UPMTB.com aka U.P. Mountain Biking

Heat Wave!

2010-08-30T19:42:00.000-07:00

Baby, it's hot out there!

Ore to Shore Weekend Epic

2010-08-15T19:04:00.000-07:00

Maybe a little bit on the humid side but overall the event went great.

View from Panorama, Old Town Negaunee

2010-07-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

Looking south from the Panorama Trail, Old Town Negaunee.

Revenge is Sweet, but still hurts

2010-07-12T20:17:00.000-07:00

The boys from The Bike Shop in Houghton had some new ideas for the Miner's Revenge layout this year which eliminated the direct climb up the Greenland Twp. ski hill and added additional single track lengthening the course by a mile. Two loops, 12-miles, doesn't seem like much of a race but by the time you complete the first lap it leaves you wondering how so much can be packed into such a tight loop. And competing in the 4-lap event is beyond my scope of comprehension. The sane ones to me are the riders with DNFs, but then again I grew up in Newberry before the hospital closed.

The Miner's Revenge ranks as one of my favorites. It's not a traditional XC race by any means. It takes grit, determination and some luck just to finish. For those who take home the hardware it is truly a season's accomplishment. I'll throw in my entry fee as long as the event exists just to get the chance to race underground.

Race Event Web Site: Miner's Revenge

Full Race Results: Superior Timing

Recommended iPod
Movie Sound Track: Apocalypse Now

Feeling Summer'ish...

2010-06-26T12:55:00.000-07:00

After some riding in Colorado toward the beginning of the month, it took a while to get back on the local trails. Lack of time and a persistent pattern of rain made it difficult to find rhythm.

Until this week.

I finally made it out on a ride with the Range Mtn. Bike boys for a rare Tuesday evening tour that took us on a triple panorama climb sequence. The reason for the ride was to get a pic of a check presentation from Matt Calacaterra, owner of Lake Shore Bike, Marquette, to the Range Mountain Bike Club for trail improvement and signage. (more on this to come)

The second event is the Superior Bike Fest in Marquette this weekend. I missed the first two events of the season. The first being the Bear "NN" Down mountian bike race in Crystal Fall and last weekend a classic Father's Day event the Keweenaw Chain Drive. From what I've heard on the street both events went off well and had good reviews. Especially the Chain Drive where the trail conditions were quoted "the best they've ever been."

The SBF feels like the kick off to summer for me. It's only a couple weeks away from the 4th of July and bring a great group of cyclists to town. I'm signed up to race the 2-lap SBF Mountain Chase tomorrow and am looking forward to it. Last year's third place in age catagory was my first hardware for racing in quite a number of years. I'm looking to improve on it this year. The forecast calls for rain. My riding style perfers a technical course and mud. I'll be running my favorite tires and hope the performance is what I imagine. I'm just hoping chain suck doesn't become an issue.

Fort Collins, Colorado

2010-06-09T13:49:00.000-07:00

Doing some riding at altitude and feeling good.

Epic Weekend

2010-05-31T21:49:00.000-07:00

If Memorial Day weekend is any indication on how things are going to flow this summer, get ready for one of the best. Ride the Keweenaw was a great success for the organizers and great exposure for the trails on the Keweenaw Peninsula. Matt Belic and I only made it to the Epic Ride in Copper Harbor on Sunday afternoon, but that was enough to get the riding stoke going.

For more info on Copper Harbor's Epic Ride designation "click here"

Wow!

2010-05-17T20:29:00.001-07:00

It looks like a week of epic weather and great trail conditions. Did an off road lap around Teal Lake tonight. The connector trail between Negaunee and Ishpeming on the north side of Teal Lake is very fun right now. Just enough mud to make it a real mountain bike ride, but not too much to bog you down. Came out on the Olympic Loop at Al Quaal, linked up with the Blue Trail and cut over U.S. 41 to the Mather Mine Trail running along the south side of 41. Took a quick break to shoot this video. Ended the ride on a with some chain suck on a climb and bent a link. No tools, so had to limp home with a chain skip. Even that couldn't ruin the night. Get out and ride as much as you can this week!

