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CAMP BIKE WISCONSIN FOR YOUTH
Wisconsin – Youth leaders who have groups of young people interested
in bicycling are urged to contact Bike Wisconsin, which has launched a special program designed to get more youngsters on bikes.
The Camp Bike Wisconsin program will be held in conjunction with the
GRABAAWR and SAGBRAW bicycle tours. GRABAAWR is June 29–July 6 and SAGBRAW will be held August 4–10. The program is open to any youth groups under the age of 18. The groups, which must
provide an adult leader on a bike or in a vehicle, can sign up at special rates for single days, multiple days or even the entire event.
For detailed information, contact Bike Wisconsin toll–free at
1–888/575–3640.
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XC SKI SCHOOL COMING TO WISCONSIN
Wisconsin – A Russian ski school for all cross country skiers is coming to Wisconsin. You may be asking yourself: What is a ski school? In
Russia, a ski school is comprehensive program that focuses on physical conditioning and learning how to cross country ski. Russian ski schools are government sponsored and every person is allowed to participate. In
fact, most small towns in Russia have a ski school. Just think how our insurance rates would drop if we had a program like this in the United States.
The Wisconsin Russian Ski School focuses on all aspect of cross country skiing. The program will start out by evaluating the skier with fitness testing. Once the skier's fitness level is determined, a training
program for the skier is developed. The training program is continually adjusted by retesting the skier at specific times each month. This periodic testing provides feedback to the skier on how he or she is
progressing during the training program.
The training program is based on a concept called supercompensation, which means to gradually overloading your fitness level for a few weeks
and then rest. The skier than repeats this cycle several times through out the year.
Besides the training program, the Russian Ski School has hundreds of
motion drills to develop relaxed and efficient cross country ski technique. These drills are also very useful in breaking bad habits. In fact, motion drills are the only way to break bad habits. In addition to
these drills, students will be roller skiing, hill bounding, ski walking and getting video analysis.
Yuriy Gusev will be the primary ski school coach and teacher. He has
been skiing for 19 years in the Russian ski program. Gusev skied for the Moscow Cross Country Ski School of Olympic reserve for two years and became one of the top Junior skiers in Russia at this school. He then
progressed to become one of the premiere Senior Level skiers for his age. Gusev also has a college degree in physical education with concentration in cross country skiing and physical therapy. Gusev has
been living in the United States for a year and is looking forward to racing again. He will be living in Wisconsin Rapids and Madison over the summer while going to school at UW–Madison to fullfill some
requirements for his physical therapy license.
Dale Niggemann will be assisting Gusev during the clinics and will be providing equipment for students who need it. Niggemann has been
doing Enduro Clinics for 10 years and has had several top 30 finishes in the Birkie. He has developed many ski drill and training methods for cross country skiing. Niggemann has a mechanical engineering degree
and has developed the Enduro Roller Ski, the first roller ski with a braking system and variable speeds. He also runs a cross country ski retail business call Planetxc.com.
This once in a lifetime chance is now available in central and southern Wisconsin. The spring and summer sessions will meet two to three times per week throughout the summer.
Good training habits and good ski technique evolves over time. The ski school recommends a full two or three month session to maximize the benefit of the Russian ski school. However, the school will also be
offering some weekend clinics in addition to the spring and summer sessions. The ski school sessions and weekend clinics are as follows:
Ski School Schedule
April Weekend–Enduro Clinics/Russian Style:
Northern Illinois 4–20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Madison 4–21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wisconsin Rapids 4–27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Yuriy Gusev will be adding Russian method to Enduro Clinic. More
clinics to be announced at a later date.
Spring Session
April 1–May 31 held in Wisconsin Rapids (meeting 2–3 times per week). Cost $200.
Summer Session
June1–August 30 held in Madison (meeting 2–3 times per week). Cost $300 until April 1, $350 until May 1, $400 after.
Madison Area Children Summer Session: Dates not yet determined.
Madison Area Juniors Summer Session: Every Wednesday evening June 26–July 31. Cost $25 until April 1, $35 until June 1, $50 until June 2.
For more information, contact Dale Niggemann, 120 Shorewood
Terrace, Wis. Rapids, WI 54494; 1–800/380–8412; sales@planetxc.com.
