2026 Chequamegon 40 -- Full 4k Race Video

Key Points in the Race / Strava Segment Time Stamps: 8:22 Exit pavement and hit the Wheeler Wall and begin the first Birkie Ski Trail Section. Beginning here there are roughly 10 miles of grass Birkie Rollers until first gravel road. 48:49 Phipps Fire Lane - First gravel road section, roughly 2.30 miles long. 56:23 End Phipps Fire Lane and begin narrower, rougher, unnamed double track section. This is the 15.3-mile split in the race. 1:01:32 Out of the narrow double track and back to grass rollers. 1:08:22 Off grass rollers and back to narrow gravel road. 1:09:47 Janet Road Gravel. Roughly 1 mile stretch of gravel road. 1:13:47 End Janet Road and begin Martels Pothole. Martels Pothole is about a 2.15-mile stretch of narrow double track and single track which can be a key point for positioning leading into Firetower Climb. This is also the 19.9-mile split in the race. 1:22:23 End Martels Pothole and begin nice, wide gravel road that leads to Firetower. 1:31:41 Firetower Climb 1:35:18 Top of Firetower Climb. Begin decent. 1:41:40 Begin 7 Sisters (Grass Birkie Roller segment) 1:51:35 End 7 Sisters. This is the 29.7-mile split in the race. Neutral aid station at this spot. 2:18:18 Big Bertha Climb 2:24:24 Exit wide, grassy Birkie rollers and enter narrower grass segment which turns into single track. Roughly 2.6 miles remaining in the race from this point. 2:32:20 Exit narrow singletrack into wide open area and SPRINT FOR THE FINISH LINE! Ride along with me as I take on the 2026 Chequamegon 40 mountain bike race. This isn't called the "Drag Race from Heyward to Cable" for nothing. After a hard start, the race doesn't relent and rewards those who can stay on the gas the longest over rolling ski trail and a few punchy double track climbs. This was my first time doing this event and my first time riding any of this course. Thankfully, it isn't too technical and there aren't really any surprises out there, but it does pay to know generally what you are getting yourself into if you decide to race Chequamegon. If you've heard of this race, you've probably also heard of the Firetower Climb, which is a key feature of the course. I had heard of the climb and was able to find some video of it before the race, but some other notable sections weren't as easy to find. So, in this video, each notable Strava segment that I had discussed with people on race weekend is called out on screen, making it a great resource for course scouting if you plan to do this event. Give this a watch while you are on the trainer or while traveling to the race. It might help you prepare for your race if you choose to do it!