Big Fat 47K • Half Fat 21K • Fun Fat 10K
We think you’ll agree that there is something magical about riding the rolling hills of the legendary Birkie Trail. While Fat Bike Birkie events may look differently than they have in the past, riding the Birkie Trail remains at the heart of each event. No matter which event you’re riding, the challenge, adventure, excitement, and feeling of accomplishment will certainly be a part of your 2021 Fat Bike Birkie experience.
Whether you’re a new rider or a seasoned veteran, please make sure you read through this race guide, cover to cover, as many things have changed in this unique year.
Thank you for participating in the 2021 Fat Bike Birkie and for your flexibility and consideration in following all of the safety protocols that have been implemented to make the events possible.
Things to Know & Things to Do Before Traveling to Birkieland
• Before arrival, please make certain to download the new Birkie app! From your Birkie profile and personal race week details to the race guide, maps and more, you’ll find everything you need to navigate Fat Bike Birkie with ease. Click here for details on how to get the app.
• All riders are required to complete a COVID-19 e-Screening prior to arrival at the Fat Bike Birkie. Participants will receive a COVID-19 screening email before their race day. Please complete the profile and submit the results prior to arriving at the venue.
• We encourage riders to daytrip to their Fat Bike Birkie event, returning to their home base later that same day, whenever possible.
• Riders are asked to be as self-sufficient as possible when they arrive in the area by bringing their personal foodstuffs, or choosing takeout or delivery options while traveling, and avoiding indoor spaces when possible.
• Riders are asked to use the same precautions in our communities as they do in their home communities and as they are required to do at Birkie events, including wearing masks and social distancing.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping to keep our communities safe when traveling to Birkie events!
Before You Leave Home!
• Please download the Birkie app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store for everything you need to know about Fat Bike Birkie.
• Please remember to pack your mask or two-layer neck gaiter, your own hydration vessel, and energy needs for race day.
Fat Bike Birkie 2021
Fat Bike Birkie is an Open-Class Bike Race
E-bikes are not allowed for any event of the Fat Bike Birkie on Saturday, however, may be ridden during Friday’s pre-ride of the trail only. No special equipment classes will be recognized in the Fat Bike Birkie results or awards. Tandems bikes are allowed, but there is not a special class and will not be eligible for awards. Each tandem rider must register and contact registration@birkie.com to ensure the proper results are shown.
Course Conditions
The majority of the course will be snow covered and warming rapidly on Saturday. We recommend big tires and low tire pressure (3 psi range). Studs will not be needed, but you may encounter some short icy spots where snow transitions to dirt. The Groomers will be out Friday night to work their magic and create a great course! Pre-ride the course on Friday to determine what will work best for you. Watch this video for a course condition update as of Thursday, 3/11/21.
Pre-Riding the Course — When & Where
The Fat Bike Birkie course will be groomed and marked for pre-riding on Friday, March 12 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Please follow signs carefully. Please note that riding bikes on the Birkie Trail during the winter is only allowed on the days designated for the Fat Bike Birkie event.
Bike Plate & Gear Bag Pick-Up
Drive-up bike plate, Birkie gear bag, and t-shirt pick-up will be at the American Birkebeiner
Trailhead. Access pick-up and parking from Telemark Road only. See Getting There for directions. Bike plate pick-up will be open during the following times:
• Friday, March 12th: 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm • Saturday, March 13th: 7:00 am – 9:00 am
Birkie Gear Bags
If you pre-purchased a Birkie Gear Bag as part of your registration, we thank you for helping us to reduce the number of plastic bags that end up in landfills each year. Again in 2021, you may have your Birkie Gear Bag mailed ($11) to you (U.S. addresses only). You may request that your Birkie Gear Bag be mailed until March 31, 2021. Click here to have your Birkie Gear Bag mailed to you.
If you did not have your Birkie Gear Bag mailed, you may pick it up in person at bib pick-up or at the Birkie Store, Hayward, WI on the following dates:
• Friday, March 12, from 2:00-4:00 • Monday, March 15 from 2:00-4:00pm. • Monday, March 22 from 2:00-4:00pm
Race Day
Before departing for the American Birkebeiner Trailhead, please make certain you have your bike plate, your energy needs, a hydration vessel (filled water bottle, hydration pack, bladder, etc.), and a mask or two-layer buff.
