Downhill Midwest

Rib Mountain Trail Feedback

Alex — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 20:18:09 +0000

Rib Mountain has published their Master Plan and is looking for some public feedback.

This plan covers a lot more than just mountain biking for the area. It covers skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, climbing, and more. But here we’re most interested in the mountain bike trails. Below are a couple of snippets from the plan.

From what we can tell, the “enduro” area, or area that will be for pedaling, is scheduled to have 2 green trails, 4 blue, and 2 black trails. A good variety of trails. They may even be able to be shuttled! See screenshot below.

The lift access trails currently are lacking sadly. From what we understand, this portion of the trials may be influenced by the current leased operator of the ski resort. Refer back to the text above. So maybe that plan will change depending on the operational plan of the operator. But, it seems odd that they wouldn’t include any black or double black trails in the lift access area. For this area they only have one green and two blues planned. See screenshot below.

They are looking for feedback on the overall plan at the moment. Click HERE for the survey. Let them know you’re excited to see lift access biking come back to Wisconsin! The more we let them know we’d want to travel to the area if they put in the facilities, the more likely they are to add in more trails to the lift access plan. Hopefully some more technical trails as well.

We are incredibly excited to see more trails being built on some of the few places with elevation change in the Midwest! Go check out the literature out their on the plan and respond to their survey with any suggestions you may have!

For The Love: Adam Green Freeride Film

Alex — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 14:52:35 +0000

Check out Adam Green‘s recent film “For The Love.” A compilation of tricks, crashes and rad riding!

Race Report – Marquette Fall Enduro

Alex — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 17:19:06 +0000

Words by Alex Anderson, Photos by Nick Ryan

The final race of the Lake Superior Gravity Series was blest with some of the finest weather the series had seen all year! Well, minus the rain during the podiums, but that just seemed fitting with how the year had started!

Racers got to use the chairlift for a few of the transfers, which had some people pretty stoked!

The day stages went by smoothly for most!

Then as the sun started to fade, costumes started to be dawned, and racers prepared to race the night stage!

Sadly we didn’t end up with any images from the night stage. Go check out the Marquette Fall Enduro Instagram page to see some photos from the party! As well as to see the podiums!

It was a great year of racing for the Lake Superior Gravity Series! Thank you Kelly for running the series for as long as you did! Alex Anderson has now taken over the series. If you have any suggestions for the series, please feel free to reach out to him! He also runs this website, so you can email him through the email on the Contact page.

Race Report – Copper Harbor Trails Fest

Alex — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 15:40:04 +0000

Words by Alex Anderson. Photos by Dylan Juchemich and Nick Ryan.

The 2024 Copper Harbor Trails Fest was another great stop of the Lake Superior Gravity Series! The weather being much nicer than when racers were here for Ride the Keweenaw, racers were treated to some amazing trail conditions!

Cross country racers started off the event Saturday morning, while the downhill riders went up to get their practice laps in!

Don’t forget to stop and check lines with your friends! –Nick

Overflow is one of the most iconic trails in Copper Harbor. Lucky for us, the trail crew got the revitalized Overflow Gap fixed up just in time for the event! The feature had been closed for most of the summer due to needing new boards. They added some length to the feature, which in turn made the gap smaller. That didn’t prevent people from getting hurt on it. Multiple people during practice or on Friday went down while trying the gap for the first time. It’s a big feature!

Paxton McKeowen making the gap look stylish –Nick

At the bottom of the trail, the favorite spot for spectators, Man Pants also claimed some victims this weekend. Some during practice and at least one during the race.

Jacob Link tackling Man Pants on his way to 3rd! – Dylan

There’s no doubt about it, Overflow is rowdy!

Photos-Dylan

With a little rain earlier in the week, racers were treated to some amazing race conditions! The top 3 riders in the men’s division were all in the same second! Congrats Bode McFadden on the win! The women also had a great showing in the DH with over Sam Breeuwer standing on the top step!

Saturday night during the concert it rained pretty darn hard! But it barely affected the trails for the enduro.

Racers started out at East Bluff, with the advanced riders doing 4 stages over there.

A couple of the stages were a little slick right away in the morning after the evening rain, but after that the dirt was amazing!