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INTRODUCING THE RUN THE RANGE SERIES
A series of running events in the North Country have banded together to form the new Run the Range Series with awards to the top runners overall in the series. The 2002 participating events include:
John Jarvi Jr. Memorial 10K and 5K Run (May 25 – Ironwood, MI)
Bessemer Hometown 10K and 2–Mile Run (June 29 – Bessemer, MI)
Dogwood 5K Run (June 30 – Saxon, WI)
Sunday Lake Run (July 4 – Wakefield, MI)
Festival Ironwood Walk, Run, and Roll (July 20 – Ironwood, MI)
Participation Points: Each participant will receive 10 points for entering a series event.
Championship Points: Each overall winner of the John Jarvi Jr. 10K Run, Bessemer Hometown 10K Run, Festival Ironwood 5 Mile Run, Sunday Lake Run, and Dogwood 5K Run will receive 30 points. Each
overall winner of the John Jarvi, Jr. 5K Run, Bessemer Hometown 2–Mile Run, and Festival Ironwood 2–Mile Run will receive 20 points.
Age Group Points:
For the John Jarvi Jr. 10K Run, Bessemer Hometown 10K Run, Festival Ironwood 5 Mile Run, Sunday Lake Run, and Dogwood 5K Run, age group points will be distributed as follows:
1: 20 points; 2: 18 points; 3: 16 points; 4: 14 points; 5: 12 points; 6: 10 points; 7: 8 points; 8: 6 points; 9: 4 points; 10: 2 points.
For the John Jarvi Jr. 5K Run, Bessemer Hometown 2 Mile Run, and
Festival Ironwood 2 Mile Run, age group points will be distributed as follows:
1: 10 points; 2: 9 points; 3: 8 points; 4: 7 points; 5: 6 points; 6: 5 points; 7: 4 points; 8: 3 points; 9: 2 points; 10: 1 point
Awards
A. Participants who compete in all five events.
B. Overall male and female series points champions.
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DCBA APPROVES $10,623 IN BICYCLING GRANTS
Wisconsin – The Dane County Bicycle Association has approved $10,623 in grants to organizations involved in promoting bicycling in
Wisconsin.
The largest grant totaled $3,000 and went to the Bike to Work Week program in Madison. Bike to Work Week will be May 18–24 and the
program is intended to get more people commuting by bicycle to work. DCBA has provided funding for the effort for the past several years.
Wheels for Winners, a Madison program that allows youngsters to earn
reconditioned used bicycles by performing community service work, received a $2,000 grant.
Other grants were $1,700 to Mad Trail FORCs, an organization of
female mountain bikers in the Madison area, for a program designed to attract more women to the sport; $1,500 to the Milwaukee Boys and Girls Club to support its bicycle repair and recycling program; $1,000 to
the Milwaukee–based Wisconsin Cycling and Adventure Touring Association, a new organization seeking to promote Wisconsin cycling to bicyclists in other states; $932 to the Cambridge (WI) Area Repeater
Association to provide emergency back–up power for a ham radio communications repeater that serves several bicycle tours, and $500 to the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin for scholarships to two bicycle conferences.
DCBA, a tax–exempt foundation, resulted from the sale of the old Yellow Jersey bicycle cooperative in Madison to Andy Muzi, who operates the Yellow Jersey bicycle shop on State Street in Madison.
Proceeds from the sale were invested by DCBA and the foundation uses the income to fund projects that promote bicycling.
Bicycling clubs and organizations interested in obtaining funding for
special projects should contact Renee Callaway, 1001 Vilas Ave., Madison, WI 53715, phone 608/255–8484 or e–mail ccallaway@charter.net.
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ORE TO SHORE MOUNTAIN BIKE EPIC 2002
Michigan – The Superiorland Ski Club of Marquette, Mich., announces the third annual Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic weekend is August
9–11, 2002. With over 1,000 participants in 2001, the Ore to Shore has become one of the largest mass start, point–to–point mountain bike races in the country.
