Togwotee Winter Classic

5th Annual Togwotee Winter Classic

2011-11-17T15:54:00.004-07:00

Date: Saturday, March 3rd, 2012
Start Time: 9:00am
Entry Fee: Free
Start / Finish: Togwotee Mountain Lodge
Registration: 50 Racer Limit, please send an email to reserve your spot
Awards: There will 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

We will offer two distances. Race the 25-Mile loop OR the 35-Mile loop. You must declare your distance before the start of the race. Choose wisely!

REMINDER: The sponsors, organizers, and anyone else having anything to do with this race are NOT responsible for your safety. We cannot stress this enough. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU.

2011 Togwotee Winter Classic, Race #2 Results & Pics

2011-03-13T11:03:00.004-06:00

The TWC Race #2 was met with good conditions despite concerns that it might be soft and sloppy. Overnight temps in the teens firmed up the trail nicely and temps in the 20s to low 30s made for a pleasant day on the trails. For the first time we offered two distances and this format was a hit with the racers.

35-Mile Results
1st - Carey Smith - 3:43:00 (35-Mile Men's Course Record)
2nd - Bryan Safarik - 4:15:00
3rd - Dave Byers - 4:15:02
4th - Hamilton Smith - 4:30:00
5th - Dave Bergart - 4:44:00
6th - Katie Engelman - 5:00:00 (1st Woman, 35-Mile Women's Course Record)

25-Mile Results
1st - Dave Saurman - 3:23:00
2nd - Michelle Byers - 3:24:00 (1st Woman)
3rd - Tony Labbe' - 3:37:00
4th - Chris E. - 3:50:00
5th - Scott Fitzgerald - 4:00:00
6th - Len Carlman - 4:15:00

Pics courtey of Lori Clark-Erickson & Dave Byers

Thanks again to our sponsors for supportig our snow bike races!

2011 Togwotee Winter Classic, Race #2

2011-02-25T11:23:00.007-07:00

UPDATE: 3/8/11
The forecast looks good, not great, for the TWC Race #2. A clear cold night Friday would firm up the trails nicely. Not that it really matters 'cause we are racin' anyway and it will be glorious!

Date: Saturday, March 12th, 9:00am Start
Entry Fee: Free
Start / Finish: Togwotee Mountain Lodge
Registration: 50 Racer Limit, please send an email to reserve your spot
Awards: There will 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

We will offer both distances. Race the 25-Mile loop OR the 35-Mile loop. You must declare your distance before the start of the race. Choose wisley.

REMINDER: The sponsors, organizers, and anyone else having anything to do with this race are NOT responsible for your safety. We cannot stress this enough. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU.

The Togwotee Winter Classic Race #1 Video

2011-01-13T12:07:00.001-07:00

2011 TWC Race #1 from Dave Byers on Vimeo.

Watch it full-screen and turn the music up!

2011 TWC Race #1 Pics

2011-01-10T17:35:00.004-07:00

Thanks to Lindsay at Windy Ridge Photography for taking a few pics despite the flat light. If anyone is interested in purchasing pics, visit the Windy Ridge Photography website.

2011 Togwotee Winter Classic Race #1 Results

2011-01-09T08:23:00.002-07:00

We set a new record for attendance with 18 snow bikers at the start line! This was the first time we have raced the 35-Mile loop utilizing the "K" Trail and the level of difficulty was significantly higher than the traditional 25-Mile loop.

Temps: Low to mid 20s with some snow & wind mid-race, a little sun in the early afternoon
Riding Conditions: Variable - sections of firm, sections of soft but rideable, and some soft sections required pushing

Men
1st - Jay Petervary - 4:39:00
2nd - Mike Piker - 4:41:00
3rd - Mark Heshberger - 4:46:00
4th - Dave Bergart - 5:08:00
5th - Dave Saurman - 5:18:00
6th - Dave Byers - 5:28:00
7th - Eric Greenwood - 5:41:00
8th - Todd Johnson - 5:55:00
9th - Gabe Klamer - 5:58:00
DNF - Brandon Campisi (completed the 25-mile loop)
DNF - Jordan Potter (completed the 25-mile loop)
DNF - Tony Labbe
DNF - Brady Wirick

