residents and visitors should take note that the entire length of Main Street from Railroad Street to Wittwer Road will be a No Parking area from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13 for the start of the Chequamegon 40.

All intersecting side streets will be barricaded by the City of Hayward by 6:00 a.m. Passage across Main will be allowed on Highway 63 and at Fifth Street by the Sawyer County Sheriff's office until just before the start of the race at 10:00 a.m.