7-Day Forecast for Latitude 46.52°N and Longitude 87.53°W (Elev. 1299 ft)

2010-05-17T20:29:00.000-07:00

7-Day Forecast for Latitude 46.52°N and Longitude 87.53°W (Elev. 1299 ft)

55 Minutes in Old Town

2010-05-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

Went out for a quick ride tonight in Old Town Negaunee. Found a new spur that came out on top of a great vista. Trails are in prime shape. Amazing what 7" of snow can do to settle the dust and start greening up the trails. Sunset was around 9:30pm. Great light, nice temps. Get out and ride this weekend. It looks to be golden.

7-Day Forecast for Latitude 46.54°N and Longitude 87.53°W (Elev. 1456 ft)

2010-05-12T20:01:00.000-07:00

7-Day Forecast for Latitude 46.54°N and Longitude 87.53°W (Elev. 1456 ft)

Westward Ho! Well, at least to Duluth.

2010-05-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

The first shipment of UPMTB print has been mailed to shops in the western U.P., Wisconsin and Minnesota. For a list of shops look below.

Iron Mountain, Michigan:
-Mortl's Sports Center

Iron River, Michigan:
-Hobby Wheel Ski & Bike

Ashland, Wisconsin:
-Bay City Cycles

Hayward, Wisconsin:
-New Moon Ski Shop
-Riverbrook Bike & Ski

Green Bay Metro Area:
-Bike Hub
-Gear N Up Bicycle Shop
-Wheel & Spocket

Duluth, Minnesota:
-The Ski Hut
-Continental Ski & Bike

Limited copies will be available. If you don't get a chance to pick one up let them know they need more.

Gotta' Love the U.P.

2010-05-05T20:30:00.000-07:00

Where It All Began

2010-05-01T12:29:00.000-07:00

I recently took a spin on Blue Loop of the South Trails, Marquette. These trails have a certain nostalgia for me because this area was the first trails that I experienced when I moved to Marquette 20 years ago. The Blue Loop circumferences Mount Marquette, aka Mount Mesnard. Typical direction takes a rider in a counter clockwise rotation on the trail.

The most popular starting point is the Co. Rd. 553 trailhead heading south of Marquette, just before the ski hill. It is located on the east side of the highway with a distinct open parking area which is almost always occupied by a least two or three vehicles and somedays over a dozen.

From here the ride starts with a moderate climb to the east connecting to a section of trail locally referred to as Southern Cross which then links into the Doctor's Trail.

An overlook road, open to vehicular traffic accesses, the area from the east of Marquette along the Carp River road. It's a gravel road which is open to one way traffic in the summer and serves as a snowmobile trail in the winter. The west exit of the road comes out on Co. Rd. 553 just down from the South Trails main trailhead.

Taking the trail to the right of the overlook road entry is Up the Creek. A very gentle trail which follow a trickle of water that flows down the from high ground to the Carp River. A series of small bridges criss-cross the valley bringing you along the back hills of the Shiras sub development.

The Goat Trail is one of the original namesakes on this loop, but shows very little resemblance the original gnarly decent from the top of the lookout. Erosion was the main factor for which re-routes were cut in and wild decent was tamed. However, it still keeps its essences as the winding single track leading riders to the top of bottom of Mount Marquette.

The Split Tree section of the loop offers a roller coaster decent along the northwest section of the loop. It was named after a large oak tree that grew up into multiple trunks from a main stump. There are some incredible old growth oaks along this loop. Some so large that they resemble Greek columns.

Upon completing the decent of Split Tree, riders have a choice of taking an easy out to Co. Rd. 553 and returning to the main trailhead or opting for the Gurly Trail which is a technical rock trail that is very narrow and has potential for severe consequences if a rider should mishap off the right side of the trail or go over the handle bars.

