RAD Updates

Hello Race Across Duluth participants,

It is race week!  We look forward to seeing you all for a great day on the trails!  This is the go to email for all things Race Across Duluth!

Packet Pick up/Pre party:  Packet pick up will occur at Ursa Minor Brewery (2415 W Superior St, Duluth, MN 55806) on Friday September 11th from 6 to 9.  Pick up your number plate, race swag, and have some pre race carbohydrates!  We are going to have separate lines for each wave to grab your items to help decrease any waiting time.  So please look for your wave sign.  Timed waves will still need timing chips in the morning, see below for those details.  We will also have a separate table for merchandise pick up and payment.  So grab your RAD gear at this time!

Chain Waxing:  Rex wax will be at the Ski Hut on 4th street from 10:00 to 4:00 on Friday providing FREE chain waxing for the event.  You read that correctly…FREE!  If you have never tried chain waxing, I highly recommend it!  Next level smooth, clean, and efficient!  They will also be at Ursa for packet pick up selling product and at the start line helping with any last minute bike needs.  I personally have been chain waxing for over 10 years and have never looked back.  With the new Rex wax heater, it does not get any easier to enjoy all of the benefits of chain waxing!  This is a great way to give it a try before further investing.  Thank you Rex Wax!

Timing Chips:  Saturday morning we will distribute all of the race chips that will go on your right wrist.  We now have two laptops to set up timing chips, so pick up should be smoother and quicker this time around.  Each wave will have a sign to pick up your timing chip.  The earlier the better still applies!  Wave 1 pick up window will be from 7:30 to 8:30 and wave 2 pick up window will be from 7:45 to 8:45.  Please remember to return your timing chip after the race, they are expensive and we certainly don’t want to be sending anyone an unexpected bill.  

Race Start and Finish Times:  Race start will be approximately 9 AM for wave 1, 9:15 for wave 2, and 9:30 for the untimed wave.  We will be implementing a cut off time of 6pm (recommending leaving Spirit mountain no later than 4pm) for rider safety and time to pack up and get to the after party.  

Course Marking:  Course is marked with pink flagging, pin flags, and arrows. But wrong turns are NOT blocked off. Make sure to keep your eyes open for course markings. We stress the use of a GPS unit to help with navigation.  The GPX file can be found here (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48206317) and on the website.  We will alert you if there are any last minute changes to the course due to weather or road construction.  

Ride Food:  We will have 4 well supplied aid stations along the way to help get you happily to the finish line thanks to some wonderful local restaurants!  

All Aid Stations - Each aid station will additionally have more traditional race foods such as cookies, fruit snacks, granola bars, etc.  We have Skratch Labs as our official electrolyte drink of the RAD.  So get those bottles filled and keep rolling!

Start Line:  Enjoy some coffee from Duluth Coffee Company and baked goods from Johnson’s Bakery.  We will have some water jugs and Skratch labs available, but I would recommend having your bottles ready to go at the start.

Aid Station #1 (Owatonna Street - 9 miles completed) - Enjoy some bagels from Bean and Bear Bagels.  The big initial climb is done, take some time to enjoy it!

Aid Station #2 (24th Ave W - 21 miles completed) - Corktown Big Dill Sliders, need I say more.  This is pretty close to the halfway point.  Should probably have a sandwich or three.  Continental Ski and Bike will be present for neutral mechanic services.  

Aid Station #3 (Cody Street - 29 miles completed) - Traverse Duluth will be supporting an official aid station this year.  Finish your enduro stage with a variety of baked goods from Positively 3rd Street Bakery. 

Aid Station #4 (The DWP Tunnel - 37 miles completed) - UMD Techno Club will be cranking tunes in the tunnel accompanied by fresh grilled cheese from Burnett’s Dairy and Johnson’s Bakery.  Made on the spot by the fine folks at The Ski Hut.  Neutral mechanic services from Ski Hut to help get you through the last leg of the race.  Make sure to thank our DJ Sponsor, Mark Sams Real Estate for helping to keep the tunnel party bumping!

Bathrooms:  We have secured bathrooms this year.  We will have additional porta potties at the start and at the 24th street aid station around halfway.  There are community bathrooms available at the Hartley parking lot, Enger tower, Haines road, and Spirit Mountain.  We are a community event, so please do your best to be respectful with your bathroom needs

Enduro:  An enduro stage in the middle of a cross country race?  Heck yeah!  We will have a timing start and stop at the top and bottom of the Keene Creek descent and can pull sector times to figure out who is the king and queen of the mountain.  Be aware, participants are still on course…be smart, be safe, have fun!

