Monday, September 12, 2016

2016 Thunderdown in the Underdown and WEMS Championship

October 8th, 2016

NEW LOCATION: 95% of this year's 11 mile course has never been raced.  You will want to stop and admire the views!  You will want to ride the descents over and over!



Find the Merrill Memorial Forest by taking Heinemann Road for 2.5 miles west from Highway 17 or County R 3.5 miles east from County K.
Registration: 8AM or Registration
10 Hour Race: 10AM (Finish before 8PM. Bring a light.)
6 Hour Race: 1PM
3 Hour Race: 3PM

Camping will be allowed this weekend.
Racer Refreshment: Chili, cookies, and Festbier!
Awards: Pints and Growlers to category winners!
Giant Giveaway: Be there for the huge racer-selected prize package sponsored by Giant.
Additional Goodies from Hammer Nutrition and Silent Sports!

Thunderdown Cup: Sign up your town by 3PM.  Which town will turn the most laps?  Will the cup return to Wausau or stay up in Rhinelander?

Course: This brand new course will incorporate the 5.1 mile Dells Loop in the Merrill Memorial Forest before taking rustic Horn Lake Road to the enhanced Oktoberfest heights and returning over the extensive hills on the 2.2 mile connector. VIDEO

Sights: Prairie Dells Gorge!  Marvelous Manthei Marsh! Twenty Turn Ice Ridge Descent!

Other Events:
October 1st: 10AM Trail Grand Opening and Ice Age Trail Fall Hike at the Merrill Memorial Forest
October 1st: 2PM to 6PM Lincoln Lager Barleyfest at the Smith Center in Merrill
October 2nd: 10AM Group Ride at Merrill Memorial Forest
October 7th, 8th and 9th: 10AM to 5PM Northwoods Art Tour  Visit local artists including the bike inspired jewelry of the Outback Studio in Irma.
October 29th: 5PM Prairie Dells Coyote-Cross Enduro Ghost Ride
2017: Hundred Down in the Underdown, BURGR 95, Fork Horners 47, TTT 103, Run Around the Underdown

Great Food nearby: Just follow Heinemann Road east all the way to County X to find Fork Horners just a bit south.  This is what you deserve after a day on the trail.
Great Snacks and Bulk Food nearby: Follow Highway 17 north through Gleason to Prairie Pines Country Store.