Thunderdown in the Underdown

Little Icy

2012-02-04T09:44:00.000-08:00

Ski Trails: Groomed Thursday,a bit icy but good
Snowshoe Trails: Pretty, tracks all the way around. Boot hike when frozen. Snowshoe when melty.

Riding:
Mist Lake Loop: Too soft
Dog Lake Loop: Good riding, soft or icy in spots
Big Bog Loop: Nice ride, rode the whole Bumpy Bog - fun
A & Z: Plush
Snowmobile trails: Good riding when frozen, Planning a Harrison expedition tomorrow morning
Prairie River east fork: Ice was unpredictable by Dudley. I knew I'd get soaked eventually so I turned around pretty quick, but found a nice ride on the river from Town Hall Road to Prairie Forks, but not quite all the way to Axen Road.

Snow Report

2012-01-26T19:59:00.000-08:00

Underdown ski trails are all tracked including some of Loop Road. To avoid the brush on the east side, I recommend the Red Trail with the shortcut across the hollow or the Blue Trail with a detour coming home.
Snowshoe trails have tracks all the way around. There is some seepy slush on the lakes, but nothing to worry about.
No trails are viable on any kind of bike tonight, but the Big Bog loop could be good on a fat bike by Sunday.

No Shortage of Snow Now

2012-01-24T19:14:00.000-08:00

About 5 inches fell Monday so there will be no more rocks to worry about on the ski trails. All ski trails were tracked today, and snowshoe trails will have tracks by the weekend. Fat biking will not be viable for a while.

Fat Bike Rally

2012-01-21T16:25:00.000-08:00

Be careful out there.

Fat Bike Rally Saturday

2012-01-19T18:07:00.000-08:00

It sounds like a big group is getting together for a ride at noon Saturday. I took the bike out tonight with 30 pounds in the Nokians and was able to ride fine. With 6 layers and the covers on the riding boots I was able to work up a sweat and ice up the eyelashes.
Last night I hiked across Mist Lake and was blind for a few minutes in a short snow storm so my path won't be too direct. Only about an inch of new powder fell. Riding out that far will have some great trail and some trudges. The Dog Lake Loop is great for riding now. The Bumpy Bog will be technical, but mostly ridable.

All Set

2012-01-14T13:05:00.000-08:00

37 hikers came out today so all of the trails have a solid tread. Green, Red, and Blue ski trails all have a fresh track.

OK

2012-01-10T18:36:00.000-08:00

I took a ride on trail Z tonight. Climbs were too soft for the 2.2" studs, but the fat biker seemed to have been floating fine. I rode around Loop Road instead of more trail. It has had truck traffic and was a fun little ride. I might try again when things freeze up.
If it doesn't snow, there will be no need for snowshoes other that crust hiking. Trails have some exposed patches.
Green and Red ski trails are tracked and icy. The blue trail just had work on the base.

Not Bad

2012-01-08T14:41:00.001-08:00

Ski trails are a little icy, but have less dirt than I expected. Snowshoe trails have good tracks, and one fat bike ventured out at least to the Big Bog. Bogs will be lumpy until we get more snow.

Trails Tracked

2012-01-05T19:38:00.000-08:00

The Red and Green ski trails were tracked this week. Hopefully the snow won't all melt, and we'll have something for the snowshoe hike.

Some Snow

2012-01-01T14:26:00.000-08:00

Signs and tracks are on the snowshoe trails. Ski trails aren't groomed yet, but could be this week.

Hikers should come to the Ice Age Trail snowshoe hike at the Underdown on Saturday, January 14th at 10AM. Racers should check out the Snowshoe Hare.

Riding Lakes.wmv

2011-12-18T03:10:00.000-08:00

Try some frozen lakes until the snow flies. Harrison is in great shape for riding with or without studs. Those are Nokian tires.

Snowshoes and Fat Bikes

2011-12-05T16:19:00.001-08:00

Sometime around Christmas the trails will be knocked in and signed. Of course, keep bikes and snowshoes off of the ski trails.

