Marathon, Puoli, Tour Fat Bike

Fat Bike Loppet (28K): Sunday, February 5: 11:45am

The Fat Bike Loppet is a point-to-point race, providing a unique chance to ride your fat bike on the groomed ski trails (where fat-tire bikes are not normally allowed), mostly following the exact same course as the Loppet skiers – with a dash of singletrack to keep it spicy. Expect all the hills the skiers face, especially in the Bog, Butler and North Wirth sections!

• Pending trail conditions, expect a section of singletrack mountain bike trails. (Update 2/2/23: Full steam ahead with singletrack section)

Note that the singletrack section add a degree of difficulty that may not be appropriate for beginning riders that have not done this kind of riding before. The Fat Bike Puoli Loppet and Fat Bike Tour courses do not include the singletrack section or the hilliest sections of Wirth Park.

Fat Bike Puoli Loppet (20K): Sunday, February 5: 11:50am

This 20K point-to-point fat bike race is a truly unique experience that takes racers over the parkways and through the woods to a grand finish in front of The Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park.

Bikers of all ages and abilities will be challenged and thrilled by this beautiful urban course. Go for your best time, or simply enjoy this unique bike experience that features an incredible mix of urban biking and wooded natural trails.

The Fat Bike Puoli Loppet follows the same course as the Fat Bike Loppet except that it skips the singletrack sections and most of the largest hills.

Fat Bike Tour (10K): Sunday, February 5: 12:00pm

Enjoy the beautiful urban wilderness of Theodore Wirth Park in this recreational event, perfect for fat-tire bikers of all ages and abilities. The Freewheel Fat Bike Tour is approximately 10 kilometers, making it a great introductory distance for novices and an enjoyable outing for veterans with a grand finish at The Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park.

Can I use any bike?

No. Participants must use only fat-tire bikes in order to preserve the snow trails. Fat-tire bikes are defined as bikes with 3.8” tires or more and less than 10 psi tire pressure.

NEW Start Location: All point to point ski races begin on Cedar Lake near the Boat Launch, 2501 Cedar Lake Pkwy; Minneapolis MN 55416

Finish Location: All races finish at The Trailhead, Theodore Wirth Park, 1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis MN 55422

Parking and Transportation: Please see notes below. Our point to point participants use a variety of methods including biking or walking to the start, dropoffs/pickups by friends, metro bus, shuttle bus, etc.

• NEW (2-2-23): FAT BIKE PARTICIPANT GUIDE
• NEW (1/30/23): Start times have been slightly adjusted for the Loppet and Puoli to account for the course change. 11:45 Loppet, 11:50 Puoli, 12:00 Tour.
• Course Update: Point-to-Point races start moving to Cedar Lake. (1/25/23)
• Course Update: Kenilworth Channel/Lakes Update (1/13/23): Though this season is throwing us a couple of big curveballs, we are still on solid ground for a point to point course. Despite special permission and great support from the LRT crews, it is now looking like it will not be feasible to use the Kenilworth Channel due to a combination of construction obstructions, open water and the normal need to snow in under the bridges. We are currently looking at a couple of options for the point to point races including a pretty cool urban detour and a fun and tested start on or near Wirth Lake (that still gets all the hills and woods you love in Bog/Butler). We are also monitoring conditions on the lakes. Currently, the lakes cannot be groomed due to extensive and unusual slush conditions that are causing many on ice winter events to pivot. But we still have some time for winter to do its thing. Stay tuned.
• We are using RunnerTag for photos! You can look up your race number to see if we caught any pictures of you. We can’t make promises but we do try to get everyone!

Proceeds from the Fat Bike Events benefit the Loppet Foundation. Learn more about the Foundation's mission, vision, and values.

Registration and transaction fees are non-refundable, including in the event of delay, rescheduling, or cancellation of an event or program. An event or program registration is not transferable to another person or another event for any reason, including injury. Participating under another person's name will result in disqualification.

A Note About the Data We Collect

Registration Policies

If you wish to change events (e.g. changing race distance), please follow these instructions: RunSignup Event Transfer Instructions.

Registration and transaction fees are nonrefundable, including in the event of cancellation. Registration is not transferable to another person or another event for any reason, including injury. Participating under another person’s name will result in disqualification.

