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TIER 2

Crystal Bear

Laona, WI to Crystal Falls, MI · 2026: May 17-18 (overnight)

VERDICT Crystal Bear is what happens when bikepacking meets gravel racing in the Northwoods—darkness, sandy sections, and 192 miles of self-reliant suffering.

64
LAB SCORE
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[05]

The Ratings

Course verdict

The Crystal Bear is an overnight point-to-point bikepacking odyssey through the Northwoods of Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.[1]

Course Profile ratings for this race. Select a point for its explanation. LOGISTICS2/5LENGTH5/5TECHNICAL3/5ELEVATION3/5CLIMATE4/5ALTITUDE1/5ADVENTURE5/5 23/35
Course Profile
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[01]

Course Overview

192-mile overnight bikepacking odyssey from Wisconsin to Michigan's Upper Peninsula where darkness, cold, and solitude break you down and build you back.

192 mi
Distance
8,000 ft
Elevation
Laona, WI to Crystal Falls, MI
Location
May 17-18 (overnight), 2026
Date
~100
Field Size
$75-150
Entry Cost
+ Google Calendar Download .ics
Facts & History

The Crystal Bear emerged as part of the Ironbear 1000 family of ultra-endurance gravel and bikepacking events based in northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Created for riders seeking self-supported overnight adventure beyond traditional gravel racing, it reflects the Northwoods ethos of rugged independence and wilderness challenge. Founded in 2015.

Reputation: Respected niche event in ultra-endurance bikepacking community known for genuine adventure, self-supported format, and mental/physical challenge of overnight wilderness riding.

2015: First edition establishes overnight point-to-point format WI to MI
2018: Expands field while maintaining <100 rider cap for wilderness impact
2020: Event adapts to pandemic with enhanced self-supported protocols
2023: Continues tradition of small-field ultra-endurance overnight format
[03]

The Course

Cyclist on gravel bike riding through rural town intersection with historic buildings and stop signs under overcast sky - Crystal Bear - Laona, WI to Crystal Falls, MIPhoto: YouTube / The Wisconsin Gravel Cyclist
Gravel cyclist pedaling on dirt road through forested area with power lines and another rider visible in distance - Crystal Bear - Laona, WI to Crystal Falls, MIPhoto: YouTube / The Wisconsin Gravel Cyclist

The Crystal Bear is an overnight point-to-point bikepacking odyssey through the Northwoods of Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Unlike mass-start gravel races, this is self-supported adventure racing: you carry overnight gear, navigate independently, and resupply at small-town gas stations 40-60 miles apart. The terrain itself is moderate—rolling Northwoods gravel with 8,000 feet spread across 192 miles—but the overnight format is the real challenge. You'll spend 8-10 hours riding through pitch-black forest with only your headlight for company. Sandy sections sap momentum. Stream crossings require focus. Cold overnight temperatures (30-45°F) demand warmth management. Sleep deprivation compounds navigation challenges. This isn't about crushing segments or chasing KOMs. It's about holding it together mentally and physically for 15-30 hours straight while entirely self-reliant.

Signature challenge: Managing 8-10 hours of solo darkness riding through remote Northwoods forest while fighting sleep deprivation, cold, and psychological isolation with zero external support.

45
MILE
Nicolet National Forest Sandy Gauntlet
Sandy, loose Northwoods sections bog down wheels and sap energy. Realize the long night ahead. First mental fatigue sets in.
85
MILE
Sunset Transition
Darkness arrives around Mile 80-90 depending on pace. Transition to night riding. Fatigue + darkness + navigation challenges compound. First real test.
130
MILE
Midnight Grind Through Upper Peninsula
Deep into overnight hours (midnight-4 AM). Coldest temperatures. Riding alone in pitch-black forest. Sleep deprivation peaks. Mental battle for survival.
175
MILE
Dawn Zombie Shuffle to Crystal Falls
Sun rises but body is wrecked. Final 17 miles feel endless. Mechanical issues at this stage are crushing. Just want to be done.
RIDERS REPORT
Wet and sticky roads with potholes
The course had a fair amount of rain the night before, making roads rather wet and sticky with lots of potholes and puddles that riders had to avoid, making it interesting at times.
Hill sections through pines and birch
Uphill sections with pine and birch trees on the sides where stronger riders would gap others off a little bit.
Hard packed dirt roads with trees and thick cover all around. Roads were in decent condition overall but wet and sticky from rain the night before with potholes and puddles to avoid.
Started on local walking and ATV/UTV trail that had all kinds of bad black top and stuff all over it, but was a very nice, flat, easy start.
[04]

From the Field

It was this hard packed dirt road with trees and thick cover all around us. There were some times where we had some uphills and different things like that and it was a very, very cool atmosphere and cool setting for a gravel race here in northern Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Gravel Cyclist · 313 views

They did have a fair amount of rain here the night before. So, the roads were rather wet and sticky and at times a lot of potholes and puddles and things like that. That did make it a little interesting at times trying to avoid those potholes and puddles.

The Wisconsin Gravel Cyclist · 313 views

This is honestly one of my favorite parts of the course. It's just beautiful and really accentuates what Wisconsin has to offer for gravel riding.

The Wisconsin Gravel Cyclist · 313 views

We started off right in town at a local bar and we started on this just local walking in ATV UTV trail.

