Team NordicSkiRacer.com memebers Andy Stevens, Aaron Tarnow, Phillip Maguire and Randy Kessler just completed the Saturday, August 20, 2005 Ore to Shore Mount Bike Epic. Andy, Aaron,and Phillip with the longer Hard Rock course; Randy did the shorter Soft Rock course with his son, Dan.
The 48 miles long Hard Rock course traverses some of the most scenic terrain available in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The race starts in downtown Negaunee, the "birthplace" of iron ore in Michigan. The first mile roll-outs on pavement and then the race hits the dirt as bikers make their way to Ishpeming. There's a detour through downtown Ishpeming and through the city streets for another mile, the then it's back on the trails.
The course rolls with the hills, with a gradual drop in elevation to Marquette. Racers pass by the lakes, rivers, ponds, and wildlife. The course is wide enough the entire way to allow for easy and safe passage, but yet remains "tunneled" by nearby trees to give the sense of winding your way through the forests. Approaching the city of Marquette, bikers are still in the highlands, with a beautiful view of Lake Superior and the final destination in the distance. The course passes through local mining history in the area: Cliff's Shaft, Rope's Gold Mine Haul Road, L.S. & I. Railroad's, Presque Isle Ore Dock and many other points of interest.
Like its HARD ROCK counterpart, the 28 mile Soft Rock covers some very scenic terrain. Starting at the shores of Negaunee's tranquil Teal Lake, raers immediately begin their journey to Marquette. After a 2 mile roll-out on pavement, the bikers connect to dirt trails. At about the halfway point, they merge trails with the HARD ROCK course and will be afforded the same splendid vistas as they make they way to the shores of Lake Superior.
Name |
Age Group |
Overall |
Age Group |
Time |
MPH |
Andy Stevens |
M25-29 |
97 |
5 |
2:59:09 |
16.1 |
Aaron Tarnow |
M25-29 |
210 |
19 |
3:14:14 |
14.8 |
Phillip Maguire |
M30-34 |
511 |
94 |
4:14:39 |
11.3 |
Randy Kessler |
M50-54 |
577 |
43 |
2:50:06 |
9.9 |