I got hooked on mountain biking after attending the grand opening of the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails last June. So it’s only fitting that my first race be at another Cuyuna festival and a winter one to boot: the Cuyuna Lakes Whiteout on March 2-3.
The Cuyuna Lakes Whiteout is a winter festival to celebrate the new Sagamore Winter Trails and to benefit the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew (CLMTBC), a division of MORC/IMBA. (Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists / International Mountain Bicycle Association). All event profits will fund continued expansion and maintenance of the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails in Crosby-Ironton.
The organizers have a terrific Tumblr blog site for the event that they’re updating regularly. I signed up for the Cuyuna Lakes Avalanche Pass ($40) which covers all events and includes some swag. The online registration via the NGIN platform is fast and easy. I’ve put myself in the beginner class for both the Sagamore SnowXross Country Race in the morning and the Serpent Lake Ice Bike 500 Race in the afternoon.
Looking at the schedule, my dilemma will be whether or not to skip the afternoon Ice Bike 500 Race in order to have more time to play in the Yawkey Unit as it’s only open for riding on Saturday, sunrise to sunset. I only had a little time to ride in the Yawkey last year during the Squirrel Fest when the dewpoint was 80 degrees.
Here’s a teaser video created by Aaron Hautala, Creative Director at RedhouseMedia in Brainerd and newly elected president of the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew (CLMTBC). The video features CLMTBC Director of Trail Maintenance Nick Statz. (See Aaron’s blog post on how the video was created: Worst winter ever. Best winter riding ever?):
I’m not surprised that QBP is the Presenting Sponsor for the event, given how much Gary Sjoquist, QBP’s Director of Advocacy, has been involved in getting Cuyuna off the ground.
Griff.
Awesome blog post on the Whiteout and great to see you are signed up for the Avalanche Pass too.
So cool!
It is a tough decision between Yawkey and the Ice Bike 500. My thoughts, finish the Sagamore SnowXross in record time and zip right over to Yawkey Unit. Ride Haul Road to Bobsled, it’s a must in the snow. Hit a few more trails including Tugger and then zip back to the park for the Ice Bike 500. For the Ice Bike you’ll certainly want tires with some nice studs.
Should be a super event, keep doing the snow dance with us up here in Cuyuna and we look forward to seeing you on the 2nd and 3rd!
Also, if you are in need of lodging check out the super sweet deal the Deerwood Country Inn is offering on our “Where to stay” page on the Whiteout website, it’s unbelievable!
Peace out!
AWH
Hey Aaron, thanks for the advice and detailed directions. I especially like “finish the Sagamore SnowXross in record time.” Piece o’ cake!
I’m really looking forward to this and am hoping it’ll be an annual event.
May the snow gods be with you!
[…] I’m going and I’m racing: the Cuyuna Lakes Whiteout, March 2-3 […]
I just found this DNR map for Cuyuna’s Sagamore Unit Fat Bike Winter Trails. Nice.
Cuyuna dirt boss Nick Statz gives a total event summary:
httpv://youtu.be/XqISyTs39bo
[…] to the Cuyuna Lakes Whiteout up in Crosby-Ironton for my first-ever race this weekend. More on that here on my Mountain Bike Geezer […]