The Wisconsin Gravel Cyclist · 313 views
The Bear 100 (31 Mile)
The Wisconsin Gravel Cyclist · 313 views · 19:10
RACER

Racer Reviews

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[07]

Training

May 17, 2026 CRYSTAL BEAR
[08]

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RACE DEMAND PROFILE

Durability
8
Climbing
6
VO2 Power
4
Threshold
5
Technical
6
Heat
7
Altitude
2
Race Specificity
8
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[09]

Race Logistics

Airport
GRB (Green Bay) - 1.5hr south of Laona start. MQT (Marquette) - 2hr east of Crystal Falls finish. Rental car mandatory.
Lodging
Pre-race: Laona, WI has limited motels; Rhinelander, WI (30 min south) has more options. Post-race: Crystal Falls, MI has small motels; Iron Mountain, MI (20 min south) has more options. Camping available at area campgrounds. Point-to-point format requires lodging at both ends or shuttle coordination.
Food
Small-town gas stations for resupply during race (40-60 mi gaps). Verify open hours—rural areas close early. Bring cash. Pre/post-race: Rhinelander and Iron Mountain have grocery/restaurant options.
Packet Pickup
Day before or race morning at Laona start location. Verify with organizer.
RIDERS REPORT
The start is typically relaxed with riders going around 15-16 mph and just rolling out easy on the flat opening section.
Be prepared to work with other riders and rotate, as small groups tend to form and work together for much of the race.
OFFICIAL SITE
[10]

Tire Picks

40mmMUDDY
1
Vittoria Terreno Wet
40mm · $80 · 39W
excellent wet grip. strong mud clearance
2
Schwalbe G-One Ultrabite
40mm · $70 · 42W
excellent wet grip. strong mud clearance
3
Tufo Gravel Swampero
40mm · $70
excellent wet grip. strong mud clearance
FULL TIRE GUIDE & PRESSURE TABLE
NEWS

Latest Coverage

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Similar Races

T2 USA Cycling Gravel Nationals La Crescent, Minnesota (2025-26); previously Gering, Nebraska (2023-24). 2027 host not yet announced. · 110 mi · 63/100 T2 Iowa Wind and Rock Winterset, Iowa · 340 mi · 63/100 T2 Dirty French Chillicothe, Ohio · 100 mi · 64/100 T2 Dirty 30 Saranac, Michigan · 100 mi · 63/100 T2 Heck of the North Two Harbors, Minnesota · 100 mi · 71/100 T2 Le Grand du Nord Grand Marais, Minnesota · 110 mi · 74/100
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Frequently Asked Questions

Historical weather data shows average highs of 70°F and lows of 48°F, with a 43% chance of rain on any given day. B&E's Trees woke Day 2 to "rain fly soaked through and leaking on my forehead" then experienced "Rain. Pedal. Sun. Pedal. Hail. Pedal. Repeat!" The inaugural Bear 100 saw "snow fell in early May of 2013 as riders rolled out... Only half of the riders finished." Mid-May Northwoods weather delivers everything from snow to hail within hours. Milder conditions than Crusher in the Tushar.[1]

Point-to-point from Laona, Wisconsin to Crystal Falls, Michigan creates transportation nightmares requiring shuttle arrangements 4+ hours apart. B&E's Trees arrived Friday night and "learned that Gary, whom I had met two weeks earlier at the Bear 100, volunteered to shuttle beer & coffee"—grassroots organization provides minimal logistical hand-holding beyond basic route marking.[1]

Two-day self-supported navigation through Nicolet National Forest and Ottawa National Forest where riders traverse the "stark contrasting beauty of Spread Eagle Barrens" and ride abandoned logging railroad spurs. B&E's Trees noted "there is nothing I haven't been able to get out of. Yet" after contemplating bailout options in wet dawn conditions.[1]

74-rider limit in remote northern Wisconsin attracts dedicated bikepackers rather than social media crowds. B&E's Trees "coming from an MTB & off-road adventuring background never really participated in long road/gravel events" captures the grassroots nature—this draws adventure riders, not prestige seekers.[5]

You need overnight riding experience and the gear to match—this isn't your first gravel race with a bivy thrown in last minute. The sandy Wisconsin forest roads will humble roadie legs, and navigation errors in darkness can add hours. Come if you've done multi-day rides solo and understand that 'self-supported' means exactly that when you're flat-tired at 2 AM in the middle of nowhere.

[11]

Sources & Citations

Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.

  1. Route Maps RideWithGPS: 2025 Crystal Bear (copy)ridewithgps.com/routes/50937006
  2. Reference Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilda_Cobham-Hervey
  3. Other Sources Allthingscrystalwww.allthingscrystal.com/crystal-wedding-gifts.html
  4. Other Sources Embarkmaplewww.embarkmaple.com/blog/crystal-bear-run-what-ya-brung-a...
  5. Other Sources Granfondoguidewww.granfondoguide.com/Events/Index/10834/crystal-bear
  6. Other Sources Philstarwww.philstar.com/movies/2025/02/22/2423402/maris-racals-s...
  7. Other Sources Rapplerwww.rappler.com/entertainment/movies/antoinette-jadaone-s...
  8. Community Redditwww.reddit.com/r/outrun/comments/3ecf3s/revenge_of_steel_...
  9. Community Redditwww.reddit.com/r/wherecanibuythis/comments/1cd2ehs/where_...
  10. Other Sources Thebear100www.thebear100.com/crystal-bear
  11. Video YouTubewww.youtube.com/@Crystal_Bear_nails
  12. Video YouTubewww.youtube.com/c/crystalbearstudios

Last updated September 2026