Hammer Nutrition will be sponsoring the Log Splitter!  We'll have an aid station with HEED, samples and goodie bags for all racers.  As a Hammer fan I'm stoked to have them supporting us. 

Thanks Hammer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For race registration click on the BikeReg logo below.  Be sure to register early, the price will go up as we get closer to the race date. Also, the field is limited to the first two hundred registrants.  Late registrants will be handled on a case by case basis only.  Thank you.

Greetings bicycle and music enthusiasts!   Welcome to the Michigan Bike Festival/Logsplitter Mountainbike Challenge race website.  We are actively loading up photos, videos, music clips and other media for your ongoing entertainment.  The event starts Friday evening at Hanson Hills Recreation Area in Grayling. www.hansonhills.org Hanson Hills Recreation Area is home  18+ miles of all inclusive singletrack trails that will take you on a tour of a beautiful hardwood forest. Theses trails include quick climbs, ripping decents and along with beautiful flowing trail will provide fun for all types of riders..

Bring your camping gear, stay the night, hang out by the social bonfire (I am working secretly on making it one of the largest and tallest bonfires in Michigan) The primitive campground is open for your FREE camping pleasure.  Also, watch for the "Magic Wood" which is a secret Norwegian wood of Viking ancestry.  Live entertainment starts at 8pm with the fun and entertaining Jelly Roll Blues Band.  

 

TENTATIVE TIME SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY

 

• Friday night starts out with race registration at Hanson Hills from 5pm until 8pm
• The Jelly Roll Blues Band kicks off the live music with their famous rock and roll at 8pm
• The social bonfire will get started so you can hang out by the bonfire, listen to live music and drink your favorite beverage
• Campsites are available at no charge for those who wish to camp - did I mention 

"NO CHARGE!!!" camping all weekend long.

• Who Hit John? will be entertaining us around the bonfire with their lively and personal Blue Grass music

 

Be sure to visit Spike's Keg'O Nails in downtown Grayling for their world famous Friday night fish fry or try any of our other restaurants and pizzerias in town.

 

TENTATIVE TIME SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY

 

• Logsplitter Mountain Bike Challenge race registration from 8:00 until 9:30am at Hartwick Pines State Park (park pass required for entry). Registration and race start will be in the Welcome Center parking lot.  
• The Logsplitter Mountain Bike Challenge race starts promptly at 10:00am in three separate waves

1. Expert Elite 10:00am start time
2. Sport  10:05 start time
3. Beginner 10:10 start time
   
   Pre-register at http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=11143

 

• Kids race at Hanson Hills immediately following the finish of the main event
• Awards to be given immediately following all races at the stage at Hanson Hills

 

Saturday includes checking out demo bikes at The Bicycle Shop tent, doing some casual road biking on our paved, non-motorized pathways, hanging out by the bonfire, and drinking your favorite beverage.  Also - we are encouraging anyone who has any musical talent to come out and perform.  Music will be an all day affair. Either live (preferred) or "canned."

Limited (beverage only) concessions are available on site so bring your food in your cooler, hang out in the main area, by your campsite or go to town to check out canoeing and kayaking opportunities, restaurants and other shops that may interest you.

 

Be sure to return to the main area for live music starting at 8pm and going all night long. Previously Who Hit John played for our entertainment well into the wee hours of the morning. I think they wrapped up around 5am the last time they performed.  These guys are talented, fun and very entertaining. Bring some cash to purchase their CD's and other promotional material.

 

Remember - be sure to wear your helmet when participating in group activities. 

 

Stay tuned for more info!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Logsplitter

This years race has a new name but is the same basic course as last years' inaugural race.  The race starts at 10:00am at Hartwick Pines State Park (Park pass required) and ends some 30 miles later at Hanson Hills Recreation Area. (actual mileage will be added shortly due to traffic situations last year that required a re-route)

This race is a serious challenge to even the most conditioned rider so be prepared.  There are plenty of hills, the nasty short, steep choppy kind that kill your momentum at Hartwick Pines, then a long, straight, windy paved pathway all the way south to Hanson Hills Recreation Area where you will embark on the long and very challenging outer loop with the finish down gravity hill, up the backside of the ski hill then back down the front.   

There is a nominal fee for race participation.  All proceeds of the Logsplitter Mountain Bike Challenge go to the MMBA Northern Chapter.

The registration fee of $25.00 will receive the following:

Race Entry

Race Event T-Shirt 

Water Bottle

 

There is free camping all weekend long.

Friday night starts out with a rockin' good time with live music featuring the Jelly Roll Blues Band along with the famous social bonfire and picnic style beverage (bring your favorite beverage in your cooler and hang out).  For your carbo load and protein supplementation be sure to go to Spike's Keg'O Nails in Grayling for their world famous Friday night fish fry.  For more information, maps, etc. visit http://spikes-grayling.com/

 

You just have to eat there, their food is the best, the atmosphere is awsome, their service is tip top and...they are the official sponsor for the Logsplitter Mountain Bike Challenge race from Hartwick Pines to Hanson Hills.  .

 

For last minute bike tuneups, spare parts, accessories or energy supplements go to The Bicycle Shop in Grayling right on the corner of Hwy 27 and Michigan Ave.  The shop crew is the best in the area and will do whatever it takes to get you and your race rig ready for the challenge. For more info visit thebicycleshopmi.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday September 3, 2010

5:00pm-8:00pm  race registration.  You can also register online through this website and at The Bicycle Shop in Grayling.

Live music performed by Northern Michigan's favorite band, the Jelly Roll Blues Band and social bonfire, featuring the burning of the bike.  

Free camping all weekend long for those interested.

Saturday September 4, 2010

SPECIAL FEATURE AND DEAL!   Thanks a Latte, the coffee shop in town next to the bike shop is offering a race participant special of buy one get one cup of coffee free. So you can load up on your morning joe then head on up to Hartwick Pines ready to rock the race course.

The Logsplitter Mountain Bike Challenge race from Hartwick Pines to Hanson Hills. Pre-registration at The Bicycle Shop in Grayling, MI or online, or registration at the race from 08:30 to 09:30.

Race start time 10:00.

Elite/Expert first wave

Sport second wave 5 minutes later.

Beginner wave 5 minutes after sport.

A kids race at Hanson Hills is planned immediately following the completion of the main race.

AWARDS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING RACE

The Bicycle Shop will be on hand for demo bikes and bike repairs, bike and accessory sales.

 

Last year bike polo was a featured attraction after some healthy dosing of our favorite beverage and some awesome live entertainment.

 

Please wear helmet when participating in group rides and race activities.

 

Bring cash for the raffle ticket drawings to be held throughout the event.

 

PLEASE NOTE: COURSE MARSHALLS ARE NEEDED SO...IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WILLING TO HELP DIRECT THE RACERS ON THE RIGHT PATH PLEASE LET US KNOW.

 

(We are still waiting on final approval from the DNRE for the new singletrack construction. Right now the course in Hartwick Pines is still the cc ski trail but don't let that fool you. There are still plenty of hills to climb.  Stay tuned for more information.)

 

Thanks! Hope to see you all there.