FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival Preview and Notes

The 31st Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival presented by Trek will run Sept. 13-15, with the main events starting Saturday at 10 a.m. Chanhassen, Minn. based Life Time Fitness produces the event.

A sold out field of 2100 riders will participate in the Chequamegon 40 which starts on Main Street in Hayward and finishes at Telemark Resort. Another 1000 riders will start at the same time in downtown Cable and race 16 miles in the Short & Fat, which also finishes at Telemark.

Riders can pick up bibs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. under the Big Top Chequamegon tent on the Telemark Resort grounds on Friday, and both of Saturday’s races will finish in the Telemark stadium area just outside the tent. The tent will also host the Sunday Funday events.

On Friday, the weekend starts at 1 p.m. with CAMBA (the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association) trail tours at the Camp 38 trailhead off Telemark Road, south of Cable. This is a chance to ride some of CAMBA’s new flow trails. Sponsor and vendor expo as well as the pasta feast will be at 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday under the canvas.

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

Several top riders and former champions return for the main events – the Chequamegon 40 and the Short & Fat. Four-time champion Brian Matter returns, hoping for an unprecedented fifth title. He won in 2004, 2009, 2010 and 2011. He will be challenged by Cole House who narrowly edged Matter in this year’s Ore to Shore event. Alabama rider Michael Olheiser, second to Matter in 2011, comes to the race hungry and hopes to claim his first title. Ageless three-time champion Steve Tilford from Topeka, Kan. will also factor in the race. Former Radioshack rider Jason McCartney will be back and wants to improve his 2011 third place finish. Former champ Jeff Hall has gotten back into the sport after several years’ absence and could surprise the field.

Minnesota rider and 2012 champion Jenna Rinehart returns to defend her title. Her toughest competition may come from Arizona rider Chloe Woodruff. Rinehart will also be chased by three-time champ Catherine Walberg, a Topeka, Kan. rider. Don’t count out former champion Sara Kylander-Johnson either.

Both Brett Poulten and Ian Haupt, second and third in last year’s Short & Fat, hope to climb to the top spot on the podium this year. In the women’s short race, second place finisher the last two years, Terra James, hopes she can win it in 2013. Sixteen-year-old Keely Jackson of Hayward could challenge James.

The Rough Stuff Poker Ride, an bicycle orienteering race around the Telemark woods, highlights the Sunday events, starting at 9:00 a.m. Day of registration is at the Big Top Chequamegon tent from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m on Sunday.

Rounding out the weekend, the Sunday Funday events held at the Telemark Resort event site 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 12:00 p.m. A complimentary children’s bicycle rodeo will be held for those twelve and under.

CHILDREN’S EVENTS

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 a.m. 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. There will be a fun lap race for kids as well. The parade and rodeo are free and open to all kids under 12. Helmets required.

2012 CHEQUAMEGON FAT TIRE FESTIVAL RIDERS TO WATCH

Chequamegon 40 men

• Jeff Hall: Foundry, Burnsville, Minn. Former champion in both the Chequamegon 40 and Short & Fat.
• Cole House: Cashcall Mortgage; Oneida, Wis; Second in 2009.
• Brian Matter: RACC/Geargrinder; Sheboygan, Wis; 2004, 2009, 2010 and 2011 Chequamegon champion and course record holder.
• Jason McCartney: Bissell; Coralville, Iowa; Third in 2011.
• Michael Olheiser: Cashcall Mortgage; Huntsville, Ala. Second in 2011.
• Steve Tilford: Trek/Tradewind Energy; Topeka, Kan; Won the race in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Third in 2009. At 53, he still shouldn’t be counted out.
• Travis Woodruff: Momentum Endurance, Tucson, Ariz. Fourth in 2011.

Chequamegon 40 women

• Sara Kylander-Johnson: Ski Hut/Kuhl; Duluth, Minn; 2006 champion.
• Jenna Rinehart: Nicolett Bike/Specialized; Mankato, Minn; 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012 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

• Ian Haupt: Expo Racing; Whitefish Bay, Wis. Second in 2011, third in 2012.
• Jorden Poulten: Lake Forest, Ill.; Second in 2012.

Short & Fat women

• Keely Jackson: Hayward, Wis.
• Terra James, Sweet N Salty Cycling, Minneapolis, Minn. Second in 2011 and 2012.
• Sophie St. Jacque, The Fix Studio, Minneapolis, Minn. Fourth in 2012

RACE ROAD CLOSURES

Forest roads will have limited access on Sept. 14 during the race from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Only permitted race vehicles, local residents and hunters will have access during this time. Spectator traffic will not be allowed in the closed road area.

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 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 AND CABLE ON RACE MORNING

Hayward residents 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. 14 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.

In Cable, County Highway M near the Short & Fat start area, First Street east of First Avenue to Randysek Road and Randysek Road south of M will be posted no parking. Also, do not park in the United Church of Christ lot next to the Short & Fat start line or the Trinity Lutheran Church at Spruce Street and Randysek.

Do not leave vehicles in the local business lots during either race.