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 three former champions on the line, including
last year’s champion Jenna Zander, who is showing good form again this
season. Kyia Anderson, 1999 winner, and Catherine Walberg of Topeka, Kan. who
won in 1997, 2000 and 2001 and finished runner-up in 2002 will test Zander. 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 mile race - Men
Dewey Dickey: Mercy/Specialized, Minnetonka, 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 mile race - 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. – Champion in 2007,
Winner of 2008 Ore-to-Shore.
Short & Fat 16 mile race - 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 16 mile race - 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.
