Frequently Asked Questions
(Read this or there is stuff you won't know)

REGISTRATION/BIB PICKUP

Registration/Bib Pickup will be held on Friday, June 13, 7:00 PM -9:00 PM at the Memorial Union at Michigan Tech and Saturday, June 14, 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM at the Best Western Franklin Square Inn.

CHIP TIMING – CHIP PICKUP FOR 16 & 32 MILE EVENTS

You must pick up your chip Saturday morning from 8:00 AM – 9:30AM at the start area . If you forget to pick up your chip you will not be in the results. Chips will be collected at the finish line.

JUNIOR CHAIN DRIVEREGISTRATION

The Junior Chain Drive Registration will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2:00 - 3:00 PM at Portage Health campus.

START TIMES – REMEMBER WE ARE ON EASTERN TIME

16 Mile & 32 Mile - Saturday, 10 am - Best Western Franklin Square (Mass Roll-out Start)
Junior Chain Drive - Saturday, 3:30 PM – Portage Health Campus

RACE VIEWING AREAS

There are several places to cheer on competitors. These areas are shown on the race map and “Directions to Viewing Areas” can be found on the back of the race map. Please do not move or disturb course markings in any way and stay clear of the race course. Maps are available at registration.

AID STATIONS

Aid Stations will be available on both the 16 mile and 32 mile course. Water, Gatorade and Hammer Gel will be available. If you need energy at the aid station...just ask. The finish line is at Portage Hospital...one way or another!

CUT-OFF TIME

As a courtesy to our volunteers, any 32 mile participant arriving after **2:00 PM** at Aid Station #2 nearLake Annie Road will be directed and/or shuttled to the finish area.

DROP OUTS

If you should decide to drop out of the race, please inform a race official of your decision. Course sweeps will be following the last rider in each race.

HELMETS

All competitors are required to wear an ANSI and/or SNELL approved helmet at all times during the competition as well as when warming up on the course. Use of an approved helmet is required in all of the Chain Drive events.

AWARDS CEREMONY

Awards ceremony for Saturday’s Distance Events will be at 2:30 PM at Portage Health System.

Awards ceremony for the Junior Chain Drive will be immediately following the race.

PARKING

Plenty of parking is available at both the start areas and finish areas. The Finish is approximately 2 miles from the Start area with an easy downhill back to the start area to retrieve your vehicle if necessary. Transportation will not be provided. 

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Local bike shops will be on hand to help out with any necessary mechanical repairs at the start areas of both races. During the race competitors may accept tools, spare parts, and mechanical assistance from another racer, but no off-course assistance is allowed and racers may not ‘cannibalize’ or accept parts off anyone else’s bike during a race.

RESULTS

Results will be posted near the finish line as soon as they become available. Any errors should be reported to the timers immediately. Results can also be accessed on our website at www.chaindrive.org

POST RACE FOOD

After Saturday’s distance events, all riders will receive a ticket for a sandwich and a drink when they return their chip timer. Additional food will be available to purchase at the finish. The finish line will also have goodies such as bananas and home made desserts and cookies for all registered racers.

16 AND 32 MILE COURSE NOTES

1. The race will begin with a roll-out start lead by a pace vehicle. Passing the vehicle will disqualify racer. The pace vehicle will lead racers across the Portage Lift Bridge then under the bridge. Just after proceeding under the bridge the pace vehicle will leave the course signaling the “start” of the race. The course then follows blacktop roadway for another ~2000 feet. This roadway is not closed to general traffic, will be busy with other event activities, and may be lined with parked vehicles. At the end of the blacktop roadway, the course narrows significantly to a 2 rut dirt trail. The dirt trail is very bumpy and may have significant water holes. Please use caution and be alert to these (and other) course difficulties.

2. Our signage consists of BLUE flags, RED arrows on white background and caution tape. Always keep BLUE flags on your right.The trails traverse two ski trail systems and numerous private properties. Please ignore all other trail signage. Deviation from the marked course will result in disqualification unless the competitor reenters at point of exit. The 16 and 32 courses will split and merge again in 2 locations along the race route - You are responsible to follow the correct course!

3. Please yield to traffic when necessary, the course is not closed to general traffic. Watch out for ORV and other traffic on the trails!

4. We are not responsible for what the bears will do to you if you litter along the race course. Please try to drop gel packets near aid stations if possible.

5. A competitor riding has the right of way over someone pushing their bike. Please make your presence known when overtaking a slower rider (i.e. ‘ on your left ’ ). Be patient on the singletrack as everyone is out there to have fun.

6. During the race you will encounter a wide variety of terrain and obstacles including but on limited to: sand, rocks, hardpack, fields, large mosquitos, trees, slippery bridges, difficult climbs, fast downhills, angry mother black bears, paparazzi and more. Yes, we know, Cemetery Hill is evil and Maasto is rocky but it ’ s all part of the experience. Please ride within your ability, have fun and we ’ ll see you at the finish line!

NO WHINING...this is an Off-Road Mountain Bike Course! We like it that way … 

The Chain Drive course travels through a majority of private land. Landowners have been generous in letting riders pass through on race day. Part of the trail is only open for riding on race day. We must respect the landowners wishes by not riding through their property after the race. Churning Rapids is an exception...feel free to ride there at anytime!