Category Archives: Fall

Maplelag Fire October 10th, 2022

Fire consumes main lodge at Maplelag, October 10th 2022.

On Monday October 10th a fire broke out in the main lodge at Maplelag resulting in a total loss of the lodge. Thankfully no one was hurt and we are all safe at Maplelag. We are at a loss for words and completely devastated.

We want to thank all the fire departments that came and their valiant efforts to keep things in control to prevent further damage to the outlying cabins, as well as all the emergency personnel that assisted and monitored the situation days after.

We are touched by local acts of kindness, messages and heartfelt words and offers of financial support. Please keep us in your prayers as we move forward and follow the next steps for Maplelag.

Latest updates on the News Page

StarTribune Article

Laddies Loppet Mountain Bike Weekend

Laddies Loppet is a mountain bike event we hold every Labor Day weekend at Maplelag. We have been hosting the event since 1990, making it one of the oldest mountain bike races in the Midwest! This year’s dates are September 2nd-September 5th, 2022. The race is named after our former, friendly dog, Laddie. This is a great event for the whole family with races and age categories for every type of rider. Latest course update can be found on the mountain bike trail report page.

This year’s event will once again be part of the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series (click here for more information on registration). PLEASE REGISTER ONLINE AHEAD OF TIME.

Racing action begins on Saturday with the traditional Series Cross Country races including Kids Comp, Citizen, Sport, Comp, and Pro/Expert.The cross country races will count for points in the series.

Cross Country Course Description:

Kids Comp will have its own special loop featuring mostly ski trail with short sections of singletrack. Loop is just under 3 miles.

The Citizen/Sport Women loop will be a new course this year incorporating the Kids Comp loop and heading west to the Twin Lakes singletrack using ski trail and the flowy Hudson’s Hula singletrack loop. Loop is 6.5 miles.

The Sport and Women’s Comp Loop will be the Citizen loop plus two new sections of singletrack, “Moorhead and Bjorps Bump”. Loop is 11 miles.

The Expert/Comp loop will include the starter loop including the lakeside drops plus the second half singletrack loop of Twin Lakes. You can expect classic singletrack, technical descents, and punchy climbs. Comp loop is 15.5 miles and Expert course is 18 miles. Expert men do the starter lap, take a left back to the start than one full lap. Comp and Expert Women do one full lap. (starter lap is 2.5 miles)

Short Track Sunday:

Sunday we will hold our traditional Short Track races with Open Men’s and Women’s Classes in Kids Comp, Citizen, Sport, Comp and Pro/Expert. The Short Track racing will be held on a tight course winding through the cabins and trees near the lodge making for great spectating.

Short Track Racing Start Times
Kids Comp Open 10:00am
Citizen Open 10:15am
Sport Open 10:45am
Comp Open & Expert/Pro Women 11:15am
Expert/Pro Open 11:45am
Short Track Awards TBD

Follow us on Twitter for course updates and race details @LaddiesLoppet and on Instagram @Laddies Loppet

Latest trail report with photos

Note: There are no license requirements for any riders including Canadians.

Start of one of the Comp class races. Laddies Loppet 2014. (skinnyski.com photo)
Start of one of the Comp class races. Laddies Loppet 2014. (skinnyski.com photo)


Weekend Schedule:
Friday:
Supper 7:00pm (all meals are served family style, please come to the dining hall at meal time)

Saturday:
Breakfast 8:00am

Cross Country Racing Start Times (Note: See latest updates on MNMBS for times)

Lunch TBD

Supper 6:30 pm

Sunday:
Breakfast 8:00am

Short Track Racing Start Times
Kids Comp Open 10:00am
Citizen Open 10:15am
Sport Open 10:45am
Comp Open & Expert/Pro Women 11:15am
Expert/Pro Open 11:45am
Short Track Awards TBD

Lunch served in lodge at 1pm (available for sale for spectators)

Supper 6pm

Bonfire 8:15pm

Monday:
Breakfast 830am

kids racing
Kids Racing at Laddies Loppet 2013. (skinny ski.com photo)


Racing Details:

This year’s event will once again be part of the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series (click here for more information on registration). At this time there will be no on site registration. PLEASE REGISTER ONLINE AHEAD OF TIME.


Laddies Loppet Cross Country (Saturday): The main event will be the cross-country mountain bike race on Saturday. This race will utilize most sections of the famous singletrack at Maplelag including new singletrack built the past few years. Race medals will be  awarded to the top 3 finishers in each age group.

Race results are posted near the finish line toward the end of the race. You have 15 minutes after the complete results are posted to report any issues to a race official. Once medals have been awarded, results are final and cannot be changed. However, we do reserve the right to make later adjustments in the results and standings due to registration/timing issues that cannot be resolved prior to awards.

Short Track (Sunday): The short track criterium will be Sunday. The laps will be 1-2 minutes in length and run in between the cabins and lodge making for a great spectator event. Total race time is around 10-20 minutes. There will be prizes awarded to the Top 3 Men and Women in each race.  There will be an equal cash payout for Top 5 Pro Men and Top 5 Pro Women. Cost of the Short Track event is $15 in advance online and $20 onsite.

