RACE WEEK ATHLETE GUIDE

Welcome to the North Shore!

It’s time to prepare for the unofficial kick-off to summer high above the shores of beautiful Lake Superior. You’ve signed up, trained, and are ready to take on the challenge of the Lutsen 99er presented by Visit Cook County! No matter your distance, we are excited to celebrate you!

Please review important details below in our Race Week Athlete Guide. 

And we’ll see you and the entire Lutsen family for an unforgettable adventure!

Event Schedule

Friday, June 26th

  • 2:00pm – 8:00pm – Venue & Expo Open
    • Location: Superior National Golf 5731 MN-61, Lutsen, MN 55612
    • Sponsor & Exhibitor Booths
    • Live Music
    • Food onsite: T-Rex Inferno (pizza), Big T’s Rollin Smoke BBQ, Honey Badger Bites, and Superior National’s beverage carts with hot dogs and brats!
    • Fulton beer and North Shore Winery sampling
  • 5:30pm – Little Niners Event Start!

Saturday, June 27th

  • 5:30am – Venue Parking Opens at Superior National 
  • 5:45am – 7:00am – Race Morning Packet Pick-Up Available
  • RACE START TIMES
    • 7:30am – Start of the 99ers
    • 7:32am – Start of the 59ers
    • 7:34am – Start of the 45ers
    • 7:36am – Start of the 29ers

After you drop off your rider(s), head down to Fika Coffee for the watch party. Cheer on your friends and family as you sip on a North Shore Blend coffee and chomp on a delicious donut!

  • 9:30 am- 5:00 pm- Finish Festival
    • Sponsor Booths
    • Live Music
    • Food
    • Fulton Beer – Athletes can use race plate tab to redeem complimentary beer. Additional beer tickets may be purchased from the Superior Cycling Association booth
    • North Shore Winery – Athletes can use race place tab to redeem complimentary cider or wine pour, additional samples may be available at the NSW booth
  • 6:00pm – 7:30pm – Post-Race Party 

Course Maps

99er - Official Course99er - Recreational Course (or Rain Route)59er45er29er

New for 2026: For our 99er athletes, you will have two course options available. The official course, and then new for 2026: the 99er Recreational Route (participation only)*

The Recreational Route provides a streamlined alternative route for participants looking for a different experience on race day. 

  • The Course: Follows Onion River Road to Highway 61, crosses the highway, and transitions onto the Gitchi-Gamii State Trail.
  • Rider Choice: This route is an optional bypass for those who choose not to ride the High Climber single-track.
  • Finishing & Awards: Riders will receive an official finisher time, though this course is for participation only and not eligible for awards.
  • Leadville Status: Choosing this course removes eligibility for Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik qualifying coins or lottery entries.  

*If conditions require, the Recreational Route will serve as the rain course (The official Course) 

Important Information & Rules

The Lutsen community is excited to welcome the participants of the Lutsen 99er. Your spirit and dedication to biking inspires our entire community.

  • Leave no trace – No garbage, clothing etc., shall be thrown on the course!
  • Must hold your position for the entirety of the roll-out. Passing or weaving through other participants will result in disqualification without warning.
  • No Pedal Assist/E-Bikes allowed
  • No aero bars allowed
    • we understand that aero bars have been seen at this event in the past, but our official stance is that the use of them is prohibited.
    • ANY PARTICIPANTS CAUGHT USING AERO BARS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO START THE RACE, AND IF YOU DO END UP RACING THE EVENT WITH THEM, YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED
  • Helmets must be worn when on the bike, and your chin strap must be buckled
  • Support Vehicles/Outside Assistance – You may not accept assistance outside of aid stations or approved spectator areas.
  • DNFs must be reported to timing.
  • Timing chip (on bike number plate) must attach to the front of the bike. DO NOT wrap your bike plate or your chip will not read.
  • DO NOT PASS LEAD MOTORCYCLES. The Motos will lead all racers out of SNG & along Highway 61 to Caribou Trail, then speed up at Ski Hill Rd. Passing the lead motorcycles will result in disqualification.
  • THANK THE VOLUNTEERS!