Etiquette:  We are a lucky bunch to be able to ride bikes for fun!  Put a smile on and be respectful to all trail users.  Trails are still open to all users, so be kind if you need to pass or run into other users.  A simple “thank you” goes a long way!  We have done our best to inform the community of the event, but know you may need to be patient at times.  Let’s do our best to show everyone respect so this event can continue to be positive and grow in the community!

Photos:  Race photos are sweet!  We have several amazing photographers who will be on course and taking some awesome action photos.  Photos will be shared after the event and on the webpage.

Finish Party:  You did it!  Congrats on a great ride!  Catch your breath, and then it is time to enjoy some Yker Acres grillables, Love Creamery Ice Cream, and Ursa Minor Beer!  These are included in your registration for all participants.  If you would like another or family and friends want to enjoy a brat or beverage, they will be for sale at the finish line for a COGGS donation.  Talk stories from the day and enjoy food and drink from our amazing sponsors!  These sponsors came through in a big way!  Please show your support in the future to Yker Acres, Love Creamery, and Ursa Minor Brewery.  

After Party:  Starting at 7 at Ursa Minor Brewery, the after party begins.  They have amazing beer and kombuchas on tap.  By the way, Ursa Minor pizzas are amazing, come hungry!  We will be doing race awards and giving away some awesome prizes!  3D printed metals for top performers in each category of the timed event.  Prizes will be given randomly to participants (timed or untimed).  You will need to be present to win.  It would be amazing to fill the brewery with racers!  

Contingency Plan:  Unfortunately, we can not control the weather.  And we are all here to support the trails.  So if weather does steal the show in a negative way, we have a few plans to maintain the trails while also having a grand ol time.  First line of defence will be removing segments of the traverse that are most susceptible to damage, but still racing otherwise as normal.  We will do everything we can to make this plan work if the situation arises.  If the trails across the system are too far gone, unfortunately the event would be canceled.  We would be promoting a wonderful gravel route nearby to explore and still gathering at Chambers Grove for happy hour and Ursa for the after party.  The current forecast looks good, but something to be aware of.  

Sunday:  Go explore some of the other amazing trail systems in Duluth for a shake out ride.  Check out COGGS website for trail recommendations.  Afterwards, go support our RAD Sponsors!  

• Carbon Sponsors:  Ursa Minor Brewery, Yker Acres, and Love Creamery.  

• Aluminum Sponsors:  Bean and Bear Bagels, Skratch Labs, Corktown Deli and Brews, The Ski Hut, Continental Ski and Bike, Burnett’s Dairy, Johnson’s Bakery, Positively 3rd Street Bakery, Duluth Coffee Company, Rex Wax, and Mark Sams Real Estate.   

Once again, reach out to RaceAcrossDuluth@COGGS.com if you have any other questions.  Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Hello Race Across Duluth participants,

It is almost RAD time and we couldn't be more excited!  We will send an overarching email with all RAD details early next week.  This email is to help with any last minute planning needs and other safety updates.  

Start/Finish Line Information:  We are not providing transportation between the start and finish of the race.  Please coordinate carpooling or work with family and friends for transportation.  Parking is limited at both the start and finish area.  We have overflow parking at the start at the old Lester Golf course further up Lester River Road and at the finish with Mont Du Lac Ski area just past the Chambers Grove lot.  Please park in the back to allow customers priority parking.  

Course Marking/Info:  We will have the course marked to the best of our abilities, but mistakes can happen.  Course will be marked with signs, pink pin flags, pink colored tape, and chalk.  We stress the use of a GPS unit to help with navigation.  The GPX file can be found here (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48206317) and on the website.  Same course as years previous.  We will be doing a roll out on the Lester Trails before jumping right into the Traverse.  GPS units have occasionally reported “off course” during the roll out.  Follow the crowd and all will work out!  Official aid stations will be at about miles 9, 21, 29, and 37 miles.  We will have mechanical support from the great people at Continental at mile 21 aid station, Traverse Duluth at mile 29 aid station, and The Ski Hut at mile 37 aid station.  Rex Wax will be at the start to help with any last second fixes that arise.  Thank them for their help!  

