Sawtooth Stage Race
August 21 – 23, 2026
The Sawtooth Stage Race is the Midwest’s only multi-day mountain bike trail race! The Superior Cycling Association is excited to partner with COGGS to bring this inaugural event to the North Shore. Race it gun to tape as a classic XC course, or sit back and rip the Gravity Segments like an enduro. Either way, take in every mile of the SCA’s trail network, make new friends, and embrace the challenge of something new! The Sawtooth Stage Race offers every rider a new way to test their endurance, skill, and strategy over three days of epic singletrack racing!
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The Stages
Friday August 21, 5pm-8pm: ITT Prologue: 6.8mi, 500ft- The tone for the weekend will be set with a short rip around the Britton Peak trails. This will be an individual time trial with riders allowed to start any time between 5pm and 8pm. There will be two Gravity segments on this course, Skookum and Flume. Plate pickup and race information will be at the trailhead. Stage awards will be done as call ups the following morning.
Saturday August 22, 11am: Jackpot – High Climber: 32mi, 2,900ft- The queen stage. Begin with a few miles of neutral roll along the Gitchi Gami, so chat with fellow racers and take in the view. In Tofte, ascend a tarmac climb to Britton Peak and plug into the singletrack. Climb, flow, and grit through the Jackpot wilderness. The Gravity Segments are remote and will test your onsight ability. Keep it rubber side down, help is a long way off out here! Cross onto High Climber at mile 25 and cruise through 5 miles of Dirt Candy to Lutsen Mountains and the finish. The final Gravity Segment is pure speed! Post race food, drinks, music, and awards at Caribou Highlands near the finish area.
Sunday August 23, 9am: Pincushion Dirt Circuit- 20mi, 2,200ft- The final stage will start and finish in downtown Grand Marais. First ascend tarmac, two-track, and a goat trail up to Pincushion. Pedal, pump, and jump around the fully redesigned trail system for two laps (hitting 2 Gravity Segments each lap) and fly back into town. Post race vibes and awards in the coolest small town in America.