Timing
Again this year, we're very happy to welcome back Raymond Passchier and Epic Race Timing to the Endoman Promotions team! In 2026 we'll be using the BikeReg technology and here's what that means for you:
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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.
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Each racer must pick up his/her own packet. Others may not pick up packets for friends, etc.
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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.
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Packet Pick Up
Packet pick up will be at the Arcadia Community Center at 3586 Glovers Lake Rd, on Saturday morning of the race from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO PACKET PICK-UP ON THE FRIDAY NIGHT BEFORE THE RACE!
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Wave Start Times
See Wave Start Times page.
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Licenses
No licenses of any kind are required for the Arcadian Grit & Gravel Mountain Bike Race.
COME RACE WITH US
Course Breakdowns/Categories
This course is like nothing you've ever raced before. Here's how the courses break down in terms of distances on the different surfaces (roughly):
Mini Grit
Distance is roughly 14 miles with pavement covering 3 miles, gravel roads covering 2 miles, two-tracks covering 1 mile, and single track covering 8 miles.
Mini Grit (the MGRS Mini Course) Categories
1. Mini Grit Men 11-24
2. Mini Grit Men 25-34
3. Mini Grit Men 35-49
4. Mini Grit Men 50-59
5. Mini Grit Men 60+
6. Mini Grit Men Clydesdale (220)
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7. Mini Grit Women 11-34
8. Mini Grit Women 35-49
9. Mini Grit Women 50+
10. Mini Grit Women Athena (160)
Big Grit
Distance is roughly 28 miles with pavement covering 5 miles, gravel roads covering 11 miles, two-tracks covering 3 miles, and single-track covering 9 miles.
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Big Grit (the MGRS Short Course) Categories
1. Big Grit Men 13-19
2. Big Grit Men 20-29
3. Big Grit Men 30-39
4. Big Grit Men 40-49
5. Big Grit Men 50-59
6. Big Grit Men 60+
7. Big Grit Men Clydesdale (220)
8. Big Grit Men All Fat Bikes
9. Big Grit ALL Single Speeds
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10. Big Grit Women 13-29
11. Big Grit Women 30-39
12. Big Grit Women 40-49
13. Big Grit Women 50-59
14. Big Grit Women 60+
16. Big Grit Women Athena (160)
Mighty Grit
Distance is roughly 45 miles with a combo of pavement, gravel roads, the famous Arcadia Dunes trails and 2-tracks. Distances will be coming soon - probably March! The course map will be available at that time, too.
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1. Pro/Elite Men
2.Pro/Elite Women
3. Mighty Grit Women 13-35
4. Mighty Grit Women 35-50
5. Mighty Grit Women 50+
6. Mighty Grit Men 13-24
7. Mighty Grit Men 25-34
8. Mighty Grit Men 35-44
9. Mighty Grit Men 45-54
10. Mighty Grit Men 55-64
11. Mighty Grit Men 65+
12. Mighty Grit Men All Single Speed
Click the buttons below to access the different course maps for Arcadia Grit & Gravel.
*Please note, there may be slight variations in the actual course than what's displayed here.
PRE-RIDING THE COURSE
Anyone can ride either the Big Grit or the Mini Grit course anytime, just click on the course map links above for a detailed description.
However, to ride the Mighty Grit you'll have to wait for us to ride it in the spring to produce a GPX file that we'll put on the site, where you'll be able to download and go!
Young Racers
Want to get your kids involved with the community of northern Michigan mountain and gravel biking? Endoman Promotions is offering all youth racers ages 16 and under to race for just $20.26 in the Mini Grit race. So get them out there and let us help you help them get excited about friendly competition and the fantastic benefits of riding and racing - we’re happy to support our youth in this fun way to a healthy lifestyle!
T-SHIRTS
Arcadia Grit & Gravel Tees for both men and women are available for sale when you register on-line or they can be purchased on the day of the race. But best not to wait for race day, since they sell out quickly. See the new design and colors for 2026 here.
The awards ceremony will be starting around 1 pm, starting with the Mini Grit awards, then the Big Grit. We'll cap it off with the Mighty Grit and the Pro/Elite awards around 2 pm. The purse for the pros will be paid out for the top three finishers for both men and women, as follows (Mighty Grit Only):
1st Place: $500
2nd Place: $250
3rd Place: $125
For each age category, the top three finishers will each receive a custom made medal.
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Bonus
You'll also want to stick around for the drawings for other great prizes and merchandise, including coupons for dinners at area restaurants, bike gear and more!
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AWARDS
Accommodations
We have a few outstanding options for the travelers out there, each with its own unique amenities and attractions.
The Watervale Inn is a charming ‘old-world' resort on the shores of Lower Herring Lake and Lake Michigan and it’s about 5 miles due north of Arcadia, off of M22 (turn west on Watervale Rd). They are offering rooms at the Inn (call the Inn for a discounted rate) and that includes a full dinner Friday night and a hearty breakfast. Check out their website or call 231-352-9083 for more information.
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Last and surely not least, is the Pleasant Valley Resort Motel, right in downtown Arcadia. It’s literally steps from the start line and couldn’t be more convenient. This quaint, cozy motel is clean, comfortable and reasonably-priced. Be sure to mention the Arcadian Grit & Gravel for weekend specials.