Chequamegon 40
September 19, 2026
Affectionately known as The Drag Race from Hayward to Cable, our headliner event is a mad dash through the Northwoods, filled with adventure and personal challenge.
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!
2026 Event Pricing:
- Chequamegon 40: $125
Minimum Participation Age:
- 14 years old on race day*
*If you turn 14 between now and race day, you may encounter difficulty during the registration process. Please reach out to cheqmtb@ltevents.zendesk.com for support.
Click the link below to view live race results and timing splits:
*Please note that it may take up to 48 hours after the event for all photos to be uploaded.
2026 Race Week Rundown
The Chequamegon 40 travels from downtown Hayward, WI over the famed American Birkebeiner Ski Trail and along picturesque trails of varying terrain finishing at the Derksen Family Great Hall in Cable, WI.
CHEQ 40 COURSE MAP
There will be a total of three aid stations throughout the Amateur Cheq 40 course.
Locations:
- Gravel Pit | Mile 12
- OO | Mile 18
- High Point | Mile 30
Offerings:
- Aid stations will offer products from Neversecond and Bobo’s, along with assorted snacks and drinks to fuel your race.
- After finishing, don’t miss Bravo Sierra body wipes, Pretzelized snacks, Wiley Wallaby Licorice, Splendor water, and Wenzel’s Farm Meat Sticks.
Train with what you’ll use on Race Day! You can find the following products at all the Life Time Chequamegon MTB Festival aid stations.
Here’s what you’ll find on course:
- Assorted snacks & drinks
- Neversecond Sports Drink – Citrus and Unflavored – 30g CHO / 750ml serving.
- Neversecond C30 Energy Gels – A mix of flavors!
There is a lot of mixed information when it comes to eating or drinking in the last hour before competition. Taking in some carbohydrate may help, because it provides extra fuel that may be needed, especially during longer events. However, it can also result in so called rebound hypoglycemia or reactive hypoglycemia with symptoms of weakness, dizziness and nausea. So, it can have positive as well as negative effects? What should we do? This blog will give you the ins and outs.
For the safety of our volunteers and our riders, cut-off times have been added to various checkpoints. If you do not make the cut-off time, your number will be pulled and you can choose to be transported via sag vehicle to the finish or ride a short-cut route (after you sign a waiver.) Additionally, any finish time after 6 hours (4:00PM) will be listed as a DNF.
- 11:45 AM – Aid Station 1 – Gravel Pit (Mile 12)
- 12:33 PM – Aid Station 2 – OO (Mile 18)
- 2:15 PM – Aid Station 3 – High Point (Mile 30)
- 4:00 PM – COURSE CUTOFF – all riders must be complete, anyone not complete at this time will be a DNF
Coral Placement
Please use your best placement from previous Chequamegon 40 results during the years 2019 – 2025 to determine your appropriate corral placement as you register for the 2026 Cheq 40. Riders without past Chequamegon event results and who did not provide a race resume for consideration will by default be placed in the last start gate. The decision of the race officials is final. You may request a gate review by emailing Peter Spencer at pspencer@lt.life.
Gate 1 Male 1-200 : Female 1-300
Gate 2 Male 201-450 : Female 301-600
Gate 3 Male 451-700 : Female 601-850
Gate 4 Male 701-1000 : Female 851-1100
Gate 5 Male 1001-1300 : Female 1101-1300
Gate 6 Male/Female 1301 and up OR NEW PARTICIPANT
Start Time: 10:00am
Placement in Gates
Each participant’s start gate will be indicated on their laminated handlebar number provided at bib pickup. You may not enter start gates with a lower number, however, you may enter a start gate with a higher number. Loading in assigned gates is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please show up early to load into your gate for best placement and to ensure you will get in your gate.
No Ghost Bikes Allowed at the Start Line, period.
Why do I need this?