The Ice Age Trail snowshoe hike is scheduled for January 14th. January 21st is tentatively scheduled as a fat bike group ride if conditions cooperate.

Hogsback Cross Attack Photos

2011-11-13T16:35:00.000-08:00

Right here.

It was a fun time!

This Looks Fun!

2011-10-30T19:35:00.000-07:00

Ghost Ride

2011-10-21T20:07:00.000-07:00

5PM Saturday October 29th

Spooks
Capture the flag or something
Night Polo
Poker Run

Poker Run prizes so far:

Red Eye gift card
Cross Attack entry
Photos from seenbyjordan
1 fat tire
Anything you want to give away

Trail Updates Done

2011-10-16T14:44:00.000-07:00

Beth and Paul came out to help finish the new cutoff from trail U to T. Time to ride it. All that is left is to clear off the leaves. All trails should be clean by next weekend.

Oktoberfest Open

2011-10-09T15:09:00.000-07:00

Beth, Paul, Brian, Steve, Kurt, Ben, and Andrea came out to rebuild Oktoberfest better than ever. Beth, Paul, and Steve were back today to extend the Homestead trail while Kurt, Ben, and Andrea were out riding in the leaves. Head out and ride the new stuff.

Next Saturday morning I'll be back out to finish the new U to T cutoff that is about half done now.

Phil Schaefer Memorial Dedication

2011-10-03T19:37:00.000-07:00

The Northwoods Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance is honoring Phil Schaefer for his tirelss efforts in the development of the miles of cross county ski trails in the Underdown Recreation Area in Lincoln County and for his volunteer work on the Ice Age Trail. The Aldo Leopold style bench has been placed along the Ice Age Trail overlooking beautiful Mist Lake. The dedication will take place on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 10:00 a.m at the bench site. The Schaefer family will be presented a commorative plaque honoring Phil. The dedication site is one half mile from the Mist Lake Access parking lot and will require a half hour hike on a fairly level logging road. Plan to be at the parking lot at 9:30 a.m.. The Mist Lake access road leaves Horn Lake road. For detailed directions contact Tom Goltz at 715-675-6743 or Chris Schotz at 715-873-4113. The public is invited to share in the memories of Phil's contributions.

Tomahawk CycloCross November 12th

2011-10-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

Hogsback Cross Attack

November 12, 2011

Bradley Park - Tomahawk

Registration starting at 8am with racing at 10am

www.hogsbackcx.blogspot.com

Trail Building Season

2011-09-28T18:40:00.000-07:00

•Come on out and help with some fun projects.

•October 8th:

•

Octoberfest clean-up with some sweet new switchbacks
Re-route trail T connector from U with some cool rollers
Berm up trail U in the clear cut

•Drive to Underdown Lake in the morning: From 17 take Heineman Road west to Horn Lake Road (not marked unfortunately) and then the Underdown Lake access road. We'll be there early and all morning. Bring rakes and your favorite McLeod\mattock type tool.

•

•October 9th:

•

Extend trail J past the Homestead with about 10 more turns & berms.

•Take the east end of Loop Road from Copper Lake Road. Bring rakes and your favorite McLeod\Mattock type tool.

•

•October 29th 5PM:

•

Ghost Ride
Rhinelander vs. Wausau Capture the Flag or something like that
Night Polo
Spooks

Work Together

2011-09-17T11:57:00.001-07:00

The Underdown Horse Club recently opened a difficult trail for themselves near White Lightning (Trail I) and a trail they call the Moonshine Trail near the homestead (Trail J). With my cooperation they pulled up signs and moved the Moonshine Trail to a new route off of the bike trail. I actually helped build horse trail today, but it is a lot easier that re-building bike trail and I felt that both groups should have a chance to pass the historic Underdown homestead.

99% of horse riders respect the bike trails and are embarrassed when a horse does damage to a bike trail. I am equally embarrassed when bikers don't use their heads. Because both user groups have separate trail systems so it is rare that you will see a horse out in the woods, but make sure that you slow way down and greet them when you see a horse on a road. I don't want to hear any more about bikers blowing by little girls on ponies in the parking lot.

