MICHIGAN BIKE FESTIVAL

[SPAMINATOR]

Greetings Fellow bicyclists.. The Michigan Bike Festival is being hosted again this year at Hanson Hills in Grayling. Mark your calendar for Labor Day weekend. The festival will be FREE to all attendees. Did I say FREE?. Yes, Free. We are hosting the event Friday and Saturday. All the entertainment you have come to enjoy but FREE of charge.

Saturday will feature a new event: A cross country mtb and bike pathway bike race from Hartwick Pines State Park to Hanson Hills Recreation Area. Race registration is $10.00. This is an inaugural event that starts on the cc ski/mtb trails in Hartwick Pines State Park then exits the park to travel south along the paved non motorized pathway all the way south to complete one loop at Hanson Hills.

Stay tuned for more information.

See you all there

[Nechan]

Will the camping at Hanson Hills be free as well?_

Will there be food available?_

Nechan

[SPAMINATOR]

Thank you for your questions.

Yes, camping is free at Hanson Hills for the festival. Think of it, FREE CAMPING at a premier northern Michigan location duringt Labor Day Weekend for all festival registrants. Oh yeah, did I mention the festival is absolutely FREE this year.

We will have the legendary "Dollar Diner" open for business Friday evening and Saturday afternoon until around 11pm. You are welcome to bring your favorite beverage. I am not allowed to suggest you bring an alcoholic beverage but I can mention you can bring your favorite beverage in your cooler.

Grayling has some really good restaurants that serve up some really good home cooked meals on the cheap if you want to eat in town.

We are hosting the race this year also. We are doing this in part from requests of past participants and as a way of drawing attention to the opportunity to construct singletrack at Hartwick Pines State Park in the near future.

We are working very hard at finetunig our website but volunteers are very busy people so please be patient if you are trying to register. Please keep trying or you can register in person Friday evening or Saturday morning for both the race and attending the festival. The race has a nominal $10.00 registration fee to help cover costs with permits, signage and other details.

[SPAMINATOR]

I know there are some awsome musicians out there in mtb land. We are having an open mic format in addition to the planned music during the weekend. We have a PA system if you want to play loud or you can play accoustically. Come on out and share your talent with the rest of us.

[MTB23]

Sounds awsome! Let me know if you guys need any help with anything.

Jorden

[tmb]

Trying to juggle some things around so we can make this event. Hangin' with Spam and riding Hanson Hills is too much fun too miss!

T

[purple helmet]

details on the camping? actual campsites w/fire pits and whatnot, or open field? rustic toilets or modern? showers?

(there's alot of planning to be done when 4 girls are involved )

[Jason]

a few years ago (3) when we went there were portapotties set up. There also are the bathrooms in the lodge. Outdoor enclosed showers are nice too. The camping is in the trees close to where the last hill comes down on the xc course. I can't remember if there were pits, I think I remember someone having a fire going. There was a big fire over by the lodge though.

J

[SteveF]

Will there be ride opportunities (group ride, etc) for non racers as well?

[Nechan]

Will there be ride opportunities (group ride, etc) for non racers as well?

Spaminator is down state so I will try to answer for him:

Yes. I don't know what rides are scheduled however, as you know, the festival takes place at Hanson Hills which has some incredible trails, including the new outer loop if you are into dirt, and Grayling has some great roads if you are into pavement. There is also the bike path for those who don't like dirt, but don't like to be on the road with cars.

Hope this helps.
Nechan

[SteveF]

Will there be ride opportunities (group ride, etc) for non racers as well?

Spaminator is down state so I will try to answer for him:

Yes. I don't know what rides are scheduled however, as you know, the festival takes place at Hanson Hills which has some incredible trails, including the new outer loop if you are into dirt, and Grayling has some great roads if you are into pavement. There is also the bike path for those who don't like dirt, but don't like to be on the road with cars.

Hope this helps.
Nechan

Thanks for the info! I've been wanting to try the Hanson Hills trail for a while and this sounds like a good time to...

Steve

[Nechan]

I will lead a night ride on the trails at Hanson Hills on Friday night at 9:00pm, and possibly Saturday night as well, so charge up those batteries.

I would also be willing to lead a group ride for roadies on Saturday afternoon if there is interest.

Nechan

[Jeff]

I just finished GPSing of the proposed route for the race (minus any parking lot lead out or additions that I'm not aware of) and the total mileage according to Garmin was 27.35 miles. This included all of Weary Legs trail (counterclockwise) starting from the Contact Station parking lot and out the road to the paved trail and returning to the Hanson parking lot and completing the "New" Outer loop at Hanson. Mileage of just the Hanson new outer loop was 10.79 miles.

Let me just say that this race should not be underestimated. It will be much tougher than it sounds on paper. The wind could definitely be a factor on the paved path. Find a close competitor and draft. Having never ridden the trails in Hartwick Pines, I thought I might carry more speed through this portion than I actually did. The Hanson outer loop is rougher than the normal old outer loop hence slower. I love it! And the "New" outer loop is the whole reason for me wanting to do this race. It has just the right technical bits that most run of the mill MI courses don't have.

Jeff

[northernrider05]

Where is the race starting at within Hartwick pines?

[Jeff]

You will be able to register in person on Friday afternoon starting at 5pm and again first thing Saturday morning at the race start in the visitor center parking lot at Hartwick Pines State Park. There is a nominal $10.00 registration fee to participate in this race.

Jeff