The trail crew opened up a new top section to Whipsaw, and riders were impressed! It held up great for just being opened, and riding it was an absolute blast.

After riders were done over at East Bluff they pedaled back to Copper Harbor and up Brockway. Doing one stage off Brockway and transferring up to the Mountain Lodge to end the day with Red Trail.

Red Trail has a couple of climbs that maybe not everyone was a fan of!

Enduro Photos-Dylan

After a full day of racing, Ryan Zinzow took the win (with a crash and sprained ankle during one of the early stages). Lauren Maki took the win in the Women’s division. Wisconsin came out swinging in the enduro. With 5 people on the podium in the open division being from Wisconsin!

Overall the weekend turned out to be a great one as always! Copper Harbor Trails Club did a great job putting on the event and we can’t wait to come back again next year!

Thank you to all the volunteers that help out during the weekend!

Only one stop left for the Enduro portion of the Lake Superior Gravity Series. Will you be there?

You should be there –Nick

Local Loam – Journey Thru the Midwest

Alex — Sun, 25 Aug 2024 23:48:03 +0000

Loam Pass Takes on the Unknown

Our latest adventure took us from the dry summer of Salt Lake City all the way to the surprising gems of the Midwest. None of us at Loam Pass had ever ridden in this region, so the excitement was palpable as we loaded up and pointed our wheels toward Duluth, Minnesota—the start of a journey that would blow our minds in more ways than one.

Duluth Debut: Spirit Mountain Resort

Rolling into Duluth, we were greeted by the lush greens of Spirit Mountain Resort, where our adventure truly began. Ansel, the director of the local trail organization, COGGS, warned us about weather but we had hope. Heavy rain the night before had threatened to close the trails, but after a few hours of exploring the town and a memorable Great Lake freighter tour, the rain-soaked earth transformed into absolute hero dirt. Our first run at Spirit Mountain was nothing short of perfection—slab-ridden trails and a rad crew turned what could’ve been a washed-out day into one of the best rides we’ve ever had.

Marquette Magic: Racing and Riding the Upper Peninsula

The next morning, we headed out to Marquette, Michigan, with no idea how good it could get. Marquette Mountain Resort, home to a local gravity series, just so happened to be hosting a round while we were in town. Naturally, we signed up to race. The fog rolled in, adding a slick challenge to the rock and root-laden trails, but the chocolate cake hero dirt was a dream come true. The fog made for some epic photos, and the racing was just as intense as we’d hoped. With a couple of days to explore, we dove into all the trails Marquette had to offer, both in the bike park and the surrounding “South Trails.” Favorites like Hemi and Bertha stood out as some of the best we’ve ridden this year. The town’s vibes and the perfectly crafted trails made Marquette a destination that climbed to the top of our list.

Into the Wild: Copper Harbor’s Untamed Beauty

Our journey continued as we traveled up the peninsula to the famed Copper Harbor. Along the way, we couldn’t resist stopping for a bit of “touristing,” exploring a self-guided mine tour from the mid-1800s that took us 1500 feet underground—a wild detour that set the tone for the adventures ahead. Copper Harbor itself was everything we’d heard about and more. The quaint town vibes, fantastic restaurants, and an abundance of outdoor exploration opportunities set the stage for what would be another incredible riding experience. After getting the lowdown from Keweenaw Adventure Company, we shuttled to the top of the trail system. Trails like Flying Squirrel and Over Flow proved that the quality of work and passion for trail building in this area is second to none. Each ride left us in awe, and the journey to this remote location was worth every mile.

The Grand Finale: The Highlands at Harbor Springs

Our final destination on this Midwest tour was The Highlands at Harbor Springs, Michigan. After four straight days of intense riding, a travel day was a welcome break. We swam in the lake, explored downtown, and indulged in some great Thai food—a perfect way to reset before diving back into the loamy goodness of Northern Michigan. The Highlands didn’t disappoint. The trails here were a pure joy to ride, from the green beginner trails to the challenging pro lines. The flow of “Shock” to “Grandma’s House” was a particular favorite, offering a raw, loamy start with a berm-filled finish that left us all grinning. It was the perfect way to cap off an incredible trip.