Getting There
The Big Fat, Half Fat, and Fun Fat events all start and finish at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead, Cable, Wisconsin. Access to the start area is available ONLY from Telemark Road. GPS Coordinates: 46.193613, -91.256976
• From Cable, WI, Take Highway M traveling East out of Cable for 2-miles. Turn right on Telemark Road. Follow the road past the former Telemark Lodge to the designated parking areas. Follow the directions of the parking attendants.
Please Note!
• There are no warming tents or indoor spaces.
• Only participants with 2021 bike plates will be allowed into the starting area.
• We take the health and safety of participants, volunteers, and staff seriously. Spectators are not allowed in the start/finish areas or along the course. Your friends and family may track a biker’s progress through SMS/Text alerts, information is in the Friends & Family section later in this race guide.
Map to the American Birkebeiner Trailhead and Race Start Venue
Where Do I Park?
Upon arrival in the parking area, please follow signs and the directions of the parking attendants. Riders will park within a short ride from the start and finish areas.
Heading for the Start Venue
• Before you head to the start area, please make certain your bike plate is attached to your bike and you are wearing a mask (or two-layer buff).
• Remember to carry your energy needs with you, as well as your hydration vessel (water bottle/hydration pack) – there are no aid stations on course this year.
• Your bike plate is your ticket into the venue and your entrance to the start corral. • Please warm up as physically distanced as possible.
• Please leave your vehicle no more than 15 minutes before your start time. You will ride to the start venue and enter the first start pen 5 minutes before your start time.
Please Note!
• Please leave your warm-up clothing in the car! There is no bag or clothing drop area in either the start/finish area.
• Anything left in the start/finish venue will be removed. Other than for car keys, ID’s and cell phones, there is no lost and found available Fat Bike Birkie.
• Masks are required from the time you leave your vehicle, in the start, finish, in common areas, and in case of emergency.
• No spectators are allowed. Please do not arrive at the start gates early to watch start gates ahead of your time.
At the Start Venue
• Gathering is discouraged in start/finish areas.
• Once at the start area, please enter the start corral 5 minutes before your assigned start time.
Required Gear
• All riders are required to wear helmets during all Fat Bike Birkie events.
Start Gates
• New Start Times! Due to the forecasted temperatures, all races will start 1 hour early!
• Gate sizes will allow for a physically distanced start.
Big Fat Start Gates:
• 8:00 am start- New time!
• 50 riders/5 minutes • 9 start waves
• Winners of Men’s and Women’s races are first across line • Gate 1 is gun timed
• Gates 2-9 are chipped time (your time starts when you cross the line)
• Riders have 3 minutes to cross the start line before the next gate enters the pen
Half Fat Start Gates:
• 9:00 am start- New time!
• 50 riders/5 minutes • 7 start waves
• Winners of Men’s and Women’s races are first across line • Gate 1 is gun timed
• Gates 2-9 are chipped time (your time starts when you cross the line)
• Riders have 3 minutes to cross the start line before the next gate enters the pen • Please start in the gate you chose during registration
Fun Fat Tour:
• 9:35 am start- New time!
• 3-minute start window for a relaxed and physically distanced start
Roll-Out
• Full Fat Gate 1 and Half Fat Gate 1 races will start with a race roll-out for the first 500 meters.
• All riders must stay behind the roll-out vehicle until the flag is waved, officially signaling the beginning of the race. Please do not hang-on to the roll-out vehicle at any time.
On-Course
• Please note the first 3K and last 3K of the course has changed slightly from past years. • The race will start on the left side of the start area (instead of the right like previous years). • The course will make a left-hand turn 500m from the start on to the Birkie Classic Trail - this is
the course that you normally return to the finish line on.
• After briefly rejoining the powerline section, the course will make another hard-left hand turn and you will make your way to the normal course and the Classic trail.
• On the way back in, you will experience the Powerline hills as usual, but will stay on the Birkie Skate Trail to the finish line. Pre-ride on Friday to see the changes.
Course Description by Race:
Big Fat 47K
• The Big Fat is marked with BLUE signs
• The Big Fat 47K course will ride out on the Birkie Classic Trail to the Powerlines, make a quick turn to the left and rejoin the Classic Trail.
• After riding on the Classic Trail to OO, the course will return on the Birkie Skate Trail to the Powerlines where it will come into the finish.
Half Fat 21K
• The Half Fat is marked with PINK signs
• The Half Fat 21K course will ride out the Birkie Classic Trail to the Powerlines to Timber Trail where it will enter the Half Fat only course.
• Please be aware of the course split 7K (4.3 miles) into the race!
