Saturday morning's race start onto the Norpine Trail system in Lutsen. Photo courtesy of the Superior Cycling Association

By Tryg Solberg - Boreal Community Media - January 12, 2026

The Norpine Fat Bike Classic was hosted this past weekend by the Superior Cycling Association on the Norpine Trail system near Lutsen. The race has been held since 2017 and includes a 14 and 27-mile course options. On Friday night, about 20 fat bike riders also enjoyed a “Dark Sky Tour” from The North Shore Winery. 

Jay DeCoux, the president of the Superior Cycling Association, described it as “not an easy race to put on” with the extreme variation in snow conditions in recent years. He mentioned years with no snow and others with too much snow, resulting in soft trail conditions. 

With a week until the race, the area received approximately 8 inches of snow, which covered the trail system. The trail hosts, the Norpine Trail Association, worked hard to produce quality conditions with a Pistenbully and snowmobile groomers. Although some sections remained soft for the race, DeCoux shared that most racers were very happy with conditions, and the winner of the long race approached a course record. 

Cascade Lodge, one of the sponsors of the event, hosted the post-race barbecue and awards. Norpine’s prizes include custom cookies from Crosby Bakery for the top three finishers in each age category, along with cakes for the overall podium. Sam Coyle of Duluth won the men’s 27-mile race in 2 hours and 40 minutes. Abby Musegades of Minneapolis won the women’s race in 4 hours and 9 minutes. Michael Torcia of Duluth won the men’s short course in 1 hour 11 minutes. Martha Flynn of Saint Paul won the women’s short course in 1 hour 45 minutes. 

The race is a fundraiser for the Superior Cycling Association to support fatbike grooming and maintenance on the Pincushion mountain bike trails. Registration for the event includes an annual trail pass for Norpine Trails. DeCoux mentioned the excellent collaboration between many local organizations and businesses that make the event happen. 

Superior Cycling Association developed most of Pincushion’s singletrack in 2014, along with the Britton Peak trails in 2017. The club facilitated the recent refurbishment of the Highclimber trail and Pincushion trails with grant money and donations. They aim to continue increasing their trail maintenance intervals to meet the needs of mountain bikers in Cook County. 

To learn more about the race, the Superior Cycling Association, and the local sponsors that made the event possible, visit their website: https://superiorcycling.org/norpine/