Reflections on the Ride

As we packed up and started the journey home, everyone was buzzing about the level of riding and trail building we’d experienced throughout the Midwest. It’s a region that often flies under the radar in the mountain biking world, but after this trip, we’re convinced it’s one of the best-kept secrets out there. From Duluth to Marquette, Copper Harbor to Harbor Springs, every stop was a revelation, and this adventure might just be the highlight of our year. If you’re looking for your next epic ride, don’t overlook the Midwest—trust us, you won’t be disappointed.

This story submitted by Loam Pass

Bike Duluth Festival Race Report

Alex — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 19:51:20 +0000

Photos by Dylan Juchemich and Grayson Wolf. Words by Alex Anderson.

The Bike Duluth Festival at Spirit Mountain went down this past weekend and it sure was an action packed!

Friday saw riders coming in and getting practice laps in for all the events, but the festival officially kicked off at 5pm with the Chainless Downhill Race!

Riders ditched their chains and raced down a modified Cheese Grater to Smorgasbord. Over 115 racers joined in on the fun as this isn’t a typical event you get to see!

Some racers even got festive and dressed up!

E.T. even came out for the occasion

MOOOOVE out the way!

Riders were allowed best of two runs. Spectators and racers alike enjoyed the kick off event!

Saturday morning the enduro kicked off. Slotted to be a seven stage day, riders were ready to be out on the trails for a full day of racing! During the day riders would get to use the lift 3 times, whenever they wanted. So racers got to strategize when they wanted to take a lift break and when they wanted to pedal up the hill.

Riders started off the day all on the same stage. But then as the day went on two different stage groups would open up.

Stage 1 was Sprung a Leak – Candyland – Boot -Steel Toe. With lots of pedaling and corners to start, this stage would end up being the longest stage of the day that counted towards rider’s overall times.

After stage one was completed by all the riders, stages two, three and four would open up and riders could choose which to ride next!

Riders could choose between Port Gitch – Smorgasbord (2), All Weather Trail to Greenman (3), or Sprung a Leak – Candyland – Happy Camper – Wild Cat – Boss Hog (4).

Stage 2 was almost the same as the chainless race on Friday. Smorgasbord is fast with a little bit of tech build in. It’s a fan favorite for all skill levels.

Stage 3 was the most technical trail of the day. Starting with a pedal on All Weather Trail, and a punchy climb to the top of Greenman, racers’ heart rates were already maxed out before dropping into the most challenging section of the day.

Stage 4 was nicknamed Air DH. As the new section of Wild Cat going into Boss Hog has plenty of opportunities to catch some airtime!

After all the racers had completed those stages the second block of three stages opened. But mother nature had something in store for everyone.

Racers got to complete some of the last block of stages, but then a thunderstorm rolled through. And for safety reasons, the lift and race courses were put on hold. After holding off as long as they could, race organizers eventually had to cancel the last block of stages. Only the first four stages of the day ended up being counted towards the results at the end of the day because of this.

With a great mixture of fast and technical courses, riders had a blast even if they didn’t get to finish all of the stages!

Luckily for these riders, their crashes on this stage didn’t matter after the lightning cancelation.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!! After the rain Saturday, the weather was looking perfect for some Downhill action! Riders got to practice Wrecking Ball to Calculated Risk all morning until Seeding Runs occurred just after noon. Unless you were one of the riders who signed up for King of the Mountain. Then you were racing the long cross country course right up until it was time for seeding (some people only did their race run).

This course has been raced here at Spirit Mountain many times over the years! This year they did switch up a little taping. Changing the entrance to the terrarium, and opening up an inside corner lower down the course. The trails is a great mix of high speed and technical sections. Perfect for testing riders willingness to push their limits!

Some pushed their limits a little too far…

Race times were tight, and riders had a blast!

A huge thank you to the trail crew is in order. With all the rain Spirit Mountain has received this year, a good chunk of the trails that were raced on this weekend were still closed just a week ago! Trail crew pushed hard to get them running, and they were running great!

Thank you Spirit Mountain for hosting this awesome event and Bike Duluth Festival for putting it on!

