ORE TO SHORE
Third annual epic mountain bike ride in
Michigan's Upper Peninsula is growing in popularity
By Frida Waara
Brian Halbrook photos
Competition is building for the third annual Subaru Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic set for Saturday, August 10, in Marquette County, Michigan.
"We haven't seen an entry yet from Derek Prechtl," says Sue Syrjala,
race administrator. Prechtl, 28, of Traverse City, Michigan, has dominated the O2S with repeat wins in the 40–mile Hard Rock event.  "But Scott Quiring will be at the starting line," adds Syrjala. "And after Jeff Koch's first–place finishes in the Superior Bike Fest
here, I expect him to be back, too. After all, we've sweetened the pot for prize money."
In June, Koch , 31, of Elk Rapids, Michigan, took top honors in both the 55–mile Superior Bike Fest road race and 17–mile Mountain Chase in Marquette. Last year, Koch finished the Ore to Shore fifth overall, six minutes behind Prechtl. Quiring was 12th, five minutes after Koch. "Seventy percent of the riders registered are from out of town," says Rich Uren, chief of registration. "And the vast majority of the growth so far is in the 20–mile 'Soft Rock event." Last year, 855 riders competed in the 20– and 40–mile events. This year registration will be capped at 2,000 racers. "So far we have bikers coming from seven states, and one foreign
country," adds Syrjala. "We have a family entered from Spain," she explains. "They are military personnel and it looks like the mother and father, Richard and Jill, are racing the 20 mile while their 17–year–old daughter, Gretchen, will compete in the longer race."
Race founder and co–director Scott Tuma isn't surprised.
"Since the start, we've tried to make the Ore to Shore family friendly.
We even hear folks planning their family reunions around the weekend."
In addition to the 20– and 40–mile events, O2S offers a 3–mile Junior Rock, 1–mile Little Rock and 50 meter Littlest Rock.
"No matter what your age or riding ability, we've got something for everyone in the family to get excited about," claims Tuma, a father of three who's children compete in the Littlest Rock on up. "In fact, we
even have a special family registration rate." A $5 discount is applied toward each fee when three or more family members living in the same household register together.
The Ore to Shore ranks Michigan's largest mass start point–to–point race.
"We joke that it's all downhill since both 20– and 40–mile races begin up in Negaunee," says Rhea Dever, Ore to Shore co–director, "but anybody who has raced Superiorland Ski Club's Noquemanon in
January knows that's not entirely true." The Ore to Shore follows much of the same scenic course as the Noquemanon and both events are hosted by the Superiorland Ski Club.
"We have added a few more hills this year, replacing a long flat section with four miles of rolling terrain," explains Dever. All races finish at Marquette's Lakeview Arena near the shores of Lake Superior.
When asked why the Ore to Shore is gaining momentum, Carol Fulsher,
toursim director for the local Lake Supeior Community Partnership, has a one word answer.
"Trail," says Fulsher without hesitation. "Last year, riders from Mountain Bike magazine came here and after touring our trails declared Marquette the No. 2 mountain biking destination in the country."
In June, the magazine included Marquette on their recent Heavy Pedal Road Tour and again gave the area accolades as some of the best riding
in the upper Midwest. "We're not a secret anymore," says Fulsher.
Registration fee is $45 until July 15, and $50 until August 9. No race day registration is allowed. To register call 888/578–6489 or dial up www.oretoshore.com. | 
