Last Saturday was a great day to be out biking. Almost 200 people from the Midwest gathered in Lutsen at the Superior National Golf Course to take part in either the 24-mile or 16-mile Norpine Fat Tire Bike Classic race. This was the second year this event was held. The races are run on a mix of snowmobile and cross country ski trails through the rugged boreal forest. This event is part of the 45NRTH Great Lakes Fat Bike Series.
Chris Stevens, New Richmond, Wis., finished almost 10 minutes ahead of Thomas Olek, Roberts, Wisconsin, the second place finisher in the 24-mile Norpine Fat Bike Classic held in Lutsen on Saturday, Jan. 6.
Stevens’ winning time was 1:46:45.
Megan Barr was the first woman across the line in 2:18:48.
No one from Cook County completed the rugged 24-mile race.
Nick Zawadski, St. Paul, placed first overall in the 16-mile race in 1:23:59. Jennifer Neuman, Annandale, Minn., was the first woman across the finish line in 1:53:07.
Will Surbaugh, age 16, was the top Cook County finisher in the 16-mile race, placing 19th overall with a time of 2:00:23. Jonathan Hedstrom, age 39, placed 24th in 2:05:12.
Stephen Surbaugh, age 45, the father of Will, placed 28th in 2:10:21.
Lee Bergstrom was the first local women finisher. Lee, age 57, placed 34th overall in a time of 2:14:39.
Other local finishers included Dylan Dragswiek, age 39, who placed 41st in 2:30:51; Michelle Gribbon, age 55, placed 44th in 2:34:07; Max Wahlers, age 55, placed 45th in 2:34:08; Michael Kobelinski, age 37, finished 47th in 2:36:03; April Wahlstrom, 34, and Tom Wahlstrom, 36, placed 48th and 49th in the same time of 2:36:06; Jeremy Hanson, age 54, came in 62nd in 3:01:37; Andrew Beavers, age 36, placed 64th in 3:10:04; and Mary Hanson, age 53, finished 67th in 3:16:13.
This was the second Norpine Fat Bike Classic. The short course was held on cross country ski trails with riders required to compete on 3.7- inch tires.
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