The main features of the weekend are the 20–mile Soft Rock and 40–mile Hard Rock. Both races begin along the city streets of Negaunee, where iron ore was first discovered in the Lake Superior
basin. The 40 mile race starts at 1,300 feet elevation and veers west, bringing racers past historic mine shafts and into gold mine country before climbing to over 1,400 feet elevation into pristine Upper
Peninsula wilderness. The 20 mile race heads directly north at the start and treats racers to beautiful forests filled with rock outcroppings, towering red pines and an abundance of two track trails. Both courses
bring races over the Dead River Basin and past Lake Superior overlooks before descending into the city of Marquette at 600 feet elevation. Both races finish at the Lakeview Arena, pedal strokes away
from the shores of Lake Superior.
Also highlighted over the weekend are the three–mile Junior Rock trail race, one–mile kids race and a child's fun ride. Sunday is Adventure
Day. Registered riders and their nonracing friends can participate in a scenic hike, kayaking demonstrations, a lakeshore trail run, or a friendly
mountain bike ride. All Sunday events are free of charge and are guided by a local outdoor enthusiast.
Entry fees, a detailed schedule of events, and other information can be
found at www.oretoshore.com or by calling 1–888/578–6489.
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CAMBA TO HOST "TRAIL CAMP" JUNE 2–7
Wisconsin – Interested in getting your hands dirty all in the name of good, clean fun and hard work? The Chequamegon Area Mountain
Bike Association (CAMBA) in Cable, Wis., will be hosting a one–week trail–building service project this summer to continue the development of a new single–track trail in the Cable Cluster of off–road bike trails.
Volunteers will be trained and supervised while working on the trail with CAMBA staff and local volunteers. Camp participants will work about six hours a day on the trails with opportunities for recreation and
exploring the area trails in the afternoon and evening. Tools and trained supervisors will be provided.
Trail camp volunteers will stay at Telemark Resort at no cost. Breakfast
and lunch on work days will be provided by CAMBA, but there will be a charge of $50 to help defray the cost of meals for the project. Participants will be on their own for dinner.
The project is limited to 20 participants who must be at least 18 years old, or 16 years old if accompanied by a parent. Couples, families and individuals are encouraged to participate.
The camp begins with check–in and registration on Sunday, June 2. After a brief orientation and training session Monday morning, they will work on a new single track trail on the Bayfield County Forest adjacent
and connecting to Telemark Resort. Trail work will continue through the week with a special Thursday evening ride with the local bike club, the Chequama Mamas. The camp concludes on Friday, June 7.
Evening free time will be unscheduled but there will be opportunities available for guided rides, videos or other activities. Participants will need to provide their own rain gear, work gloves, appropriate work
clothing, water bottle, sun screen, insect repellent, hat, and other personal gear. Water, energy drink and snacks will also be provided. All participants will receive a special CAMBA Trail Crew T–shirt and other
goodies.
Although this is primarily a trail building project and not necessarily a trail school, participants will learn a great deal about trail design and
layout and the proper techniques to build sustainable trails.
Last year the CAMBA Trail Camp started work on the new single–track trail in the Cable Cluster. Campers built almost 2.5 miles of
single track. Over the summer additional volunteer groups completed another 3.5 miles and it is estimated that another 2.5 to 3 miles of trail need to be constructed to complete the project.
For further information or to request a camp registration form, contact Ron Bergin at 715/798–3599 or camba@cheqnet.net.
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NUMBER OF ZONE T GUN HUNT UNITS CUT FOR THIS YEAR
Wisconsin – Wisconsin deer hunters' efforts to reduce the number of
antlerless whitetail deer have resulted in a significant reduction in the number of deer management units likely to fall into the Zone T hunt in 2002 to 45 units, down from 76 in 2001 and 86 in 2000.
"The great efforts hunters made to take antlerless deer during the 2001 Zone T hunts and during the regular seasons resulted in the number of
deer management units that meet the criteria for Zone T dropping nearly in half," said Bill Mytton, DNR deer and bear ecologist. "Wisconsin deer
hunters have helped us meet our population management goals in many deer management units. In this way, we are able to address issues of deer damage to agriculture and forestry as well as the high car/deer
accident rates experienced in some parts of the state.
