Duluth, Minnesota to Host Lutsen 99er

Fifteen hundred mountain bikers will gather at Lutsen Mountains – just 1 ½ hours northeast of Duluth, Minn., on Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior.  The Lutsen 99er offers a 99-mile challenge for experienced mountain bikers and two shorter distance courses: a 39er and 19er course on Saturday, June 27, as well as free kid races the morning of Sunday, June 28.   All race events start and end at Lutsen Mountains.  There are still about 100 spots left for interested race participants. To register, visit http://www.lutsen99er.com/

After party: The fun doesn’t end at the finish line.

“At the Lutsen 99er, the fun continues long after you cross the finish line!” says Peter Spencer, who works for Life Time Fitness and is one of the founders of the race.  “If a ride through the beautiful Sawtooth Mountains isn’t enough to get you excited for race day, we’ve created a list of top things to look forward too once you cross the finish line!”

•   Capture the rewarding moment when you receive your finisher medal

•   Cool down with a refreshing beer from Fulton or a natural sports drink from ASPIRE

•   Save your appetite with a couple of BBQ options from Papa Charlie’s or Ptaceks’s

•   Celebrate a great race with your fellow riders at the awards ceremony where lots of cool swag will be given away (must be present to win)

•   Rock the night away with the band 4ontheFloor

“4ontheFloor has had a huge success with their listeners in the Midwest,” says Linda Kratt, executive director of Visit Cook County.  “The band travels nationally with big-name artists, playing their originals and covers. We’re excited that they will be here for the Lutsen 99er to entertain our visitors.” Band members Gabe Douglas, Nate Case, John Lehmkuhl and Jake Quam make up the four-man rock and roll band, which started In Minneapolis in 2009. 

Race participants will sport cool gear made by Twin Six: Twin Six, a Minneapolis-based cycling lifestyle company has partnered with Life Time Fitness to design and produce several limited edition retail items for the Lutsen 99er event this June. "We are very excited to collaborate with such a great event right in our backyard. The 99er has proven to be not only an epic race, but also a really cool family friendly weekend event, and we're looking forward to taking part in it this summer," says Ryan Carlson, co-owner and designer at Twin Six. With its unique perspective on cycling-inspired and fashion-infused aesthetics, Twin Six has earned a reputation over the last 11 years as one of the premier cycling apparel brands in the world. More information can be found at TwinSix.com.

Overall Schedule of Events

Friday

2 to 8:30 p.m. Participant check-in at Lutsen Mountain

6 to 9 p.m. BBQ & live music

Saturday

6 to 7 a.m. Participant check-in (Rosie’s Chalet)

7:30 a.m. Start of the 99er, 39er and 19er (Bridge Run on Ski Hill Rd)

7:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony (courtyard)

9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.  4ontheFloor @ Papa Charlie’s (Post-Race party)

Sunday

9:30 a.m. Junior Niner Mini Niner and Micro Niner Kids Event

Micro Niner Age 5-7 .49 mile

Mini Niner Age 8-10 .9 mile

Junior Niner Age 11-13 1.9 mile

All Junior, Mini and Micro Niners will receive a finisher medal.

All participants in each adult distance/category compete for the coveted Lutsen99er axe award, which is presented to the top finishers of the race during an awards ceremony outside Papa Charlie’s at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.  Post-race activities will begin around 9 p.m. at Papa Charlie’s, and will include live music, beer, food and FUN!

Click on this link for a course map and spectator access points:  http://www.lutsen99er.com/spectator.

Sponsors of the 2015 Lutsen 99er: The race depends on the generous support of 150 volunteers and sponsors: Visit Cook County, Fulton Brewing Company, Cascade Vacation Rentals, Miller Hill Subaru-Duluth, Erik’s Bike Shop, Twin Six, Fika Coffee, Honey Stinger, ASPIRE Beverages, Smith Optics, Fruit Share, Ptacek’s IGA, Stages Cycling, Voler, Park Tool, Life Time Construction, Papa Charlie’s, Superior Cycling Association, IMBA, Life Time Cycle and Life Time Fitness.

About Visit Cook County: Cook County, Minn. includes the communities of Lutsen, Tofte, Schroeder, Grand Marais, the Gunflint Trail and Grand Portage. This spring, Grand Marais was named the 2015 “Coolest Small Town in America” by Budget Travel, thanks to a social media voting contest. Visit Cook County inspires guests to rekindle their sense of adventure by boldly escaping the ordinary, from Minnesota’s tallest mountains to its greatest lakeshore. Stay in touch via www.visitcookcounty.com, Twitter @CookCoVisitors or Facebook.