This Just In 10-30-03

On October 13, 2003, Chequamegon Festival Director Gary Crandall was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the Interbike Show in Las Vegas. The Crested Butte, CO based MBHoF added Crandall, former Canadian racer Cindy Devine, bicycling journalist Dan Koeppel and trail advocate, tour operator and former Merlin CEO Ashley Korenblat to the hall's distinguished list of inductees. Below is the text of the acceptance speech that was presented at the induction ceremony.

Mountain bike fans, fat tire friends, and fellow Hall of Famers, I do like the sound of that one, thank you for this great and humbling honor that has been bestowed on me this evening.

You know, if you looked at tonight from a 1983 perspective, we didn't stand a chance of success. First, we chose to name our event after a national forest with an Ojibwe Indian name, that no one could pronounce or spell for that matter, much less figure out where it was, the Chequamegon. Can we all say "Chequamegon".

Then we picked a race course with a Norwegian name that even fewer could utter correctly, the Birkebeiner Trail. Can we all say "Birkebeiner".

Finally, we even had an early industry sponsor that had people wondering, "What did he say", "What the heck is that, a what???" The Montaneus. Can we all say "Montaneus".

But in spite of those early linguistic challenges the success of the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival is historically about a select group of THE RIGHT PEOPLE, being in a definitively RIGHT PLACE , doing the soon to be RIGHT THING at just the proverbial RIGHT TIME.

Just prior to 1983, our inaugural year, word of those "mountain bikes" or "all terrain bikes" or those "fat tyred flyers" filtered into our quiet wooded corner of northwestern Wisconsin.

In our case the RIGHT PEOPLE were Mike Cooper, Dan Hunt, Tom Kelly, Phil Rasmussen and Phil Van Valkenberg all of whom had a vast amount of first hand special events experience. Specifically with the early 1970's cross country skiing boom that had swept the country.

That earlier active winter sports explosion showed how a relatively unknown sport in the US, cross country skiing, could create an industry and special events boom that was fueled by people's desire to pursue physical activity in a silent sports environment.

In our case the RIGHT PLACE was the tiny out of the way destinations of Cable and Seeley and Hayward Wisconsin. A PLACE that had a built in spaghetti pile maze of logging and tourism industry created back woods public access trails including a world class race course the American Birkebeiner ski trail. That RIGHT PLACE was coupled with a highly experienced volunteer force and a local tourism industry that could support a large special event.

In our case the RIGHT TIME was the trailing end of the northern Wisconsin summer tourist season. This is the post Labor Day rolling up the sidewalks time that many summer destinations are familiar with. In that right time Resorts and campgrounds shut down, the local labor force was being laid off and financial belts were being tightened to wait out the shoulder season until the next wave of tourists came with the heavy winter snows.

September in Northern Wisconsin was a very RIGHT TIME to run a mountain bike race there were beds available volunteers looking for something to do and even the bugs of summer were frosted out of existence by then.

In our case the RIGHT THING was catching the big cresting wave of national off road cycling awareness that was sweeping the country, and thinking, "Hmmmmm?" they collectively thought in 1983. How about a mountain bike race on the Birke trail?? It can't miss. And it didn't.

Coupled with all of this good timing was the fact that in the late 1970's I had moved to Northern Wisconsin from my post college graduate home of Madison, Wisconsin to find romance, adventure and hopefully a full time job. What was I thinking??

Well, I found romance in my lovely, talented and tolerant wife Sara Balbin. I found adventure in the wild kingdom of the Chequamegon National Forest. And fortunately, suitable employment just happened to come along.

In 1983, as a self-employed person in the land of six part time jobs with seasonal down time on my hands, fortune put me in that right place, at the right time, with the right guys, doing the right thing.

The first year I raced the Chequamegon 40 from Hayward to Cable. Then I raised my hand to volunteer to help out. My early volunteer effort quickly turned into my 20 plus year passion, profession and privilege.

As the director of one of the country's most successful, longest running off road racing weekends, I am often asked to disclose the formula for the Chequamegon's overwhelming success. Our very simple event organizational philosophy, that existed from day one helped insure our longevity and popularity. It is what I call the 5 "S's" of Special Event Management.

SUSTAINABILITY, SERVICE, SAFETY, SANITY AND SHARING

SUSTAINABILITY in the sense that we recognized and respected the carry capacity of the land upon which we tread. The Chequamegon set self-imposed limits on the event's growth. As we got BIGGER, we changed the operative word to BETTER with the goal of perpetuating the event's future. This SUSTAINABILITY land ethic has also been demonstrated in our assistance with the development of the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association, that's CAMBA, through financial and volunteerism contributions over CAMBA's eleven year history.