Fun Fat 10K
•
• The Fun Fat is marked with ORANGE signs
• The Fun Fat 10K Tour will ride on a mix of Birkie Classic Trail, smaller ski trails, and the Half Fat course before finishing the same way as the Big Fat 47K and Half Fat 21K races.
• Please watch closely for signs
2021 Cut Off Times
2021 Fat Bike Birkie Timetable
Full Fat
KM Cut Off
Start 0 8:45 AM
Timber Trail Southbound 7
Fire Tower Southbound 14 10:15 AM
Boedecker Southbound 19 11:00 AM
Boedecker Northbound 29 11:30 AM
Fire Tower Northbound 34 12:15 PM
Timber Trail Northbound 38 12:30 PM
Finish 46 2:00 PM Half Fat KM Cut Off Start 0 9:33 AM Timber Trail 7 10:20 AM 13K 13 11:00 AM Finish 21 12:30 PM
Fun Fat Tour
KM Cut Off
Start 0 9:38 AM
Aid station 8 11:00 AM
Course Support
• There will be no aid stations during any of the events. Riders must be self-sufficient on-course. • Drop-out assistance and basic tools will be available at on-course trailside cabin locations. • No food will be available on course. Please carry the energy you need with you on course. • Masks are REQUIRED not only at the start and finish, but also in assistance locations. For your
safety and that of those around you, please make certain your mask or neck gaiter is at least two-layers thick.
• If you need medical assistance, please notify a volunteer or staff member immediately. • There will be limited medical support on the racecourse, at aid stations, and in the finish zone.
Plan Ahead! Riders will need to be as self-sufficient as possible on course. Participants MUST carry their own energy and hydration.
Dropping Out or Missing Cut-Off Times
• Should you need to drop out for any reason, you must check-in with a volunteer or medical personnel at trailside cabins who will arrange for your transport back to the start/finish venue and your vehicle.
• Skiers unable to continue the race must immediately report to a volunteer or staff member or call 715-699-0890.
• Drop out vehicles will be available should you need a ride to the start/finish venue.
•
Cut-off time is 2pm for all Full Fat, 12:30pm for Half Fat, and 11:30am for Fun FatFinish Line
• Congratulations! Once you cross the finish line, please put your mask on immediately and before engaging with other riders or volunteers.
• Upon finishing your race, please continue through the finish gateway, collect a drink, and sack lunch to enjoy on the way to your vehicle!
Awards
• Fat Bike Birkie Overall Trophies will be presented to the first three male & female finishers of the Big Fat and Half Fat races.
• The top 3 winners in each race will also receive a custom vest created by Borah Teamwear! • Awards will be immediately following the finish of the top 3 racers.
Post-Race
Starting at 10:00 am, finishers are treated to a to-go lunch by the Northern Lakes Coop Corner Deli, Earth Rider beer, root beer, or water. We have to save the party and gathering for next year- please take your food and beverage with you and enjoy after you leave the venue.
Timing and Results
Birkie Store
Shop the Birkie Store online now to secure the latest Birkie gear and commemorative memorabilia. The Birkie Store will not have a physical presence at 2021 Fat Bike Birkie. Shop now and during checkout, you can select ship to home or curbside pick-up at the Birkie Store in Hayward. Celebrate your Birkie accomplishments with new Birkie apparel and more!
Share the Fun!
There is public Wi-Fi available at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead. We encourage you to share your Birkie experience! Please tag us in your posts!
#FatBirkie2021
For Friends and Family
You’ll be able to track your rider as they travel on their journey to the finish line. You can sign up for the SMS/text or email alerts either on Birkie.com or through the Birkie app.
Here’s How You Can Track Your Rider
• Sign up to receive tracking updates via SMS/text or email for Big Fat, Half Fat, or Fun Fat riders either on Birkie.com or through the Birkie app.
• Enter the participant’s name along with your mobile/cell phone number or email address to receive SMS/text messages (charges may apply).
• Emails or SMS messages will be sent when riders cross the following areas:
Full Fat: • Timber Trail at 6.6K • OO at 24K • Timber Trail at 37.7K • Finish Half Fat: • Timber Trail at 6.6K • Nordmoor at 18K • Finish Fun tour: • Finish
Live Stream Cameras on Birkie.com
Friends and family can also watch streaming video of Fat Bike Birkie riders in the start/finish areas.
We encourage friends and family to download the FREE Birkie app, available in the Apple App store and the Google Play store!
