the lil' drifty

A 3-Day 100+ Mile Kayak & Bike Challenge Across The Driftless Region of Wisconsin All for A Great Cause
Aug 6th - 9th, 2026
Price starts at $350

what's the lil' drifty?

The best adventures always start the same way… something goes a little off-script…flat tires, weird detours, etc.

We call that an unscripted adventure and The Lil’ Drifty is our way of bottling that feeling in a multi-day blend of endurance, fun, and mild chaos that doesn’t require quitting your job or jeopardizing your health insurance.

You’ll chart your own route, camp on sandbars, party with locals, and raise money for a great cause while drifting your way into a story worth telling. We will cap it all off with the Driftyfest, an awesome finish line part at Working Draft Brewery.

total miles

100+ Miles

mode of transport

Bikes, Kayak, Canoes, Paddle Boards or Surprise Us

lodging

Camping, AirBnB, Make Friends A Long Way

what makes it great

Safe-Ish

While it’s very unlikely you’ll die, there is always the off chance that you flip your canoe, run your bike into a cow, or get attacked by an eagle. We won’t be holding your hand, but we will do our best to keep you out of the hospital.

Unconventional

While our event does require physical activity we are more about the fun than the run. Wear a chicken suit? Encouraged. Hit every dive bar along the way? It’s a strategy. Your goal is to have fun & make it to the finish line.

Camaraderie

Nothing bonds total strangers like a shared struggle and positive attitudes. Our events bring together unique outgoing folks from all over the world with a passion for unscripted fun.

Drifty-Fest

We want you to finish with a bang. That’s why we host the Drifty Fest. An epic party with live music, great food, local brews & hilarious awards. This is an event you can invite your friends and family as well!

what our participants say

Drifty is what I imagine going through the laundry is like. You get kind of dirty, then get sort of wet, then you kind of get the shit kicked out of you for a little bit but at the end you have this really warm and fuzzy feeling and you want to do it again.

Walker

Minneapolis, MN

Too many crazy stories to count. We spent one night on a hippie commune and partied til 3:00 am with them. Another day we biked up to a dairy farm to try fresh cow milk and got a private tour, A LOT of fresh milk & ended the night at the farmer’s cousin’s bar. It was utterly ridiculous.

Nick

Madison, WI

An incredible trip where you’ll learn more about yourself than you anticipate. You’re never technically far from civilization but it feels like you’re in your own private nature preserve. The perfect combination of relaxation and exertion.

Josh

Chicago, il

the itinerary & route

Aug 6th - 9th, 2026
6:30pm

Welcome Party & Kick Off

We start things off with a party because why not!? We rent a large camping area and will have great food, excellent drinks, Wisconsin's coolest bike mechanic and host our kick off party where we give you a quick rundown of what to expect and who to call if you get thrown in jail.

Friday, August 7th, 2026
11:00am - 5:00pm

Transition Point 1: Sauk City Landing

Here you’ll swap out your pedals for your paddles. Don’t worry your two wheeled stallion will be in great hands. In the meantime, start paddling and keep an eye out for the sand bar of your dreams to camp out on.

Sunday, August 9th
3:00pm

Finish Line: Working Draft Brewery

Every epic journey deserves an epic ending. Whether you’ve just conquered The Drifty or Lil’ Drifty, cheered on a friend, or simply love a good party—Drifty-Fest is where it all comes together.

Friday, August 7th, 2026
7:00am - 10:00am

Adventure Begins!

You’ll load up your bikes and start the first leg of the adventure, a roughly 20 to 30 mile bike ride to the first transition point at Sauk City.

Saturday, August 8th:
7:00am - 1:00pm

Transition Point 2: Wisconsin River Resort

After a night celebrating island life you’ll paddle to the 2nd transition point at Wisconsin Riverside Resort. There are bathrooms and showers available. Our incredible bike mechanic can also help you fix any tweaks you may have encountered during the first ride.

Aug 6th - 9th, 2026
6:30pm

Welcome Party & Kick Off

We start things off with a party because why not!? We rent a large camping area and will have great food, excellent drinks, Wisconsin's coolest bike mechanic and host our kick off party where we give you a quick rundown of what to expect and who to call if you get thrown in jail.

Friday, August 7th, 2026
7:00am - 10:00am

Adventure Begins!

You’ll load up your bikes and start the first leg of the adventure, a roughly 20 to 30 mile bike ride to the first transition point at Sauk City.

Friday, August 7th, 2026
11:00am - 5:00pm

Transition Point 1: Sauk City Landing

Here you’ll swap out your pedals for your paddles. Don’t worry your two wheeled stallion will be in great hands. In the meantime, start paddling and keep an eye out for the sand bar of your dreams to camp out on.

Saturday, August 8th:
7:00am - 1:00pm

Transition Point 2: Wisconsin River Resort

After a night celebrating island life you’ll paddle to the 2nd transition point at Wisconsin Riverside Resort. There are bathrooms and showers available. Our incredible bike mechanic can also help you fix any tweaks you may have encountered during the first ride.

Sunday, August 9th
3:00pm

Finish Line: Working Draft Brewery

Every epic journey deserves an epic ending. Whether you’ve just conquered The Drifty or Lil’ Drifty, cheered on a friend, or simply love a good party—Drifty-Fest is where it all comes together.

Price

1 Person

1 Kayak

Individual

For only
$350
Register

2 Persons

1 Canoe

Team of 2

save $50!
For only
$599
Register

3 Persons

1 Canoe

Team of 3

save $150!
For only
$799
Register

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