Welcome to Telemark! Home of the Slumberland American Birkebeiner, Lumberjack Run, Fat Bike Birkie, the Epic Bike Fest and now the NICA Season Kick-Off for 2022 season of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Cycling League!

We are thrilled to be racing at this amazing and historical trail system and extend a HUGE THANK YOU to the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation and CAMBA for all their efforts to get this venue ready for NICA in its first year of the rebuilding of this treasure.

You can expect a challenging race comprising both, Nordic ski trails and machine built, singletrack flow. The venue is ideal for spectators and riders, campers and day visitors. Everyone will be able to enjoy the race in these beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin!

Adventure rides and other fun activities are planned for the weekend so you can reconnect with friends from other teams and meet new friends too as we celebrate the start of our 2023 season.

Full details are below but please also check with your Team Director or Head Coach or drop us a note if you have any questions.

Renee Griswold, League Director
Angela Brooks, Program Manager/Race Director

This is the source for all things racing! Registration, race plates, course map, schedule for the weekend and more. Please take the time to read it so you know the scoop!

REMINDER: Online race registration is made in Pitzone and closes at 11:59pm the Tuesday before each race.

On-site registration is available but has a late fee and athletes lose their staging position if they are not registered by the Tuesday night deadline.

Prepare your climbing legs and pumping skills because both will be needed at this race. Polish your 3 climbing techniques – Standing, Crouched, and Seated. Also work on Look, Lock, Lean, Land and running with your bike in case you get stuck on a climb. Because the new singletrack on course is machine built, it features many rollers and berms so pumping and building free speed will help rest legs and bodies after the climbs.

Spectators will have excellent opportunities to view athletes throughout the trails. The exciting finish is not to be missed as the races soar over a huge grassy flyover to the end!

A course map will soon be available in the Race Guide.

Camping reservations are team based. Contact your Team Camping Planner for details specific to your team.

Camping is divided into large zones and will be located on the site of the old Telemark Lodge where campers and tents will have a view of the old elevator shafts which are slated to be turned into climbing features in the future (please stay off them for now). Your zone will be communicated to your Team Camping Planner. Once you arrive to your zone, you look for signs for your team. Please remain in your team boundaries when setting up your campsite.

Reminder, we are CARRY-IN/CARRY-OUT for all races this season. Be prepared to bag your own trash and recycling and bring it home with you. LEAVE NO TRACE, PLEASE!

Also, water is only available in the Infield. There is not vehicle access to water from camping. We strongly suggest you bring all your own water for the weekend.

The camping area at Telemark is a bit of a hike to/from the race start, about a half-mile. There is a wide, grassy Nordic ski trail that will take you from camping to racing. A bike may seem like an ideal way for families to get back and forth, but there is not space to park bikes once you get to the race area, except in your team’s Pitzone. Best is to come prepared for the walk and manage your day to allow for the time needed to get back and forth. For reference, returning families, the walk is similar in distances at Trek Trails. Bugspray, sunscreen, water and other supplies for spending time around the course will make fewer trips back to camping.

The Team Pitzone is located near the race start and is ideal for race day operations. Athletes can gather at your Pitzone tent on Sunday to warm-up, get tune-ups and prepare for staging before they race.

Due to the distance between camping and the start/finish each team will have space in the Pitzone at Telemark but if you really think you will not use it, please contact Renee. For reference, returning families, the walk is similar in distances at Trek Trails.

A day-of-parking area will be available beyond the camping area but please do not move your overnight camping vehicles to this day-of-parking area to this more limited space.

There will be a drop-off/pick-up area and some accessible parking spots available near the start/finish for those who need these accommodations on race day.

PS – Want a shorter walk at the next race? Keep reading to learn about the new Priority Pitzone Placement option….

Several food trucks will be onsite on Sunday, September 4 featuring pizza, tacos, BBQ, frozen treats and fair-style concessions. Cable also has a few small restaurants near the venue. Between the number of people at the race and those visiting the area for other recreation over Labor Day weekend, please plan for potentially long lines and limited limited availability in this rural area.

Calling all parents, caregivers, grandparents, extended family and friends! We need a couple hours of your time on race weekend!

The simplest truth for the League is that we CANNOT run races without the help from teams, parents, families, and friends – our volunteers. WE NEED YOU! For our first race of the season we have over 200 volunteer positions and only 50 are filled. That’s not enough!

You don’t need experience and you don’t need to miss your athlete’s race as a volunteer. From helping people figure out where to park to watching the races on the course or riding your bike during the race helping athletes during their races there are opportunities for you. These are some of the volunteer needs.

NEW: Teams who rack up the highest percentage of volunteer hours based on their team size at each race will receive PRIORITY PITZONE PLACEMENT for their next race!! WOOT!! (Yes, Trek hours will transfer to the 2023 season).

Which volunteer position is right for you?
Consider your athlete’s race schedule. Consider how much time you are willing to give to your athlete’s race to make it successful and awesome. Look at the volunteer registration form and find the times that coordinate with those factors. Find jobs that you would enjoy based on the descriptions in the signups and remember, training is provided so give anything a try.

Only a few positions require riding a bike. The rest only require a willing attitude to help make our race weekends great since training is provided!

Questions? Please contact the League’s fantastic Volunteer Coordinator, Allison Carmody.

Think ahead about getting involved in upcoming races too….let’s keep the stoke going all season!