"The primary purpose of the Zone T seasons is to provide additional hunting opportunity, focusing on antlerless deer, at different calendar
times of the year. Hopefully, these extra seasons even out the hunting pressure and the effect of things like unusual hunting conditions. Suggestions of moving to a 16–day season and eliminating the Zone T
hunts would offer some help in reducing antlerless deer numbers, but experience in other states like Pennsylvania and Michigan, which have longer seasons, show that those states have still needed additional
seasons to meet their antlerless quotas."
Unfortunately for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, the active T Zone units are in likely locations for early season snow. Check the DNR Web site
for Zone T unit designated for the 2002 hunt.
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BECOMING AN OUTDOORS WOMAN SPRING WORKSHOP SCHEDULED
Minnesota – Registration guides are now available for the spring
Becoming An Outdoors Woman (BOW) workshop, which will be held May 17–19 at Deep Portage Conservation Reserve near Hackensack. The workshop will begin with registration on Friday evening; the final
session will conclude at noon Sunday.
"Our workshops are designed so that women can sample three different activities during the weekend," said Jean Bergerson, Minnesota BOW
coordinator. Some activities offered for spring include shooting sports, canoeing, navigation, survival and angling. In addition to participating in a
weekend of hands–on learning, participants will meet other women who are interested in similar activities.
BOW offers the instruction as well as the equipment needed to learn
outdoor skills or to refresh those skills. The workshops also offer opportunities to explore outdoor recreation options.
Registration guides explain the schedule and weekend offerings, and
allow women to register for individual workshop classes. The registration fee is $155, which includes the workshop, lodging and food. Some scholarship assistance is available.
Guides can be obtained online from Deep Portage or by calling Deep Portage at 218/682–2325 or the DNR Information Center at 1–888/MINNDNR (646–6367) or 651/296–6157.
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HURLEY AREA LIONESS SPONSORS 34TH ANNUAL PAAVO EVENT
Wisconsin – Wisconsin's oldest marathon is in the hands of the Hurley
Area Lioness for the second year in a row. Race directors Ricky Kelly and Connie Loden, and the Paavo Committee, have been hard at work for months, organizing the running of the 34th annual Paavo Nurmi
Marathon, set for Saturday, Aug. 10.
Those who are familiar with "The Paavo" know that the marathon's namesake, Paavo Nurmi, the winner of nine Olympic gold medals, was
the greatest runner in Finland's history. The name reflects the predominately Finnish heritage of the Hurley region.
The TAC–sanctioned marathon will begin at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 10, on the
main street in the small community of Upson, and will conclude several hours later on Silver Street in Hurley, having run its course through forests and fields, and along river and lakes.
The event sponsor and co–sponsors provide the organizational skills and the funds to keep the race running, but it is the runners and the area resident volunteers who make the race go. Area residents and
volunteers embrace the runners with their applause and encouragement, and many continue to open their homes to runners from throughout the region, in turn creating long–lasting friendships that endure long after the
final runner comes across the finish line.
The Paavo record stands at 2:19.10, set by Richard Wilde of England in 1978. The women's record is held by Mary Bange of La Crosse, Wis.,
in a time of 2:47.49, set in 1979.
The race weekend will continue to feature such traditional fare as the carbo–loaded spaghetti feed on Friday, as well as the torch–lighting
ceremony in downtown Hurley that evening. On race day, following the marathon, the festive Post Paavo Party and awards ceremony will be held at Ricelli Park in Hurley, with music, food and refreshments
available for everyone.
For race registration forms or additional information about the Paavo, contact Ricky Kelly/race director, 312 Copper St., Hurley, WI 54534; 715/561–3290 or e–mail rkelly@portup.com.
The sponsor of the race, the Hurley Area Lioness, is a volunteer civic organization that has served Hurley and its surrounding communities since 1994. The 2001 event was very successful, and the group recently
received a Community Appreciation Award from the Hurley Area Chamber of Commerce for its efforts. The cooperative effort between the Lioness and the Paavo Committee and volunteers was also
recognized by and nominated for the 2001 Gogebic/Iron Range Partnership Award. CenturyTel is serving as a major co–sponsor of the Paavo, and has been named aid station sponsor in recognition of their
generous donation toward the event.
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LAKE MICHIGAN TRIATHLON SERIES
Wisconsin – The premier Lake Michigan Triathlon Series is being planned for Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002, at the Simmons Island Beach in
downtown Kenosha. The series will consist of Olympic– and sprint–distance triathlons.