For other questions about registration, please email registration@loppet.org.

Packet Pickup

Packets (bibs and other goodies) will be available for pickup at the following times and locations:

• Thursday, February 2: The Trailhead, 4pm-8pm
  • Pick up your packet on Thursday and get a tootsie roll!
• Friday, February 3: Utepils Brewing (225 Thomas Ave N, Minneapolis, MN), 4pm-8pm
  • Pick up your packet on Friday and get a tootsie roll!
  • Packet pickup will not be available at the Trailhead on Friday (only Utepils)
• Saturday, February 4: The Trailhead, 7am-3pm (note that this is not recommended for point to point races unless you are already there for Saturday Trailhead races. Parking will be limited.)
• Sunday, February 5: Cedar Lake, 7am-12pm

Sunday Point-to-Point Maps

For those that like to zoom in: 2023 Point to Point Google Course Map. You can select and deselect certain layers including your course, the Cedar Lake Start Area, and the parking/shuttle info. And see below for the overall picture.

Fat Bike Course Deviations

Note that all three Fat Bike courses deviate from the Ski trails at the Eloise Butler section where bikes are not allowed. All bikes detour on the road from the Bog Parking Lot on Theo Wirth Pkwy around to Glenwood Ave (rejoin at the beach parking lot). If conditions allow, the Loppet Fat Bike will detour a section of the Judy loop to utilize part of the Conundrum mountain bike trail (the Puoli and Tour do not do this section).

Course Markings

The courses are marked with colored arrows on sandwich boards located at trail junctions. Course marshals may also be present at critical junctions to guide and cheer you on. Know the color of arrow you should be following for your race (it is also always our goal to match your bib color with your arrow color – this also helps course marshals know which course you are doing).

• Loppet-Blue arrows
• Puoli-Red arrows
• Tour-Green arrows

Aid Stations

In general, aid stations are stocked with water, energy drink (Gatorade), simple snacks and some energy gels (aid stations later in the race for longer races).

Cutoff Times

For the safety of both participants and volunteers, bikers must reach the following positions by the designated times. Skiers who do not reach these positions in time will have to turn in their bib/chip. A representative from our medical team will be on hand to help evaluate the health and risk of continuing for the participant. Please respect their decision. A sag wagon will be available to bring the participant to the appropriate location, e.g. finish area to get a bag, medical team for further observation, to their vehicle, etc. If the participant is deemed healthy to continue and declines a sag ride, they may continue with the understanding that they are now like anyone from the public. Volunteers may no longer be available (course marshals, aid stations, etc.) and the participant should know the trails. Note that these times are quite generous and few bikers have trouble meeting these cutoffs, but please choose your event appropriately for your speed, experience and skill level.

• Sunday Events: Reach Glenwood Ave/Wirth Beach – 1:00 pm

Thursday

• 4pm-8pm: The Trailhead
  • Pick up your packet on Thursday and get a tootsie roll!

Friday

• 4pm-8pm: Utepils Brewing (225 Thomas Ave N, Minneapolis, MN)
  • Pick up your packet on Friday and get a tootsie roll!
  • Packet pickup will not be available at the Trailhead on Friday (only Utepils)

Saturday

• 7:00am-3:00pm: The Trailhead, Packet Pick up (note that this is not recommended for point to point races unless you are already there Saturday Trailhead races. Parking will be limited.)

Sunday

• 7:00am-12:00pm: Cedar Lake, Packet/Bib Pick up
• 8:00am – 12:00pm: Cedar Lake Bag Drop (Got Junk trucks and Start Line Corral)
• 9:30am – 3:00pm: The Trailhead North Parking Lot Bag Claim
• 11:45am: Start Fat Bike Loppet
• 11:50am: Start Fat Bike Puoli
• 12:00pm: Start Fat Bike Tour
• 10:00am – 3:00pm: The Trailhead Changing Tent Heated
• 10:00am – 3:00pm: Utepils Beer Garden and Festival Village
• 10:30am – 3:00pm: The Trailhead Food Station

NOTE: New start location at Cedar Lake

Parking and Managing Your Bike

• BIKERS TAKE NOTE: The shuttle buses can not accommodate bikes. But you still have numerous options:
  • Park at the Mortenson Parking Lot and bike to the start as your warmup, approximately 2 miles on the bike paths along Theo Wirth Pkwy and Cedar Lake Pkwy. After the race, it is a short bike ride to your car at the finish (less than half mile).
  • Parking is limited in the neighborhood near the start but since you are on a bike, you can park a little further away and just ride in. Bike back to your after the race as a cool down.
  • You can figure out a dropoff and pickup with a friend (see info below).
  • Figure out the Metro Transit buses to get you, and your bike (!), to the start and/or finish.

