Nicolet Hot Days

Sunday August 11, 2024 9 am

Lakewood, WI

What is the Nicolet Hot Days?

This is a free gravel/adventure ride that explores the Nicolet National Forest and prioritizes having fun and socializing while finding remote swimming holes. There are three routes to choose from; a 33 mile, a 50 mile, and a 90 mile. All routes start and end at Boulder Lake swimming beach. The long course will also get you eligible for the Ironbear 1000. Riders depart at 9 am.  The routes are designed to take riders to remote hard to get to and lesser known swimming holes, sometimes traveling through overgrown vegetation and shouldering your bike over downed trees. Bring swim shorts and jump in whenever it meets your swimming skill level and comfortability. Riders will check in at site 48.

In August, you can expect anything from thunderstorms and muddy two-track to excessive heat. Be prepared for a river ford on the long route. The ride takes place on Sunday but you can reserve a site at Boulder Lake Campground and make a weekend out of it. Shane, the event organizer will be at site 48 on Saturday night and welcomes and encourages anyone to stop by for a campfire social Saturday night. Registration is capped at 74.

This is an old school free gravel bike ride so be prepared to support yourself. The best way to navigate the route is by using Ride with GPS so that you know the POI locations of the swim holes but you could get by using paper cue sheets to navigate. Some POI's require a very short hike into the forest or down a two track to reach the swim hole so you or someone in your ride group having the route downloaded for offline use with a Ride with GPS paid account would be a tremendous help. The course is not marked. You must register to be included in the results. This event is part of the Ironbear 1000 which highlights Wisconsin’s epic gravel.

Nicolet Hot Days 90

Prioritize fun while exploring rough and remote forest paths and stops at 12 swimming holes including Slippery Rock, a natural waterslide. Some are well hidden while others are swimming beaches. Mountain Firetower is also on the route and is open to climb to the top. Making all the swim stops will get you a full day of fun that will rival any day at a waterpark in the Wisconsin Dells. Be sure to bring money for a must stop food at Northern Delites burger stand in Lakewood. The route is 60% gravel with some sand sections.

Nicolet Hot Days 50

Forest gravel and two track adventure with a devilish 66% gravel and 6 swim holes including the Slippery Rock natural water slide. Some sand on this route so a hike-a-bike might be in your future. Stop at Scoopers in Mountain for some ice cream or a burger and then take a picture with the Yeti out front.

Nicolet Hot Days 33

Heavy amount of two track on this short adventure with 82% unpaved. The special highlight of this route is Saul Springs, an amazingly clear and cold natural spring swimming hole. A sizable climb up Humble Hill and approximately half the route being two track makes this a ride not to be taken lightly.

Questions

Email ride organizer and course designer, Shane Hitz