On October 8th we'll still be cleaning and berming on Oktoberfest starting at Underdown Lake in the morning whenever you can get there, but on October 9th there will be work to do by the homestead. On that morning you will have the opportunity to extend the Homestead Trail another hundred yards or so to a safer exit, plus we'll be doing erosion prevention between White Lightning and the Homestead.

High and Dry

2011-09-11T13:05:00.000-07:00

New bridge on trail C.

Ghost Ride

2011-08-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

October 29th @ 5PM

Oktoberfest Work Day

2011-08-15T20:11:00.000-07:00

Saturday October 8th AM

Meet at Underdown Lake to clean up the log job on Oktoberfest (really not that bad) and possibly build some berms on trail U.

In the mean time, mowing and tree clearing is ongoing. Trail M & MM around the Hollow were mowed to night.

Post a comment with the location of any downed trees you've come across. I know a bunch went down during the Wausau24 storm.

Try Trail V

2011-08-05T17:01:00.000-07:00

A few of the trails that weren't on the race course have been mowed recently. All this rain continues to make the brush grow fast. Go out and try something new, and save next Saturday for the Washburn race by Rhinelander. Great stuff.

Fun Trails: I Can't Wait

2011-07-17T05:01:00.001-07:00

Raspberry Weekend

2011-07-17T04:47:00.000-07:00

I unfortunately won't be there, but the trails and roads are open if you want to come out for some dirt road riding at 10AM Saturday or some Sunday raspberry picking on Trail C.

Logging Oktoberfest

2011-07-17T04:42:00.001-07:00

Logging on the Oktoberfest and Underdown Lake area is underway. It looks like the loggers are being rather gentle with the trail so we'll have to clean up instead of rebuild. If logging machines are running, don't try to sneak past them. It might be best to avoid the area for a few weeks. Remember that the loggers are working and you are playing.

Eki's Tail

2011-07-06T19:09:00.000-07:00

Click here if you haven't seen it.

Rhinelander Wins Thunderdown Cup

2011-07-03T20:30:00.000-07:00

In a momentous group effort the crew from Rhinelander took the 2011 Thunderdown Cup home to reside at Bikes N Boards. 14 hodags logged a total of 295 miles on a beautifully hot day. Wausau riders accumulated a total of 116 miles and were left shaking their heads in awe at the tenacity of hodags on tough trails.
A new Cup will be commissioned for 2012. Word has it that the Duluth boys will roster up next year as long as Eki can convince Charlie that conditions aren't too perfect in the Underdown. Those boys love a good, long fight in foul weather, and they don't mind a little hamburger butt either.

A couple things I learned this year regarding next year:
1. This course is long enough! I think I've found the sweet spot with this year's format. Though there is a nice symmetry to a 25 mile lap, I'm starting to think that adding 9 miles that didn't make the cut this year might be the end. On a course that long I may never see you again.
2. People like cold water on course. Expect more bottles on ice next year.

Photos are here!

Results are here!

2011 Thunderdown in the Underdown

2011-06-30T05:44:00.000-07:00

This Way

2011-06-25T13:09:00.000-07:00

The sign is a little different this year. At the top of the X to C hill, the 9 mile course goes down the double track to the trail X cutoff. The 16 mile course stays on single track C to Dog Lake and beyond.

Trail Tour

2011-06-23T10:09:00.000-07:00

July 2nd
10 Hour Start 10AM
6 Hour Start 1PM
3 Hour Start 3PM
An Underdown Tour

Group Ride Saturday 10AM

2011-06-22T19:59:00.000-07:00

By then the bridges will be done and the tick habitat will be cut down.

Black Water Bridge.wmv

2011-06-21T19:53:00.000-07:00

Race Course Map

2011-06-17T06:41:00.000-07:00

"16 mile" course (10 solo, 10 duo, 6 solo): Marked in Green. Much like last year minus Mist Lake and trail V.

"9 mile" course (10 team, 6 duo, 3 hour, high school): Uses Red trail X cutoff. Much like last year, but with an earlier cut off on top of the X&C hill.

