TransWisconsin!

[JMeiser]

http://www.transwisconsin.com/

I am pleased to announce the TransWisconsin! The midwest's first multi-day, self-supported mountain bike race! These types of events have been popular for several years in the west. It's time we begin to develop this form of mountain bike racing here.

Registration is open! Race day start is June 18th, 2010. To enter you need only to send an e-mail with your name, age, and address as the only information needed.

For more specific information on the race, check out the race details page.

TransWisconsin will follow the 550 mile Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail from Wisconsin's southern border with Illinois to the northern most tip of the Bayfield Penninsula, finishing on the shores of Lake Superior.

Along the route riders will travel through the distinct geographical regions of Wisconsin and towns settled by trappers, farmers, and fisherman. The trail will vary between gravel road, two-track, ATV trail, singletrack, and an unfortunate bit of pavement.

If you've been dreaming of an Ultra Race here in the Midwest, look no further!

TransWisconsin

[protoceratops]

WOW!!

From Middleton, WI...congrats on the new race!

[mmeiser]

I'm in.

Been doing some research. Sparta Wisconsin sounds cool.

p.s. Only way to track comments on this forum is to make a comment. Hence my comment.

[neve_r_est]

I wanna see some snowbike pre-ride pics.

[ScottM]

Indeed, congrats on the new race.  Can you comment on rough percentages of 2-track, ATV trail, singletrack and pavement?  Just curious.  Has anyone ridden the whole thing before?

How much have you (and other organizers, if there are any) ridden?

[JMeiser]

Indeed, congrats on the new race.  Can you comment on rough percentages of 2-track, ATV trail, singletrack and pavement?  Just curious.  Has anyone ridden the whole thing before?

The real answer is no, I cannot tell you definitively.  I've spent hours studying the southern and northern sections of the course looking for more remote sections.  Ultimately, the course will be conservative year one as we, I, learn where we can go that moto's can't.  Each year it will change, much like the iterations Dave has created for TU.

As of right now, I think we'll have 50+ miles of singletrack, not much compared to western standards, but 48 miles more than the divide...although the mountains are, well, existent and beautiful... 2-Track is much more prevalent in the Chequamegon National Forest, ATV trail is intermittent, gravel will be the most common surface...Pavement sections will be short, to connect gravel.  I'm having trouble really working this thing out on my MAC with Topofusion

Nobody has ridden it by bicycle that I am aware.  200+ enduro moto's travel it yearly.  You bring up a good point though, I ought to be explicit about this being a year of 'discovery' for the T.W.A.T. and bicycles.  Some things will be fuzzy...If folks decide to drop as a result, that'll be just fine. 

How much have you (and other organizers, if there are any) ridden?

I and TK (Chequamegon) have ridden a grand total of 60 beautiful miles in the northern section of the Chequamegon National Forest.  I will be connecting through the Chequamegon with MTB trails, to add more tech.

Do you ask out of curiosity, or some concern?  I'd welcome the feedback...

[silence]

I'm planning on this-  thanks for the email.

posting in order to follow any developments that show up on here as well

[ScottM]

I wouldn't say I'm concerned, just wondering how dialed in the route is.  Nothing wrong with developing it over time, just as long as people know that going in, esp. the first year.  I don't feel comfortable sending people onto something I haven't ridden myself (small stretches are OK) when it's a "race", but there's nothing wrong with it being an untested adventure.  That can be a part of the appeal, too.  It can always turn into more of a straightforward, raceable route down the line.

Really excited to see this event.  Glad you are taking the helm on it.

[JMeiser]

I agree Scott, it would be a risk if the route was remote, untested, unproven...The Moto's have been riding it for several years now and I don't plan to deviate to much from their precedence in the first year.  I want to see it, over time, become more remote, more challenging where possible. 

I thought about running it solo year one, but it is always more fun to chase and be chased.

[silence]

are the tour divide rules going to be a close approximation of the rules for this?

how will the maps be given to us?  I don't even have a working gps at the moment and honestly don't really like them (when I go ride alone I like to get lost)

[JMeiser]

Basic Divide Rules apply, yes.  I'll likely have to expand upon the self supported, no support language so as to make it clear what is/isn't allowed.  I expect to have maps/cue sheets available by April 1st.  This gives me time to get it dialed and for you to plan.

[krefs]

Too bad I no longer live in Wisconsin!  At least I won't feel quite as guilty about missing it if it's not right out my back door...

[ISU Colin]

Is there any sort of formula for figuring out how long a route like this would take? I get that everybody is different, but I don't have a lot of concept of mileage-time for long routes off road.

[Askel]

Part of the beauty of ultra racing, I guess.  Way too many variables to try and account for to just say X+Y+Z=finish time. 

I know what I can do for 2-3 days in a row, which won't be enough to complete the route in that time frame. I'm interested to see how long I can keep my pace up going ultralite.   

Which I guess is why I'm doing an event in WI instead of say, the Tour Divide.  The promise of several six packs of New Glarus Brewing's finest would probably be enough to get somebody to come down and rescue my ass when I get in over my head. 

[ISU Colin]

Ooooo New Glarus... Had a half-barrel of Spotted Cow at my wedding up there last summer.