There is a race in the Wisconsin Northwoods that has been pulling riders deep into the forest since 1983. It started with just 27 cyclists on a snowy ski trail. Today it draws thousands of competitors from across the country and around the world. The 2026 edition takes place on September 19, with the full festival weekend beginning a day earlier on September 18. If you have ever wanted to experience one of America’s greatest grassroots mountain bike events, this is your guide.
When and Where the Festival Takes Place
The main race day falls on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The festival weekend, however, kicks off on Friday, September 18, with the expo running from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Derksen Family Great Hall in Cable, Wisconsin. Bib pickup and pre-race registration also happen on Friday, making it an important day for anyone competing the following morning.
The Derksen Family Great Hall sits at 42000 Telemark Road in Cable, Bayfield County. This is the beating heart of the entire weekend. Expo booths, live music, food vendors, and the finish line festival all center on this outdoor location. The Chequamegon 40 and Short and Fat races both get underway at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, and the finish festival runs until 4:00 p.m.
The surrounding area sits between the towns of Cable and Hayward in northwestern Wisconsin, nestled within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The drive from Duluth takes about 1.5 hours. From Minneapolis and St. Paul, expect roughly three hours on the road.
The History Behind America’s Oldest Mountain Bike Race
The Chequamegon MTB Festival is the oldest mountain bike race in the United States. It started simply, with a small group of riders exploring the American Birkebeiner ski trail in 1983. Those 27 participants could not have known what they were starting. Demand grew so fast that the event eventually moved to a lottery system to ensure fair access for all riders who want to compete.
Today, the festival is one of the premier stops on the Life Time Grand Prix, an elite series that brings together some of the most celebrated off-road races in the country. As the fourth stop on the 2026 Grand Prix calendar, the race carries serious points implications for professional riders battling for the overall title. However, the professional race is only one thread in a much larger tapestry.
What makes this event truly special is the combination of elite competition and grassroots spirit. The same trails that decide the Grand Prix standings are ridden by thousands of amateur cyclists chasing personal goals. That blend is rare, and it gives the weekend a warmth that larger, more corporate events often lack.
The Races: Something for Every Rider
The Chequamegon 40
The flagship event is affectionately called the Drag Race from Hayward to Cable. It starts in downtown Hayward and winds 40 miles through the forest to the finish line at the Great Hall in Cable. The course travels over the legendary American Birkebeiner ski trail, forest roads, and snowmobile routes before delivering riders to the cheering crowds at the finish.
The terrain is deceiving. There are no technical singletrack sections that require advanced bike handling skills. However, the course delivers relentless climbing, with over 2,500 feet of elevation gain spread across constant rolling hills. The surface varies from hardpack to loose gravel throughout the race. Endurance and sustained power matter far more here than technical agility.
The field is capped at 2,100 riders. Start gate placement depends on past performance at the event, so riders with strong previous results earn earlier starts. New participants begin from the last gate. Prices increase after August 1, so registering early is strongly advisable.
Pro finishers share a prize purse of $10,000. For the rest of the field, the reward is the finish line, the crowd, and the satisfaction of completing one of the most iconic rides in American cycling.
The Short and Fat
The Short and Fat is the 16-mile companion race. It starts and finishes in Cable, traversing a mix of off-road trails before looping back to the Great Hall. The challenge is genuine. Riders get the same forest terrain, the same atmosphere, and the same finish line crowd in a more compact format. The field holds up to 900 riders.
This race suits riders who want a real challenge without committing to 40 miles of sustained effort. It also works well for those using the weekend as an introduction to competitive off-road cycling. The energy at the start and finish is every bit as electric as the headline race.
Little Loggers
Little Loggers is designed for the youngest riders in the family. This short loop event gives kids the chance to experience race day in an age-appropriate setting. Parents cheer from the sidelines, and children get to feel the same finish line excitement as the adults competing in the longer races. It is one of the most heartwarming moments of the entire weekend.
The Festival Experience
The races are only part of what makes this weekend worth the trip. The finish festival runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, filling the Great Hall grounds with food trucks, craft beer, live music, expo booths, and the continuous celebration of finishers crossing the line throughout the afternoon.
Food vendors have historically included a range of offerings, from classic festival fare to craft coffee and barbecue. Live music adds energy throughout the day. Cycling gear vendors and brand sponsors set up booths where riders and spectators can browse equipment, talk to experts, and pick up mementos from the weekend.
The Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association, known as CAMBA, has mapped over 300 miles of off-road trails in the immediate area. Therefore, riders who arrive early or stay through the following week can explore the surrounding forest well beyond race day. This makes the festival a genuine destination trip rather than a single-day event.
Additionally, the broader Chequamegon region of northern Wisconsin offers waterfall tours, art festivals, forest walks, and lakeside activities. The area is a popular tourist destination in its own right, and families who come to support a rider will find plenty to do throughout the weekend.
