Race

The Lawless 50 is held annually at Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park in Vandalia, Michigan. There are three length options and multiple categories: the premier 50-mile race, the 2/3 Lawless (32 miles), and the 'Lil Lawless (16 miles). 

The namesake 50-mile Lawless 50 is one of the Midwest's premier endurance mountain bike races and is among the most challenging in the region. Racers will do three laps of mostly singletrack, and some doubletrack trails, climbing a near-total 4000 feet of elevation gain throughout the race. 

Included again this year is the Class-1 E-Mountain Bike race category, which is one of the first of its kind in the world (see below for details). 

The Lawless 50 event is growing, and this year will offer craft beer, grilled foods, and an excellent atmosphere for racers and spectators alike. 

Hosted by the Northern Indiana Mountain Bike Association (NIMBA) - ALL proceeds from this event support the trail development efforts at the six trails managed by the organization and used by the community.

• TK Lawless mountain bike trail. Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park – Vandalia, MI.
• Bonneyville Mill mountain bike trail. Bonneyville Mill County Park – Elkhart, IN.
• Rum Village mountain bike trail. Rum Village City Park – South Bend, IN.
• Potato Creek mountain bike trail. Potato Creek State Park – North Liberty, IN.
• Bendix Woods mountain bike trail. Bendix Woods County Park – New Carlisle, IN.
• Soldiers Memorial mountain bike trail. Soldiers Memorial City Park – LaPorte, IN. 

EVENT DETAILS

When: July 15th, 2023

Where: Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park in Vandalia, Michigan

Race Lengths: 50-mile, 32-mile, 16-mile (distances are approximate and subject to minor changes during course selection)

Race Categories: Men's and Women's Open (each length), Clydesdale/Fatbike/Singlespeed, eMTB Men's/Women's category (32-mile)

Race Purse/Prizes: Over $3,000 in cash and prizes 

Start Times: 9:30 am for the 50-mile, other lengths after. Start times are subject to change. The final start time determination will be July 1st. 

Camping: Limited RV and Tent camping are available—primitive, no hookups. See the registration page for details.

Register by July 1st for an included event t-shirt!

Register: bikereg.com/lawless-50

Facebook: facebook.com/lawless50race

E-MTB GUIDELINES

Definitions

Class 1, Pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and has a maximum assisted speed of 20mph.

Bicycle Eligibility

All bicycles (electric and non-electric) must be able to pass a pre-race visual inspection.

e-MTBs must be Class 1 ONLY.

An impound area will be located adjacent to the finish area. The top 5 finishers of each class may be subject to an immediate 30-minute bicycle impound. Race administrators or designated parties reserve the right to verify the eligibility of impounded bicycles. Same-class racers can submit a protest to a race administrator within the impound time of a protested bicycle. Protested bicycles are subject to eligibility verification by race administrators.

Battery Swapping

A one-time battery swap is allowed within the following parameters:

• The TOTAL of allowed Watt-hours not to exceed 1000Wh *if using a battery swap, the total combined Watt-hours
• Battery Swaps ONLY to be done at the designated battery swap tent adjacent to the neutral support mechanic tent (between laps 1 and 2)
• For those intending to swap batteries:
• Batteries will be checked-in at registration and placed in the designated swap tent within 20 minutes of the race start time. A race representative will manage the battery swap tent, securing racers' valuable batteries. This race representative will help ensure that racers use their own batteries only.

*Exceptions to total Watt-hours will be made on a case-by-case

basis, at the discretion of the race administrator.

Factors considered will be battery size, rider weight, and experience level. Please contact the race administrator with questions.