 The Portage Health System Keweenaw Chain Drive Festival mountain bike race includes 16- and 32-mile point-to-point cross-country distance races and the Junior Chain Drive youth races. All participants for the 16- and 32-mile races receive a free jersey (if registered by May 31).
The course routes are marked only once each year. There are plenty of lodging options available, from motels to B&Bs, to camping.
The Chain Drive promotes the sport of mountain biking through fun family events and supports trail preservation efforts throughout the Keweenaw Peninsula. All funds raised by the festival will go to trail improvement, access and acquisition projects in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. |
Point-to-Point Cross-Country Races
 The challenging 16-mile and 32-mile cross-country races traverse the Maasto Hiihto/ Churning Rapids trail system in Hancock. The course includes miles of singletrack and lots of elevation change. Distance events will begin with a 10 a.m. roll-out through downtown Houghton, with the start at the Best Western-Franklin Square Inn. The finish will be at the Portage Health System hospital parking lot in Hancock. See the locator map. Awards at the finish area at 2:30 p.m.
"I raced in the 32-mile course. It was a great course and the personnel, as well as the field of competitors, were very friendly. Thanks for making it worth my trip up from Stevens Point, Wisconsin."
See photos from 2006. |
Junior Chain Drive, Saturday, June 17
 The Junior Chain Drive, includes races in four categories for youth age 13 and under:
- age 7 and under: 0.5 mile
- 8-9 years: 1.5-mile
- 10-11 years: 1.5 mile
- 12-13 years: 3 mile
There is a $5 entry fee. The Junior Chain Drive kicks off at 3:30 p.m. at the Portage Health System campus in Hancock.
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Class Categories
16-mile Event: Men and Women: 14 & under, 15-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+. Special categories: Clydesdale (200+ pound riders), Single Speed, Big Bike (35+ pounds). We will also add a 16-mile tandem class if we receive more than three entrants in that category.
32-mile Event: Men and Women: Expert (open), 15-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50+. We will also add a 32-mile single speed class if we receive more than 3 entrants in that category.
Awards: Free jerseys to all who register by May 31.
- Distance Events: awards to top three in each age group/category.
- Cash awards to the top five male and top three female in 32-mile expert category.
- All participants are eligible for door prizes.
Father's Day Weekend Challenge: We will present 16-mile awards to the top three father/youth combined times. There are separate award categories for fathers with youth 16 and under and those with youth 17 and older. Sign up at bib pick-up. We will present one award, to the top combined time, to a father/youth competing in the 32-mile race. |