The race activity is centered at the beautifully redeveloped Kenosha Marina area in downtown Kenosha on the lakefront.
The swim course is off a beautiful beach into Lake Michigan. Frank Dobbs, the race director, suggests that this new race is not for the weak–hearted. Participants should bring their wetsuits.
The bike courses wind west through the city and north into the town of Salem, near Carthage and Parkside colleges.
The run will follow the walking–bike paths south from the Marina along
the lake and back to the finish and postrace festival.
The host hotel is the Holiday Inn Express, which is offering triathlon discounts and will host the registration Friday night and Saturday morning.
The race is USAT–sponsored and supports Equestrian Connection NFP, of Libertyville, Ill., and the Kenosha County Animal Shelter.
For more information, contact Lake Geneva Extreme Sports Inc., P.O.
Box 1134, Lake Geneva, WI 53147; 262/248–4323.
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SARAH'S STRIDE RUN WALK, MAY 18
Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Donor Network, eastern Wisconsin's organ procurement organization, will host Sarah's stride run walk at 5
p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Hart park, Wauwatosa.
Sarah's Stride includes a two–mile walk and a 5K certified run that winds through Honey Creek Parkway. Cash awards will be given to the
top five male and female finishers. All participants receive a T–shirt, refreshments, entrance to HartFest, and are eligible to win door prizes.
Registration fees, until Friday, May 3, are $15 per individual; $52 for a family of four, plus $12 for each additional person: and $75 per team
(plus individual registration fees). After May 3, the registration fees will be $18 per person and $64 per family, plus $15 for each additional person.
Sarah's stride is held in honor of Sarah Hegarty, a local teen who died in 1998 while awaiting a lifesaving transplant. In her memory and inspired by her courageous spirit, her crusade for organ donation awareness
continues. Sarah's Stride proceeds benefit organ donation awareness efforts in Wisconsin. More than 3,500 participants have raised over $150,000 over the first three years of the event.
Sarah's Stride has enabled the Wisconsin Donor Network to develop two different high school curricula: one used in driver's education instruction and one used in health education. The driver's education
curriculum has been in use since fall 2000. When Wisconsin passed a law that driver's education students must have at least 30 minutes of organ donation instruction, the curriculum developed by the Wisconsin
Donor Network became an essential tool for instructors. Every high school in Wisconsin has received the curriculum.
For a registration form or for more information about Sarah's Stride, call
the Sarah's Stride information line, 414/805–4698.
More than 1,500 people in Wisconsin are currently waiting for an organ transplant, and more than 79,000 nationally. Fifteen people on the
national waiting list die every day, more than 6,000 every year, because there are not enough donated organs.
The Wisconsin Donor Network is the federally designated organ
procurement organization supporting organ donation and transplantation in eastern Wisconsin. It is located in Milwaukee and serves a population of 2.2 million people in a 10–county region, including Door, Kenosha,
Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha counties.
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GATEWAY TRIATHLON, LONGEST RUNNING WATERCRAFT TRI IN THE MIDEST, CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY
Wisconsin – It was an overcast, sweltering June morning in 1983 when
45 aluminum canoes dipped into Marshmiller Lake to begin the premier Gateway Triathlon. As a way to raise money for the high school track team, Dave Landgraf and Dr. Richard Gladitsch brainstormed the
triathlon idea. The founders had no idea this race would endure for 20 years, making it the longest–running watercraft triathlon in the Midwest.
Later in the 1980s, the Bloomer Lions Club took over the reins as race coordinators with the help of Rick Mitchell, who owned the Gateway Inn Supper Club. The finish line of the race ended at Mitchell's club
until, tragically, in 1998 a fire destroyed the once–famous gangster hideaway.
The 2002 Gateway Triathlon will be held on June 8 with a 10 a.m. start.
Although competing as a team is the most popular entry, there are separate divisions for solo canoes, kayaks and relay events.
Although the course has changed slightly over the years, it continues to
utilize the same venues as the first triathlon in 1983.