Safety/Timing Stops:  We want to once again stress safety!  Trails are NOT closed for the event.  We have put up signs informing the public of the event, but make sure to ride alert!  We are using an enduro chip timing system.  The big advantage is we can stop timing during major road crossings.  Missed that light?  Don’t fret, the clock is paused.  Stopped road crossings include Jean Duluth Road, Owatonna to Hartley (1st Aid Station), Arrowhead, Rice Lake to Central Entrance, 24th Ave W (2nd Aid Station), Keene Creek Skyline (enduro Start), Cody Street (Enduro Finish and Traverse Duluth aid station), and the DWP tunnel (3rd Aid Station).  Other road crossings are often lower traffic, but please look both ways and cross carefully.  We have volunteers helping throughout for safety.  We advise using a bell to help alert fellow trail users and pedestrians of your location.  

First Aid:  Additionally in the safety category, we will have basic first aid medical supplies available.  This does not replace the need to call an ambulance in case of emergency!  But we hope to improve overall event safety and help you get to the finish line.

Last Min Registration/Wave Check:  Registration Information!  Please check the “Who’s Registered” tab on the RAD Bike Reg site and confirm your wave placement.  If you made a category change request, it should have been completed.  Additionally, we had a few participants that will no longer be able to make the RAD this year.  Life happens as we say.  They will be missed and we look forward to seeing you at the RAD 2027!  But procrastinators rejoice!  If you have other friends or family that did not get in and want to join in on the fun, I have opened a limited number of slots (10).  The password is “LastMinRAD”. This is first come first serve.  It will only allow you to register for wave 3.  If you have a strong preference for a timed wave, email me at RaceAcrossDuluth@COGGS.com

More Volunteers:  Volunteers are still needed!  If you have family or friends who are interested in helping out, please send them our volunteer sign up link.

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C084EAFA723A1FFC61-65001032-race?useFullSite=false

More to come, but please reach out if you have any other questions (RaceAcrossDuluth@COGGS.com).  Thank you everyone!

Hello RAD Folks!  

Five exciting announcements to share!

1.  RAD Merchandise - We are going to operate merchandise a little differently this year.  We are offering a few select items of t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats.   Pictures in the form.  If you would like one, please fill out the following Google form with your selected items.  We will then have your RAD merchandise for pick up on Friday at Ursa Minor Brewery.  You will pay upon pick up with easiest methods being cash, venmo, or paypal.  Last day to get orders in is August 16th.

RAD Merchandise Google Form

2.  RAD Volunteers - We need your help to make the RAD happen. Below is the volunteer sign up page. All volunteers get a t-shirt and event swag item.  Recruit your family and friends to help make the RAD as safe and successful as possible!

RAD Volunteer Sign Up

3.  RAD Fenders! – This years swag item is official!  We have ordered Race Across Duluth custom fenders for your fork.  Check out the image below!  Keep the mud off and look good doing so. 

4.  RAD Trail Work - Trail work day at Mission Creek rescheduled!  We are excited to be teaming up on some trail improvements that will help make the trails more resilient to help handle the RAD for years to come no matter what nature has in mind.  We will be working on the Valley West segment of the Duluth Traverse with a few important projects on tap.  Rerouting a segment of trail away from a steep, muddy, and heavily eroded hillside, constructing a new bridge, and repairing and reshaping other areas of the trail that have seen some damage.  The areas we will be working on are about a mile back into the woods, so let's make it a bike to work day!  Bring your bike and it'll be a short and sweet commute down the trails to access the work site.  We'll meet at the Old Mission Creek Parkway entrance along Highway 210, which is about 1.5 miles west of Chambers Grove.   Look for some orange cones marking the spot.  All tools provided, and no prior trail work experience is necessary to make a difference!  We hope you can join us.  Please email raceacrossduluth@coggs.com a picture of you attending this volunteer trail work opportunity and I will send a $20 refund on your registration.  

Meeting spot:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/wQiqraddpAMoRmo5A

5.  RAD Refund - Life happens…if you know you cannot make this years RAD, please email RaceAcrossDuluth@coggs.com.  We can offer a full refund up until end of the day August 7th.  After that, we will offer a 50% refund until August 31st.  Additionally, registration transfers will be open until August 31st.  We will miss you if you can't make the RAD in 2026, but hope to see you for RAD 2027!

Happy August and look forward to seeing everyone soon!