Midwest bikepacking summit
September 12-14, 2024
Jack Lake Campground at Veteran's Memorial Park
N8375 Park Rd
Deerbrook, WI 54424
WHat is the midwest bikepacking summit?
Join experienced to first-time bikepackers for a weekend of fun in northern Wisconsin. From group rides, lakeside camping, expo, speakers, and of course bikepacking all are sure to meet a riding buddy, learn something, and immerse themselves in the northwoods.
Each registration includes registration for the group campsites (Thursday and Friday). We encourage everyone and anyone to attend the expo which will include speakers and vendors and attend the free group rides. The Jack Lake group campground has access to Jack Lake mountain bike system (trail donations encouraged), access to flush bathrooms, onsite showers (coin-operated), lake access (see the full list of campground amenities here). In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint, $5 of every registration will go directly to planting trees in Langlade County.
The event is expected to sell out. Space is limited to 20 riders on the Aurora Vistas short route overnighter and 40 riders on the Tour de Nicolet-Aurora Vistas (full and SoNic 1.2). The short route overnighter route is designed for beginner as well as experienced bikepackers and camping is pre-arranged for the overnighter only because this will help eliminate stresses for someone who is a beginner. If you need to cancel, please contact us and you’ll be provided a 75% credit (less transaction fees) by May 1 and 50% credit (less transaction fees by September 1).
Schedule of events (tentative)
Thursday, September 12
3 PM Jack Lake group campsite setup open
5 PM group rides in Bogus Swamp area
Friday, September 13
10 AM - 12 PM EXPO (vendor register here)
11 AM - 1 PM Urban Street Bistro food truck onsite available for purchase
12 PM Jack Lake singletrack group ride
2 PM summit
Saturday, September 14
8 AM group roll out - rides are completed at your own pace so you must plan your own campsites and food stops
12 PM check out deadline for Jack Lake group campsite
Tour de Nicolet - Aurora Vistas Routes
The Nicolet National Forest is just a small portion of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Established in the early 1930s the entire system encompasses 1.5 million acres with the Nicolet portion taking up over 661,000 acres. The forest is packed full of large hardwood trees and groves of tall white pines with the occasional swamps containing white cedars. Roads twisting and turning, following the paths of rivers and streams are a constant site with lakes scattered throughout.
History
The Tour de Nicolet is full of rich history while traveling through quintessential small northwoods communities. Prior to the 1930s the forest was heavily logged and burned over. Starting in 1933 the Civilian Conservation Corps played a key role in the reforestation including construction of buildings, bridges, and fire towers as well as replanting the forest. You will see numerous CCC sites, structures, and trees planted so many years ago throughout the ride. Not only will you notice the history of the CCC camps you will also notice the logging history throughout the route. Most of the time is spent within the national forest with the occasional rustic gravel path in the county forests of Langlade, Oconto, Marinette, and Forest. The history of how the county acquired those lands is interesting. During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s settlers either logged it and left the land or sold the land to settlers promising the unsuspecting newcomers a fertile land. When they tried to farm it their crops didn’t grow as well as they were led to believe because the deforestation left the land so stripped of all its minerals so they ended up abandoning it, leaving unpaid taxes. Luckily this activity was eventually recognized as harmful and steps were taken to right the wrong. We now have a lush green wonderland to explore and connect with nature. So when you see a large old growth tree that escaped being cut down or the CCC signs or rows of tall pine trees, appreciate the small things that are actually really great things that we are lucky enough to have and enjoy. Midride, take your shoes off and wade into that stream. Jump into that lake. Feel the earth on your bare feet. Filter some ice cold spring water. Reconnect with the forest.
Highlights
Classic northwoods towns featuring quintessential bars and supper clubs that scream Wisconsin. Grab an Old Fashioned and fish fry on a Friday night or prime rib on Saturday.
The fun and flowy hills of Augustyn Springs are a blast to ride and feature some unique points of interest most locals don’t even know about such as HillBilly Hilton, an underground bunker you won’t soon forget and Crotch Vegas, a fantastic cache of soda and candy in the middle of nowhere.
White Lake railroad museum is a restored depot and inside the depot you will find artifacts and displays showcasing White Lake’s rich railroad, farming, logging and lumber industry.
Twelve miles of old school single track on three different organizations' trail systems, Nicolet Roche, Goodman park, and Otter springs. The route uses the most direct line through so adding more singletrack to your adventure is an option. Additionally there is 12 miles of singletrack, Jack Lake, at the starting location of the route.
The 2019 derecho which impacted 130,000 acres of the National Forest. Efforts to clean up are still ongoing but you will notice the aftermath particularly starting at Humble Hill and the five miles after. The land is now clear of most trees as far as you can see, which makes unique vantage points throughout the steep rolling hills riddled with baby-head rocks.
Mountain Firetower is a unique opportunity to climb an historic fire tower and view the landscape in the cab 100 feet in the air just as the firespotters did years ago. There are 14 fire towers still remaining in the national forest, this being the only one where the public is welcome to climb.
Butler Rock viewpoint as well as the infamous sand roads around Butler Rock
The old fish hatchery and waterfall
Thunder Mountain State Natural Area with its amazing viewpoint up top of its bedrock outcrops. The red oak and white oak trees hold their color late in the fall making this a fantastic spot to see fall colors late in the year.
Big Rock overlook. Very few people know about this place and fewer have taken the hike back there but it offers amazing views.