Women
1st - Tracey Petervary - 5:20:00
2nd - Katie Engleman - 6:09:00
3rd - Michelle Byers - 7:10:00
DNF - Sarah Hamilton (completed the 25-mile loop)
DNF - Melissa Davidson (completed the 25-mile loop)

Interesting Note:
We had a huge variety of snow bikes represented at the race. Very cool.
- Ti 9:Zero:7
- Aluminum 9:Zero:7
- Ti FatBack
- Aluminum FatBack
- Wildfire FatBike
- Salsa Mukluk
- Surly Pugsleys of all vintages

2011 Togwotee Winter Classic Race #1

2010-12-28T11:02:00.016-07:00

1/4/2011: We want to thank our sponsors Fitzgerald's Bicycles, Ergon, Carbo Rocket, Baffin, and RU Outside for their support of snow biking. How many free races give out prizes? Woohoo!

12/30/2010: Course Map and Elevation Profile added (scroll down)

After considering an Idaho location for Race #1 on Jan 8th, 2011, I have decided to stick with Togwotee Mountain Lodge as our race venue for both Togwotee Winter Classic races in 2011. The snowmobile trail grooming is simply more consistent at Togwotee than on the Idaho side of the Tetons and this gives us the best chance for rideable trails.

New for 2011, we will race the longer 33-Mile loop unless we get a ton of snow the night before the race.

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 Route:
Start - 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

2011 Togwotee Winter Classic Two-Race Series

2010-12-16T10:12:00.005-07:00

We are offering two races again in 2011! The Togwotee Winter Classic Series is a not-for-profit bike race series on groomed snow and/or snowmobile trails at 8000' to 9,500' in elevation under extreme winter conditions.

Race #1
Date: Saturday, January 8th 2011 - 9:00am Start
Location: Togwotee Mountain Lodge

Race #2
Date: Saturday, March 12th 2011 - 9:00am Start
Location: Togwotee Mountain Lodge

Mark your calendars now!

Togwotee Winter Classic Race #2 Results

2010-03-07T07:59:00.003-07:00

First off, a HUGE thanks to our sponsors for providing prizes to the top three racers in each category:

Baffin Boots & Fitzgerald's Bicycles

We had the largest field in Togwotee Winter Classic history! 15 racers started the event and 12 racers finished. In addition, course records were shattered in the Men's & Women's categories.

Men's
1st - Mike Piker - 2:22:00 (New Course Record)
2nd - Gabe "50 Cent" Klamer - 2:22:01
3rd - Mark "I am now shopping for a snow bike" Hershberger - 2:22:23
4th - Dave Saurman - 2:31:00
5th - Tony Labbe - 3:03:00
6th - Len Carlman - 3:05:00
7th - Scott Fitzgerald - 3:22:00
8th - Dave Byers - 3:24:00
9th - Brandon "B-Shizzle" Campisi - 3:26:00
10th - Don Alsted - 5:32:00 (Oldest competitor to ever complete the TWC, age 64)

Women's
1st - Jill Damman - 2:31:30
2nd - Michelle Byers - 3:24:00

2010 Togwotee Winter Classic Race #2

2010-02-22T09:28:00.004-07:00

Saturday, March 6th 2010 - 9:00am Start

NOTE: Regardless of conditions, we will race the 25-mile loop used in all previous Togwotee Winter Classics.

Distance: 25 mile loop
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:
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

2010 TWC Race #1 Results

2010-01-10T09:00:00.002-07:00

At the conclusion of last year's race I would have bet you $100 that we would never see conditions that good again. Well, I was wrong. A few days of high pressure, an inversion, and cold temps combined to create near perfect conditions for our 2010 Togwotee Winter Classic Race #1 and new course records were set.

Race Results
Men's 25-Mile
1st - Jay Petervary - 2:37:00 (New course record)
2nd - Dave Byers - 2:51:00
3rd - Scott Fitzgerald - 3:31:00
4th - Keith Peters - 3:46:00
5th - Chris "The Viking" Erickson - 4:24:00
6th - Tony Labbe' - 4:30:00

Women's 25-Mile
1st - Tracey Petervary - 2:57:00 (New women's record and 3rd overall)

Race Recap
Thanks to everyone who raced and helped to spread the snow bike stoke! Also, thanks to Fitzgerald's Bicycles for providing gift certificates to our top three men and women's winner.

