Each year 2,100 participants are selected on a first-come, first-served basis to take part in this challenging, 40-mile fat tire event that takes place on Saturday of the Festival weekend. While a few compete for the chance to be called champion, it is the citizen class athletes who are in it for the adventure and personal challenge inherent in the sport that make up the bulk of the race field.
The Chequamegon 40 begins travels from downtown Hayward, WI over the famed American Birkebeiner Ski Trail, forest roads, snowmobile trails and other wooded paths in Sawyer and Bayfield counties to the finish line at the Great Hall in Cable, WI.
View the 2019 Chequamegon 40 Race Course Map Here - Map My Ride
CUT OFF TIMES/COMPLETION TIME
For the safety of our volunteers and our riders, cut-off times have been added at the Lake Helane Road Aid Station (aid station #3 – 2:45PM) and Birkie/Randysek Aid Station (Aid Station #4 – 4:00PM). 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. If you think you will be unable to make the cut-off times and are signed up for the 40, please contact us and we can change you to the Short & Fat at no additional charge.
The iconic Chequamegon rollout from the start line defines one of the longest running, largest off-road events in the sport and presents racers with an unmatched beginning to their off-road adventure. For the safety of all riders, please follow these rollout safety tips:
Virtual course map
Check out our virtual course map — brought to you by Trail Genius — for a complete tour of the Chequamegon MTB Festival course including video, GPS data, detailed terrain profiles and other key features to get you ready to rock the race.
> View the virtual course map
CORRAL PLACEMENT – Please let us know your best overall place from 2016, 2017, 2018 or 2019 edition of the Chequamegon 40. This will determine your corral placement in 2020. Gate 1 Male 1-200 : Female 1-450 Gate 2 Male 201-450 : Female 451-750 Gate 3 Male 451-700 : Female 751-1000 Gate 4 Male 701-1000 : Female 1001-1250 Gate 5 Male 1001-1300 : Female 1251-1450 Gate 6 Male 1301-1600 : Female 1451-1600 Gate 7 Male/Female 1600 and up OR NEW PARTICIPANT
Riders who do not have 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. After you receive your start gate confirmation email up until September 1, you may request a gate review by email Peter Spencer at pspencer@lt.life
In any gate assignment or reconsideration, the decision of the race officials is final.
Start gate time splits for the Chequamegon 40
• Pro/Elite: NEW 1:00 PM Start Time
• Contact Peter Spencer at pspencer@lt.life to be considered for a Pro/Elite start
• Pro/Elite riders will not be considered for age class awards
• Age Class: 10:00 AM Start Time
• Age Class participants are not eligible for Pro/Elite awards
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.
NEW IN 2020 - NO GHOST BIKES ALLOWED AT THE START LINE
No ghost bikes will be allowed at the start line moving forward.
Notification and request for reconsideration
Once start gate assignments have been made and you have been notified via confirmation email, you may request a further review for reassignment to another gate. T
Requests for additional start gate review can be emailed to Peter Spencer pspencer@lt.life prior to September 1.
> View the full Festival schedule
Champion's Awards (Pro/Elite Division Male/Female)
• $10,000 cash prize purse
• Men’s: 1st $2,500 | 2nd $1,000 | 3rd $750 | 4th $500 | 5th $250
• Women's: 1st $2,500 | 2nd $1,000 | 3rd $750 | 4th $500 | 5th $250
• Pro/Elite Division is not eligible for age class awards
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
• Age Class participants are not eligible for Pro/Elite awards
Class Awards
• Age Class participants are not eligible for Pro/Elite awards
• Top 5 males and females in the following age groups will receive an award:
Competition Classes for Males & Females
• 14 – 29
• 30 – 39
• 40 – 44
• 50 – 59
• 60 - 69
• 70+
Single Speed
Top 5 overall males and females receive an award.
Fat Bike
Top 5 overall males and females receive an award.
Tandem
Top 5 overall teams receive an award.
Participant Award
Each participant will receive a Chequamegon MTB Festival T-shirt.
Rosie’s Field: 2 miles from the start
The Chequamegon 40 riders first hit the dirt in Rosie Martinson’s hay field. Rosie’s Field is a great place to watch as the early drama of the lead riders develops over the irregular, rough-mowed field. If you would like to watch in Rosie’s Field, you must get there before the start of the race and park in the Fish Hatchery Park lot that is accessible from Highway 77 East at Fish Hatchery Road. Please respect the private property easement and do not drive your vehicle into Rosie’s Field. Only authorized race vehicles are allowed access to the field, so please arrive by foot if you plan on watching from this location. Pet owners must hold dog’s leashed at all times for the safety of the riders.
“OO” and Birke Trail: 15.92 miles from the start
Drive north of the start in Hayward on Highway 63. In Seeley, take Cty “OO” east to the American Birkebeiner ski trail crossing. Park on the north side of “OO” in the large lot. You can watch or provide racer support on the north or south side of the trail. Exit the area via Cty “OO” west back to Seeley.
Janet Road & Snowmobile Trail 71: 17.02 miles from the start
Off Cty Hwy “OO” in Seeley, take Janet Road north to the intersection of the race course on Snowmobile Trail 77. Janet Road is marked as 'Road Closed Ahead' and the intersection is closed to vehicle traffic.
Boedecker & Winding Pine Trail: 20.14 miles from the start
Drive north of Seeley on Highway 63 and turn east on Northern Lights Road, the first road north of Seeley on the east side of 63. Proceed 100 yards east to the T intersection with Boedecker Road. Boedecker should be marked with a 'Road Closed Ahead' sign. Turn left onto Boedecker and follow the gravel forest road to Snowmobile Trail 22-Winding Pine Trail intersection. Here you will see the Chequamegon 40 course entering Boedecker from the south, your right, after they ride through Martel’s Pot Hole. The riders will turn right onto Boedecker and ride east to Telemark Road. This is noted by CAMBA land marker S-6 on the north side of Boedecker. Park safely on Boedecker, west of the race course crossing, and please do not drive your vehicle on the race course.
Winding Pine Trail & Birke Trail: 31.35 miles from the start
This spot is noted by the CAMBA land marker S-6 and is accessible if you walk or ride your bicycle north on the Winding Pine Trail. Walk to the intersection with the American Birkebeiner Ski Trail at CAMBA land marker S-7. Personal vehicles are not allowed on this trail. Return via foot or bicycle to your car at Boedecker and proceed to the finish line via Highway 63 and Cty Hwy M in Cable at Telemark Resort.
