Another great weekend of racing and mountain bike fellowship for Laddies Loppet 2021. This was the 31st year celebrating mountain biking at Maplelag.
With that first race in 1990 we forged relationships that we continue to maintain and treasure the new and old ones made throughout the years. Thanks to everyone who visited us this year making it another memorable weekend amongst amazing weather. Special shout out to our staff, volunteers and sponsors that help make it happen.
Beautiful weekend for Laddies Loppet 2021Always great seeing the kids on the line!
Maplelag Mountain Bike Team Members racing Laddies Loppet 2021
Jake RichardsSteve Wenzel before the start of his race. Steve hasn’t missed a race since 1990, competing in every Laddies Loppet!Jacob Olson. Congrats Jacob on winning the Comp Short Track race!Keith Moors. Thanks Keith for all your awesome work this summer helping prepare the course for race day!Ben OlsonCongrats John Peter on the Sport Short Track win!Wayne Carlson testing the tracks before race day.Smiling Bryan Schoenberger heading out at race start in the Comp race.Pat Crary heading out at the start of the Comp Race.John Muszynkski on the line
Nice job to everyone who completed the Virtual Lotvola Cup this ski season. A wide range of conditions made for memorable skiing. Below are the participants from Strava recording and submitted times/completions. Anyone that is missed, please let us know so we can update the page and photo! We plan to do the virtual option again next season along with a mass timed event. A date will be posted in the fall.
The Lotvola Cup was one of the oldest cross country ski races in Minnesota, starting in 1977, and had grown to be popular among not only local skiers but enthusiasts from around the country.
Start of Lotvola Cup on Little Sugarbush lake in front of the original main lodge, 1980.
We have established a new course for classic only technique. We are not able to host a mass start race but will have the virtual race now open through the remainder of the 2020-2021 ski season. A 14km course has been set using Strava to track skiers. If you are not on Strava, we suggest loading the app. If not using Strava, you may submit your time and we will add all the skiers on a final spreadsheet. In keeping with the spirit of the original Lotvola Cup, the idea is not to be the fastest skier but “simply” complete the challenge. Partnering with ski shops, we will provide random awards to skiers upon completion of the Cup.
Start of the 2021 Lotvola Cup challenge. Sukkerbusk ski trail, just across the parking lot near the legendary orange tractor!
The course starts on Sukkerbusk ski trail at the “orange tractor”. Continue on Sukkerbusk until Twin Lakes trail. Left on Twin Lakes. Upon completion of Twin Lakes, continue back up to Sukkerbusk. Take a left on Sukkerbusk to North Loup. Left on access to North Loup. Upon completion of North Loup, take left on Sukkerbusk and finish out Sukkerbusk back to the start area. Continue on through and finish out on Sap Run trail to the right. The finish is back at the flag pole.
Most intersections take left except near the end of Sukkerbusk stay right to finish out the course on Sap Run trail. Most intersections will be marked with the original signs like above that read “Maplelag Ski Tur”.
The original Lotvola Cup course was 12 kilometers. The 2021 version will be around 14km, classic only technique.
The 12 KM classic technique only race was named in honor of Elias Lotvola. A Finnish pioneer in the local Sugarbush township who was famous for his skiing abilities as well making classic wooden skis in the Finnish tradition by hand. Even is his 80’s Elias would ski thru the “bush” and woods checking his trapline of over 30 miles in length. His skis and poles were on display in the lodge, but sadly they were lost in the fire of December 1999. However, many examples of similar wooden skis made by Elias Lotvola, are on display in the lodge.
Newspaper article by local paper Detroit Lakes Newspapers of first Lotvola Cup in 1977.
The race honors the tradition of Nordic skiing in Minnesota and up to the most recent race, had a wood ski division. Past Lotvola Cup participants included not only recreational skiers but Olympic athletes including biathlete Wynn Roberts of Battle Lake area who competed in the Vancover Winter Olympics in 2010.
Old school and new school, US Olympian Wynn Robert competing in the Lotvola Cup 2009 with wood skis.
Maplelag has always promoted a healthy and environmental friendly use of the land with a minimal footprint to conserve and promote our wonderful natural resources.
Snowy start to Lotvola Cup 2010.Newspaper article from early Lotvola Cup.