SERVICE as in the high level of CUSTOMER SERVICE that has always been a Chequamegon imperative. Customer service that includes not only the participants but also the sponsors, volunteers and staff and surrounding communities.

SAFETY that resulted in a race course that is admittedly not the most technical challenge on the fat tire race scene. But it is a spectacular glacially formed roller coaster trail that presents a respectable physical challenge to a wide variety of ability levels and one on which we could service the safety needs of those who participate.

SANITY in the form of organizational sanity that resulted in a low turn over, long term committed staff and willing volunteer crew that has as much fun putting on the event as the racers do participating.

SHARING, as in sharing of our success. This has taken the form of the highly coveted schwag distribution to those who give of their time to make it all happen. And financial contributions to the community volunteer groups who tackle the countless event related tasks. And in the many years of support given to trail advocacy groups whether it be locally, regionally and nationally, contributions to those who dig in the dirt so we all have a place to ride.

In conclusion, this is the part of a speech that everyone is waiting for isn't it??? I want to thank the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame members and fellow inductees, many of whom have visited Chequamegonland over the past 21 years to enjoy your own Chequamegon Experience. Thanks also to the cycling industry members and press for this honor that I have received today.

Lastly, on the home front scene I want to thank the many long term Chequamegon event sponsors who have become friends, the hundreds of volunteers who are my neighbors and tens of thousands of participants who are like family. All share a piece of this honor.

And of course I want to thank my Mamas. In this case that is the Chequama Mamas Bicycle Club with whom I have had the pleasure to pound fence posts, wash buckets, brush trails, collate information, pick up trash and of course have a great deal of fun with over all these years. Mamas you share in this too.

I sincerely hope I can honor this recognition with many more years of Chequamegon Adventure for all of you. Thank you very much.

Gary Crandall, Inductee Mountain Bike Hall of Fame 2003.

This Just In 9-20-03...and it's a wrap...

A full year of planning, preparation, training and anticipation and in a few hours the 21st Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival sponsored by Trek is over for 2003. Judging from the complimentary emails, phone calls and letters this year's Chequamegon was well received by participants, spectators and volunteers alike.

Once again a timely downpour on Friday firmed up the racecourse and made it just wet enough to be interesting. Cloudy skies gave way to near perfect cool race day temperatures. And Sunday was as nice a day to spend at Telemark racing the Cable Criterium, Rough Stuff Rendezvous and Sunday Funday events as one could hope for.

The racing action was spectacular with Doug Swanson of the Trek/VW Midwest Team clocking in with a record 2:07 time with a record-breaking seven-minute margin of victory in the men's Chequamegon 40. Making it two in a row Mary Grigson riding for the Subaru/Gary Fisher Team left her competition fighting for second as she too had a nearly eight minute margin of victory for the women.

In the Short & Fat, John Devine, the Trek/VW phenom, left the competition in his wake with a record-breaking 49-minute dash to the finish. In the women's short race, Syrae Wiekle traveled all the way from Denver to take home the crown in a just over one hour performance.

There were rave reviews on the switch to the AMB ACTIV transponder timing as Finish Line Sports turned in their usual flawless timing performance. Injuries were at a minimum (note: a successful event is one in which the rescue helicopter leaves without any passengers). The Chequamegon Clif Bar Clean Up Crew demonstrated trail advocacy in action as the racecourse was left spotless following the peloton's passing. All in all it was a great weekend of fat tire racing and fat tire fun in Chequamegonland.

A Lost and Found note: Josh Barrett, a Trek employee, was traveling home and found a front wheel that obviously had some Chequamegon dirt on it 30 miles south of Eau Claire on I-94. If you are looking for your lost front wheel contact him directly at josh_barrett@trekbikes.com with a description of a wheel you might be missing and it will be returned.

There is plenty of riding time left in the cycling season. Hopefully some of you will take the time to travel back to the northland to sample the trails of the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA). Check out CAMBA's web page at www.cambatrails.org. Remember that CAMBA is one year into their Rock Lake Trail Project that will create new single track in that popular cluster and return the ski trails of the Rock Lake system back to their original condition. Please support this trail advocacy project with your donation to the Rock Lake Fund by sending CAMBA a donation at PO Box 141, Cable, WI 54821.

Until next time thanks for sharing your time with us in Chequamegonland. We truly enjoy putting on this event as much as you do participating it in. Remember ride safely and support your local trail advocacy group.

