Sawtooth Challenge:
August 23, 2008
Sawtooth Challenge is a family-oriented festival celebrating fitness and safety, with lots of opportunities to get out and ride in the unique wilderness terrain surrounding Grand Marais, Minnesota. Events include:
- A pre-race pasta dinner
- 20K Mountain Bike and 5K Run, and
- Scenic Bike Tours.
Come relax and explore the beautiful North Shore of Lake Superior.
Bike & Run Competitions
The competitive events begin with a 20K Mountain Bike race. Beginning in downtown Grand Marais, riders cross the North Shore Scenic Drive (An All-American Road), and climb to the Pincushion Mountain Ski & Recreation Area. The race takes full advantage of the unique wilderness terrain, and the 1000 vertical feet between Lake Superior and the Sawtooth Mountains. The mountain bike race follows the North Advanced Loop backwards to the Pincushion Loop, which brings racers to the new 4K Single Track loop that offers a variety of fun challenges.
Once out of the single track, the course continues on the Pincushion Loop back to the stadium area, through the parking lot then a fast ride down the hill on the old high school cross-country ski trail. This portion of the course (approximately 2K) connects to the trail that you rode up on, bringing you back to the Pincushion trails. Racers repeat the North Advanced, Pincushion and Single Track loops.
Upon returning to the stadium area, racers drop their bikes and change into running shoes for the 5K trail run. Participants who choose to run only, will begin the 5K trail run in the stadium area with a mass-start one hour after the beginning of the mountain bike race portion.
The 5K trail runners race around the East Overlook Loop, then the West Overlook Loop and through the stadium, then head downhill on the old high school cross-country ski trail continuing all the way down to the finish line at the High School Tennis Court parking lot.
Scenic Bike Tours
Join us for a scenic bike tour. The Grand Marais area has 2000 miles of mountain bike routes following county roads, forest service roads, fire roads, ski and snowmobile trails. None of the routes are signed, and navigation can be challenging, but our knowledgeable local guides can show you the routes and let you in on the local secrets.
Guided Tours
Guided tours will be offered at two levels:
- Enthusiast: offering harder riding, long climbs and descents over longer distances.
- Casual: offering a leisurely pace on easy fire roads and gravel roads with no significant climbs.
Guided tours are limited to 12 riders per tour group. Participants must be at least 10 years old and able to ride steadily for 1 hour. All participants under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Guided tours are free for mountain bike and trail run race participants.
Self-Guided Tours
Several self-guided tours -- with maps and directions provided -- will be offered for those who prefer to ride at their own pace and on their own schedule. At least one tour on a paved surface with no significant hills will be suitable for children and Burley-style trailers. Self-guided tours are free, and open to all.