1st Annual
Arcadian Grit & Gravel
Mountain Bike Race
RACER INFORMATION
When: Saturday, May 19th, 2012
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Where: Arcadia, Michigan
The home page says it all: this course is like nothing you’ve ever raced before. Here’s how the course breaks down in terms of distances on the different surfaces (roughly):
Distance: roughly 30 miles
Pavement: 4 miles
Gravel: 12 miles
Two tracks: 4 miles
Single track: 10 miles
Wondering about using a cross bike? Absolutely! At first we were concerned about trail wear, but have been assured that even cyclo-cross bikes won't do any damage. The only thing is, there's no guarantee that a cross bike will be the best choice... only time will tell.
Categories
The Arcadian will utilize a very simple category structure:
- Pro/Elite
- Everyone Else
The Everyone Else category will be broken down into age categories for both men and women as follows:
0-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50 +
Pre-riding the course
There’ll be a map of the course available soon – just click and print it off. Anyone can ride the course anytime!
Timing
Tony and Deb Newton from Race Services Company have done a fantastic job at all of our Peak2Peak races at Crystal Mountain and are on board again for this inaugural event in Arcadia. They’ll be using their Chronotrack Systems technology and here's what that means for you:
- You will be required to show your driver's license or another appropriate form of ID when you pick up your race packet. Your timing chip will be stuck on the back of your number plate, no muss, no fuss.
- Each racer must pick up his/her own packet. Others may not pick up packets for friends, etc.
- The start and finish lines will be barricaded off until the actual start of the event so there will not be any premature 'tripping' of the system.
Packet Pick Up
Packet pick up will be at the Pleasant Valley Community Center on Glovers Lake Rd, on Friday, May 18 from 3 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and again on Saturday morning from 7:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Gun Time
The inaugural AG&G will be divided into two waves:
Pros/Elites (both women and men): 10:00 a.m.
Everyone Else: 10:05 a.m.
The ‘Everyone Else’ wave will essentially be a mass start with ALL racers (not pros) lining up and taking off at the same time – think Ore-to-Shore. We’ll be using GUN TIME for both waves – the clock will start when the first rider crosses the starting line. Please, seed yourselves accordingly!
Tandems
Tandem riders will have one class with no age or gender breakdown. Only one entry form/fee per tandem is required and with both names on it. Tandems can be male-male, male-female, or female-female, any age, any skill level.
Single Speeds
Single-speeders will have one class, as well.
Licenses
No licenses of any kind are required for the Arcadian Grit & Gravel Mountain Bike Race.
T-shirts and Socks
Arcadian Grit & Gravel Tees will be available for sale and can be ordered when you fill out you Registration form online. They will also be available on race day at the Pleasant Valley Community Center. Pre-purchased shirts (ordered when you register) will be included in your packets.
Awards, Purse, and Prize Drawings
The awards ceremony for the Pros/Elite riders will be held around 12:30 p.m. and the ceremony for all other riders will be around 1:30 p.m. The purse for the pros will be paid out for the top three finishers for both men and women, as follows:
1st Place: $250
2nd Place: $125
3rd Place: $75
For each age category, the top three finishers will each receive a medal.
Bonus
The following races and their organizers have generously donated one or more entries into their 2012 events, to be given out as swag at the AG&G:
- March, 2013 Barry-Roubaix race, in Barry County
- May, 2013 Mud, Sweat and Beers Mt Bike Race in Traverse City,
- August, 2012 Ore-to-Shore in Marquette, and
- September, 2012 Tour De Woods in Munising, the UP.
You'll also want to stick around for the drawings for other great prizes and merchandise, including lift passes at Crystal, golf passes, and dinners at area restaurants, bike gear and more.
Accommodations
Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa, one of the Midwest's premier four-season resorts, is only about 15 miles away from Race Central in Arcadia. They’re offering some great deals on lodging for the weekend:
Hotel rooms can be booked from $89 and
Condominiums and Cottages will be available from $179 ~ units vary in size from one to five bedrooms.
Call 800-968-7686 for reservations and information and be sure to mention Endoman Promotions, the Arcadian Grit & Gravel Mountain Bike Race, or Group Number 45L44D.
Remember to ask about their cancellation policy.
That's it for now! We're looking forward to a great, new event with an awesome course and we will strive to make your race day and weekend experience memorable. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us through EndomanPromotions.com, and Happy Training!
Race Director
Endoman Promotions, LLC