This Just In 9-05-03

The clock is ticking down to the exciting start of the 2003 Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival this coming weekend. As the final pieces of the race day puzzle are being laid in place, we await your arrival to enjoy three days of fat tire racing and fat tire fun.

At this point the race courses of the Chequamegon 40 and Short & Fat are dry and fast. Of course that could change with the next weather front that comes through (this is the Chequamegon remember) but at the moment the forecast for the week is fair and dry.

It should be a great race in the Chequamegon 40 with three time 40 champion, national and world champion Steve Tilford back to defend his title against national and world champion and first time Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival participant, Ned Overand, former 40 champion Jeff Hall and Doug Swanson. We will also welcome back Australian National Champion Mary Grigson who will be leading the charge to the podium in the women's race.

Remember that both cross country races are filled to the established limit and no further registrations will be taken. You will need your photo identification to pick up your race materials. If you are going to be a no show please remember that you may not transfer your entry to another person.

For those of you in the Chequamegon 40 please note a new caution on the motor paced controlled roll out from Main Street in Hayward. After the long stretch on Railroad Street (the street with the tall power poles) when making the right hand turn onto Highway 77 please note that there is a new concrete median strip immediately east of the turn. The pack will split to ride around this traffic control structure. The pace will be slowed on Railroad Street to accommodate a safe passage through this cautioned turn.

Have a safe trip to Chequamegonland. We will see you all in just a few days.

This Just In 8-19-03

As we rapidly approach the September 12-14 dates of this year's event, here are a few registration procedures of which to take note...

If are registered for this year's Chequamegon 40 and want to switch to the Short & Fat 15 you have until the September 1 deadline to request the change. Changes must be made in writing which would include e-mail, fax or letter received in our office no late than September 1. A $10.00 fee must accompany the requested change. Sorry due to the large demand on the 1700 spaces in the Chequamegon 40 you cannot change from the Short & Fat to the longer race. Changes after September 1 will not be considered.

Please remember that if you are going to be a no show refunds or transfers of entries to other parties are not permitted for any reason whatsoever. We do not keep a waiting list for no shows because in anticipation of people not attending we have overbooked the event to automatically fill the spots.

Also, when you come to bib pick up on Friday September 12, 2003 at the Telemark Resort or on Saturday morning September 13 at either the Hayward National Guard Armory for the Chequamegon 40 or the Cable Community Centre in Cable for the Short & Fat you must have your confirmation card and a photo identification to pick up your race packet and numbers. You may not pick anyone else's number up for any reason whatsoever.

A note on course marking.....this time of year we do receive a number of calls inquiring about when the courses for the Chequamegon 40 & Short & Fat will be marked. The Short & Fat course is permanently marked as a part of the CAMBA trail system from the Cable Trailhead behind the Old School Mall in Cable to Telemark Resort. Once you reach Nordmor Road behind Telemark Resort, the final mile or so of the finish line approach for the Short & Fat is only marked shortly before the event dates.

For those of you who want to ride on the Chequamegon 40 course, traditionally we have it marked in some preliminary if not complete fashion by the Labor Day Weekend. Our plan this year is to go out on August 27 and 28 to accomplish this course marking. The course is a fairly convoluted combination of the American Birkebeiner Ski Trail, forest roads, snowmobile trails and Telemark Resort ski trails. Some sections are part of the CAMBA system and some are not.

Please remember if you are riding the race courses prior to race day that the course is not closed to traffic. In addition there are no support services and course marking may be incorrect due to tampering by other trail users. On race day, there will be double checks of the course marking and course monitors will be present at trafficked intersections.

Once the courses are marked for race day use, we would appreciate any feedback you could provide regarding the accuracy of the markings or course conditions along either the Chequamegon 40 or Short & Fat courses.

See you in September!

This Just In 8-6-03

Timing & Number Placement Info
NEW THIS YEAR - To improve timing services during the Chequamegon 40 and Short & Fat, FINISH LINE Sports will be utilizing the AMB ACTIV transponder system. The switch to the AMB ACTIV transponder timing system will allow the event to provide an intermediate time split in the Chequamegon 40 and should help smooth out the finish line experience while providing a greater level of accuracy for individual finishing times.

Each participant will be given a transponder and strap at bib pick up that will be worn on your left ankle during the race. Participants should be very careful to not exchange transponders. Upon finishing the race, transponders and straps will be collected at the finish line exit. Failure to return the transponder and strap will result in a $70.00 charge to the participant. <p>
<p> Please be sure you wear and return your own transponder and strap. Please do not cut or modify the strap. Failure to wear your transponder could result in not appearing in the results.