After negotiating the tight stairstep decent a short section of single track returns you to the start.

UPMTB Print Hits the Streets Tomorrow

2010-04-25T17:51:00.000-07:00

Let's Get the Season Started

2010-03-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

An obviously staged video, but spontaneously produced.

CHFT Festival

2009-09-07T16:23:00.001-07:00

The 16th annual Copper Harbor Fat Tire Festival held its claim to being one of the epic events of the summer.

Click Here for Full Results

More pics and text to be added.

Ishpeming Wednesday Night Ride

2009-08-26T21:04:00.000-07:00

I knew it was going to be a tough one when we left the parking lot of Jasper Ridge Brewery and there were several "Uh, ho's..." uttered. Riding north could only mean one thing. We were headed for Danny Hill Country and he wasn't even riding this one. There was talk of a new section of trial, but that has been happening for the past four weeks now.

We ascended an old stone stairway to a top of a ridge and rode a twisted single track to the backside of the Al Quaal trail sytem. It had a nice flow. Most of what we rode was the old Ride for Glory Course. The coolest visual was decending the switch-back section.

MGHS Ore to Shore MTB Epic #10

2009-08-09T18:24:00.000-07:00

Full write-up to come.

Just picked up a newspaper tonight and will be making some e-mails tomorrow.

Click Here for Full Results

Good Luck to All Ore to Shore Racers!

2009-08-07T19:36:00.000-07:00

Good luck and may the force be with you tomorrow morning as you start your decent from the high country of Marquette County to the shores of Gitchigumi. I wish I was able to experience this year's epic 10th running of the O2S. I'll be checking back tomorrow evening to see how you all did.

Miner's Revenge Mountain Bike Race Kicks @$$ (specifically mine)

2009-07-12T20:00:00.000-07:00

The Miner's Revenge lived up to its name as around 100 racers converged at the Adventure Mining Company in Greenland, Ontonagon County. It was tough! Over a 1100' of climb per lap. Tight technical descents and lots of loose rock. But at the end everyone loved it. A few boys from Ishpeming said it was the way they liked it and reminded them of home.

The course was relatively short. Only a 5-mile lap. But what was packed in that five miles was a Copper Harbor Fat Tire course on steroids. The highlight of the race was the Adventure Mine section where racers were treated to a half-mile section of trail underground, lights were mandatory.

There were no winners just finishers. But for those who came in the top three of each race (men's and women's) here they are:
Men's Short Race

Matt Belic 0:56:46.5
Mark Nyholm 0:56:59.8
Patrick Szubielak 1:00:37.4

Women's Short Race

Kelly Johnson 1:19:44.0
Rachel Chard 1:29:02.4
Amy Amman 1:31:08.2

Men's Long Race

Tom Carpenter 1:44:12.0
Matthew Tingstad 1:50:22.0
Paul Belknap 1:51:24.3

Women's Long Race

Andrea Matter 1:41:46.3
Chelsey MacNeill 1:49:19.3
Sarah Lukas 1:54:57.3

Thanks Caleb for taking the pics and helping to put this race together. Good job to all involved!

Going Underground this Weekend

2009-07-08T16:44:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for adventure head over to Greenland for the Miner's Revenge Mountain Bike Race to be held at the Adventure Mine. The race will be held on Sunday, July 12 starting at 11am EST.

For more info Click Here

SBF Classic, Mountain Chase is Back

2009-06-28T18:17:00.000-07:00

The course layout of this year's XC race at the Superior Bike Fest linked up some classic MQT South Trails. It was like shaking hands with an old friend you haven't seen for a long time.

2009-06-27T13:15:00.000-07:00

Keweenaw Chain Drive ROCKED!

2009-06-20T19:13:00.000-07:00

KCD had a record turnout, awesome trails and some great stories.