Starting at Cedar Inn Resort on the north end of Marshmiller Lake, the first leg of the triathlon consists of a four–mile canoe/kayak segment that
takes racers over the waters of one of the best fisheries in the area. Once renowned as a holding tank for virgin white pine logs destined for sawmills in the late 1800s, Marshmiller Lake remains 60 percent
undeveloped and is now known in fishing circles as one of the best panfish and bass lakes in western Wisconsin.
After completing the four–mile loop, canoers land their crafts and begin
an 18–mile road bike segment. The first five miles takes riders over the flat and open "outwash" area left behind by the last glacial retreat. Rich
in mineral deposits, this ribbonlike plain is checkerboarded by corn and alfalfa fields. Five miles into the course, riders are introduced to the rolling hummocks, wooded terrain and dozens of kettle lakes typically
found with a glacial terminal moraine. Miles six through 13, the cyclists will cross the Ice Age Trail on three occasions.
As the bikers finish with a flat and fast five miles, runners are welcomed
to a four–mile segment that once again takes them through the winding and wood–lined course that makes up this terminal moraine. This out–and–back course challenges runners as they reach the highest
elevation of the triathlon at the two–mile turnaround.
To help revive finishers at the end of the race, the Bloomer Lions Club prepares charcoal chicken and plenty of body–replenishing beverages.
Entertainment, drawings, awards and postrace camaraderie puts the finishing touches on the Gateway Triathlon.
To continue the weekend of adventure, the Chippewa Moraine Ice Age
Unit is open Saturdays and Sundays, offering various programs and hands–on exhibits that are entertaining for the whole family.
Over 4,000 acres of public county forest land is available for mountain
biking, and 23 miles of Ice Age Trail for hiking is within minutes of the Cedar Inn Resort. Two state and many private campgrounds are found within 20 minutes of the race course.
The Bloomer Lions Club uses proceeds from the race to help fund programs for the blind and the needy, and to help support many charitable organizations for the community.
For more information concerning the Gateway Triathlon, contact Brian Kelley at 715/568–4459, or write to Bloomer Lions Club, P.O. Box 136, Bloomer, WI 54724; or e–mail kelchiro@bloomer.net.
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MUDDER'S DAY FOLDS, BUT NEW RACE PLANNED
Wisconsin – The Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors recently announced the chamber would no longer sponsor the
Mudder's Day mountain bike race, an event held the past nine years on Mother's Day at Holiday Acres Resort. Chamber Executive Director Crystal Lake Johnson noted that it was "basically a business decision."
There were several issues, none of which was insurmountable, but in combination made it difficult to continue with the event. Race director Deb Loy noted that support from sponsors, volunteers, racers and the
community were all terrific, making the decision to cancel a tough one. Both Loy and Lake Johnson extend their thanks to all involved for making the event what it was.
The good news is that there is already a group putting together a race for the late–September time frame. Lake Johnson noted, "The new group coming forward to host a mountain bike event in Rhinelander is
exciting news. Our area is noted for wonderful bicycling opportunities – trails, paths and roads – and we're pleased the tradition of mountain bike racing will continue."
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MARSH MELODIES GIVES VISITORS SIX WEEKENDS OF OUTDOOR EVENTS AT HORICON MARSH
Wisconsin – Got spring fever? Head to Wisconsin! Horizon Marsh is
the 32,000–acre setting for "Marsh Melodies," a series of six spring weekends packed with outdoor family events. From April 20 to May 26, this internationally famous wetland, located just an hour north of
Milwaukee, will be bustling with birds, Wisconsin wildlife and visitors.
Activities during the six weekends are designed for all ages, with a focus
on topics like Bats, Rats and Habitats, and ending with the grand finale Pedal and Paddle weekend. Come and enjoy Memorial Day weekend at Horicon Marsh. For the canoeing enthusiast, Wetlands by Water
provides an opportunity to explore the interior of the Horicon Marsh the way people have for hundreds of years. Guides will be positioned at the boat landing and throughout the marsh to share stories and information
about Horicon Marsh, the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States. Your canoeing adventure will take from three to five hours to complete or more if you choose to stop and explore.
Join us also on Sunday for the second annual Wheeling the Wetlands. Bicycling enthusiasts will again circle the entire marsh. This will offer visitors an opportunity to bike the Wild Goose State Recreational Trail,
which traverses the western edge of the marsh as well as casually bike along the area's country roads. Shorter, easier bicycle tours are also available and cater to families on Saturday, through the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Refuge.