If you do not plan to participate in the 40 or S&F, because of injury, illness or any other reason and you wish to pickup your race packet please tell the registration person helping you what you plan to do and give back the transponder and strap before you leave registration.

RACE NUMBER PLACEMENT - In addition to the transponder you will be issued a HANDLEBAR number to be placed on the handlebars of your bike with twist ties. You must have your handlebar number in place at the finish line to receive a time. Those without handlebar numbers will be removed from the finish chute. The handle bar number is important for racer identification on the trail by course workers and medical personnel. The handlebar number is also very important for backup timing verification so it is still crucial that the handle bar number is displayed on all bikes during the race. This year laminated handlebar numbers are being used which should eliminate any problem with numbers disintegrating in potentially wet conditions.

No tyvek body numbers with tear tags will be used in the 2003 Chequamegon 40 or Short & Fat.

This Just In 7-15-03

Thanks to all of you who submitted your essays in the "50 Ways to Ride the Chequamegon" essay contest. There were well over 100 submissions this year and it is always a tough bunch to judge and narrow down to the fifty winners of reserved registrations to this year's sold out event. We laughed, we cried, we sang the songs and recited the poems and in some cases we scratched our heads and said "Huh??"

The contest winners have been notified and those who were not in the winning selection were sent regrets for a valiant but unsuccessful effort. It is one of our toughest assignments to tell people they can't get in the event. However our commitment to the registration limits set for the cross-country events in consideration of long term sustainability, safety and sanity remains strong.

There were many great essays in the contest this year and one in particular took a different slant on the plea for last minute consideration. Below is that example from Craig Ewald of Menomonee Falls, WI.

Dear Essay Person,
So it's June 30th and I'm still trying to write a winning essay. I've been thinking about this ever since my entry check was returned to me months ago.

So how do I approach this? Do I beg? Maybe I should try and be funny or witty? Should I note that I have relatively few cycling miles under my belt so far this year without a goal? Every time I get an idea on paper I re-read it a day or so later and think, "Would I be moved by this essay and grant entry?" Unfortunately nothing seems to work.

So I am putting myself in your shoes. How many essays have you read? How much originality have you seen? I'm going to assume you are too growing tired so I'm offering a deal.

Enclosed you will find a single die. I'm asking you to roll that die to determine my fate. Roll an event number I'm in, odd and I stay home this year.

Trust me, my previous essays have already been ready by you. I like this idea as I'm being efficient with your time and with a little luck, I'm doing something original.

Evens baby, evens!!!!!!!!!

Editors note: Well, the die was cast and it came up a five, odd man out. Sorry Craig, there are two kinds of luck and you just encountered tough luck.....but wait this was a pretty original idea, so lets pass it by Lady Luck one more time. A second shake, a four, evens, give that man a spot in the Chequamegon 40.

This Just In 6-10-03

Summertime in Chequamegonland is just about here and the riding is easy. Well, maybe with our glacially motivated terrain not necessarily easy, but it sure is some of the best in the Midwest. I hope you get the chance to visit our area before this year's event to sample the many miles of marked and unmarked off road riding trails in our Northwestern Wisconsin wooded playground.

This past weekend, the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association, CAMBA (www.cambatrails.org ) hosted nearly 150 riders in the 11th annual Poker Ride. In spite of the confirmed reports of Bugs of Mass Destruction (BMD) in the woods, all enjoyed their back woods guided tours in the Cable Cluster trails around Telemark Resort. Speaking of the Cable Cluster, the next time you are in the Chequamegon area be sure to check out the Ojibwa Trail and the Telemark Terrain Park that begins at the Telemark Resort (www.telemarkresort.com ) trailhead. These sweet sections of technical single track are not to be missed.

Finally on the CAMBA front, the Rock Lake Trail Development project got underway this week. When it's all over fourteen miles of new trails will be added to the Namakagon Cluster of the CAMBA system. If you are interested in helping with the Rock Lake project, donations can be sent to CAMBA, PO Box 141, Cable, WI 54821.

Just a reminder that submissions for the 50 Ways to Ride the Chequamegon essay contest and the Chequamegon/Clif Bar Clean Up Crew volunteer opportunity are due by July 1. The 50 Ways contest will award 50 reserved entries to the essay authors who best present their case for getting in the sold out event. Trail advocacy in action is the name of the game for the Clif Bar Clean Up Crew. This volunteer opportunity will send fourteen volunteers out to clean up after the race has passed. Crew sponsor Clif Bar will lay on the schwag for those who join the effort to leave no trace. Info on both of these programs can be found on the INFO page of the www.cheqfattire.com web page.

