Chequamegon 40
September 13, 2025
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.
Registration is OPEN
Registration is OPEN
Event Pricing:
- Chequamegon 40: $120
- Short & Fat: $95
- Little Loggers: FREE!
We love our volunteers! We truly could not put on the Chequamegon MTB Festival without them. These are the folks arriving early, staying late, and doing all the little things to create a fantastic race experience for our athletes. Their passion and dedication never ceases to amaze us. Give back this race day by signing up for a volunteer position. It might be even more fun than racing!
Please refer to our Media Info page for all details and guidelines.
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.
AMATEUR COURSE MAP
Aid Stations will be available for all athletes competing in the Amateur Cheq 40.
Locations:
- Gravel Pit Aid Station | Mile 12
- OO Aid Station | Mile 18
- High Point Aid Station | Mile 30
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 2021 – 2024 to determine your appropriate corral placement as you register for the 2025 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 1-450
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/Female 1451 and up OR NEW PARTICIPANT
Start Gate Time Splits for the Chequamegon 40
Pro/Elite:
12:30pm – Women’s Start
1:00pm Men’s Start
Age Class:
10:00am
Please note, all age class participants will not be eligible for Pro/Elite awards, and all Pro/Elite participants will not be considered for age class awards.
Pro/Elite – To be considered for a Pro/Elite start, please contact Peter Spencer at pspencer@lt.life.
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.
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!
Bike Drop Off Times:
Saturday 6:30am – 8:00am
Location: Hayward Primary School gym on the west end of Main Street, near the start line.
Drop your bike off in your assigned gate corral
Number plate MUST be attached
Need a Seat on the Bus?
If you’ve already registered for the Chequamegon 40 and would like a spot on the bus, visit our store to buy a pass STORE
Details
Saturday buses will be rolling on a continual basis on the times below
First bus leaves at 8:30am
Last bus leaves at 8:50am
Pick-up Location: Derksen Family Great Hall 42225 Telemark Rd, Cable, WI
- $10 fee per person
- NO POST EVENT BUSING – ONLY MORNING BUSING
Friday of Race Week
Hours: 2:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Derksen Family Great Hall 42225 Telemark Rd, Cable, WI
Saturday – Race Day
Hours: 7:00am – 9:30am
Location: Hayward Primary School 10665 Main St, Hayward, WI
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).
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.
Tech Talk: Chequamegon 40 Course
As racers gear up for the legendary Chequamegon 40, tire choice becomes key—offering the right balance of speed, grip, and durability across varied terrain. Kenda’s Booster and Rush tires stand out as top picks for this challenging race.
The Booster offers aggressive traction and agile cornering, thanks to its lightweight, high-performance tread—perfect for hardpack and technical sections. Meanwhile, the Rush excels in both fast, hard-packed terrain and wet, muddy conditions. It features a low rolling resistance design with high-void tread and robust sidewall protection, giving riders confident grip even when the course turns sloppy.
What really sets these tires apart: our pro riders have triumphed at Chequamegon riding these very models. Alexey Vermeulen, a standout in the Life Time Grand Prix circuit, relies on the Rush in pro-level endurance races—including this legendary drag-race through Northwoods singletrack.
Whether it’s battling through muddy grass or chasing tight lines through forests, the Booster and Rush offer the performance edge to push harder and finish stronger at Chequamegon.