Over 150' of new bridge since the last Thunderdown.

Free Camping and Entry

2011-06-12T20:34:00.000-07:00

We're in need of a team to camp at Underdown Lake and run an aid station in exchange for one free individual entry. Post a comment here if you are interested.

Dog Lake Surprise

2011-06-12T19:51:00.000-07:00

Pay a visit to Dog Lake. Paul and I finished some bridges around there, but be prepared so you don't shoot off the trail like I did. It is faster.

Tuesday looks like a good day to get trail L ready. Wednesday is a day for digging. Trail U Thursday.

Trail Work Update

2011-06-09T06:13:00.000-07:00

Saturday the 11th we'll be out putting in bridges by Dog Lake and a switchback on trail X. 9AM wouldn't be too early. Usual digging tools are all we'll need.

Clean up continues. Oktoberfest is ready for race day. Enjoy it while it still has all the trees. Logging will start right after the race.

A long bridge on trail U is still in the works this month.

RACE ANSWERS:

Camping is available on site for a reasonable fee.
Underdown has about 100 feet of climbing per mile.
The nearest sandy beach is Tug Lake.
Group pre-ride June 25th @ 10AM.
Getting to Underdown
Turn in Thunderdown Cup rosters before 4PM race day. Hodags sign-up with Al. Wausau still needs a captain who won't be at a music festival on race day.

Bill Underdown is Calling You Out

2011-05-30T17:02:00.000-07:00

This is a list of guys who haven't done the Thunderdown yet, but should have. If you see one of them, let him know we're looking for him.

Scott Golomski

Charly Tri

Butch Welke

Ben Welnak

Mark Burkholz

Bridge Building

2011-05-29T19:33:00.000-07:00

It's been a rainy spring so it's time to build bridges. I could use some help around Dog Lake on Saturday, June 11th. We'll install a few bridges and possibly move to trail X for a new switchback.

The rain has made the weeds grow so trails will get mowed in the mean time. A new GPS map of the system is in the works in early June, and a monster bridge should be built on trail U toward the end of the month.

Official Trail Opening

2011-05-11T19:10:00.000-07:00

The state-funded Harrison Hills summer ATV trail system located in Lincoln County will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2011. The Underdown Recreational trails will be open for use at 8 a.m. on Saturday May 21, 2011. Trails are still in early season condition and caution is advised.

For up to date Lincoln County trail information, log on to: www.co.lincoln.wi.us or call the Forestry, Land and Parks Dept. at 715-539-1034 or our trail hotline at

715-539-1033.

Not Open Yet

2011-05-01T17:19:00.001-07:00

Due to wet conditions, the Lincoln County Harrison Hills state-funded summer

ATV trail system and the Underdown recreational trails will not be open for use on May 1, 2011. These trails will open at a later date as conditions improve.

For up to date Lincoln County trail information, log on to: www.co.lincoln.wi.us or call the Forestry, Land and Parks Dept. at 715-539-1034 or our trail hotline at

715-539-1033.

Give it Some Time

2011-04-24T20:03:00.001-07:00

Underdown trails open officially on May 1st, but even that might be too early. I took the cross bike down Horn Lake Road today and was still hitting patches of snow. It was warm enough for shorts, but that snow is cold when you get launched into it while riding downhill on ice.

Kelly did some scouting and found minimal tornado damage on the trails.

Leaves off in May.
New bridges in June.
Racing in July.

Getting Lucky During Our Tornado

2011-04-12T19:18:00.000-07:00

As far as I can tell the tornado missed the bike trails, but who knows? We might need help.

Thunderdown 2011

2011-04-02T09:17:00.000-07:00

Blizzard

2011-03-26T19:40:00.000-07:00

All Underdown ski trails have been groomed since the blizzard. It looks like we'll be skiing until April. The snowshoe trails have some tracks, but not all the way to Mist Lake. Apparently I pulled the signs out a little early, but two weeks ago it sure looked like spring was here.