For info on other off road bicycle events in the area this summer check out the Northwest Series at www.riverbrookbike.com. Also on tap this summer is the Chequamegon Fat Tire Triathlon on August 23 at Telemark Resort in Cable. Details can be found at www.FatTireTri.com.

This Just In 4-27-03

Thank you for your patience as we punched in the data from all this year's lottery selected entries. The confirmation cards for the Short & Fat went out in the mail about 2 weeks ago. The Chequamegon 40 event confirmation cards are going in the mail on Monday 4-28-03. Please check the information on the card for accuracy and contact us with any discrepancies. If within two weeks you haven't gotten your confirmation card and your check for registration fees has been cashed please email us at cheqfat@cheqnet.net to confirm your entry.

While we normally have a few spots available in the Short & Fat at this time of year, due to an overwhelming response during the lottery and returns time period the Short & Fat is completely filled for 2003. Complete event information will be sent to each selected participant when the prerace issue of Fat Tracks is published in the next couple of weeks. Everyone should have their copy of Fat Tracks by May 20. If you do not receive yours, email us to request another copy.

For those of you who have not gotten in via the lottery process (over 500 entries were returned this year) please note the details of the 50 Ways to Ride the Chequamegon essay contest and the Chequamegon Clif Bar Clean Up Crew volunteer opportunities posted on the INFO page of this web page.

Finally, for trail conditions in the area check out the www.cambatrails.org web site of the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association. Of special note is their Rock Lake Fund project that will be started this summer. Have a great riding season!!!

This Just In 3-17-03

Thousands of applications have been received at the Chequamegon office by the March 15 postmark deadline for this year's registration lottery drawing. To allow the postal system to deliver the letters in the system after the postmark deadline, the actually lottery drawing is to be held on Thursday March 20 at Telemark Resort in Cable, WI. Thank you for your patience as we work through the lottery process and input the entries that were chosen and those to be returned.

Since it represents a smaller number of records, the first batch of entries to be processed are those that were not selected in the drawing. Over the years as few as 150 and as many as 650 have been returned to those who were not selected for one of the 2,500 race spots. Those who are not selected will be input into our database and have their checks and entry blanks returned as soon after the lottery drawing as possible. Those who were not chosen should be notified by mail on or about April 1.

Then the time consuming process of inputting the data of those selected will begin. Please be patient as we enter and double check the 2,500 entries that were chosen. Confirmation cards will be sent to all those who were selected once all the data is input. In past years, confirmation cards were sent out on or before May 1. If you are anxious to see if you made it, you check will clear your bank before we are able to process your entry and send your confirmation card.

Remember if you are not chosen you have one more chance to gain a race spot via the "50 Ways to Ride the Chequamegon" essay contest. The authors of the fifty best essays will receive a reserved registration for this year's sold out event. Or perhaps you would like to try for a spot on the volunteer Clif Bar Clean Up Crew. Details of both of these participation opportunities can be found on the INFORMATION page of this web page.

This Just In 1-27-03

As winter wind relentlessly plunge the northland into a late January deep freeze, thoughts of riding on soft Chequamegon dirt in warmer days brings some relief to sub-zero situation. And speaking of Chequamegon dirt, the clock is ticking down toward the March 15 postmark deadline for this year's registration lottery that will determine the 2,500 participants in the 2003 Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival sponsored by Trek to be held this coming September 12-14, 2003 at Telemark Lodge in Cable, WI.

Those who have either sent in a self-addressed stamped entry form request envelop or who left one at the 2002 event will be sent a 2003 Chequamegon entry blank on or about February 15. Watch for it in your mailbox shortly after that. Those of you who haven't already requested an entry blank and want one sent to you should send a self-addressed stamped business size envelope to CFTF, PO Box 267, Cable, WI 54821 marked "Entry Blank Request" as soon as possible.

Another option for getting your hands on an entry blank is to download one from this web page on or about February 15. You will need a recent version of Acrobat Reader to download and print out the 2003 entry blank.

Please remember that entries for the cross-country events are limited to 1700 in the Chequamegon 40 and to 800 in the Short & Fat. The pre-registration lottery that will determine the lucky 2,500 riders who will be enjoying the 21st Chequamegon events is held shortly after the March 15 entry blank postmark deadline

TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS YEAR'S LOTTERY DRAWING, COMPLETED ENTRIES AND PAYMENT MUST BE POSTMARKED TO OUR OFFICE BY MARCH 15.

Check under INFORMATION and then under REGISTRATION on this web site for completed details of this year's Chequamegon registration lottery.