Ore to Shore

The race course traverses some of the most scenic terrain available in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The course starts in downtown Negaunee, which is the “birthplace” of iron ore mining in Michigan. The first two miles will be a roll-out on pavement, and then the race will hit the dirt as you make your way to Ishpeming. There you will detour through downtown and travel the city streets for another mile. Then you’re back on the trails. The course will roll with the hills as you gradually drop in elevation to Marquette. You will be captivated as you pass by the lakes, rivers, ponds, and wildlife along the way. The course is wide enough the entire way to allow for easy and safe passage, but yet remains “tunneled” by nearby trees to give the sense of winding your way through the forests. Approaching the city of Marquette, you are still in the highlands, look off in the distance for a beautiful view of Lake Superior and the final destination. The course passes through local mining history in the area. Look for the following sites along the way: Cliff’s Shaft, Rope’s Gold Mine Haul Road, L.S. & I. Railroad’s Presque Isle Ore Dock, and many other intriguing points of interest.

Like its HARD ROCK counterpart, the SOFT ROCK rolls over much of the same terrain. From the start in Negaunee, you will immediately begin your journey to Marquette. After a 2 mile roll
-out on pavement, you will connect to dirt trails. At about the halfway point, you will merge trails with the HARD ROCK course and will be afforded the
same splendid vistas as you make your way to the shores of Lake Superior.

The Shore Rock offers an entry-level distance for the rider looking to try mountain bike racing, or for kids wanting to expand beyond the Junior Rock. Starting at Lakeview Arena at 8am, the racers will travel towards Tourist Park along the last section of the Hard and Soft Rock course. The course will circle around and finish back at Lakeview Arena. Trophies will be awarded to the top age group finishers.

The Junior Rock race is a 4 mile loop on a dirt trail starting at Lakeview Arena in Marquette, for those age 13 and under. The racers finish using the same finish as the Hard and Soft Rock racers. Each racer receives a commemorative T-shirt for participating. You will be placed into the appropriate age group from the following: 5 and under, 6 to 7, 8 to 9, 10 to 11, 12 to 13.

Kids will also have the opportunity to experience the thrill of the race as they approach the finish area and hear the support of the crowd. They will ride near the shores of the “Great Gitche Gumee” as they make their way around this one mile course. All kids will leave a winner by taking home a ribbon and an official race t-shirt.

Your young one can’t quite reach the pedals? Bring your toddler’s tricycle, Big Wheel, or push car, and do what’s necessary to get them to the finish by pushing, pulling, or letting them “pedal”. They will cruise into the finish area with a grin that won’t quit. Each child will go away a winner by taking home a ribbon and an official race t-shirt.