Every September, thousands of riders roll into northern Wisconsin for the Chequamegon MTB Festival, the oldest mountain bike race in the country. Because the finish line sits right in Cable, WI, there is no better home base than Lakewoods Resort on Lake Namakagon, where you can wake up on the water, reach the course in minutes, and celebrate back at the lake that evening.
Surrounded by the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and five generations of Northwoods hospitality dating back to 1906, our resort has welcomed cyclists, skiers, and anglers to Lake Namakagon for well over a century.
What Makes This Race a Northwoods Legend
The event began in 1983 with just 27 riders on the American Birkebeiner ski trail. Today, the Chequamegon MTB Festival draws thousands of participants and serves as a stop on the Life Time Grand Prix series. This brings elite professionals and first-time riders to the same start line.
Race weekend arrives in mid-September and spans two days. Visit the official event site for current dates and registration details, since spots fill quickly each year.
Choose Your Distance
- Chequamegon 40: The signature 40-mile point-to-point race from downtown Hayward to the Great Hall in Cable, crossing the famed American Birkebeiner ski trail along with forest roads and snowmobile routes.
- Short and Fat: A 16-mile route with the same rolling terrain and variable surfaces packed into a shorter ride.
- Little Loggers: A short continuous loop course that introduces the youngest riders to mountain biking.
Beyond the Finish Line
The MTB festival is as much a celebration as a competition. Riders and spectators gather for live music, craft beer, and food truck fare, along with lighthearted traditions like stein holding, keg barrel bowling, and a dog costume contest.
If you want more time in the saddle, the CAMBA trail system links hundreds of miles of singletrack near Cable, Seeley, and Hayward.
Where to Stay on Race Weekend
Lodging near the Chequamegon MTB Festival course fills quickly, and many visitors reserve six months or more ahead. Camping is not permitted at the festival grounds, so a comfortable room close to the finish makes all the difference.
As one of the most established Lake Namakagon resorts, we offer lodge rooms, lakeside condos, golf villas, and lake homes with full kitchens, fireplaces, and room to store bikes and gear. Teams and riding groups can share a lake home and split the cost.
Once you have crossed the line, our Lakeside Restaurant and Buck’s Bar and Grill serve hearty Northwoods meals, and the Friday Fish Fry is a local tradition worth planning around.