GPS of the Snowshoe Trails

2011-03-16T18:27:00.000-07:00

Topographic

Aerial

Spring is Coming

2011-03-11T20:39:00.000-08:00

I had to take the snowshoe trail signs out tonight because I don't know if I'll have another chance. The snow is still nice, and the ski trails were groomed today. There should be plenty of good crust hiking left.

Plenty of Snow

2011-03-06T16:32:00.000-08:00

Ski trails are really fast but still have a little grip.

New Snow

2011-02-25T21:25:00.000-08:00

After a bike ride on the ice to Mist Lake last weekend, a good storm has left a nice layer of powder. The ski trails have all been groomed and the snowshoe trails have tracks.

Remember Wayne

2011-02-18T19:11:00.000-08:00

Wayne Fish

Biker, Skier, Tough Guy, Teacher

When I became a teen-ager, Wayne was the ski stud who was winning all the races. Once he skied the snowmobile trails from his house to Eagle River on the way to a marathon race they had over at the golf course. It was a huge day for me when mountain bikes came along and I was able to beat the great Wayne Fish at a little race they had in Tomahawk in 1987. That didn't stop him from dropping me going up the hills out of Rosie's Field at the Birkie in 1989. I was 18 and doing the Kortellopet. He was 40 and doing the Birkie. It was always hard to get Wayne out on the bike past Labor Day because he'd insist on training on those miserable roller skis.

One year at the 24-9, even though Wayne was the best mechanic on the team, he was the one to break a chain or something and have to run to Redbud Road. No one there had a tool for him so he ran the entire loop on the other side of the road before finding a tool when he got to the road again. He still turned in a good time, and I don't know if we even lost the lead.

I don't know how many times I came across him at Smokin' Spoke trimming branches with the weed-wacker or blowing leaves. Just before last year's race I found him carrying 5 gallon pails of road gravel out to the trail to fill in a rut even though the doctor told him not to even drive because of some injury.

I wish I'd seen him more toward the end. I guess I just expected to see him out on the trail. I will still be looking.

(1948-2011)

Great Snow

2011-02-05T17:04:00.000-08:00

Perfect ski and snowshoe conditions. The ski trails are groomed and tracked.

2011 Snowshoe Hike

2011-01-22T13:43:00.001-08:00

47 came out in the cool weather.

Fresh Snow

2011-01-19T20:04:00.000-08:00

The ski trails have been groomed with a great track recently except for the blue trail which is skied in anyway. Loop Road has a nice base for skating.

Snowshoe trails have tracks out to Mist Lake. Come on out Saturday at 10:30.

And the moon . . .Nice. No headlamp required.

New Year's in the Underdown.wmv

2011-01-01T16:00:00.000-08:00

A good day for boot hiking

2011-01-01T13:22:00.000-08:00

Snowshoe trails are rock solid. Ski trails have snow, but it is icy.

16 Isolated Lakes

2010-12-29T18:07:00.000-08:00

Location

Ski and Snowshoe Trails Tracked Today

2010-12-23T13:48:00.000-08:00

Snowshoe Hike

2010-12-14T15:25:00.000-08:00

The Ice Age Trail will be hosting a snowshoe hike at the Underdown on January 22nd at 10:30.

Snowshoe and ski trails are getting tracked and signed this week. As you probably know, there is snow.

July 2nd, 2011

2010-11-27T08:30:00.000-08:00

Next year's Thuderdown will run on a beautiful, sunny Saturday. Here are a few things to expect:

The monster course will be taking a year off. This year's long course will bypass the Mist Lake loop and use either the made-over trail V or Oktoberfest, depending on the status of logging on Oktoberfest. Hopefully we'll get to use it one more time before it needs to get rebuilt. This course will be short enough for 6 hour solo racers to complete 3 or 4 laps, but too long for many 3 hour racers to complete 2 laps. The monster course should be back tougher than ever for 2012. It could be the end of the world as foretold by the Mayas.
3 Hour racers and teams will be doing the shorter 9 or 10 mile course used last year. It will be only slightly shorter than 2010. For navigational purposes it will have to leave trail C at the top of the X to C hill instead of the new XX cutoff from the saddle hill switchbacks.
A least a half dozen new bridges have been built to keep it dry and gnarly.
Another Thunderdown Cup is up for grabs for the town that puts in the most miles. Be sure to sign up on your town's roster before the start of the race this year. Rhinelander will be back with a vengeance.
June 25th, 2011 10AM Pre-ride group ride
July 2nd, 2011 Thunderdown time - New classes and start times to be announced
New awards to be announced