Birding activities for all levels, from novice to expert, are planned for the Bird Fest on Mother's Day weekend. Nature and birding opportunities
abound. See nature close up – by bike, boat, bus or from the unique floating boardwalk.
Marsh Melodies is a Horicon Marsh partnership initiated by the
communities of Mayville, Horicon, Waupun and Fond du Lac with funding from a Wisconsin Department of Tourism grant.
"We want visitors to experience not only the marsh, but also the
wonderful communities surrounding it," said Gayl Zuelsdorf, one of the event organizers.
Fond du Lac, located just 13 miles north of Horicon Marsh along U.S.
Highway 41. The Wild Goose State Biking & Hiking Trail begins in Fond du Lac near Holiday Inn. Meandering south along the Marsh, it's a nice trek for biking enthusiasts. Schreiner's Restaurant and historic
attractions such as the 1800s era Octagon House and Galloway House, Village and Museum are suggested side trips for visitors.
Three other communities involved in Marsh Melodies are Mayville,
Horicon and Waupun. Mayville invites visitors to their Limestone School Museum and Festival of the Arts on May 18 and May 19 during Marsh Melodies' Native American weekend, as well as to visit their shops and
restaurants anytime.
Horicon is so close visitors can actually bird watch from town. They have a historical museum, nearby parks and camping facilities and a brat
fry set for May 11 during the Bird Festival on Mother's Day weekend. The Blue Heron Tours downtown, offers the only guided pontoon boat rides into the marsh.
Discover Waupun and its famous citywide display of seven bronze statues, including the End of the Trail by its famous creator, James Earl Fraser. Visit specialty shops and historic architecture. Browse through a
Farm Toy and Craft Show on Marsh Melodies May 18 and May 19 Marsh History weekend. Find bargains at the communitywide rummage sale during Wildflower Weekend, on April 27.
For more information, call 800/937–9123, Ext. #73 or visit www.horiconmarshbIrdclub.com.
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OTTAWA TO HOST OLYMPIC DISTANCE TRIATHLON
Illinois – Elkhart Lake MultiSports Inc., a sports marketing company, recently announced that it has been chosen to create and promote the
new Starved Rock Triathlon to be held in Ottawa, Ill. The inaugural event, sponsored by the Ottawa Visitors Center, will be held on June 29, 2002.
"Triathlon continues to gain in popularity, especially after the Sidney Olympics," said Jeff Grady, event director and a multisport athlete. "Ottawa is a great venue and location for this type of event." The
Ottawa Visitors Center selected Elkhart Lake MultiSports Inc. to promote the event based on its prior success promoting and conducting multisport events in Wisconsin. As is the case with its other events,
Grady plans on making the Starved Rock Triathlon attractive to beginner, novice and elite triathletes.
The triathlon will be one of the few Olympic distance triathlons in the
Midwest, consisting of a one–mile swim, a 24.8–mile bike ride and a 6.2–mile run. The event will run point–to–point, from the swim in Lake Holiday to the finish at Washington Park in downtown Ottawa. "We are
excited about bringing a major sporting event to Ottawa," said Darryl Anderson, president of the Ottawa Visitors Center, adding, "Having the event on Saturday will give participants and spectators the chance to see
our community, visit Starved Rock State Park and ride the Fox or Illinois rivers, in addition to participating in a great sporting event and post–race celebration."
Questions about lodging and local tourism attractions can be answered by calling the Ottawa Visitors Center at 815/434–2737 (toll free 1–888/OTTAWA–4) or at VISITUS@IVNET.COM.
Event fees, details and registration information are available online at www.elkhartlakemultisports.com. To volunteer or inquire about sponsorship, or for more information, contact Elkhart Lake MultiSports
Inc. at 847/359–7374 or toll free at 877/262–8148. Send e–mail to triguy@elkhartlakemultisports.com or write to P.O. Box 2333, Palatine, IL 60078. Active.com online registration is available through the event Web site, www.elkhartlakemultisports.com.
