Racer Updates

May 13, 2025 - Racer Update #2

It’s race week for the 13th Annual Arcadia Grit & Gravel Mountain Bike Race and it’s shaping up to be
another bold and gritty contest on some of the best gravel and single track in the state. To maximize
your race-day experience, check out the info below:

Packet pick up will be Saturday morning from 8:30 am to 9:45 am (no packet pickup Friday night). The race starts at 10 a.m., with ALL Short Grit racers going off at 10 and three waves of Big Grit racers starting at 10:15. See Wave Start Times on the website.
Racing Etiquette: within your wave, please seed yourselves accordingly, i.e., faster racers near the front and less speedy racers near the back. Out on the course, please yield to faster riders, even on the single track! If someone asks you to get by, find a spot to ease off the trail and let them go.
The course map for the Big Grit is on the Endoman website in a gpx file; the Short Grit is available on the Cyclometer app.
There will be no switching of categories allowed on race day, however, you may switch up until Wednesday, the 14th at 5pm. Contact the race director at info@endomanpromotions.com.
There will be one aid station, at the top of the climb up Taylor Rd. Water and gatorade will be available.
If you happen to need assistance, either call/text your support team (e.g., family member) or text 231-651-0957. If it’s a medical issue, call 911. Medical teams will be standing by.
If you have to drop out for any reason, please text 231-651-0957. Because if you’ve dropped out and we don’t know it, we could spend a bunch of time and resources looking for you!
Parking is directed by our friends from the Lions Club of Arcadia. Please let them direct you to the spaces available in the ‘usual’ area to the east of the course, off Glovers Lake Rd. Also, you’ll find ample parking on the residential streets of Arcadia, just to the west of M22.
A big thanks to all the great sponsors who’ve supported this race over the years and to our new(er) sponsor, Coastline Cycles in Frankfort. And especially to Stormcloud Brewing Co for once again being the Title Sponsor and provider of some of the best beer in Michigan! Bring your I.D.
Also, a big shout out to the Pleasant Valley Community Center for providing the venue for the AGG over the years… and to you, because a portion of your entry fees have gone to support the center, with thousands of dollars over the years contributing to their success.
And last and far from being least, to that great organization, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, which has made this race possible. Please support them in any way you can to help them continue being stewards of our incredible natural resources!

And please, remember to give the volunteers a big thanks and a hearty smile. This race would not be possible without them!

Thanks and have a great race!

-The Endoman Crew

January, 2025 - Racer Update #1

Welcome to the 2025 mountain bike and gravel race season! And, wow, are there a LOT of races to choose from.

Starting this year, the Grit & Gravel won't be part of the Michigan Gravel Race Series but it's okay - the AGG will continue to be one of the most challenging and unique mountain/gravel races in the state - we like to call it the biggest little race that's out there. And even though you won't be able to get points for the series, we'll continue to cultivate the good vibes that define this early season event, so please come join us - you won't be disappointed!

The Grit & Gravel will once again offer 2 distances to choose from: the Short Grit and the Big Grit. In addition, we're working on creating a 69 mile course and hope to debut it in 2026, so watch for that. And as an incentive to get out the younger riders, all Short Grit racers who are 14 years of age (on race day) and under can race for a reduced rate of just $25! There will also be a limited number of 'comped' entries for this age group and if you're interested, please email us with your request. This only applies to the Short Grit race; our goal here is to get more youth involved in the great local cycling community and to introduce them to a healthy, life-long activity that has no downside!

And finally, we're going back to the dated fee structure system, meaning that the least expensive registration fee will be when registration opens on Jan 12, then increase at regular intervals as we get closer to race day (see the Registration Info tab). So plan ahead to avoid missing out on this unique event, and the chance to post a top score for the MGRS! Happy riding!

Happy racing,
Tad Peacock, race director