Building Bikepacking Community: The Midwest Bikepacking Summit

Building Bikepacking Community: The Midwest Bikepacking Summit

Hitz designs routes through the serene Wisconsin northwoods. Photo credit: Seeley Dave

From The Wisconsin Bike Federation Ride Guide

Shane Hitz of Wausau has developed a reputation as a meticulous route researcher. He designed the IRONBULL Red Granite Grinder gravel race route and has developed scores of great bikepacking routes in the forests north and east of Wausau. In 2022, Shane attended the New Mexico Bikepacking Summit. He was inspired to bring a similar event to Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest to build community and encourage riding in the area. 

Read full article in the 2024 Wisconsin Bike Federation Ride Guide on page 22 here.

Related:

• BIKES OR DEATH EP. 125 ~ SHANE HITZ, WISCONSIN GRAVEL & BIKEPACKING

• 2023 Red Granite Grinder featured in the Northwoods Ramble podcast

• The Nxrth interview with Shane Hitz

• BIKES OR DEATH EP. 131 ~ Red Granite Grinder recap

• Red Granite Grinder rated as one of Wisconsin’s Best Cycling Events

• Red Granite Grinder race report featured in Silent Sports Magazine by Chris Schotz

• IRONBULL Featured on WPR’s Route 51

The inaugural Midwest Bikepacking Summit greeted both experienced and first-time bikepackers. Photo credit: Seeley Dave