Check out this cool video by Minnesota MTB

Alex Anderson uploaded his race runs to YouTube if you want to see the trails!

Miner’s Revenge Race Report

Alex — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 13:48:06 +0000

The SOKE Miner’s Revenge race weekend went down this last weekend at the Adventure Mine in Greenlad Michigan.

This was the first time this year the Lake Superior Gravity Series racers were lucky enough to have dry weather, but the riders sure did not stay dry. With temperatures well into the 80’s everybody was getting their sweat on during the races!

Photos by Dylan Juchemich

The weekend started off Friday night with a Whip Off on the final jump of Miner’s DH!

The Whip Off was a hit with riders and spectators alike. A lot of riders participated and many more joined in for the warms up prior to the official start of the competition.

Riders had 20 minutes to hit the jump as many times as they wanted. Going for as much height, and as much Whip as they could muster!

The whip off was a lot of fun and I’m sure they’ll be doing that again in the future!

Saturday morning, racing commenced! The enduro was up first, with 6 stages for Expert, 4 for Sport and 3 for Beginner.

Each time up the hill was a push up the ski run, with all stages coming off the same peak.

Of course the mine was involved. With this year racers having to race through the entire mine. Even having to get off their bikes to duck under the low ceiling height spot!

Racers started with the mine stage. With being an almost 4 minute stage, was the longest of the day. Some fun singletrack brought you down to the mine entrance. Where racers were greeted with cool air, lots of water, and lots of pedaling!

For stage 2 the theme of pedaling was continued with Lions Back. The second longest stage at over 2 minutes. If you navigated the slippery right hander into the uphill climb on this stage, you did well! I heard many stories of people getting caught out by that corner.

The last of the morning stages was Miner’s DH. The same trail used for the downhill course, just with a different start and the large jump in the middle of the course was taped off.

After a break for the timing to get switched around, the afternoon started with Hunts trail. The most technical stage of the weekend. Riders dropped into a couple steep rock sections, followed by some fast and rooty singletrack and finished off with a very wet road!

A new addition to this years race was Scenic Piste. Which had racers speed tucking their way down the ski slope, into some tight turns at the bottom! This was the shortest stage of the weekend with the fastest time being 30 seconds.

Finally the enduro ended with Dangerous Curves. A technical trail with, you guessed it, some dangerous curves in it!

Times were tight in the men’s field, with Mike Cortright winning by only 7 seconds. Anett Tribet won the women’s expert category by well over a minute!

The afternoon was calling for a chance of thunderstorm. But yet again racers were blessed with beautiful weather for some racing!

The race was held on the Miner’s DH course that was raced for stage 3 of the enduro. But the start line was moved back, and the large gap jump was opened up for racers to use!

Trucks shuttled racers to the top of the course! Which was a welcome relief for anyone who had also done the enduro!

The course had plenty of pedaling! If you weren’t breathing hard, you weren’t going fast!

Racers went fast and pushed their limits on the short course. With Sam Ocarroll coming away with the win!

Spectating was fun!

Racers had fun!

You should come have fun next year!

Thank you to the race organizers, sponsors and volunteers!

Thank you Dylan for all the great photos!

Check out videos of the trails on Alex Anderson’s YouTube channel!

Marquette Trails Fest Race Report

Alex — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 03:27:52 +0000

This weekend Marquette Trails Fest went down as the rain came down. Even though the weather wasn’t the best, the racing was fantastic! (Photos by Dylan Juchemich. Words by Alex Anderson)

Dual Slalom winner Ryan Zinzow in the zone!

The weekend started strong with Dual Slalom on Friday.

It rained some in the middle of the day, but by the time racing began, the rain had stopped. Leaving perfect conditions on the track for the riders!

Transition and Quick Stop Bike Shop were on site cooking hot dogs for the hungry racers and spectators!

A big crowd showed up to cheer on the racers and there was some amazing competition throughout the evening. Youth racers started off the event with Kaden McKeown coming away with the win!

The women’s field saw some amazing racing. Tight racing all night lead to the final heat between Lexi Curran and Sam Paternoster. Both racers were pushing it to the limit, and unfortunately Lexi found that limit. Hitting the ground, allowing Sam to cruise to the win for the night.

