Whether your responsible trail use mantra is “Leave No Trace” or “Tread Lightly”, the concept is similar. After using a trail for any reason, the right thing to do is to leave it cleaner than you found it when you started. To facilitate that responsible use philosophy at this year’s Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, Clif Bar has once again stepped up to support the Chequamegon Clif Bar Clean Up Crew.

While Chequamegon off road cyclists are encouraged to pack out what they pack in, after 2500 riders have passed over fifty plus miles of backwoods racecourse some debris is left in their wake. Add that to the already existing refuse from other trail user groups and you have a perfect opportunity for responsible trail advocacy.

Enter the Chequamegon Clif Bar Clean Up Crew. Dispersed in small teams, the fourteen person volunteer crew patrols various sections of the race day routes. Their task is to leave the trail cleaner than it was before the racers came through. Due to their efforts, when the day is done, you would be hard pressed to notice that a race of thousands had earlier passed through the woods.

You can be a part of the Chequamegon event’s effort to clean up after itself. Crew positions are selected via a short essay submission. To be considered for the crew, complete the statement, “I want to be on the Chequamegon/Clif Bar Clean Up Crew because…” Written statements should be postmarked by July 1 to the Chequamegon race office. After that date the clean up crew chief Irv Berlin will select the participants from among the applications submitted. All participants will be notified by July 15 of the crew selection and receive further instructions about the race day assignment.

Crew sponsor Clif Bar will reward the volunteer clean up crew members for a job well done. Each participant will receive an assortment of Clif Bar apparel, including a Clif Bar cycling jersey and a selection of Clif Bar and Clif Shot products. In addition, Guaranteed Reserved Registrations will be sent to each crew member for the next year's Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival.

Gain a new perspective on the nation’s most popular off road event, while you do something good for the trails you use. Join the Chequamegon Clif Bar Clean Up Crew. You’ll be glad you did. Essays should be sent by the July 1 postmark deadline to: Chequamegon/Clif Bar Clean Up Crew, PO Box 267, Cable, WI 54821 or you can email your submission to cheqfat@cheqnet.net.