Did anyone else see this and start thinking of doing something stupid. I like to have at least one race on the schedule that I legit don’t know if I can finish. Copper Harbor to Marquette?!? Are you kidding me?!? Does it get any more epic than this?!
I saw the same thing. I know some of the area especially west of Marquette. It would not be easy. Some very technical areas to ride though. Essentially a Marji Gesick of gravel road/forest road rides.
Good luck. There will be long sections of the route where there will be no phone service, no people, no traffic, nothing, for miles. And there are bears, wolves and Mt. lions in this area. Moose too.
Has anyone ridden The Crusher (formerly HAMR)? If not, is there anyone familiar with the “roads” up there (I use that term loosely).
I just picked up a Woodsmoke 29”+ hardtail for a screaming deal at GRBC. I will be adding a lighter set of I9 wheels this summer and a narrower tire, maybe 2.5”. I’m curious is anyone has any suggestions on the Woodsmoke vs my new Warbird with 2.1” mountain bike tires for a course like this. And yes, I’ve spent way too much at the bike shop in the last 6 months!
I have plenty of time to figure it out, I’m just bored and have too much time to think about this stuff so I thought I’d reach out.
I'd go wide tire, 650b with Riddler's or something similar on your Warbird, but the MB isn't a bad choice either.. Plan on everything from miles of sand, cobble stones, the muck wallows. You will be on everything from well maintained gravel roads to logging road two tracks. You will likely cross rivers without bridges. If I can find them I'll post some pics of the roads in the area. I spent many summers up there working for the mining companies.
I would ride a full suspension mountain bike or have suspension. I know a guy that did it on a cutthroat. I finished 8th last year. Hardest thing I have ever done. Did Dk200 in 2017, 2018 Barry 100, C2C 212, LJ100. I also recommend getting a hotel in Copper Harbor. Reason is you are going to have to setup camp in a packed camp ground (little sleep), then in the morning tear down camp at 430am or so in the morning before the race which starts at 530am. Then you will do the race which may take you 30+ hours. When you arrive you will have to setup your camp again. I have a hotel in copper harbor so I will just ride the bus to the start, grab my backpack and bike, ride to the hotel, 1 mile, get dinner, sleep in peace, ride back 1mile to the race start. Make sure you have a water filter. Do not think anyone is joking about crazy terrain. You will not be able to ride sections, there are puddles that fill the whole trail that are probably 5 feet deep. You will have water crossings. Imagine the worse and hope for the best ride of your life.
My blog from last year. You may have already read it.
Thanks for the response! I’ve read that blog post a few times!
For now I will plan on my Woodsmoke hard tail as I don’t have a full suspension bike... the idea of the hotel is brilliant! Any recommendation on which one is closest to the start?
So did the loop event (HAMR?) that peiffer83 did get replaced with a point to point ride (Crusher)? Seems like a cool event, but I don't know that I'm connecting the dots properly...
You’ve got it... HAMR has been replaced by The Crusher, which offers a few distances. I’m signed up for 225 miles of stupidity (meant in the best way possible!), which is point 2 point from Copper Harbor to Marquette. I believe they still have a 50 and 100 mile loop option that starts and ends in Marquette.
JMosey wrote:Thanks for the response! I’ve read that blog post a few times!
For now I will plan on my Woodsmoke hard tail as I don’t have a full suspension bike... the idea of the hotel is brilliant! Any recommendation on which one is closest to the start?
Thanks. Room is booked. I think my own bathroom, coffee, and a bed is worth $80! Staying at the same place so maybe we can ride over together in the morning.
Can’t wait for this race... although I have lots of fun things in the meantime. Next up, Land Run!
It doesn't look like I will be able to make it... life has gotten in the way and cycling will have to take a back seat this summer. If anyone is interested in signing up drop me a line and we can arrange a transfer at a discount.