We have made the decision to cancel this years 30th Laddies Loppet mountain bike race weekend and postpone the 30th celebration until next year. The health, comfort, and safety of our staff and guests has always been our number one priority.
The Laddies Loppet weekend is a very special event to us as we have been hosting for 30 year, meeting so many wonderful people along the way and forging life long friendships and meeting new people each year. We look forward to the same for our 31st year of mountain biking at Maplelag in 2021 hosting the 30th Laddies Loppet!
We continue to have the “LagChilada” challenge in place and the mountain bike trails remain open daily for riding until early November. More details on the LagChilda can be found here. As we enter some of the best months of the season to ride, stay tuned for information on group rides, tech lessons and feel free to reach out if interested in a guided ride. 218-849-7669.
Thank you to everyone that has supported the Laddies Loppet and mountain biking at Maplelag. Keep the wheels moving!
We have a challenge in place called the “LagChilada Challenge” we started earlier this summer. The challenge is to ride a loop we created that includes nearly the entire trail system. We created a Strava segment that features the loop. (Does not include the SukkerWest or North Loup Gnar segments which were added after we started the challenge)
The challenge provides an opportunity to test skill and endurance. The total mileage on the loop created, including the connector to Bullhead Bootleg, is around 21 miles (this is based on multiple wheel sensor reading from various riders. Due to the nature of the trail at Maplelag and heavy forest canopy a GPS will record a lower reading) There is a specific Strava segment but the Challenge can be completed riding all trails at various sequence. If not on Strava, simply contact us to share your ride information. The Strava segment starts with the Expert starter loop and continues on riding all the singletrack segements, staying to the right including access to Bootleg than back on the main loop using the connector. After the main loop singlettrack segments, cross over to Twin Lakes for the singletrack loop than back across the road to finish near the parking lot!
Thanks to select sponsors, and the artists at Junkyard Brewing, we will have a shirt to give to all participants. The Challenge will run until the end of the dirt season, late October/early November. We are keeping track of everyone that has completed the challenge so far (photos below of most of those riders). Contact Jay at 218-849-7669 if any questions. We will also have Maplelag team members available to guide riders on limited days and times. Contact to set up a time.
There is no fee to enter the challenge other than the season pass which is also open for anyone interested in helping out with trail maintenance to keep the self funded Maplelag trail in best riding condition possible. Riders assume all responsibilities and actions when riding knowing unmarked obstacles exist and conditions can change at anytime.
Riders that have completed the challenge as of September 21st:
Dan DeRoma, Zach Wagner, Jacob Skatvold, Ryan McGreevy, Marcus Olson, Barrett Jessnes, Chad Bannor, Chris Bloyer, Heidi Olson, Doug Swanson, Brittany Diederich, Aaron Jost, Kevin Zavoral, Craig Brandenburger, Jamie Jesson, David Lien, Jacob Olson, Brandt Elson, Sam Elson, Max Chinn, Derek Chinn, Barry Buhr, Dylan Ramstad-Skoyles, Denny Barry, John Muszynski, Alicia Fisk, Mat Fisk, Ayden Ochs, Rick Ochs, Shane Kullman, Greg Ames, James Burg, Ben Olson, Bryan Schoenberger, Bob Tolliver, Steve Hausman, Ryan Schutte, Peder Arneson, Steve Wenzel, Matt Engen, Wayne Carlson, Keith Moors, Jake Richards
Jacob Skatvold and Ryan McGreevyDan DeRoma chillin’ after completing the LacChilada!Zach WagnerMarcus OlsonBen, Heidi and Marcus Olson. Doug SwansonBrittany DiederichLagChilada fun! If you haven’t received a t-shirt, contact us and we will mail one out. (email is best)Craig BrandenburgerDavide Lien and Jamie JessonJacob OlsonDerek ChinnBarry BuhrMax ChinnSam and Brandt ElsonAyden Ochs (Rich Ochs also completing who took photo)Dylan Ramstad-SkoylesJohn MuysznkiMatt EngenDenny BarryAlicia and Mat FiskPeder ArnesonShane KullmanBen OlsonJake RichardsSteve WenzelBryan SchoenbergerBob TolliverJames BurgKeith MoorsWayne Carlson
A Family Owned and Operated Destination Cross-Country Ski Center