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HIGHGROUND BIKE TOUR SET FOR AUGUST 9–11
Wisconsin – The 18th annual Cycle Wisconsin Highground Bicycle Tour is set for Aug. 9–11 this year. The tour, which supports the
Highground veteran's memorial park near Neillsville, is a ride across Wisconsin with departure points from several locations. The overnight tour has routes from 120 to 300 miles and can be joined at any point.
The event culminates on Aug. 11 at the Highground with a picnic and other events at the Highground.
The tour includes sag wagons, gear transportation, and most camping
lodging and food provided. Riders are treated to free massage therapy on Sunday.
The tour began 18 years ago when project founder Tom Miller left the
Capitol steps in Madison for a two–week tour of the state. His first ride covered more than 1,200 miles – one for each Wisconsinite who gave
their life in Vietnam. The ride also raised some of the initial funds for the project that became the Highground.
Every year hundreds of riders repeat Miller's journey as five separate
routes converge on the Highground.
Contact Mark Berglund at the Highground for more information. The telephone number is 715/743–4224 and the e–mail address is highgrnd@badger.tds.net. The mailing address is P.O. Box 457,
Neillsville, WI 54456–0457.
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ADVENTURE DULUTH 2002
Minnesota – Billed as "an adventure race for the modern day voyageur," the Sept. 21 Adventure Duluth 2002 packs plenty of
challenges.
The event will consist of the following:
1. Swim along Park Point one mile (wet suit required) and beach run to Tot Lot.
2. Kayak up the St. Louis River to the Indian Point campground and run the Western Waterfront Trail to the Munger Trail trailhead.
3. Inline skate up the Munger Trail to KCI boathouse.
4. Canoe up the St. Louis River with some whitewater.
5. Road bike 40 miles towards Hinkley on State Highway. 23; finish at KCI boathouse.
6. Run/orienteer to Fond du Lac.
The finish of the race will be a voyageur rendezvous (i.e. Montreal canoe rides for the kids, fry bread, bannick, other traditional foods and theatre).
Participants have several choices: They can be a two–person team, where both have to do all events together; a three–person team, where each does at least two events; or a six–person team, where each person
does one event.
Brochure and registration information can be obtained at www.askrodraymond.com, www.active.com or
www.Midwestevents.com.
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CLIF®BAR AND CLIF SHOT® TO ENERGIZE LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON PARTICIPANTS
Illinois – Clif Bar Inc., a leading producer of all–natural energy and nutrition foods, is the new energy bar and energy gel sponsor for The
LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon and the LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K through 2004.
The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is now the largest in the United
States and second largest in the world. The 2002 race, slated for Oct. 13, is expected to draw 37,500 runners and more than 900,000 spectators. Some 18,000 participants will compete in the Shamrock
Shuffle 8K on March 24, 2002.
"Chicago is widely recognized as a running city so it's very exciting to become an official sponsor of the city's largest running event," said Joel
Feinberg, Chicago–based Midwest Field Marketing manager for Clif Bar Inc.
"Now that the marathon holds both the men's and women's world records, we believe it will become even more of a destination event for
runners from across the country and around the world."
As part of Clif Bar Inc.'s support plan for the race, each registered runner will receive a complimentary CLIF BAR energy bar. Most
importantly, CLIF SHOT energy gel will be available to energize runners on course at the mile 17 "Energy Zone." Prior to the race, runners can obtain samples of both CLIF SHOT and CLIF BARs from the Clif Bar
Inc. booth.
CLIF SHOT provides runners with a convenient, not–too–sweet serving of simple and complex carbohydrates for quick energy that is easily
digested and rapidly absorbed during a marathon. Each 100–calorie CLIF SHOT packet also delivers a combination of electrolytes that help maintain hydration levels and help prevent muscle cramping.
With their nutritious combination of protein and carbohydrates, CLIF BARs provide a great prerace breakfast, providing runners with a sustained level of energy well into a marathon. The new CLIF BAR ICE
SERIES™ energy bars contain the same nutritious ingredients as original CLIF BARs plus a shot of caffeine, providing runners with the benefit of
their morning coffee and energy bar all in one. Post race, consuming a packet of CLIF SHOT and a CLIF BAR assists in recovery, replenishing the body with the essential nutrients it needs.
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