We saw -14F in Moran Junction on the drive up to Togwotee Mountain Lodge but when we pulled into the parking lot at 8am the inversion-driven temp was 4F. Not bad at all.
We had a diverse field of snow bikers including Tony Labbe' who chose to make the Togwotee Winter Classic his first snow bike ride ever. Nice work Tony!

At the gun I tried to catch JayP off guard with an early acceleration but he grabbed my wheel and toyed with me for about 10 minutes before unleashing a furious attack and creating a gap that would only increase throughout the race. Meanwhile, Tracey Petervary rode like the Terminator all day and applied continuous pressure to the very end. Fitzy laid down an impressive performance as well, especially given his "I don't train" approach to racing.

Lastly, the entire field gathered for awards, food, and beverages in the lodge afterwards and relived the day's glorious moments.

A few race pics coming soon. See you March 6th!

2010 Togwotee Winter Classic Two-Race Series

2009-12-16T11:47:00.007-07:00

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

2009-03-15T09:06:00.003-06:00

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

Photos by: Windy Ridge Photography

2009 Race Pics Part I

2009-03-04T08:46:00.007-07:00

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

2009 25-Mile Race GPS Data

2009-03-01T20:06:00.005-07:00

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

2009-02-28T19:50:00.004-07:00

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

2009-02-04T16:24:00.006-07:00

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

2009-01-15T10:55:00.004-07:00

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

2008 Results and Recap

2008-01-20T15:53:00.000-07:00

Race Results
Men's 25-Mile
1st - Jay Petervary - 4:59:00
2nd - Aaron Japel - 5:24:00
T3rd - Scott Fitzgerald - 6:47:00
T3rd - Chris Erickson - 6:47:00
4th - Tom McDonald - 7:52:00

Women's 25-Mile
1st - Tracey Petervary - 5:29:00
2nd - Jill Damman - 6:10:00
3rd - Jannine Fitzgerald - 6:47:00

Recap
Years from now, an elite group of eight adventurous snow bike racers will be able to claim “I was at the 1st annual Togwotee Winter Classic…and you should have been there!”

I want to thank all of the racers who ignored the snowy race-day forecast and decided to join us at Togwotee Lodge for an epic adventure in less-than-ideal snow biking conditions. Despite the tough conditions, everyone finished and everyone was smiling. No racers attempted the 100-mile route this year.

I especially want to thank the generous sponsors who believed in and supported this first-year event:

RU Outside – snow bikers should absolutely check out their Tundra Boot

Fitzgerald’s Bicycles – quickly becoming, if not already, the largest snow bike dealer in the lower 48

Togwotee Lodge – not only a snowmobile resort; bring your bike and your skis too

Lastly, I want to personally thank Rick LaBelle, owner of RU Outside, and Andy Damman for their help on race day. Both of them went above and beyond to help me out with the aid station and patrolling the course.

Race Day Details

2008-01-16T20:59:00.001-07:00

In an effort to keep things simple, here is the race day schedule. Feel free to email me with questions.

Start - 9:00am (see Start/Finish Map below)

Finish - You are on the honor system. I will leave a clipboard with a watch attached to it at the front desk of Togwotee Lodge. Once you finish, simply sign your name with your finish time.

Post-race festivities - 4:30pm-ish in the Red Fox Saloon (bar inside Togwotee Lodge). Prizes from Fitzgerald's Bicycles and RU Outisde!

Final 100-Mile GPS file located HERE

Start/Finish Map

Do-It-Yourself route sheet 25-Mile

Do-It-Yourself route sheet 100-Mile

Conditions may be FIRM

Or conditions may be SOFT...Mother Nature decides how fast we go on snow

Latest News

2007-10-04T14:26:00.000-06:00

1/8/08: Do you have your Continental Divide Snowmobile map yet? The 2007-2008 version is available but the 2006-2007 will work just as well. Have you followed the course descriptions listed below on your map? Any questions?

1/4/08: Course Descriptions have been added to the Race Details section below.

12/31/07: About 75% of the 100-mile route has been groomed according to employees at Togwotee Lodge and the State of Wyoming snowmobile trails grooming program. We will head up there to ride the route on snowmobiles and gather a GPS file as soon as we get confirmation that the route is ready. They are a bit behind schedule this year in getting the major trails groomed.