Raspberry weekend:

July 23rd Bill Underdown's Roubaix Style Group Ride: a 77.7 mile cross bike ride with 49.9 miles of dirt - the Wausau24 training day
July 24th Super D Group Ride: 2 stopwatches and a whole bunch of hills, maybe a little polo

Historic Underdown Railroad Map

2010-11-13T08:34:00.000-08:00

Video series on the left.

History Underdown 5.wmv

2010-11-08T03:21:00.000-08:00

History Underdown 1.wmv

2010-10-15T20:40:00.000-07:00

For all videos in the series, see the links at the left.

Group Ride Sunday

2010-10-13T17:38:00.000-07:00

The Rhinelander crew and others are coming down Sunday for a group ride leaving the main parking lot at noon.

Also, for history geeks there is the Merrill Historical Society's annual meeting at 4PM Sunday in the Community Room at TB Scott Library. This is free program open to the public. I'll be presenting about the ghost town and dam at Grandfather Falls plus a little railroad, Ice Age, and Underdown history.

October Bridges.wmv

2010-10-10T13:23:00.000-07:00

Paul and Beth came out to help with some funky bridges today. They are slippery when wet, but you knew that.

For the sake of Steve's derailleurs we're going to go after the leaves now. They should be gone by next weekend.

History Underdown 4.wmv

2010-10-07T04:31:00.000-07:00

October 10th Work Day

2010-10-03T19:32:00.000-07:00

A few fun projects - not the marathon digging sessions I usually put Paul and Steve through.

First, a re-opening of an abandoned trail we'll call MM that will connect M and X for a complete loop around the Hollow. This will be all about throwing sticks with optional work on the tread. My orange car will be parked on Loop Road between the Ice Age Trail and X crossings around 9AM or so.

After that there are four bridges to install over places that were dry until about a month ago. If you've got an extra cordless drill it might come in handy.

Log Ride.wmv

2010-10-03T18:27:00.000-07:00

Trail V Makeover

2010-09-19T18:05:00.000-07:00

Find something new on Trail V. An anonymous builder did some great work out there Saturday, and Paul, Beth, and I were moving a little dirt today.

Only one hill and four berms to go.

The next work day is October 10th on trail M around the Hollow north of where trail X crosses Loop Road. Maybe a few bridges?

Clear cuts grow up fast

2010-08-24T19:30:00.000-07:00

Trail Y and a few other sunny spots have been mowed recently. Shade should be back in a few years. There is probably some kind of Yin Yang lesson in there for us.

Try trail L and we'll see you for V

2010-08-21T15:55:00.001-07:00

If you haven't ridden trail L lately, it's time to give it a try. Paul, Steve, and I did a little landscaping out there today.

If you're into a little digging, join us September 19th and maybe 26th on trail V.

History Underdown 2.wmv

2010-08-21T15:53:00.000-07:00

History Underdown 3.wmv

2010-08-21T15:49:00.000-07:00

History Underdown 6.wmv

2010-08-20T20:50:00.000-07:00

Fall Trail Work

2010-08-02T20:48:00.000-07:00

You can call me a wimp, but I'd rather not use the brakes or the granny gear. Come out and lend a hand on a few projects that will at least change the view.

I get out there pretty early. Look for the orange car parked in the middle of nowhere.

