TransWisconsin 2011

[JMeiser]

First of all, it's on.  If you want in, go to www.transwisconsin.com and send an e-mail.  Start Date is June 17th, location TBD.

While I loved riding Wisconsin's rural Driftless Region, I was disappointed to find an overabundance of pavement.  The amount of climbing and lack of services was perfect, it forced (forces) riders to plan.  Resources in WI are abundant when compared to the remoteness of other ultra's.  I intend TW to be a midwest training/proving ground for those hoping to challenge themselves elsewhere.

Immediately after the event I considered three options for *major* changes.  For those interested, feel free to leave questions, comments, ideas on the evolution

• Allow riders to change bikes in central, WI when the bulk of the pavement has passed.  This would be the one and only supply point allowed for riders.  The change would happen about 250-300 miles in and would be a total game changer.  It would turn into a road Ultra with a dirt/gravel ultra stacked on the backside.
• Move the race north and keep it there.  Likely start in Hatfield, WI and hit points north.  The race would either be point to point or a *horse-shoe* likely ending in Hayward, WI.  Primarily dirt, mostly in the forest, far fewer farms.
• The first two options plus the *inaugural route*.  Run three events in one on with similar start dates/times.  Two leaving from southern WI, one from Hatfield.  A)Fully self supported with needed changes to the route B)Self supported two-stage event C) Self supported one-stage northern route.

I'll be pouring over maps and data over the holidays and making some decisions early in the NY.  I weigh the feedback of those that rode last year heavy as they experienced it first-hand.  I have my vision and what I want to ride, but the two are in conflict...

[Emily]

Wisconsin born and raised, but long time gone, I've been enthralled with your Trans Wisconsin since I heard about it last year.  This fellow's mind-bending race report only cemented my sense that Trans Wisconsin was exactly the kind of good craziness of which I am so partial.  If my schedule works out I would love to line up in 2011.  

That said, I think the bike-changing idea would be really weird.  Also, logistically complex.  Also, it would feel like racing a stage race.

Not that my opinion is all that valuable, but in the run-what-ya-brung, DIY spirit of self supported racing I would rather not go that way.  A big horseshoe of the North could be stellar: beautiful, super remote, and a real adventure.  In fact (and this is speaking as someone whose roots are in the Driftless south) I personally find that idea incredibly appealing.  I am sure such a route would be a lot (a LOT) of work to put together, though.

Either way, hope I can make it.

[silence]

I emailed my input.

It sounds like some of your new ideas are close to what I was looking for change wise.

[sfuller]

Day 1 definitely was more pavement heavy than I was expecting, that said, I found it physically challenging, especially with the hills we we hit. The further we got in, the more remote things became. I had to start dealing with my choices at the end of day 1 / start of day 2 by riding off route to get refueled from the previous day's ride and load up for whatever was coming on day 2.

I don't like the idea of the bike swap. I don't think it's in keeping with the intended spirit of the event. Plan ahead, research, and make a call on your equipment. Adjust and adapt along the way. That's what these events are about IMO. I made some mistakes last year that I won't repeat again. While it would be unique, it wouldn't be something that I would personally be interested in

Moving it north would be interesting, and I think it would up the challenge level quite a bit. That said, I'm not sure I'm personally ready for that level of increase just yet. Seems like this would be a good stepping stone between the inaugural route and something larger.

[JMeiser]

Thanks for the feedback Steve.  I am working with the tracks right now and am planning on moving the race start to Hatfield, north of the 90/94 corridors, pavement, and that deliciously sandy section of ATV trail.  We'll be on primo trail, roads, and well into state, county, and national forest for the entire event. 

The S to N linear is great in theory, but I'd rather let the terrain drive the route.

[BobM]

Hi all,

How is this progressing?  Will there be cue sheets in advance?  Any comments from last year's participants on how the race went?  Did you have to do all your own research on services or were some listed in the cues?

Also, are the results posted anywhere?  I checked the transwisconsin site and couldn't find anything.  Sounds like a fun ride; I've ridden across northern Wisconsin (U.S. 2 and the Tri-County Corridor), but not on the backroads.

Bob

[fotooutdoors]

If you go to the transwi site, there is a preliminary map embedded from everytrail http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1019282.  I just overlaid it on last year's route, and it looks like this year's start to Lake Superior are pretty similar.  I plan on riding part of it this weekend-maybe Cable to the lake and back (Friday and Saturday), then ride some of the CAMBA trails on Sunday (opening day).

[BobM]

Anyone know if TW is still on?  The website hasn't changed at all and Joe hasn't answered emails.  Just wondering with less than a month to go.

Bob

[JMeiser]

Bob,

Still on.  Just finalizing some details after the Chequamegon 100 this weekend.

[BobM]

Thanks Joe,

I figured you were swamped.  I'm just getting a bit nervous as I will be heading down that direction on the 9th and need to get my sh** together by then if I want to ride.

Bob

[ArisaemaDracontium]

Hello Joe!

I'm planning to ride the TWAT in 3 weeks and I'd like to ride the Trans-WI route from Levis-Trow on up to Lake Superior. You have tweaked the route to be more MTB friendly, correct? Please pass the route along as a GPX file or everytrail link or whatever.

And how did the race go?!?

[ArisaemaDracontium]

BUMP!

Can anybody give me some info on the 2011 route?  I have got something worked out from the IL boarder to Levis-Trow, but I'd like to follow the Trans-WI route as much as possible up to Lake Superior.  Looks like the 2010 route (which is posted on EveryTrail) had more than a few dead ends and impassible sections.... so I'd like to see the improved route for this year.

Any linke to a route or a GPX file or anything would be GREATLY appreciated.

[fotooutdoors]

I don't know anything first-hand, but... on the TransWI website there is a google map of a preliminary route (I don't know if it is the route that was finally used).  If you go to the source of that map (http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?&trip_id=1019282&sent=true), you can download a gpx of the route.  I believe that you need to create an account and sign in on everytrail, but the link to download a gpx will be on the lower right.

I have compared this route to the 2010 version, and there are some differences, but I don't know what was kept for the final route, or if this is the final route.

Happy riding!

[selbig]

Anyone know if there's going to be a 2012 TransWisconsin?

[Payton MacDonald]

I've got family in Duluth so this route is perfect for me.  Anyone have a link to the GPX file and map/cue sheets?  I'd like to look into ITTing it next summer.

Thanks,
Payton

[sfuller]

Payton,

Do you want the route from the first year (2010) or the second year (2011)?

Steve

[Payton MacDonald]

Not sure.  What's the difference?

[sfuller]

First year was actually a south-north cross state ride on the TWAT. The second year started more towards Hayward and stayed in the north-central part of the state.

[fotooutdoors]

See my post a couple up for what was labeled the preliminary route for 2011.  I compared it to some maps, it it looks like a solid route, though I'm not positive it was the final "official" route. 

Sure would like to see another mass start of this route.  I never got to, in part because the mass start was in mid-June which always seems to get in the way of friends' weddings (my sister's this coming year).  Thinking about an early summer ITT depending on how school and work stuff sorts out.

[Payton MacDonald]

Great I'll check out the gpx file on everytrail.  I won't be able to make any kind of mass start with any certainty so I'll just ITT this when I can.

If any of you that have done it have any tips regarding the terrain in terms of tire selection, remoteness of refueling, whatever, kindly pass them on.

Thanks, ride safe,
Payton