2010 Togwotee Winter Classic Two-Race Series

We are offering two races in 2010 because anything worth doing is worth over-doing right? The Togwotee Winter Classic is a not-for-profit bike race on snowmobile trails near Togwotee Pass at 7,000' to 9,500' in elevation under extreme winter conditions.

Race #1 - Saturday, January 9th 2010 - 9:00am Start
Race #2 - Saturday, March 6th 2010 - 9:00am Start

Distance: 25 mile loop or 31 mile loop depending on conditions the morning of the race. The goal is choose the distance that will result in a winning time of approximately 5 hours. If conditions are soft & slow, we will race the shorter loop. If conditions are firm & fast, we will race the longer loop. (See map below)
Entry Fee: Free
Start / Finish: Togwotee Mountain Lodge
Registration: 50 Racer Limit, please send an email to reserve your spot
Awards: There may be a few raffle prizes and/or prizes. Most importantly, we will gather in the bar at Togwotee Lodge to relive the day's glorious events immediately following the completion of the race.
Map of the area: Continental Divide Snowmobile Map

Course Descriptions (using the Continental Divide Snowmobile Map):
25-Mile Loop: (Slow & Soft Option)
Start - Parking area directly across the highway from Togwotee Lodge
CD Trail East
Right on V Trail (you will immediately push up a steep hill)
Right on CD Trail
Finish - Parking area directly across the highway from Togwotee Lodge

31-Mile Loop: (Firm & fast Option)
Start - Parking area directly across the highway from Togwotee Lodge
CD Trail East
Right on V Trail (you will immediately push up a steep hill)
Left on K Trail
Right on CD Trail
Finish - Parking area directly across the highway from Togwotee Lodge

Race Pics Part II

Direct link to Picasa Album: 2009 Togwotee Winter Classic Race Pics

Photos by: Windy Ridge Photography

2009 Race Pics Part I

Here is a handful of pics that I snapped during the race. More pics coming soon.

2009 25-Mile Race GPS Data

I captured a GPX file of the 25-mile Togwotee Winter Classic race and have used Topofusion to display some of the elevation and speed data. The more I use Topofusion, the more I like it.

2800' of climbing is pretty solid, even on dirt. That last hill sure felt bigger than it looks on the profile eh? But man, that long downhill on the "V" Trail was awesome.

In this view I have the track properties set to show elevation shading. The quicker the color transition is, the steeper the trail.

In this view I have the track properties set to show speed shading. The dark blue is super slow or a stop and the red means I was hauling ass chasing Jilli. :)

I have edited Results Post and added a short recap.

2009 Results

A full recap will happen shortly but for those who couldn't join us this year, the riding conditions don't get much better than we had today and the 25-mile course record was shattered.

Race Results
Men's 25-Mile
1st - Mike Piker - 2:40:00
2nd - Jeff Ward - 2:51:00
T3rd - Dave Bergart - 2:57:00
T3rd - Eric Orton - 2:57:00
4th - Dave Byers - 3:04:00
5th - Chris Erickson - 3:33:00
6th - Keith Peters - 3:40:00

Women's 25-Mile
1st - Jill Damman - 3:04:00

Race Recap:
Thanks to everyone who shares my passion for snow biking and showed up to race on Saturday. In the four previous times I have ridden the 25-mile loop I have personally never completed it in less than 5 1/2 hours. I certainly never expected this year's TWC to resemble a NORBA Nationals XC race but holy cow that was fun.

On the drive up to Togwotee, the digital thermometer in my truck read -27F at 7:15 AM outside of Moran, WY. Let's just say there was a bit of nervous tension for a little while until the sun started to rise and the temps climbed to a sane -9F for the start. By noon the temps had warmed up to a balmy 15F and felt much warmer while working hard on the climbs.

It was great to see such a strong field "pin it" and take advantage of the firm conditions. Congratulations to Mike Piker for winning his first snow bike race and to Jill Damman for representing the snow biking women out there. As good as the race was, I enjoyed the post-race burgers and beers just as much and seeing the snow biking stoke makes all the organizational effort worthwhile.

Race photos are coming soon.

Latest News

2/23/09: Did I mention there will be prizes? The Togwotee Winter Classic, a race with no entry fee, will have prizes for at least the top three men and women. Be sure to scroll down through the site for maps of the course, map to the start line, and recommended gear.

2/9/09: IMPORTANT NOTE: This yea'rs 25-mile race will be self-supported. There will be no aid station on the course this year. Plan your calories and hydration accordingly.

2/4/09: I think there is some secret training going on for the Togwotee Winter Classic this year. Are you ready? If we continue to get high pressure, the 25-mile course record could fall for sure. I hope to see some new faces at the race this year...don't make me name names.

2009 Race - February 28, 9:00 AM

The Togwotee Winter Classic is a not-for-profit bike race on snowmobile trails near Togwotee Pass at 7,000' to 9,500' in elevation under extreme winter conditions.

When: February 28th, 2009 - 9:00AM Start
Distance: 25-mile loop with 2,800' of climbing
Entry Fee: Free
Start / Finish: Togwotee Mountain Lodge
Registration: 50 Racer Limit, please send an email to reserve your spot
Awards: There may be a few raffle prizes and/or prizes
Map of the area: Continental Divide Snowmobile Map
Course Descriptions (using the Continental Divide Snowmobile Map):
25-Mile Loop:
Start - Parking area directly across the highway from Togwotee Lodge
CD Trail East
Right on V Trail (you will immediately push up a steep hill)
Right on CD Trail
Finish - Parking area directly across the highway from Togwotee Lodge