SAWTOOTH Stage race

August 21 - 23, 2026

Welcome to something new!

The Superior Cycling Association is excited to partner with Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores (COGGS) to offer the region’s only multi-day mountain bike trail race. This inaugural event showcases some of the best terrain in the Midwest along with the SCA's three premier trail systems on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Built on the legacy of the iconic Sawtooth Challenge—one of the oldest mountain bike races in Minnesota—the Sawtooth Stage Race offers riders a new way to test their endurance, skill, and strategy over three days of epic singletrack racing.

All proceeds will go to the SCA to build and maintain mountain bike trails on the North Shore.

The Race Within The Race

A stage race is a format that forces a rider to choose when to spend energy and when to save it. Legs, race tactics, and recovery all have a part to play here. A match burned on Friday is one less in the box for Sunday. The Sawtooth Stage Race gives racers the chance to compete for awards in three categories, but there is so much more than just awards to play for here.

The Stage Win is like any other cross country mountain bike race, the win goes to the rider with the fastest course time on the day (chip time in the ITT, gun time in the head to head stages).

The General Classification the "GC", is like the yellow jersey in the Tour, or the Maglia Rosa in the Giro. The rider with the shortest cumulative time over all three full courses stands on the top step.

The Gravity Classification tests technical skill through 9 independently timed segments. The rider with the shortest cumulative time over the segments wins this classification. (The gravity segments are built into each course, so it is possible for a racer to compete in both categories. See maps below for details.)

The Stages

Friday August 21, 5pm-8pm: ITT Prologue: 6.8mi, 500ft- The tone for the weekend will be set with a short rip around the Britton Peak trails. This will be an individual time trial with riders allowed to start any time between 5pm and 8pm. There will be two Gravity segments on this course, Skookum and Flume. (Skookum is a black trail with some minor drops. Some riders may choose to pre-ride this one.) Plate pickup and race information will be at the trailhead. Stage awards will be done as call ups the following morning.

Saturday August 22, 11am: Jackpot - High Climber: 29mi, 2,500ft- The queen stage. Begin with a few miles of neutral roll along the Gitchi Gami, so chat with fellow racers and take in the view. In Tofte, ascend a tarmac climb to Britton Peak and plug into the singletrack. Climb, flow, and grit through the Jackpot wilderness. The Gravity Segments are remote and will test your onsight ability. Keep it rubber side down, help is a long way off out here! Cross onto High Climber at mile 25 and cruise through 5 miles of Dirt Candy to Lutsen Mountains and the finish. The final Gravity Segment is pure speed! Post race food, drinks, music, and awards at Caribou Highlands near the finish area.

Sunday August 23, 9am: Pincushion Dirt Circuit- 20mi, 2,200ft- The final stage will start and finish in downtown Grand Marais. First ascend tarmac, two-track, and a goat trail up to Pincushion. Pedal, pump, and jump around the fully redesigned trail system for two laps (hitting 2 Gravity Segments each lap) and fly back into town. Post race vibes and awards in the coolest small town in America.

Stage Maps

*Subject to Change pending weather and trail conditions!!

Pricing and Registration

This is the inaugural edition, we are aiming for a smaller event this year with plans for a bigger, broader race in 2027 and beyond. Registration will be capped at 100 riders for 2026.

Race Entry Fee (ages 15+):

Until June 30: $90
July 1 – July 31: $110
August 1 – August 20: $135
Race Day: $155

WARNING: This is a mountain bike race

This event takes place on singletrack mountain bike trails with difficult and technical sections. Jackpot and High Climber are considered wilderness trails and there is typically no service at Britton Peak Trailhead. Be prepared to get yourself out - YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU!!

No e-bikes allowed per US Forest Service regulation.