What a great chance to experience Maplelag, other than during the winter season, at a very reasonable rate! For those of you not interested in racing, please consider hiking, canoeing, fishing, or bird watching as other activities to enjoy during the weekend including the bonfire on Sunday night.

Lodging:
Call 1-800-654-7711 or e-mail us for more information on lodging. The special rate of $98 per adult per night includes at least two meals and use of Maplelag amenities. The rate for children ages 10-15 is $39, ages 6-9 is $19. Children ages 5 and under are free. We will also have a limited number of camping spots available. Cost of camping is $15 per person. There is a food service option with camping (camping and meal option). The cost will be $59 per person and include at least two meals. The rate for children ages 10-15 is $39, ages 6-9 is $19. Children ages 5 and under are free. We will also reduce the cost on the Tier 1 units (rooms without a bath) for this weekend at a rate of $69 per person. Call or e-mail maplelag@tvutel.com to make reservations. A two night minimum. With Labor Day on Monday, why not stay Sunday night and relax at Maplelag before heading back home!

Note: You must pre-register for camping. Please do not show up and camp without registering. Please register by phone or e-mail for camping at least 7 days before the event!

Our Sponsors:

Premier:

fredlaw189

At Fredrikson & Byron, we’ve built a reputation as the firm “where law and business meet” by bringing business acumen and entrepreneurial thinking to our work with clients, and by operating as business advisors and strategic partners as well as legal counselors. Our lawyers blend a common sense approach with in-the-field experience, and we utilize our firm’s strong reputation and our lawyers’ broad networks of business and industry contacts to get things done for clients. Clients have relied on us since 1948 for great solutions that help them minimize legal risks and maximize business benefits. We look forward to an opportunity to show you what it is like where law and business meet.  Thanks to Fredrikson & Byron for their longtime support.  www.fredlaw.com

Logo Super Quality smaller

We love helping our customers build their ultimate mountain, road, CX, TT or fat bike. Choose your groupset, components, wheelset spex, and as much as you want to specify….and we’re here to help you choose the parts you’re not an expert on or don’t have a strong opinion about. Supply some of your own equipment if you have it, whatever works to get you on the best bike for the money. Call us any time to start customizing.  www.lamerecycles.com

ml250

Matt Engen is a Wealth Management Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant, a designation awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. In 2021 and 2022, Matt was named one of Barron’s “Top 1200 Financial Advisors” and recognized by Forbes on their “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list. With Merrill since 1999, Matt offers a wide range of wealth management solutions grounded in clients’ goals. www.fa.ml.com/engen_associates

Midwest Bank is a rapidly-growing, locally-owned, independent bank with offices located in West Central Minnesota. Through our rapid growth, we have       developed the financial and technological resources to meet the needs of our small and large customers alike. Being locally-owned, we have a vested interest in seeing our communities thrive. Being independent allows us to provide a banking atmosphere that our customers appreciate — a responsiveness not matched by our competition, decisions made by the people you talk to rather than a committee in a distant city, and fees that are considerably below our competition. These items, combined with top-notch customer service, make us believe that we offer banking the way you want it — “Banking Your Way.”  Thank you to Midwest Bank for their support again this year.  www.midwestbank.net

wolf300

Wolf Tooth is a company that was founded to design and manufacture unique cycling components that emphasize function, performance, and reliability to meet the needs of fellow racers and riders.  We are excited to have their support.  www.wolftoothcycling.com

absolute insure

Absolute Insurance Agency, LLC is a full-service, independent insurance agency located in West Fargo, North Dakota.  We focus on and serve the insurance needs of North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota individuals, businesses, and farms.  We are licensed in a handful of other states as well.  We represent many different insurance companies and take pride in being an independent insurance agency giving us a competitive advantage.  We understand that each customer is different.  We are able to match the needs and wants of our customers with competitive premiums and comprehensive coverage’s from one of the many financially sound insurance companies we do business with.  www.absoluteinsure.com

Welcome to JunkYard Brewing. A craft brewery located in Moorhead, MN. specializing in new and experimental styles. Tap room is open seven days a week and crowlers are available to go.

Retailers:
These retailers support our event and are the best place to start when you need the right cycling gear.

DL Bike Shop
For your cycling needs in Detroit Lakes, check out DL Bike Shop.  They carry Trek Bicycles and Bontrager parts and accessories.  www.dlbikeshop.com

Gear West started 20 years ago because of their passion for cross country skiing. Since then, through that same passion and the support of their loyal customers they have grown into one of Minnesota’s premier independently owned specialty sports businesses. www.gearwest.com

outdoor100
Outdoor Motion is based in Hutchinson, MN.  They have an exerienced staff that owns an extensive collection of bikes so they are well qualified to help you find your next ride.  www.outdoormotionbikes.com 

Our long time partner Skinnysk.com is back again this year providing media coverage all weekend.  Watch for outstanding photos from across all classes posted on their site.  www.skinnyski.com