Racer Information
17th Annual Peak2Peak Mountain Bike Classic
Saturday, October 21, 2023, Thompsonville, Michigan
Timing
Debbie and Tony Newton from Newton Timing and Race Services have done a fantastic job at all of our Peak2Peak races at Crystal Mountain and are signed on again this year. They'll be using their Chronotrack Systems 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.
Packet Pick Up
Packet pick-up will be at the Crystal Mountain Pavilion Tent (big white tent at the base of the Clipper Chairlift) on Friday, October 20th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and again on Race Day from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon.
Wave Start Times
See Wave Start Times page.
Licenses
No licenses of any kind are required for the Peak2Peak Mountain Bike Classic.
Age Restrictions & Safety
There is a Beginner Class Boys and Girls age 11 and Under. Due to safety concerns, all racers in this category must be accompanied by an adult - no exceptions!
The adult Supporter does need to register, but there is no fee in doing so.
COME RACE WITH US
Course Breakdown
Veterans of this race know that the course is pedal-to-the-metal almost the whole time, while winding in and out of forest pathways and open grasslands. For those of you new to the race, the course is a combination of Crystal Mountains's excellent trail system and State land - specifically, the Betsie River Pathway. One of our favorite things about putting on this race each year is determining what new little twist can be incorporated - just to keep things fresh! All in all, we strive to put together a fantastic layout with unique and challenging features. Here's how the courses break down in terms of distances on the different surfaces (roughly):
Beginners: 1 lap (approximately 12.5 miles)
Sports: 2 laps (approximately 25 miles)
Pros/Experts: 3 laps (approximately 37.5 miles)
Racers will start at the base of the mountain, then out to a short section of pavement on Crystal Mountain's property and that's when the fun begins. You'll skirt along some wicked-good single-track and two-tracks on the south side of the property before ducking in to the Betsie River Pathway. There, you'll be on miles of ribbon-like single-track that twists, winds and loops through dense hardwoods and cedar/pine lowland forests, leading to the Betsie River. It is extremely fast because you're mostly going downhill toward the river.
Climbing? Yes. First, out of the river basin (not so bad) then to the base of the mountain on its west side, which becomes a little more challenging. There, you'll find some sweet, new single track recently built by our friends at Crystal Mountain which is challenging, but very rideable. This year the Buck chairlift at the south end of the property will be running (the Clipper is down for repairs) and there will be tons of spectators at the top to cheer you on. The vistas are awesome but there will be little time to enjoy the view as you start descending on a brand new Crystal exclusive trail, the Pistachio, leading back to the base of the mountain where you started. The course clocks out at right around 12.5 miles.
Click the button below to access the detailed course map for Peak2Peak.
Tandems
Tandem riders will have one class with no age or gender breakdown, and will complete two loops. 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
Male single-speed racers will have two classes: sport and expert. Sports will do two laps and Experts, three laps. All female single speed racers will go two laps and will be in the Sport Women's category.
OTHER WAYS TO RIDE
PRE-RIDING THE COURSE
The trails that comprise the Crystal Mountain and the Betsie River Pathway are always open to riding during the season but those portions that make up the course won't be marked until a couple of days prior to the race. For more information on the trails, check with the Mountain Adventure Center at Crystal Mountain where trail maps are available.
GUN TIME
All categories will be timed using gun time – the clock for your wave will start when the first rider in the wave crosses the starting line. Please seed yourselves accordingly within your wave!
MERCHANDISE
Peak2Peak t-shirts, both long sleeve and short sleeve, and Peak2Peak socks for both men and women can be ordered when registering online. There will be a limited supply available on race day, so it’s best to order when registering to ensure your size is available! See the new shirt design and colors for 2023 here.
Tour De Tykes Kid's Race
Crystal Mountain will once again be offering the kid's race, the Tour De Tykes, for kids ages 12 and under.
TOUR DE TYKES (Ages 6 and Under and Ages 7-12)
1pm: Register your kids for the Tour De Tykes Races at the Mountain Adventure Zone!
2pm: Younger racers (ages 6 and under) can take part in the Tour de Tiny Tykes. Be sure to pre-register at the Mountain Adventure Zone.
2:30pm: The Tour de Tykes race is for racers aged 7-12 years old. Be sure to pre-register at the Mountain Adventure Zone.
For more information, please call the Mountain Adventure Zone at 888-968-7686 ext. 7500. Registration will held the day of at the Mountain Adventure Zone. No pre-registration needed for the Tour de Tykes. All participants receive medals. Inquires should call Chris Remy at 888.968.7686 ext 7502.
Please note: Endoman Promotions does not take registrations for the kid's race - please call Crystal Mountain and ask for Chris Remy for more info.
The awards ceremony for the Beginners and Sport classes will be held at the base of the Mountain near the finish line - Beginners awards to start at 11:45am, and Sports at 12:45pm. For the Pro/Elite and Expert classes, the awards will start around 3:30pm. In case of inclement weather, we'll go into the Mountain View Room in the Lodge. There will be medals for the top 3 finishers in each class, plus cash awards for the top five finishers in both the Expert and Pro/Elite classes.
PURSE
1st Place: Pro/Semi Pro/Elite Men & Women - $1000
2nd Place: Pro/Semi Pro/Elite Men & Women - $500
3rd Place: Pro/Semi Pro/Elite Men & Women - $250
4th Place: Pro/Semi Pro/Elite Men & Women - $125
5th Place: Pro/Semi Pro/Elite Men & Women - $75
All Expert Categories:
1st Place: $80
2nd Place: $40
3rd Place: $20
AWARDS
