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

Registration

Registration will be held on

• Friday, June 15, 7:00 pm -9:00 pm at the Memorial Union Ballroom at Michigan Tech
• Saturday June 16, 8:00 - 9:30 am at the Best Western Franklin Square Inn

Junior Chain Drive Registration

The Junior Chain Drive Registration will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2 -3 pm at the Portage Health campus.

Start Times

16 Mile - Saturday, 10 am - Best Western Franklin Square
32 Mile - Saturday, 10 am - Best Western Franklin Square
Junior Chain Drive - Saturday, 3:30 pm - Portage Health System campus

Aid Stations

Cut-off Time

Drop-outs

If you should decide to drop out of the race, please inform a race official of your decision.

Helmets

All competitors are required to wear an 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 Saturday's Junior Chain Drive will be immediately following the race.

Parking

Plenty of parking is available at both the start areas and finish areas. Saturday's finish is approximately four 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 race officials immediately. Results can also be accessed on our website at www.chaindrive.org

Food Vendors

After Saturday's distance events, all riders will receive a ticket for a sandwich and a drink. Additional food will be available to purchase at the finish. The finish line aid station will have goodies such as bananas and cookies for all registered racers.

16- and 32-Mile Course Notes

1. Please yield to traffic when necessary, the course is not closed to general traffic. Please watch for 4 -wheeler traffic on the railroad grade!

2. Please do not litter on the trail...if you are seen littering, you will be disqualified from the race!

3.. There is a very good chance that you will encounter wildlife on this course...bears are often seen.

4. Be careful crossing the Portage Lift Bridge grating...it is slippery.

5. Our signage consists of BLUE flags, RED arrows on white background and survey tape. 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.

6. 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').

7. During the race you will encounter a wide variety of terrain and obstacles including but on limited to: sand, rocks, hardpack, fields, trees, bridges, difficult climbs, fast downhills, and more. Please ride within your ability! NO WHINING...this is an Off-Road Mountain Bike Course!

The 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. The Churning Rapids trail is an exception...feel free to ride there at anytime!

Note to self: If I get hurt...it is my own fault!!