The men’s field was no different. 26 men started the evening, but only one could walk away victor. Ryan Zinzow showed off them BMX skills all night. Coming out the start gate hot every lap and didn’t cool down till after the finish line. Fueled by Hams and Goldfish from the Transition food tent, he came away the winner on the night.

More Dual Slalom Action!

Saturday, or should we say Saturated Day! I don’t recall the rain letting up at any point during the day. But that didn’t deter racers from taking on the trails for the Enduro!

Volunteers stood in the rain all dang day for racers to be able to race. Thank you volunteers!

Six stages awaited the Expert racers, while four stages lay ahead for the Sport group! The morning stages were Jawbone, Easy Rider and Combo Platter. The afternoon saw Flow, Southern Cross and Chunder Muffin.

Wet roots kept things… interesting…

With all the rain, the trails were extra slippery! If you kept it on 2 wheels all day, you should get an award! Many racers struggled with vision, as you were either looking through muddy, wet goggles. Or you were playing the safety squint game with all your might!

Yet again, we see Ryan Zinzow come away with an event win in the Expert Ment category. While Abby Strigel claims victory in Expert Women!

How long do you think it took Mason to get the mud out of his eyes?

Sunday, the driest day of the weekend! We see racers line up for some high speed, downhill action!

As the mud on Landin’s bike would tell you, it wasn’t a dry track!

It may not have been raining, but the track certainly wasn’t dry. An upper section had water running through it, there was a two foot deep puddle, and plenty of other miscellaneous moisture to keep things, spicy!

This year was the first year of doing seeding runs, and all the racers were happy to see the integration. It kept race runs clean from needing to pass and kept it exciting at the bottom.

Spectators lined up to watch the rock garden and were met with some great racing!

Ryan Zinzow cleaned up again, with his 3^rd victory of the weekend!

Mara Breeuwer was the fastest female of the day!

Some more great photos from Dylan!

This year was again the biggest Marquette Trails Fest to date! Thank you so much to all the volunteers and people who put on this great event! We hope to see you out there next year and hopefully we break that record again!

Race Recap: Ride The Keweenaw Enduro

Alex — Fri, 31 May 2024 18:54:13 +0000

Last weekend, Ride the Keweenaw hosted the first stop of the Lake Superior Gravity Series!

The week leading up to the event, Copper Harbor saw plenty, and I mean PLENTY of rain! This had the East Bluff trails closed all week until Friday for pre ride. When first tires got on trail, it was apparent why they had been closed!

Josh Knapp driving through the mud! (Photo by Dylan Juchemich)

Even with all the hard work the trail crew had done during the week leading up to the race, the trails were axle deep with mud!! Loam Ranger and Thunderbolt are two trails that were particularly soft. As hand cut, natural trails that haven’t been open long, there were spots that had a lot of topsoil holding water. The other trails, having been more established and armored, ran well. They were running slow, but they handled the moisture well.

Saturday the Lake Superior Gravity Series hosted a Jump Jam on lower Dueling Banjos.

It was great seeing so many people of all ages and abilities show up and enjoy some air time! Photos by Alex Anderson

Saturday night more rain moved in just to really make sure the trails were fully saturated for race day! Sunday was a bit overcast, which kept the humidity at bay and created a really pleasent day for racing. As long as you paid no attention to the hoards of gnats at the top of the hill! Kudos to all the volunteers that were up at the top all day fighting the clouds of bugs off!

Overall it was a great day of racing! Nobody escaped the day without getting dirty, even if you stayed upright! We look forward to Ride the Keweenaw again next year!

Find full results list over at Superior Timing!

Photo by Dylan Juchemich

If you missed out on the slip and slide, check out this video from 5th place Alex Anderson to give you an idea of how wet it was out there!

Support those who helped put on this event:

Copper Harbor Trails Club

East Bluff Bike Park

Lake Superior Gravity Series

Superior Timing

So Many Loam Pass Locations in the Midwest!

