FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival

The 30th Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival sponsored by Trek will take place Sept. 14-16.  The event is produced by Life Time, The Healthy Way of Life Company.

Just as it has for the past 30 years, since the first Chequamegon Festival with 27 riders in 1983, the Chequamegon 40 will start in Hayward at 10 a.m. on Saturday Sept. 15.  This year, 1850 riders head north 40 miles to finish at Telemark Resort.  Meanwhile another 900 riders will start concurrently in downtown Cable in the 16-mile Short & Fat and also finish at Telemark.

The Big Top Chequamegon tent outside of Telemark the Resort will once again shelter the weekend’s activities.  Riders can pick up bibs under the canvas on Friday, and both of Saturday’s races will finish here.  The tent will also host the Sunday fun events. 
           
On Friday, the weekend starts with CAMBA (the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association) trail tours at the Highway 00 trailhead in Seeley.  Under the tent at Telemark, bib pick-up runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.  The sponsor and vendor expo as well as the pasta feast will be at 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Telemark.

On Saturday, the Children’s Bicycle Parades in Cable and Hayward start at 9 a.m.

Brian Matter returns to the 30th edition of the race, hoping for an unprecedented fifth title.  He has won the last three in a row, and the Sheboygan, Wis. rider also won the Chequamegon 40 in 2004.  He will be challenged by Cole House who recently bested Matter in the Ore to Shore race in Marquette, Mich., a race similar to the Chequamegon 40.  Alabama rider Michael Olheiser, second to Matter in 2011, hopes to claim his first title.  Two-time champion Doug Swanson and three-time champion Steve Tilford from Topeka, Kan.will also factor in the race.  Tristan Schouten, who trains with Matter and trailed him by just a few seconds in 2010, would like his first win as would T.J. Woodruff, fourth in 2011. 
         
Like Matter, Lea Davison will race the Chequamegon 40, defending her 2011 title, her third.  She could become the first woman to win four races.  A Specialized-sponsored rider from Vermont, Davison placed 12th in the 2012 Olympic mountain bike race in London so she’s in good form.  Former champion and Minnesota rider Jenna Rinehart, second to Davison in 2011, hopes to climb back to the top spot in the podium.  Davison will be chased by three-time champ Catherine Walberg, a Topeka, Kan. rider.  Don’t count out former champion Sara Kylander-Johnson either or Chloe Woodruff, riding in her first Chequamegon.  
                           
Jordan Cullen is the clear favorite in the Short & Fat, after having won it by four minutes in 2011.  Several young riders will challenge Cullen in the 16-mile race, including last year’s runner up Ian Haupt and 2011 fourth place finisher Collin Kemmesat from Bismarck, N. D.  In the women’s short race, last year’s second and third place riders, Terra James and Jeanne Fleck, look poised to move up a spot into first and second. 
              
On Sunday, the Cable Crit-cross, a multi-lap cyclocross race at Telemark Resort, and the Rough Stuff Poker Ride, an orienteering race, highlight the day.  The RSPR begins at 9:00 a.m. and the Crit-cross starts at 10:00 a.m.  Registration is at the Big Tent. 

Rounding out the weekend, the Sunday Funday events will put some fun into the fat with complimentary events for those over twelve.  New this year – Bicycle Bowling.  Folks can also try the Klunker Toss, Bicycle Limbo, Lumber Jack and Jill Log Pull, Flying Bunny Hop from 10:00 a.m.to 12:30 p.m.

CHILDREN’S EVENTS

Lea Davison and Little Bellas are returning to Chequamegon Sept 14-16, and girls will have the option of riding one, two or three days.  The camp features bike game and rides that focus on both fun and skills.   For more information and to register, go to LittleBellas.com and click on the Chequamegon Camp under programs. Registration closes Sept. 7.

The festival features several children’s events starting with bicycle parades in either Cable or Hayward.  Bike decoration starts at 8 a.m. and the parade begins at 9.  In Hayward, children should gather on the 200 block of Main Street, and in Cable at the fire hall behind the Old School Mall.  For all participants, there will be prizes, surprises and treats.

On Sunday, kids can ride in the Bicycle Rodeo at the base of Telemark ski hill.  Rodeo events include bike limbo, a bike relay, a log pull and an obstacle course.  The parade and rodeo are free and open to all kids under 12.  Helmets required.

RIDERS TO WATCH

Chequamegon 40 men

Cole House: Competitive Cyclist; Oneida, Wisc; Second in 2009.

Mark Lalonde: Madison, Wisc.  2011 Chequamegon 100 champ.

Brian Matter: Geargrinder; Sheboygan, Wisc; 2004, 2009, 2010 and 2011 Chequamegon champion and course record holder.

Michael Olheiser: Competitive Cyclist; Huntsville, Ala.  Second in 2011.

Tristan Schouten: Plymouth, Wisc; Optimum; 2011 WORS champ.

Doug Swanson: Minnetonka, Minn.  Two-time champ.

Steve Tilford: Trek/Shimano; Topeka, Kan; Won the race in 2000, 2001 and 2002.  Third in 2009.  At 52, he still shouldn’t be counted out.

Travis Woodruff: Momentum Endurance, Tucson, Ariz.

Chequamegon 40 women

Lea Davison: Specialized; Jericho, Vt; 2008 and 2011 champion.  2012 USA Olympic Team, 12th overall London Olympic MTB race. 

Sara Kylander-Johnson: Trek; Duluth, Minn; 2006 champion.

Jenna Rinehart: Specialized; Mankato, Minn; 2007, 2009 and 2010 champion.

Catherine Walberg: Kenda, Topeka, Kan; veteran who won in 1997, 2000 and 2001.  Third in 2009.

Chloe Woodruff: Crankbrothers; Tucson, Ariz.

Short & Fat men

Myles Beach: Adventure 212/Specialized; Larsen, Wisc.

Jordan Cullen: Hudson, Wisc.  2011 Short & Fat champion.

Mark Frise: La Crosse, Wisc.  Former Cheq 40 champion.

Ian Haupt: Expo Racing; Whitefish Bay, Wisc.  Second in 2011.

Short & Fat women

Jeanne Fleck: Proctor, Minn.  Third in 2011.

Terra James, Sweet N Salty Cycling, Minneapolis, Minn.  Second in 2011.

Nicolette Reker: SPBRC; Little Canada, Minn.

Keeley Jackson: Hayward, Wisc.

RACE ROAD CLOSURES

Forest roads will have limited access on Sept. 15 during the race from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Only permitted race vehicles, local residents and bear hunters will have access during this time.

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 Snowmobile Trail 22/Winding Pine intersection east to the town line and Janet Road from Highway OO north to the town line will be closed.

The Spider Lake Fire Lane from Telemark Road south to the town line will be closed in the town of Cable.

Race support vehicles need a permit from race headquarters prior to race morning to use these closed roads.  Contact the Chequamegon office before race morning at [email protected] with details of rider receiving support, the support vehicle driver’s name and vehicle type.

These road closures will increase rider safety during the event.  Spectators using these roads need to be in place before 10:30 a.m.

NO PARKING RESTRICTIONS IN HAYWARD ON RACE MORNING

Hayward resident and visitors should take note the entire length of Main Street from Railroad Street to Wittwer Road will be a NO PARKING area from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15 for the start of the Chequamegon 40.

The city will barricade all intersecting side streets by 6 a.m.  The Sawyer County Sheriff’s office will allow passage across Main Street on Highway 63 and at Fifth Street until just before the start of the race at 10 a.m.