Photographer Shoots for Success with Sports Magazine

words by sawyer hoff

photo by andrea paulseth

CHIPPEWA VALLEY SPORTS FANS, UNITE! A new sports publication focused solely on Chippewa Valley teams and players is becoming a reality. Branden Nall, a local photographer and sports enthusiast, decided to start Chippewa Valley Sports when he saw an uptick in interest and passion for local sports over the past year.

“Everything is sort of coming back into the sports that I grew up with,” Nall said. “Everything is just prospering.”

Unlike other sports publications, Nall wants to focus mostly on the players behind these teams and showcase some sports that don’t receive as much time in the spotlight, such as disc golf, weightlifting, and many more.

“It’s like one of those sports movies that aren’t really about sports,” Nall said. “That’s what I want Chippewa Valley Sports to be. It’s not about the sports, I want it to be about the people who are participating because, without them, the sport doesn’t exist.”

Articles and photographs on Nall’s website currently feature state champion Chi-Hi runner Brooklyn Sandvig, disc golfer Sami Osterberg, coverage of the Eau Claire Express, and photo sets of Eau Claire Cavaliers baseball and the Fire Freedom Justice Run. As of right now, Chippewa Valley Sports is online only, but Nall is working his way toward a printed publica- tion that would be free to the public. Issues will likely be published monthly, but Nall would love to do more if the interest is there.

“I had multiple conversations with people and it boiled down to

wanting to create something that was sports specific for the area and really drive that and really showcase what is all possible,” Nall said.

Check out Chippewa Valley Sports at chippewavalleysports.com.

IT’S TIME TO HIT THE TRAILS AND TUNNELS ON THE SEVENTH ANNUAL RIDE ACROSS WISCONSIN (RAW) BIKE RIDE. This year the full 235-mile ride, sponsored by the Wisconsin Bike Fed, starts in La Crosse and ends in Milwaukee. There are also shorter routes if the full ride is a little too intimidating, ranging from 100 miles to 165 miles over one or two days.

This ride will follow the Elroy Sparta Trail, pass through Wisconsin Dells and cross the Wisconsin River on a ferry. For all the one-day riders headed for Milwaukee, their ride will end at the Twisted Fisherman for a tropical-themed celebration. The two-day cross-state riders will end their journey at the Harley Davidson Museum.

There are stops along the route to eat, sleep, and even charge your e-bike. There are luggage shuttling services so you don’t have to ride with lots of gear and supplies. This year, there is an Amtrak ride and a Motorcoach ride to take you from the Dells back to La Crosse.

To learn more about this event, you can check out the RAW 2022 Rider Guide at rideacrosswisconsin.com. –Sawyer Hoff

words by sawyer hoff

WE’RE ALL MAD HERE IN EAU CLAIRE. THIS YEAR’S CLUED UPP INTERACTIVE OUTDOOR GAME HAS AN ALICE IN WONDERLAND THEME, and it falls down the rabbit hole Oct. 1.

Just like last year, round up a team of your friends and some killer costumes to solve clues and compete versus other teams against a clock. All you need is a smartphone to access the Clued Upp app and walk through downtown Eau Claire between 9am-2pm the day of to complete the challenges.

You can pause the game to get something to eat and get right back into it, too. Prizes will be given out for several categories such as fastest team, best fancy dress (Alice in Wonderland-themed), best team photo, best team name, best mini player (under 16 years old), and pawesome pooch (best dog photo).

To learn more about the event and to purchase a team ticket, you can go to cluedupp.com.