12/21/07: We rode the 25-loop "counter-clockwise" from Togwotee Lodge last Sunday, Dec 15th. Conditions were challenging; cold temps, wind, intermittent snow, and unconsolidated snow left the trails unrideable in places. Our total time for the loop was 7:12:00 (no, that is not a typo)and our moving time was 6:25:00. I am estimating that we pushed our bikes 2 - 2.5 hours of the moving time. Using MotionBased to view the GPS file, we gained 3, 096' in elevation. Since last Sunday, the Togwotee area has received at least a foot of new snow.

11/14/07: The 2007-2008 Wyoming Snowmobile Trails maps have been printed and are shipping now. Mine came in the mail today. The Continental Divide map can be ordered here and is a required item for the race. If you can spare $25, I also recommend that you order a snowmobile permit as a goodwill gesture. This permit is not required for snow bikes but 95% of the $25 goes towards the Snowmobile Trails Fund and pays for the grooming program that we rely on for excellent snow biking conditions.

10/4/07: The race is on! If you have a Pugsley, a FatBike, or any other bike equipped to ride on the snow, dust 'em off and lube 'em up. If you don't have one you need to find one quick and start training.

Race Details & Registration

2007-10-04T14:20:00.002-06:00

The Togwotee Winter Classic is a non-profit bike race on snowmobile trails near Togwotee Pass at 7,000' to 9,500' in elevation under extreme winter conditions.

When: January 19th, 2008 - 9:00AM Start
Distances: 107-mile loop with 14,500' of climbing
OR
25-mile loop with 3,100' 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
GPS File: 100-Mile Route on MotionBased (as of Jan 16, 2008)

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

100-Mile Loop:
Start - Parking area directly across the highway from Togwotee Lodge
CD Trail East
Left on J Trail
Left on CD Trail (towards Warm Springs)
Right on A Trail
Left on CD Trail
Left on E Trail
Right on T Trail (very short section)
Left on E Trail
Left on K Trail
Right on CD Trail
Finish - Parking area directly across the highway from Togwotee Lodge

Race Rules

2007-10-04T14:20:00.001-06:00

Important. The sponsors, organizers, and anyone having anything to do with this race are NOT responsible for your safety. We can't say this enough.....YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU!

There will be no aid stations or support for 100-mile racers. There will be one aid station providing water and possibly a bonfire at roughly mile 14 of the 25-mile course. Otherwise, the Togwotee Winter Classic is a self-supported, solo competition. Competitors must carry with them ALL necessary equipment.

No outside help from anyone except other racers is allowed. This means that there are no support crews of any kind and no rides/tows accepted from snowmobilers, nor other vehicles. If you take a ride, you are forfeiting your right to finish the race and you must contact race officials to notify us when/where you are dropping out of the race. However, participants are encouraged to help each other. The buddy system is a good way to do this race.

If the final 100-mile course is routed near a commercial lodge, and the lodge is open when you get there, you can buy a meal, supplies, or even get a room if you need a break.

If you leave the race course for some reason, you must re-enter the course exactly where you left it or notify race officials that you are dropping out as soon as is feasible. Short-cutting the course is not allowed and will be grounds for disqualification.

GPS Systems are allowed for navigation.

Drafting is allowed...and quite fun at 4 MPH on the snow.

Safety & Gear

2007-10-04T14:19:00.001-06:00

Required Gear
- Red Tail light
- Handlebar light OR headlamp
- Backup light source
- Route sheet (to be handed out at pre-race check in)
- Continental Divide Snowmobile Map

Recommended Gear
- Insulated water container
- Firestarter
- -20 Sleeping Bag
- Bivy sack or tent
- Insulated sleeping pad
- Stove
- Fuel
- Pot
- Full wind suit
- Extra mittens & head wear
- Extra base layer
- Extra socks
- Clear goggles
- Map
- Compass
- GPS
- Bike tools
- Tube

Winter Safety Tips
Icebike Winter Tips

Winter Camping Tips

Hypothermia & Cold Weather Injuries

Race Roster

2007-10-04T13:38:00.001-06:00

100 Mile Men
Jay Petervary
Marko Ross-Bryant
100 Mile Women
TBD
25 Mile Men
Aaron Japel
Chris Erickson
Scott Fitzgerald
Tom McDonald
25 Mile Women
Jannine Fitzgerald
Jill Damman
Michelle Byers
Tina Martinez
Tracey Petervary