Event Information
The North Shore is calling…
The Life Time Lutsen 99er presented by Visit Cook County movement continues, high above the shores of beautiful Lake Superior. This 99-mile course (59-, 45- and 29-mile options also offered) takes advantage of the scenery and topography of Minnesota’s North Shore.
We will start at Superior National Golf Course, in Minnesota’s Sawtooth Mountains overlooking majestic Lake Superior, as we begin a fantastic Category 3 climb. Once over the ridgeline, the course takes advantage of the glacially sculpted terrain, rolling hills, and numerous lakes and streams at the southern range of the Boreal Forest. You will be riding on sections of road and trail that see as much moose traffic as people traffic at any given time.
Little Niner Kid Races will also be held, making the Lutsen 99er a family affair!
Register for any of the 4 distances and receive the following:
- Commemorative T-shirt
- Aid station support
- And more!
Event Pricing:
99er: $135
59er: $135
45er: $135
29er: $90
Little Niners kids race: Free!
Friday, June 27
2:00 PM – Venue Opens
- Location: Superior National Golf 5731 MN-61, Lutsen, MN 55612
3:00 – 8:00 PM – Event festivities
- Check-in
- Live Music
- Food onsite: T-Rex Inferno (pizza), Honey Badger Bites, and Superior National’s beverage carts with hot dogs and brats!
- Fulton beer and North Shore Winery sampling
- Location: Superior National Golf 5731 MN-61, Lutsen, MN 55612
3:00 – 5:15 PM – Little Niners check-in
- Location: Visit Cook County Info Tent at Superior National Golf Clubhouse 5731 MN-61, Lutsen, MN 55612
5:30 PM – Little Niners Event
Saturday, June 28th
5:00 AM – Breakfast Options
5:30 AM – Parking Open
5:30 – 6:30 AM – Check-in
- Location: Superior National Golf Clubhouse
7:30 AM – Start of the 99ers
7:32 AM – Start of the 59ers
7:34 AM – Start of the 45ers
7:36 AM – Start of the 29ers
7:38 AM – Start of Fika Watch Party!
After you drop off your rider(s), head down to Fika Coffee for the watch party. Cheer on your friends and family as you sip on a North Shore Blend coffee and chomp on a delicious donut!
4:15- 7:15 PM – Post-event, pre-awards party with live music, food, and drink!
- Location: Outside at Caribou Highlands
7:30 PM – Awards Ceremony
- Location: Outside at Caribou Highlands
Superior National Golf:
The Lutsen community is excited to welcome the participants of the Lutsen 99er. Your spirit and dedication to biking inspires our entire community.
- Leave no trace – No garbage, clothing etc., shall be thrown on the course!
- Must hold your position for the entirety of the roll-out. Passing or weaving through other participants will result in disqualification without warning.
- No Pedal Assist/E-Bikes allowed
- Helmets must be worn when on the bike, and your chin strap must be buckled
- Support Vehicles/Outside Assistance – You may not accept assistance outside of aid stations or approved spectator areas.
- DNFs must be reported to timing.
- Timing chip (on bike number plate) must attach to the front of the bike. DO NOT wrap your bike plate or your chip will not read.
- DO NOT PASS LEAD MOTORCYCLES. The Motos will lead all racers out of SNG & along Highway 61 to Caribou Trail, then speed up at Ski Hill Rd. Passing the lead motorcycles will result in disqualification.
- THANK THE VOLUNTEERS!
- Outside help will only be available at designated spectator locations. No mobile support, including motorized vehicles, are allowed on course.
- No spectators will be allowed at any of the aid stations.
- Spectators for the 99ER ONLY are welcome at Sawbill & The Grade.
- Directions to The Grade from SNG:
- Take Hwy 61 East towards Tofte.
- Turn North on 2/Sawbill Trail.
- It’s approximately 15 miles to The Grade.
- All spectators must park South of The Grade.
- NOTE: Spectator location is mile 32 and 68 for the 99er riders.
Parking Information:
- All parking at Superior National will be closed until 5:00 am Saturday. There is no overnight parking or camping in these areas. The event guide has information about camping options.
- Parking will be limited and may fill up before the race start. To avoid last-minute problems, arrive early and PLEASE CARPOOL.
- If you are staying at these resorts, we would encourage racers to be dropped off for the start, and have spectators take the resort shuttle to the start. If you drive, please follow the directions of the parking staff and be courteous!
Directions (from south):
- Take I-35 North to Duluth, MN. In the Duluth freeway system, take the last possible exit labeled “Hwy 61-North Shore Drive.” Stay on Hwy 61 North for 90 miles. Just after the 90 mile-marker, you will see a sign for “Superior National” Turn left at that sign.
- Superior National Golf 5731 MN-61, Lutsen, MN 55612
Directions (from north):
- Take Hwy 61 South through Grand Portage and Grand Marais. Approximately 18 miles south of Grand Marais, you will see a sign for “Superior National” Turn right at the sign.
- Superior National Golf 5731 MN-61, Lutsen, MN 55612
Have your bike checked over before the ride. Make sure everything is tight and properly adjusted, or take it to a trained Erik’s mechanic. They’ll gladly look it over and make sure everything is safe.
Remember to plan for the unexpected. Erik’s recommends on every ride that you keep the following in your hydration pack or seat bag:
- Spare tube
- Patch kit
- CO2 inflator with multiple cartridges or pump.
- Multi-tool
- Tire levers
For a long ride or race, you should add the following if you don’t already carry it:
- Tire boot for patching large cuts in tires
- Chain “quick” link to make field repairs
- Chain tool
- Back up energy food as a reserve tank
Erik’s mechanics will be on hand to make final adjustments or help out at the aid stations where possible. For more ideas, check out these recommendations or stop by one of Erik’s locations near you.
We will have Hoist hydration options, Honey Stinger waffles, Anderson’s Maple PURE FUEL Gels and Bobos PB&Js at on-course aid stations! Additionally, you can find water and other hydration options. Please plan to stop and open your hydration pack or bottle to allow contactless filling from a volunteer. Don’t miss Wilde Protein Chips or Chomps Beef Sticks once you cross the finish line. Then you can celebrate with a beer from Fulton Brewing or a Cider from North Shore Winery – all tabs located on your bike plate.
2025 Athlete Guide coming soon.
- The Life Time Lutsen 99er is a qualifier for the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB. There are a minimum of 35 LT100 qualifier coins up for grabs at each of the Leadville Race Series qualifier events.
- Qualifier coins will only be given to athletes who finish the longest distance race.
- Coin winners MUST BE PRESENT at the awards ceremony and claim their entry immediately.
- Coin winners must complete and pay for their registration for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB during the designated time offered.
- All registration fees for the LT100 MTB are non-transferable, nonrefundable, and subject to the Leadville Race Series deferral policies.
The 35+ coins at each event will be distributed based on overall and age group performance, as well as an event lottery at the end of the awards ceremony.
- The performance based coins will be distributed to the top overall performances, as well as the top performances of each age category.
- If an athlete elects to not accept their slot, the coin will “roll down” to the next top athlete in their category.
- In the event that slots are not claimed after the roll down, they will be reallocated to the event lottery.
- The event lottery is available to all official finishers.
- Names will be randomly drawn in the lottery from all eligible and interested athletes to distribute these coins until none remain.
Visit our LT100 MTB Qualification System page for more information