10th Annual Bike Duluth Festival Brings Together Cycling Community

The 10th Annual Bike Duluth Festival is this weekend and the fun kicked off at Spirit Mountain Friday evening.

The event brings together bikers from around the country, with all different specialties and skill levels. Organizers say this year, 700 riders are signed up over 12 races. Things kicked off on with the Chainless Downhill Race. Like the name implies, riders take off their bike chains and try to carry speed all the way down the hill without pedaling. The weekend will feature all kinds of races, including enduro, cross-country, and trail.

“It’s special. We put in a full year’s work to be here this weekend,” said Festival Chair Chloe Strand. “It’s so incredible to see people out here to see what Duluth has to offer, what Spirit Mountain has to offer for their trails and truly just enjoying themselves. It makes it all just so worth it to see people out here having fun.”

Strand added the festival is about more than racing; it’s about creating and supporting the biking community. The Bike Duluth Festival is a fundraiser for Harbortown Rotary of Duluth and Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores. Last year, they began to support the DEVO Mountain Bike Program, which focuses on getting kids on bikes.

“It’s awesome to see our kids here that are competing and racing and giving their best,” said Duluth DEVO Program Director Pat Greehan. “But, you know, the program is bigger. We have a lot of kids here who aren’t racing this weekend but are still here to support their teammates. They’re volunteering, their parents are volunteering. Our whole community comes out for this event, whether they chose to race today or not. The same goes for numerous other groups in town, this really brings a lot of the Duluth bike community together.”

The festival continues Saturday and Sunday, with more races, a silent auction, bike raffle, food, and live music. Organizers say registration is still open and spectators are encouraged.