The Chequamegon 40 is a point-to-point race. Because of this, many riders take the following steps to get where they need to be on Race Day:
- Drop bikes off at the start line in Hayward
- Drive to Cable to park personal vehicle at the finish venue
- Take our bus back to the start line
- Retrieve vehicle upon completion of the race
- THERE IS NO POST-EVENT BUSSING
Bike Drop Off Times:
- Saturday 6:30am – 7:45am, Hayward Primary School
- Drop your bike off in your assigned gate corral
- Number plate MUST be attached
- See attached map
- Don’t miss the bus! Give yourself ~45 minutes to drive to Cable.
Bussing Times:
- First bus leaves at 8:30am
- Last bus leaves at 8:50am
- Location: Derksen Family Great Hall | 42225 Telemark Rd, Cable, WI
Need a Seat on the Bus?
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If you’re already registered for the Chequamegon 40, you can purchase a bus pass for $10 by managing your registration on Let’s Do This and selecting the bus pass add-on.
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Note: you will need to provide your Booking Reference ID, which can be found on your confirmation email from Let’s Do This. There is also a link to manage your registration within the email. Once you’re in, click ‘purchase or view add-ons’ to add the bus pass to your cart and pay.
Tech Talk: Bib Pickup & Bussing Info
Overall Awards
Top 3 men and women in the Chequamegon 40 will be recognized and receive an award.
• Overall award winners will be taken out of their age class
Class Awards
• Age Class participants are not eligible for Pro/Elite awards
• Top 3 men and women in the following age groups will receive an award:
Competition Classes for Males & Females
• 14 – 29
• 30 – 39
• 40 – 49
• 50 – 59
• 60 – 69
• 70 – 79
• 80+
Single Speed
Top 3 overall males and females receive an award.
Fat Bike
Top 3 overall males and females receive an award.
Tandem
Top 3 overall teams receive an award.
Non-Binary
Top 3 overall receive an award.
Para
Top 3 overall receive an award.
E-Bike
Open category for participation, no awards. Pedal assist only.
Participant Award
Chequamegon MTB Festival T-shirt.
2 complimentary beers from Fulton (must be 21 years of age).
The Sawyer/ Bayfield County communities is excited to welcome the participants of the Chequamegon MTB Festival. Your spirit and dedication to biking inspires our entire community.
- Leave no trace – No garbage, clothing etc., shall be thrown on the course!
- Participants must hold their position for the entirety of the roll-out. Passing or weaving through other participants will result in disqualification without warning.
- No aero bars allowed
- We understand that aero bars have been seen at this event in the past, but our official stance is that the use of them is prohibited.
- ANY PARTICIPANTS CAUGHT USING AERO BARS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO START THE RACE. IF YOU DO END UP RACING THE EVENT WITH THEM, YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED
- Helmets must be worn when on the bike, and your chin strap must be buckled
- Support Vehicles/Outside Assistance – You may not accept assistance outside of aid stations or approved spectator areas.
- DNFs must be reported to timing.
- Timing chip (on bike number plate) must attach to the front of the bike. DO NOT wrap your bike plate or your chip will not read.
- DO NOT PASS LEAD MOTORCYCLES.
- THANK THE VOLUNTEERS!
Tech Talk: Parking
Cable Map
Directions from Cable
Parking Map
FRIDAY
- Hours: 2:00pm – 7:00pm
- Location: Derksen Family Great Hall 42225 Telemark Rd, Cable, WI
SATURDAY – Race Morning
- Hours: 7:00am – 9:30am
- Location: Hayward Primary School 10665 Main St, Hayward, WI
To streamline your experience, all participants are required to use the Life Time App for packet pick-up. Emails will be sent to all participants with their unique code and instructions on how to access the Life Time app.
Tech Talk: Bib Pickup & Bussing Info
Spectator Viewing Location: OO
Driving directions: Drive north of the start in Hayward on Highway 63. In Seeley, take County Highway OO east to the American Birkebeiner ski trail crossing. Park on the north side of the road in the large lot. You can watch or provide racer support on the north or south side of the trail. Exit the area to the west via County Highway OO back to Seeley.
