Snowbound in the Underdown

February 22, 2025

Fat tire bike or Snowshoe

Are you up for adventure? 

Experience fat tire biking and snowshoe racing on the unique winter trails starting at Prairie Dells.  Bikers start first with a journey up the Prairie River gorge before hitting the hills and lakes of Underdown for rides of 10, 15 and 25 miles.  Six-mile snowshoers will get to the majestic Prairie Dells while three-milers will take in the overlooks of the new Heinemania Loop.  The wonder of this place in winter is something that has to be seen to be believed. Courses will be well-marked.

You choose your adventure - fat tire bike or snowshoe. If you sign up for both, you automatically receive 50% of the snowshoe event during registration!

Fat bike:

Northern Lights Logo
  • Short Race: approximately 10 mile lap. Terrain is rolling, flowy, and scenic. A chance to ride the famous Prairie Dells River Trail

  • Medium Race: approximately 15 mile lap with a blend of fast Prairie Dells flow and a vertical loop that is one big hill after another.

  • Long Race: approximately 25 mile lap with challenging, hilly terrain. This lap adds a back country adventure over 3 ponds, 4 lakes, 6 bogs and 20 bonus hills.

Snowshoe:

  • Short Race: approximately 3 mile lap. Terrain is rolling and scenic on Underdown’s newest trail, Heinemania

  • Long Race: approximately 6 mile lap. Terrain is rolling, flowy, and scenic with views of the majestic Prairie Dells canyon.

No snowshoes, no problem! We have Northern Lites race snowshoes available for free, just check the option during registration!

Choose your discipline!

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Fat tire bike

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Snowshoe

Location

Start/finish location for all racers is at the Prairie Dells Trail Head, Merrill, WI 54452 (this works in Google Maps) (located off of Heineman Rd / Cty R). GPS coordinates: 45.27290759030347, -89.5879814947932

TIME

  • 8:30 am -12:00 pm: Bib pickup

  • 9:00 am: Long fat bike race start

  • 9:30 am: Medium fat bike race start

  • 10:00 am: Short fat bike race start

  • 12:00 pm: 6 mile snowshoe start

  • 12:30 pm: 3 mile snowshoe start

Awards as soon as possible as podiums fill

ENTRY FEE

Early = $30 / Regular = $40 / Late = $50 / Extra late = $60
*Early is prior to 12/14/24 / Regular is before 2/1/25 / Late is before 2/15/25 / Extra late is up to 1 hour prior to event start

What’s included

Post-race meal and beverage
Sticker
Free Northern Lites snowshoe rental
Custom finisher mug

Racer Guide

Read race rules, print the race schedule, and spectator information.

The 2025 race guide will be finalized the weeks prior to the event. The 2024 race guide is linked below for reference.

2024 event photos are linked at the Facebook page.

QUESTIONS?

EMAIL US

RACE TEAM PROFILE

Event Sponsor

City of Merrill - for visitor information, call the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce at 715-536-9474 or visit www.merrillchamber.org