The Fox Bikepacking Race

The Fox is a two day stage race that features 60+ mile days through the heart of the North Shore wilds. The Fox will start in Finland, MN, on Saturday July 10. Riders will travel to Grand Marais for their overnight camping experience. On Sunday, riders will travel a different route back to Finland for the finish. The Fox is a timed event.

Day 1: Finland to Grand Marais 62 miles: 4000 ft of climbing. Mostly well maintained gravel road. Dropping the final few paved miles into Grand Marais is a magical experience.

Day 2: Grand Marais to Finland 70 miles: 2700 ft of climbing. Mostly well maintained gravel road. The route back to Finland is about 50% different from the first day. This day includes a few miles of two track heading to the northern most section of the route. The climb out of Grand Marais into the Sawtooth range will get you warmed up quickly.

NOTE Routes are subject to change due to weather or forest fires. We will try to keep them between 60-70 miles.

We recommend a cycle that can accommodate tires widths starting at 40-50mm. My preference is a 29er with a tire width of about 2.1-2.3in. It’s ok to be creative with your existing bike. Make sure the packs you choose stay put on rough roads. And most importantly, check your fit and be comfortable on your rig for hours of sometimes rough riding.

The Fox is an excellent introduction to timed, bikepack style racing, which means being loaded down with your gear and pushing yourself in a timed format over consecutive days. We also build plenty of time to set up camp, relax, eat and socialize after the day’s racing. It’s an exhilarating combination of activities. We think you will love this event.

Please see the other pages for details about the race, and email us with any additional questions: jeremybkershaw@gmail.com