We have teamed up with the ultra distance race, the Driftless Dagger, to form a weekend long festival in the most underrated cycling destination the Midwest. The party will get started on Friday afternoon with shakeout rides, a kids race, and packet pick up. The festival will take place at Chestnut Mountain Resort which is located in the heart of Driftless country while also overlooking the Mighty Mississippi. This is arguably the most scenic region Illinois has to offer. If you have never been to the Galena area, you're in for a surprise. The area offers many activities for couples and families. We recommend making a weekend out of this one and taking in the full experience. 

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The Galena territory was founded by resilient, industrious folks who put the area on the map by being the first major site of the mineral rush in the United States. They mined over 21 million pounds of lead in just a 3 year period. If you want to finish The Lead Ore, you’ll need the same tenacity that these early pioneers demonstrated. 

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The Lead Ore will have a 100 plus mile route, a 60 mile route, and a noncompetitive 30 mile option. The routes will leave Chestnut and head East taking riders through the most beautiful, yet challenging countryside the Galena region has to offer. The routes will not be marked. You must download the route to your GPS cycling computer. 

 

Riders will finish by climbing up the famous Diggins Hill Climb before making their way back to the resort. There will be a post race party to celebrate doing hard things. Riders will receive a drink and post race meal with their registration.