Notes on the Aftermath: The Local’s Guide to Apres Fever
Birkie Fever(ish):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, there are a lot of people who take it waaay too seriously, but it’s still a pretty sweet race.
At the very least, it draws around 7500 people; if you’re in the elite wave, you’re like a god. Winning this year
pays out $7500, and then you are GOD (at least, in the Midwest).
A lot has already been written about training for the race, waxing for the race, warming up for the
race, doing the race, etc. This: http://fasterskier.com/2011/02/birkie-guide-v-2-011/ is remarkably
good. And yet, post-post-race, there’s not much being written. And so, your guide to post-Birkie
activities:
– Immediately after finish: Get your medal, change clothes and head to the Moccasin Bar. It’s the
mint-green one within sight of McDonald’s, which you no doubt will visit after multiple pitchers of
cheap Leinie’s. Back-up site: Good Knights – basically next door, but with even more camo jackets
and Nugent on the jukebox. Warning: In Wisconsin, if you’re under 21 but with a parent or legal
guardian, you can drink at bars – don’t assume they’re old enough to date just because they’re
carrying a pint.
– Lunch: If you haven’t hit up McDonald’s … who are we kidding; of course you did. Other good
options are that gyro place (it’s currently named both Yanni’s and Tony’s) a couple of blocks north of
the Moccasin. The El Dorado on County Road B is fairly cheap with big portions of decent Mexican;
the medium beers are pints, the large is about a quart (about half-mile from downtown, but you get
to see the gigantic fiberglass fish and Lumberjack Bowl on the way).
– Nap: You should. Really.
– Dinner: If you’re up in Cable, try to force your way into Rivers Eatery (at the Ideal Market). Really,
really good pizza – and Bjorn Daehlie ate here. Bjorn. Daehlie. Otherwise, the Ranch Supper Club is
good, as is the Thirsty Minnow (though, as a warning, it will be jammed).
– Party: The classic is, and always will be, at the Sawmill in Seeley. The opening band (5-9pm)
features Brad Nelson (formerly of NMU, Gitchi Gummi and St. Scholastica) on drums. There will be
snowmobilers there, but even though skiers out-number them, you should not try to fight any. If
you finished in the top-10, get ready to beat … errr … fend off admirers (after accepting their beers).
If not …
– Late night: Phipps Tavern. It’s a fair bet that most/all of the industry people will be here, so if you
broke a ski, interrupting their lap-dance is the best time to get that warrantied.
– Late, late, late night: There will be Russian, Norwegian and Swiss skiers in the area. They have
fancy jackets. Just make sure your teammates don’t rat you out.