Strong Falls
Artesian well at Chipmunk Rapids
Wisconsin's highest cul-d-sac
The logging museum in Wabeno along with all the other historical buildings including a library which still operates. Wabeno has a proud history in the logging industry
The abundance of wildlife. I’ve seen up to four bears in a single day. In addition to bears, some of the other animals I frequently see are whitetail deer, badgers, bobcats, wolves, and porcupines. Of the many bird species in the area the loon is the most unique with its calls in the mornings and evenings. There are two loons on each lake and you will undoubtedly hear these calls each evening especially if you camp on a lake. The loons are a special part of each trip.
Must Know
Park for free at Jack Lake. This is a safe place to park. The campground host lives on the property adjacent to the parking. You may park here for up to seven days as you complete your route. Everyone must be packed up from the Jack Lake group campsite by noon on Saturday, Sept 9
75% gravel with 12 miles of singletrack and rugged two track sections not to be taken lightly. Add more singletrack at each of the three trail systems if that's your thing.
Gravel bike with 44’s are a fine choice but if you have 2.5’s or bigger it will decrease hike-a-bike in the sand sections
There are a few sections of the route that have a good distance between nice dispersed camping POI’s so plan mileage carefully unless you don’t mind the full-on dispersed experience.
These forest roads are actively logged. Expect logging at some point when doing the route and give the loggers the right of way and plenty of space.
If you want to come up the day before, camp at Jack Lake but make reservations early as this is a popular campground. Another option is to camp at High Lake dispersed sites a couple miles south on the Jack Lake Firelane. These sites are generally open with few people using them even on a weekend. Hotel options in Antigo 20 minutes from Jack Lake, or if flying in, Wausau, which is close to Central Wisconsin Airport, has an abundance of hotels and dining options.
Bears, wolves, and chipmunks. Black bears are pretty common in this area, chances are pretty good that you will see one. They are afraid of humans and will run as soon as they see you. Hopefully you get a chance to see one. Just hang your food at night. Wolves are also common but less likely to see. Last year I saw a white wolf on this route, which was pretty special. Chipmunks are on this list because special care needs to be taken with your food so that they don’t chew a hole in your bags when at camp.
Camping
Riders complete the route at your own pace. Therefore, you will choose where you will camp at the end of each day. There are options for free dispersed camping and designated campgrounds (you are responsible for the fee). The only exception is for those on the Aurora Vistas short route overnighter where all riders have access to the Perch Lake group campsite on Saturday night included at no extra cost.
I have POI’s at most sites that I know of and like. Some of my favorites are dispersed but there are a number of National Forest campgrounds with 20 or so sites and all the basic amenities like pit toilets and water from well pumps. I put very detailed information to help you plan your route.
Langlade County has free dispersed camping. To reduce environmental impacts, up to six tents in a group are allowed.
Nicolet National Forest allows dispersed camping. Other than my POI’s, camp on the other side of the gates blocking motor vehicles from using those old logging roads. These locations make great spots as they are flat and easy to set a tent up.
Food and Water
I always bring some snacks to have throughout the day and a couple meals in case a restaurant is closed but the route has so many great places to eat, most days of the week you should be fine.
The best places to eat are White Lake Market, Weatherby Supperclub, Waubee Lodge, Roadhouse 139, and Johnnies Resort. These places are all a must stop if they are open and I usually plan my route around these places.
Stop at Ruby May’s in Summit Lake before your ride
This route contains some of the best rivers and springs in the northwoods. The lakes here are spring fed as opposed to seepage lakes. This makes the water clear instead of a stained look from minerals in the water. An excellent example of this type of lake is Jack Lake at the starting point of the route. Bring a water filter to pull some crystal clear water from these amazing places.
Most campgrounds on the route have well pumps that you can get water from when in between towns.
Trail Notes
I generally ride the route counter-clockwise but it really doesn’t make a difference in difficulty which way you go. To spread out riders, half of the riders will go clockwise and half counterclockwise
There are ample opportunities to cut off mileage however this comes at a cost. You will miss some fantastic POI’s. If you can live without some of them, go for it.
Riders are responsible for arranging their own mechanical, medical, and transportation needs.
All roads are open to normal traffic. You are required to follow the rules of the road and stay alert.
A GPS file of each route is linked below and you are expected to find your way through the unmarked route. Cell phone coverage is spotty for most of the route and there are no ride leaders so it is best to ride with a new or old buddy.
Full tour de nicolet: 365 miles / 12,600 feet gain/loss
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38504959
Submit your ITT (individual time trial) here. See leaderboard here.
SoNic 1.2 long route: 225 miles / 8,200 feet gain/loss
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41477300
SoNic is the southern portion of the Tour de Nicolet route. Over the years the Tour de Nicolet has been the inspiration of some great routes such as the Pickerel Buck40 and the original SoNic. This is because the southern portion of the Nicolet has some of my favorite areas. From the remote Langlade County forest roads to the baby-head rock-filled roads and natural springs near Nicolet Roche this area is packed with adventure. The terrain is more varied, consisting of more hills on the west side to large sections of sand roads on the east side.The updated version 1.2 includes the Humble Hill section, previously closed due to 2019 storm clean up. If you choose this version you will still experience some of the best of the Nicolet National Forest but in a condensed 225 mile version.
Submit your ITT (individual time trial) here. See leaderboard here.
Aurora Vistas short route overnighter: 73 miles / 2,400 feet gain/loss
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42942918
All riders have access to the Perch Lake group campsite on Saturday night as part of this route; however you are responsible for your own food stops.
Greater area points of interest
Locations for hotels, bike shops, food, restaurants, airport, etc. here
Resources
How to pack for bikepacking video
Questions
Contact event coordinator and course designer, Shane Hitz here
