Ride the driftless monster at the La Crosse Bike Festival

For nine years, the La Crosse Area Labor Day Bike Festival has hosted all kinds of fun rides, for all kinds of riders. This year, along with the: family-friendly neighborhood tours, ice-cream rides, mountain biking, live music, and scenic road rides, there is the “Monster”. A 100-mile ride (with a 62 and 125-mile option) that will take you on an unforgettable journey through the scenic valley of the Mississippi River.

Travel on low-traffic rural roads, or at least on roads with bike facilities.

The Monster Ride is 100 miles, with 10 climbs, and 7,400 feet of elevation gain. Six of the climbs on this route count as real “Driftless Monsters,” or hills with over 300 ft of elevation gain and at least one has a grade of 14% or greater. Through the weekend, starting at the registration tent in Riverside Park, you can complete this route anytime between sunrise and sunset (6:28 a.m. to 7:35 p.m.) each day of the festival. Plus, it’s free, but you will need to register!

* NOTE CHANGE: Mass start is at 8 a.m. if you want to leave with the pack.

This is a self-supported, self-guided event; not a race. Challenge yourself or feel free to grab some friends and see if you have what it takes. The routes are not marked on the road. Rather they will be on Ride With GPS as an “event” with all available features. PDFs of the route and a cue sheet are also available.

Family fun for everyone at the LaCrosse Area Bicycle Festival.

Sign-up for the La Crosse Area Labor Day Bike Festival

The Festival registration, most in-town rides, the Open Streets fair, and live music are all complimentary. However, premium festival registration will give you many additional benefits including text-based weather updates; t-shirts and a special bag of goodies. The Gravel Enduro Series and Gran Fondo are also optional fee-based events with timing and added benefits.

In-town Bike Festival rides

Family fun for everyone on the La Crosse Area Bicycle Festival ice cream tour.

Family fun for everyone on the La Crosse Area Bicycle Festival ice cream tour.

Most in town guided rides are free, except money for cool treats, and are suitable for families, kids, and are easy. They leave from Riverside Park at the designated time, make frequent stops,

Pump track fun at the LaCrosse Area Bicycle Festival is easy and will help you improve your mountain bike skills.

Pump track fun at the LaCrosse Area Bicycle Festival is easy and will help you improve your mountain bike skills.

and have a leader and volunteers to shepherd the ride through the city.

Bike Festival self-guided bike routes

The Bike Festival team have designed these countryside routes to be ridden self-supported. Ride your bike alone or in small groups, without the need for a tour guide or ride leader. All mapped routes are designed loops, leaving from public parks or parking lots. Wherever possible, you’ll travel on low-traffic rural roads, or at least on roads with bike facilities. To help you stay self-sufficient, maps show optional stops every 25-30 miles at convenience stores or public parks.

Time to make plans now!

Register today for the La Crosse Area Labor Day Bike Festival.

For lodging options see: Destination La Crosse