Bike Festival Awards local non-profits $50K

As the sun was rose this morning, the Duluth Bike Festival awarded non-profits $52,500. The Duluth Harbortown Rotary Club hosted the gathering for the 10th annual bike Duluth Festival Awards.

Checks were presented to the 2024 bike festival beneficiaries, with each benefactor receiving $17,500 raised by the festival. The festival beneficiary partners for 2024 were Duluth DEVO Mountain Bike Program (DEVO), Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores (COGGS), and Duluth Harbortown Rotary.

The 10th annual festival drew in 700 riders, across 16 states. And in its ten years of existence raised more than $450,000 dollars. From novice to expert, riders and spectators participated in three action-packed days of intense races, non-competitive ride events, bike and equipment demonstrations, family activities, entertainment, and more.

A focus on giving back to the community and those riders was at the core for these non-profits. Members said, “We really try to teach them so much about life and skills and character, where things like, you know, grit, resilience, doing hard work, self-reliance,” and “That’s really what we are all about, using the MICE award to help teach those things that will hopefully lead to success in life for all of these young athletes.”

This Year’s Duluth Bike Festival

The 2025 Bike Duluth Festival will be held at Spirit Mountain in Duluth, Minnesota, Friday through Sunday, July 18-20.

“It has been an honor hosting and supporting this event that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars which go directly back into our community,” noted Chloe Strand, 2024 & 2025 Bike Duluth Festival Chair. “With such a wide array of races, we truly have the opportunity to bring the mountain biking community under one event.”

Participants can take part in challenging rides and races, including enduro, downhill, exposure, and XC races – tailored to rider skill levels. The 2025 event will continue to expand options for adaptive mountain biking, opening doors to a wider range of cycling enthusiasts. In addition, the event includes introductory race options for kids and adults alike.

While the 2025 planning season is about to kick-off, participants can find a wide range of information at www.bikeduluthfestival.com, including important travel and hospitality tips, volunteer details, and additional information about the community impact of this fun-filled racing event. Riders can also follow the event on social media for important updates via Facebook and Instagram.