Location: Starts and finishes at Chestnut Mountain Resort, Galena, IL.
Registration: There is a combined field limit of 50 riders for the main event.
Cost: Approximately $125.00 for solo, pairs, or specialized categories.

Riders must choose between two relentless loops, both of which are roughly 60-70% unpaved:

The Dagger (Main Event): 550 miles with over 40,000 feet of elevation gain.
The Baby Dagger: 237 miles with approximately 20,000 feet of vertical climbing.

The Dagger follows strict ultra-cycling ethics to ensure fairness and self-reliance:

No Outside Aid: Riders must be entirely self-sufficient. No pre-arranged support, private resupply, or pacing is allowed.
Commercial Services Only: Use of hotels, gas stations, and bike shops is permitted only if they are available to all racers.
Continuous Clock: The timer starts at the Grand Depart and does not stop for sleep or mechanical issues until the rider finishes or scratches.
Navigation: Routes are not marked. Riders must use a GPS tracker (such as Trackleaders) for both navigation and proof of completion.

Lighting: Must have two independent head and tail lights; lights must be on from dusk to dawn.
Tire Choice: While 38mm tires are fast on tamer sections, riders often prefer 2-inch (50mm+) tires for comfort and control on the rougher back roads and "B-roads" found later in the course.
Gearing: Given the relentless "punchy" climbs, low gearing is highly recommended. The inaugural 550-mile winner notably completed the course on a single-speed setup.

The Driftless Dagger cycling event logo

Illinois Cycling Events

Events in Illinois