Not for the faint of heart: 'InSayner' Bike Race Returns June 14
The Lakeland Area Mountain Biking Organization (LAMBO) will again host its InSayner Mountain Bike Race Saturday, June 14, to raise funds for the Musky Mountain Bike Trails.
The race will be headquartered at the Sayner community building, located at 3019 Sayner Ave. with check-in beginning at 8 a.m. Races will begin at 10 a.m. followed by an awards ceremony and raffles at 1:30 p.m.
Three ride options are on the menu for the InSayner, which takes place in the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest — the No-See-Um Family Ride, the Swarm Adventure Ride, and the InSayner Adventure Race. Organizers warn the Adventure Race is not for the faint of heart.
"The InSayner will be a challenging but fun race that, to the bitter end, will throw you an occasional gut punch," stated race director Mike Olkowski.
The 25-mile race starts at the Sayner Community Center and travels down snowmobile trails to Musky Mountain before continuing down Plum Vitae Road to another snowmobile trail. This hits Vandercook Road a few times before continuing to Klondike Road and on to Ross Lake Road before following snowmobile trails back to the start.
Those brave enough to undertake the InSayner Adventure Race are given a word of warning from Olkowski: "No cursing, and don’t forget to sign the waiver. Remember, you chose this."
Another option is the Swarm Adventure Ride — a "12-mile backwoods biking adventure" where participants will "ride snowmobile trails, sweet stretches of downhills, logging roads, gravel roads, a small stretch of blacktop, and a few other surprises that may dampen an average rider's spirit," Olkowski noted.
Finally, the more family-friendly No-See-Um Ride will begin at 10:05 a.m. Olkowski said this 3.5-mile is a much shorter ride suitable for kids and families.
"But this is the InSayner, so there is definitely some adventure on the course!" he warns. "You get to cross a bridge over Plum Creek on the way out, and on the way back in, you get to cross Plum Creek again — this time without a bridge." But riders are urged not to worry, as LAMBO will have people at the crossing to help any No-See-Um riders who want or need it.
Costs vary depending on race choice. Early bird pricing for the InSayner Adventure Race costs $45; the Swarm Adventure Ride, $20; and the No-See-Um Ride, $10. Registration will also be open starting at 8 a.m. the day of the event.
All funds raised will go toward LAMBO's Musky Mountain trail building project. Organizers note that bike helmets are required for all LAMBO events.
Registration will be open until June 13 for those willing to brave the elements and take part in these rides. More information on this and other LAMBO happenings can be found at lambo.rocks/events/insayner or by finding the group on Facebook.