Alex — Thu, 23 May 2024 21:45:19 +0000

Unlock the Upper Midwest’s Premier Mountain Biking Destinations with the Loam Pass

The Loam Pass is your gateway to some of the best mountain biking trails in the Midwest. From the banks of the mighty Mississippi River to Lake Superior and the rolling hills of The Highlands and North woods, the Midwest is a place where outdoor adventure is everywhere. This is a trip you won’t forget! Explore some of the best kept biking in the country. Here’s what you can expect:

Farside Bike Park at Chestnut Mountain Resort (IL)

Located near the Mississippi River, Chestnut Mountain is known for its thrilling downhill tracks and stunning river views. The trails here cater to both beginners and experienced riders, making it an ideal spot for everyone looking to enjoy a day on the bike with a scenic backdrop.

Opening Day: May 25, 2024

Spirit Mountain (MN)

Spirit Mountain offers a wide range of trails that cater to all abilities, from flowing singletracks to more technical rides. Along with biking, visitors can enjoy scenic chairlift rides that provide a panoramic view of Lake Superior and the surrounding landscapes.

Activities: Located 10 minutes from downtown Duluth and also a hub to the Duluth MTB system. There is also an adventure park on site with an alpine coaster, zipride, jumping pillow, and putt-putt golf along with chairlift rides. The superior hiking trail also runs through the property, allowing glimpses of the north shore right on the hill.

Opening Day: May 24th Weather permitting

The Highlands (MI)

Nestled in northern Michigan, The Highlands serves as a pivotal part of the upper Midwest’s biking scene with its extensive network of trails. The resort opens its season with a vibrant First Ride Party, and it hosts various events throughout the season, making it a hub for the biking community.

Activities: Discover a range of resort events and local attractions, including golf, zip-lining, and exploring nearby Harbor Springs.

Opening Day: May 25, 2024

The Keweenaw Adventure Company (MI)

Your home base in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Keweenaw Adventure Company is a special connection between the upper Midwest’s many biking destinations. Offering unique biking experiences in one of the most remote and beautiful parts of the region. The region is celebrated for its rugged terrain and extensive trail network that challenges even the most experienced bikers.

Opening Day: May 24, 2024

Activities: Enjoy kayak tours on Lake Superior, canoe rentals, and SUP adventures.

Opening Day: May 25, 2024

Marquette Mountain Resort (MI)

With lift service DH and miles of XC around the Marquette bike park, there is something for everyone Marquette Mountain is located in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula, just off the shores of Lake Superior. The bike park gives riders access to old school downhill trails as well as new school flow. Don’t miss exploring the host of trails in and around Marquette! Note that e-bikes are allowed and welcome to the up-hill access trail at the park but not on the lift.

Opening Day: May 24, 2024

Activities: Enjoy guided historical kayak tours on Lake Superior, mountain bike rentals, disc golf, and art and music festivals!

Opening weekend is June 15-16

Shephard Mountain (MO)

Located less than 2 hours from St. Louise, over 10 downhill trails, plus hiking trails. You aren’t going to want to skip Shepherd Mountain on your next roadtrip!

Already Open!

Shuttles are running Friday 12pm – 5pm & Sat/Sun 9am – 5pm

Howler Bike Park (MO)

This shuttle park has all the luxuries of a full service resort! On site camping, food, bike rental, bike shop all at your disposal? What more could you possibly ask for?

Shuttles operate Thursday 12-6 Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10-6.

These destinations not only provide fantastic biking experiences but also contribute to a vibrant community of outdoor enthusiasts in the upper Midwest. The Loam Pass is more than just a ticket to ride; it’s an invitation to explore, experience, and enjoy the Midwest like never before. Whether you’re a seasoned biker or looking for new family adventures, the Loam Pass has something for everyone.

Looking to go outside of the Midwest? With over 40 locations there’s a good chance your vacation location is near one of their partner resorts! Use it in the Midwest, or use it our West (or Southeast or New England) and have a blast this summer!

The Loam Pass is available for purchase now. Ensure your spot in the Dream Heli-biking giveaway by purchasing your Pass in May. Loam Pass gives you 2 free days, additional discounted days plus other exclusive perks and discounts to destinations like these all across the country for $250.

Rob Brown

rob.brown@loampass.com

Loampass.com