How to Register
Registration for the Chequamegon 40 fills up quickly. The event uses a lottery system for some categories, and registering as early as possible gives you the best chance of securing a spot. The registration deadline is September 1, but early registration is strongly encouraged. Prices rise after August 1, so waiting until late summer costs more money.
The Short and Fat follows a similar process with a cap of 900 riders. Registration for both events opens through the official website at cheqmtb.com. First-time registrants who have no previous race results at the event begin in the last start gate by default, though riders can submit a race resume for gate review consideration by contacting the race director.
Getting There and Where to Stay
The Great Hall venue sits near the Cable Union Airport in northwestern Wisconsin. Visitors driving from the south can take Highway US-63 or WI-77 to Highway M and follow signs to Telemark Road. Parking is available in the airport field across from the Great Hall parking lot and at several locations in Hayward near the start line.
Lodging options include hotels, lakeside cabins, and campgrounds spread across Hayward and Cable. Demand during race weekend is extremely high. Most accommodations fill up months in advance. Book your lodging as soon as your registration is confirmed. Campgrounds within an hour of the venue are plentiful, with over a dozen options in the Hayward area alone.
A shuttle service connects the Hayward start area to Cable for the point-to-point Chequamegon 40, handling rider logistics smoothly. The Bay Area Rural Transit system also serves the broader region for those who prefer not to drive between venues.
Spectator Tips and Planning Advice
Spectators have a great experience at this event. The OO aid station, located about 16 miles into the Chequamegon 40 course, provides one of the best spectator viewing spots of the entire race. Ample parking and clear course views make it an ideal stop for supporters who want to cheer their rider along the route before heading to the finish line.
A few practical tips will help you make the most of the weekend:
- Book lodging immediately after securing a race entry. Accommodation fills up months in advance.
- Arrive in Cable on Friday to pick up your bib and explore the expo before race day.
- Register before August 1 to lock in lower pricing for all race categories.
- Dress in layers. Mid-September in the Wisconsin Northwoods can be warm at midday and cool in the early morning.
- Bring cash for food trucks and vendor booths, as smaller vendors may not accept cards.
- If you plan to explore CAMBA trails before or after the race, bring a trail map and extra water.
- Spectators should head to the OO aid station early on race morning for the best viewing position.
Conclusion
The Chequamegon MTB Festival 2026 runs across September 18 and 19 in Cable and Hayward, Wisconsin, marking another chapter in the history of America’s oldest mountain bike race. The weekend opens with the expo and bib pickup on Friday, September 18, before the Chequamegon 40, Short and Fat, and Little Loggers races launch at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 19. The 40-mile flagship race rolls from downtown Hayward through the forest to the Derksen Family Great Hall in Cable, covering 2,500 feet of climbing across gravel roads and ski trails. The Short and Fat offers a 16-mile alternative, and Little Loggers welcomes the youngest riders into the action. A full finish festival with live music, food trucks, craft beer, and expo activities makes the Great Hall a destination for riders and spectators alike. Registration fills fast and lodging sells out months ahead, so planning early is essential for anyone wanting to experience one of the finest mountain bike weekends in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Chequamegon MTB Festival 2026 take place?
The festival weekend begins on Friday, September 18, 2026, with the expo and bib pickup at the Derksen Family Great Hall in Cable, Wisconsin. The main race day is Saturday, September 19, 2026, with both the Chequamegon 40 and the Short and Fat starting at 10:00 a.m.
What races are available at the 2026 festival?
Three race options are available. The Chequamegon 40 is a 40-mile point-to-point race from downtown Hayward to Cable, limited to 2,100 riders. The Short and Fat is a 16-mile event starting and finishing in Cable, limited to 900 riders. Little Loggers offers short loops for younger children. All races start at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday.
How do I register and when does registration close?
Registration opens through the official website at cheqmtb.com. You can register up until September 1, but early registration is strongly recommended. Prices increase after August 1. The event uses a lottery system for some entry categories, so signing up as early as possible gives you the best chance of getting in.
Where should I stay during the festival weekend?
Hotels, cabins, and campgrounds are available in and around both Hayward and Cable. Lodging fills up quickly due to high demand during race weekend, so booking as soon as you secure your race entry is essential. There are over a dozen campground options within an hour of the venue, with many located in the Hayward area.
Is the festival suitable for non-riders and families?
Yes. The finish festival at the Derksen Family Great Hall runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and is open to everyone. It features food trucks, craft beer, live music, expo booths, and the continuous excitement of watching riders cross the finish line. The Little Loggers race gives young children their own moment on the course. Spectators can also watch the Chequamegon 40 from the OO aid station 16 miles into the race route.