Details by Distance

Please review specific details for your race distance below.

Here, you’ll find information on bag drop, cut-off times, and more.

99er Race Details59er Race Details45er Race Details29er Race DetailsLittle Niners Race Details

Support Crews & Spectators

  • Outside help will only be available at designated spectator locations. No mobile support, including motorized vehicles, are allowed on course.
  • No spectators will be allowed at any of the aid stations. 
  • Spectators for the 99ER ONLY are welcome at Sawbill & The Grade.
  • Directions to The Grade from SNG:
    • Take Hwy 61 East towards Tofte.
    • Turn North on 2/Sawbill Trail.
      • It’s approximately 15 miles to The Grade.
    • All spectators must park South of The Grade.
    • NOTE: Spectator location is mile 32 and 68 for the 99er riders.

2026 Lutsen Spectator Map 1 (1)

Parking & Directions

Parking Information:

  • All parking at Superior National will be closed until 5:30am Saturday. There is no overnight parking or camping in these areas. The event guide has information about camping options.
  • Parking will be limited and may fill up before the race start. To avoid last-minute problems, arrive early and PLEASE CARPOOL.
  • If you are staying at these resorts, we would encourage racers to be dropped off for the start, and have spectators take the resort shuttle to the start. If you drive, please follow the directions of the parking staff and be courteous!

Directions (from south):

  • Take I-35 North to Duluth, MN. In the Duluth freeway system, take the last possible exit labeled “Hwy 61-North Shore Drive.” Stay on Hwy 61 North for 90 miles. Just after the 90 mile-marker, you will see a sign for “Superior National” Turn left at that sign.
  • Superior National Golf 5731 MN-61, Lutsen, MN 55612

Directions (from north):

  • Take Hwy 61 South through Grand Portage and Grand Marais. Approximately 18 miles south of Grand Marais, you will see a sign for “Superior National” Turn right at the sign.
  • Superior National Golf 5731 MN-61, Lutsen, MN 55612

Preparing for the Course

Have your bike checked over before the ride. Make sure everything is tight and properly adjusted, or take it to a trained Erik’s mechanic. They’ll gladly look it over and make sure everything is safe.

Remember to plan for the unexpected. Erik’s recommends on every ride that you keep the following in your hydration pack or seat bag:

  • Spare tube
  • Patch kit
  • CO2 inflator with multiple cartridges or pump.
  • Multi-tool
  • Tire levers

For a long ride or race, you should add the following if you don’t already carry it:

  • Tire boot for patching large cuts in tires
  • Chain “quick” link to make field repairs
  • Chain tool
  • Back up energy food as a reserve tank

Erik’s mechanics will be on hand to make final adjustments or help out at the aid stations where possible. For more ideas, check out these recommendations or stop by one of Erik’s locations near you.

Leadville Trail 100 MTB Qualifier Information

  • The Life Time Lutsen 99er is a qualifier for the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB. There are a minimum of 35 LT100 qualifier coins up for grabs at each of the Leadville Race Series qualifier events. 
    • Qualifier coins will only be given to athletes who finish the longest distance race.
    • Coin winners MUST BE PRESENT at the awards ceremony and claim their entry immediately.
    • Coin winners must complete and pay for their registration for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB during the designated time offered. 
    • All registration fees for the LT100 MTB are non-transferable, nonrefundable, and subject to the Leadville Race Series deferral policies.

    The 35+ coins at each event will be distributed based on overall and age group performance, as well as an event lottery at the end of the awards ceremony. 

    • The performance based coins will be distributed to the top overall performances, as well as the top performances of each age category.
    • If an athlete elects to not accept their slot, the coin will “roll down” to the next top athlete in their category.
    • In the event that slots are not claimed after the roll down, they will be reallocated to the event lottery. 
    • The event lottery is available to all official finishers.
    • Names will be randomly drawn in the lottery from all eligible and interested athletes to distribute these coins until none remain.

    Visit our LT100 MTB Qualification System page for more information

Back To Top