August 21st: Trail L A flowing bypass around the steeps of the rock slide and $5 hills of trail L. Bench cuts and berms

September 19th: Trail V Re-work a couple back-breaker hills. Bench cuts

October 10th: Trail to be called MM Re-discover an abandoned trail that completes the route around the hollow. Brush and some tread work

Stubborn Mule Part 1.wmv

2010-07-25T14:29:00.002-07:00

Stubborn Mule Part 2.wmv

2010-07-25T14:29:00.001-07:00

Stubborn Mule Part 3.wmv

2010-07-25T14:29:00.000-07:00

Stubborn Mule Part 4.wmv

2010-07-25T14:28:00.002-07:00

Stubborn Mule Part 5.wmv

2010-07-25T14:28:00.001-07:00

Stubborn Mule Part 6.wmv

2010-07-25T14:28:00.000-07:00

Stubborn Mule Part 7.wmv

2010-07-25T14:26:00.000-07:00

Stubborn Mule Part 8.wmv

2010-07-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

Stubborn Mule Part 9.wmv

2010-07-25T14:24:00.000-07:00

Bill Underdown's Cue Sheet

2010-07-16T14:02:00.001-07:00

Get your dirt road bike out for Bill Underdown's Roubaix-style Group Ride. This is 77.7* miles including 49.9 miles on various kinds of DIRT that takes 5 to 6 hours - a good Wausau 24 tune-up, but not so long that you won't be able to pick raspberries and ride single track on Sunday.

Start from the Underdown parking lot at 9AM on Saturday, July 24th.

Not technically a race, this is a free ride that you attempt while taking all responsibility for your own support, safety, navigation, nutrition, hydration and evacuation upon yourself just as you would on any other training ride. One drop bag location will meet you half way.

Cross bikes are ideal, but not essential. A mountain bike with skinny tires or slicks will get the job done. An odometer is very helpful in this kind of ride. Below is the old beast I ride it with.

*I didn't plan such a cute number for the total mileage. It felt like 90 miles to me.

Trail X Boardwalk.wmv

2010-07-15T21:20:00.000-07:00

Trail H Bridge.wmv

2010-07-15T21:11:00.000-07:00

Now you can ride over 20 miles of single track with no mud (unless you cross a log landing after a downpour).

Downhilling Trail X.wmv

2010-07-15T21:07:00.000-07:00

Thanks Riders! What now?

2010-07-11T18:46:00.000-07:00

Thanks everyone for your great comments, courage and efforts while facing the Underdown last week. After hearing from a lot of people and looking at the lap times, I'm left with the Underdown dilemma: too much trail. Though it's a shame to skip good trail and there is a place for the ultimate lap, the 2010 long-course format isn't something we can do every year and stay in one piece. I'm thinking of scaling things back to something like last year's distance and tweaking the existing trails before adding new ones.

What do we leave in? Tell me what trails you come to the Underdown to ride, and I'll try to put them together in a course that is still fun and challenging, but a little less brutal.

Clean-Up White Lightning

2010-07-05T17:48:00.000-07:00

Weather permitting we'll be out Saturday morning (the 10th) to clean up the White Lightning trail after the clear-cut. Loggers are making an effort to keep debris off of the trail, and they were very kind to work around that trail before the race. I'm curious about the view after the trees are gone.

See poll at left.

Duluth Boys Are Tough

2010-07-04T14:54:00.000-07:00

4 laps of the long course for Ek and Buffington!

Let me know what you think of this year's all-the-way-around format. I know it's not for everybody, but there has to be a race where tough guys can show us what can be done.

Bill Underdown's Roubaix-style Group Ride

2010-07-04T08:18:00.000-07:00

I will see you Saturday, July 24th at 9AM for the BURGR, a 90 or so mile dirt-road ride through the forests of Lincoln, Langlade, and Oneida counties. If you like single-lane forest roads like Horn Lake Road, you will have fun on this route. This is a great tune-up ride for the Wausau 24 that will make you strong, but leave you some energy to pick raspberries the next day.

Cue sheet here soon.

Google Earth Tour

Raspberry Ride and Hike

2010-07-04T08:05:00.000-07:00

Come on out Sunday, July 25th for a ride or hike through the raspberry fields of trail C. We'll meet at about 10 AM at the small parking lot and proceed without much organization, picking and eating as we go. From Dog Lake we can ride or hike back to Loop Road on the Ice Age Trail, or explore other trails.