You've got to love a mountain bike race that warns during the pre-race announcements to be aware of bear while on the course. With 362 racers completing the race, 114 32-milers, 200 16-milers and 48 junior course racers, conditions couldn't have be more ideal for the first race of the season.
For full results click here

Finally the Weather Breaks!!!

2009-06-17T19:53:00.001-07:00

A steady week of temperatures in the 70s with low humidity. It has been an ideal warm-up leading to the first race of the season. The Keweenaw Chain Drive breaks the spring doldrums with temperatures forecasted to be in the mid-70s, with clouds. The next couple days look to be wet with scattered thunderstorms. The trails will probably be a little slick come Saturday morning. Riders might want to bring a little Deet in the repair kit for an unfortunate flat. THE BUGS ARE OUT IN FULL FORCE!

Eastward Ho!...

2009-06-06T20:37:00.000-07:00

Dave Senske of Champion is hitting the road this weekend pedaling for a cause to New England, then to Florida by mid-summer. There he will evaluate his trip to determine his route.

The Smile Train
Dave chose The Smile Train for the cause of his ride. He obtained permission from the organization, decked out his handcrafted trailer with signage and sponsorship stickers and started his trek. He was expecting to make it to Trout Lake by tonight.

Going Green

2009-06-03T20:15:00.000-07:00

The leaves are finally starting to pop. The woods are starting to green up and fill in. Trail conditions are excellent. Most of the trails were a little slick earlier in the week, but are starting to dry out. The next couple of days will be sweet with fast conditions on grippy trails.

Originally known as Lost World, the labyrinth of trails in Old Town Negaunee is impressive.

Word from the trail is that the Wednesday night rides in Ishpeming are rocking. Attendance exceeding 60, perhaps topping 70, and breaking down into 2 to 3 groups, with splinter groups spinning off as needed. Good mix with plenty of options. Rumor has it that a C group will be starting next week.

Bug Report:
Mosquitoes moderate, no Deet required
Blackflies absent, but they're out there
Tick count: 0

Is 2009 UPMTB Cover a Jinx?

2009-05-30T20:20:00.000-07:00

I told Belic that I hoped the UPMTB cover wouldn't be a jinx on the weather this season. Now I'm starting to get a little worried:

National Weather Service
Watches, Warnings & Advisories

A FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM EDT /MIDNIGHT CDT/ TO 7 AM EDT /6 AM CDT/ SUNDAY.

EXPECT A WIDESPREAD FROST AND FREEZE AWAY FROM THE MODERATING INFLUENCE OF LAKE SUPERIOR OVERNIGHT AS TEMPERATURES FALL AS LOW AS THE MID TO UPPER 20S BY SUNRISE SUNDAY. CLOSER TO LAKE SUPERIOR...TEMPERATURES WILL LIKELY BOTTOM OUT FROM 31 TO 35 DEGREES...WITH FROST LIKELY EVEN NEAR THE SHORE. LOOK FOR TEMPERATURES RISING QUICKLY ABOVE FREEZING AFTER SUNRISE SUNDAY MORNING.

New XC Race Goes Underground, Literally

2009-05-28T04:35:00.000-07:00

This missed the print edition of UPMTB:

Miner's Revenge Mountain Bike Race, Sunday, July 12:
"Steep climbs, rolling singletrack, fun descents, and riding with bats. The race takes place at the Adventure Mine in Greenland, MI. Part of the 5 mile lap is through the mine. Lights will be required. Because of the total darkness a GOOD headlamp will suffice. Free on-site camping Saturday night with campfires and fun. The mine is 48 degrees! Two race distances; approx 10 and 20 miles. E-mail caleb@goridebikes.com or call The Bike Shop in Houghton at 906-487-9500 with questions."

To register there is a link on the UPMTB Race page or click here.

Finally, Back in CyberSpace

2009-05-26T17:15:00.000-07:00

After two months of getting UPMTB.com back on-line, I'm ready to start covering the 2009 cycling season.