Bus

Consider using the bus (Metro Transit) as part of your race day plan! Buses and trains are equipped to carry bikes. See the Metro Transit Bicycles and Transit page for more info.

Bike

You and your bike are already prepped for action. Consider biking to the start and/or back from the finish! You can even combine it with other options such as metro bus, dropoff/pickup, and parking.

Dropoffs and Pickups

• Dropoff at Cedar Lake: There is very limited parking in the neighborhood near the Cedar Lake start. There is some space on Cedar Shore Dr near W 25th St. Zoom in on the Start Area layer of the google map above. There is no parking on the east side of Cedar Shore Dr. There is a plowed path crossing the median to Cedar Lake Pkwy. Do not park on Cedar Lake Pkwy for dropoff!
• Pickup in Theodore Wirth Park: Dropoffs and pickups will be allowed at the Chalet (1301 Theodore Wirth Pkwy), approx 1/4-mile walk from the finish at the Trailhead. Please note that access to the Trailhead will be closed at Hwy 55. You will need to approach the Chalet via Plymouth Ave from the east or Golden Valley Rd from the north. The Trailhead is unavailable for pickups. Your fans are also welcome to park at Mortenson Parking Lot and you may walk (approx half mile) from the finish to their vehicle or take the Trailhead-Mortenson shuttle bus. We recommend that you consider putting dry walking shoes and socks in your race bag.

Road Closures

For your information on getting around race morning (and for your spectator race fans to know). Note the road sections and closure times below.

• Glenwood Ave from Xerxes to Theodore Wirth Pkwy: Saturday (7am-1pm), Sunday (7am-2pm)
• Theodore Wirth Pkwy from N Wayzata Blvd to Glenwood: Saturday (7am-1pm), Sunday (7am-2pm)
• Theodore Wirth Pkwy from Hwy 55 to Plymouth Ave: Saturday (8am-2:30), Sunday (8am-12pm)

• NEW: Staying Warm and Start Corral Bag Drop! Keep your warm clothes on and stuff them in your bag (bring your own bag!) just before the start and hand them over the fence or place them in our snowmobile tubs or on the tarps. You are also welcome to save us a trip and take them to the Got Junk truck that will be parked near the boat launch. There is no warming tent at the start though we will have a few fire pits near shore and away from the start. Please dress warmly and label your bag clearly with your race number.
• Bag Claim is located in the Trailhead-North Parking Lot just after you exit the finish area under the bridge.
• Heated Changing Tent – Just across from Bag Claim. We will also have bike racks for you to “park” your bikes. Get changed and head into the Trailhead for beer, chili, and good cheer.

Utepils Beer! All bikers (that are of age) get one free beer (or alternative soda) at the finish at the Trailhead! Please have ID available. Additional beer may be purchased on site by participants or spectators.

Chili! For years, the Loppet has served Captain Ken’s Chili at the finish line. It is our goal to do that again in 2023. Just what a tired biker needs to start the recovery process!

Sponsors! Our sponsors help make everything happen and better! Please visit and thank them for their support. We are sure you will have some fun with them, too!

Fat Bike Loppet Awards:

Commemorative medals for all finishers.

Awards for the top three three male and female overall finishers.

1st Place: $300, Hand crafted award

2nd Place: $150, Hand crafted award

3rd Place: $75, Hand crafted award

Awards ceremonies will take place at the finish area podium as soon as results are posted.

Fat Bike Puoli Loppet Awards:

Commemorative medals for all finishers.

Hand- crafted awards to the first three male and female finishers.

Awards ceremonies will take place at the finish area podium as soon as results are posted.

Fat Bike Tour Awards:

Commemorative medals for all finishers.