MI
USA
About the Cup
The Red Jacket Cycling Team is proud to present the seventh annual Keweenaw Cup Cyclocross Race, a two-day cyclocross extravaganza! Held in conjunction with the UPCROSS Points Series. The October 17 and 18, 2015, event again brings cyclocross racing to the Keweenaw. Prizes to be awarded to overall weekend champions in five classes.
All races are citizen races; a USA Cycling license is NOT required.
Both days of racing will again be contested in Copper Harbor, situated at the very top of Michigan. But this year, we’re flipping the venues around: Saturday’s Downtown Hoedown in “downtown” Copper Harbor, Sunday’s Top of the World Smackdown will be held at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, .
Racers, spectators friends and family are encouraged to make a weekend of the race and consider spending a night or two at one of the fine establishments in downtown Copper Harbor. Post-race festivities will again be held in downtown Copper Harbor. Stay tuned for details.
Proceeds from the Keweenaw Cup will benefit the Copper Harbor Trails Club, the organization responsible for the incredible network of mountain bike trails etched into the tip of the Keweenaw. It takes time and money to build the trails and acquire the land the trails are built on. And this is the Red Jacket Cycling Team’s contribution to protecting, preserving and expanding the trails.
Cyclocross?
Not sure what cyclocross is? Races are fast and furious – 30 minutes for women, kids and beginners; 45 minutes for expert men. Riders typically use modified road bikes – cantilever brakes and knobby tires, though any type of bike will work. Races are run over a short lap course (~1 miles) – so there’s plenty of opportunity for cheering and jeering from spectators. There are barriers that need to be run over, single track that has to be navigated, sand traps, mud holes, grass, dirt, pavement. The worse the weather the better. It’s hard to understand unless you’ve done it – and once you’ve done it you still won’t understand it, but you won’t be able to stop doing it. The sport is huge in Europe and has grown incredibly fast in the US in the past 5 or so years. Even in the U.P. Here’s a video that might shed some light on the sport for you:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWxuDZL_420. Learn more over at wikipedia.
The Races
Saturday, October 17, 2015: Downtown Hoedown
We’ll again be racing through downtown Copper Harbor, swinging through the park near the community center and venturing out into Clyde’s Field.
Sunday, October 18, 2015: Top of the World Smackdown
Smoother and faster than Saturday’s race, but with plenty of climbing.
The Prizes
This year, the Keweenaw Cup will be awarding prizes handcrafted by local artisians to the top three finishers of the women’s A and B and men ‘s A, B and C classes. Competitors must race both days to be eligible for awards. No kids races this year, but they’re more than welcome to race with in the B or C class.
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Location: Downtown Copper Harbor, MI
Cost: $20** (includes post race dinner and social gathering; additional meal tickets available $10/person; max. $20/family up to 4. Proceeds to benefit the Copper Harbor Trails Club.)
Category Start time Duration
Women B / Men C 1:00pm 30 minutes
Women A / Men B 1:45pm 30 minutes
Men A 2:30pm 45 minutes
Dinner: 6:00pm, Mariner North
Music to continue at Zik’s with Frank and da Beans!
Lodging: Racers wishing to spend the night in Copper Harbor are encouraged to make advanced reservations. Please refer to the Lodging page for details.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Location: Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, Copper Harbor.
Cost: $10; proceeds to benefit the Copper Harbor Trails Club
Category Start time Duration
Women B / Men C 12:00pm 30 minutes
Women A / Men B 12:45pm 30 minutes
Men A 1:30pm 45 minutes
Awards to follow men’s A race.
Registration
Registration is available day of the race: $30 for two days of racing ($20 for Saturday only; $10 for Sunday only). Saturday’s fee includes a pasta dinner and music.
Contact
Questions or need more information? E-mail Chris Schmidt or call 906.370.1997.