The Sawtooth Challenge Mountain Bike Race takes place in the premier mountain bike destination in Northern Minnesota. A point-to-point off-road race, a scenic guided bike tour, and pasta feed combine to make the Sawtooth Challenge a great ride and a great family weekend.

Racing for fun

Saturday's point-to-point off-road race offers citizen, sport and expert classes with three progressively longer courses of: Citizen - 6.5 miles, Sport - 17 miles and Expert - 26 miles. With a parade-start in the picturesque harbor town of Grand Marais, climbing to the Pincushion Mountain ski area and finishing at the stadium area at Pincushion Mountain. Sport and expert riders will be using the new Pincushion single track. The race takes full advantage of the unique wilderness terrain, and the 1000 vertical feet between Lake Superior and the Sawtooth Mountains.

Scenic guided bike tours

Join us for a scenic guided bike tour. The Grand Marais area has 2000 miles of mountain bike routes following county roads, forest service roads, fire roads, ski and snowmobile trails. None of the routes are signed, and navigation can be challenging, but our knowledgeable local guides can show you the routes and let you in on the local secrets. Tours will be offered at two levels: enthusiast level, offering harder riding, long climbs and descents, and longer distances, and family level, offering a leisurely pace suitable for children and Burley-style trailers on easy fire and gravel roads with no significant climbs.

Tours are free for event participants.