Rush

2010-07-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

The hot ride of these

trails of mine,

are access to bumps

and adrenaline,

that peaks at the

sight of fame,

reminding me of sweat

and veins,

that have scarred me

at the rim of excitement,

taking me to a level that

speaks reality,

the hills that kill,

the ground that lives,

the bike that grinds,

until the time is done.

-Kim Marie Plansky

Thanks Volunteers

2010-07-04T07:57:00.000-07:00

Ted and I want to thank Michelle, Louise, Herb, Riley, Jordan, Randy, Mark, Roger, Paul, Andrea, Beth, Al, and Steve for helping us help you survive the Thunderdown.

Wausau Takes Thunderdown Cup

2010-07-04T07:49:00.001-07:00

The Thunderdown Cup made by local artist Blane Gaeber will be on public display in a Wausau establishment thanks to the 411 miles ridden by Wausau riders versus 352 from Rhinelander. Rematch next year.

Pictures 2010

2010-07-04T07:09:00.000-07:00

Hammer Down in the Underdown

2010-06-28T20:31:00.000-07:00

What I would do-

12 Team and 6 Hour: You've got a 10 mile test of your power production and flow-maintenance skills on a quite technical single-track course ahead of you. On a warm summer day a single bottle will leave you running on fumes by the end so be prepared, especially if you're going out for another lap right away. The Loop Road aid station will come up after about 6 miles and will have water, Heed, Hammer Gel, and Endurolytes to get you to the end. On a hot day you should have eaten Endurolytes before you even started, but keep drinking and eat a little as you race.

Enjoy the two long descents on trail LL after the aid station, then finish your eating and drinking on the snowmobile trail. Once you dig through trail L you will get back across Loop Road and put the hammer down because you are in the final two miles. Only you will know if you've gone as hard as you could, but ride like there's something stalking you just in case.

I saw a huge bear track there tonight in the fresh mud just past Underdown's homestead, and by a quarter past nine as it was getting hard to see I was cresting the gravel pit overlook on trail A and there was that bear, right in the trail. In these situations I like to think of myself as the baddest bear in the woods. That bear ran away, but I'm sure he will see you if you start doggin' it coming home on Saturday. If you get in by 9PM you should be OK.

12 Solo, 12 Duo, and 3 Hour: You will be riding a tough 21 miles that will keep you out there two to three hours or more. On a warm day like Saturday, two bottles will leave you running on fumes well before the end. I would wear a hydration pack even though I usually don't race with one. Take advantage of the 3 aid stations to get Heed or water even if you normally just blow by them. Eat something like a Hammer Gel or bar around every aid station even if you don't feel hungry yet. Endurolytes or electrolytes in some drinks should keep you from cramping on a hot day. I would have one to three per lap depending on how hot it was, but you could check their website if you were more curious. If my stomach tells me that I've had too much electrolyte I switch to drinking water and that usually settles things down.

Once you pass Dog Lake and the Relentless hill you will be near the first aid station on Mist Lake. This is the start of your only sustained double-track so take the time to eat and drink. After descending Oktoberfest you will reach the second aid station at Underdown Lake. Don't forget to take care of yourself even if you still feel great because you still have half of the lap left.

At some point between Underdown Lake and the Loop Road aid station you could start having your doubts. This usually happens right after the Yin Yang Yalcano, nine miles from the finish. You really start to wonder how much more trail there could be, and if you've got enough left. You might even think about bailing out, but you won't allow yourself that option. Just keep fueling and pedaling, taking one hill at a time. You won't be alone out there. Think about what you're doing - every turn you carve and bump you roll. Admire the view. Have fun. Enjoy Round Top and the Stumpjumper, and before you know it you'll be grabbing something at the last aid station and in the home stretch. You will get done and be glad that you didn't give in to all those reasons to quit you were thinking of . This was not just any lap. This was all the way around in the Underdown.

Are these signs big enough?

2010-06-25T18:17:00.000-07:00

Race Details