Racer Updates
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News from the Starting Line
Fall: what a fantastic time of year for a mountain bike race in northern Michigan! While Endoman Promotions events and other races are gaining back their strength from the post-pandemic funk, it feels good to get the cycling community out and hanging together again in full force. And coming up in a few short weeks, is the eighteenth edition of the Peak2Peak, where there's plenty to be excited about. It's such a great time of year to be riding in the woods – the temps are down, the fall color is on full display and there's a handful of fantastic races in our region of the North that call out for our participation.
The BIG event will be held on October 19, 2024 and is going to feature many of the same amenities you've all come to expect - and some new ones. We're most excited to be welcoming our brand new (and local) Title Sponsor, Stormcloud Brewing Co out of Frankfort! This award winning brewer will be on hand to meet your post-race hankerings for a crisp refreshment! In addition, competent and fun-loving local bike shops will be on hand, Crystal Mountain will be providing a foodie-lovers spread and the competition will be as strong as ever – and all in the spirit of a good time.
As we run up to race day, here are some items of interest to consider:
Online Registration
Online reg will close on Wednesday, Oct 16 at 11:59 p.m. Or, if the cap of 750 is reached before that time, reg will close - whichever comes first. And if the cap is reached, there will be no day-of registration! So don’t delay - get in while you can!
Changing Classes
The deadline for changing classes, (for example, from Expert to Sport) is Tuesday, Oct 15 at midnight. After that, you’re stuck with the class you’re in. In other words, NO race day category changes will be allowed.
Beginner Boys and Girls 11 and Under
If you’ve signed up your child for this category, please remember that s/he must be accompanied on the course by an adult. There is no charge for the adult rider. It’s not that your child doesn’t have the skills; it’s purely a safety issue. Racers in this category racing without an adult companion will not receive a time.
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Venmo, Cash, or Check
If you’re registering to race on Friday or Saturday you can use your Venmo account to pay Endoman Promotions or use cash or check. That goes for purchasing merchandise, too.
E-bikes
Not allowed
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Wildlife
The DNR has put up posts about bears being in the area, as there have been a few sightings, including my own a few years ago. It was on the Betsie River Pathway trail coming out of the river basin and just before the trail comes back out on Longstreet Rd to head back to Crystral Mountain property. It's highly unlikely you'll see anything, because of all the riders around, but you never know – keep your eyes peeled!
Welcome aboard, Stormcloud Brewing Co.!!
We’re super excited to welcome our new title sponsor, Stormcloud Brewing Co, from right up the road in Frankfort! Members of the Stormcloud crew will be on hand to pass out swag and talk all day about their Rainmaker and Moonrunner ales and Cool Cat Kitty Face IPA, as well as other equally tasty brews after a hard go around the course. Welcome, Stormcloud!
Friday Night Dining
Make the Wild Tomato Restaurant and Bar in the Lodge at Crystal your Friday night headquarters to get fortified for the race! This cozy restaurant in the Lodge will be dedicated to all racers and their families as they serve the best pasta meal around – lots of great food and a very reasonable price! Reservations aren’t necessary but helpful. Call 800-968-7686.
Race-day Festivities
The crews of both Endoman Promotions and Crystal Mountain are on pace to help make this another great experience for racers and families this year. The Clipper chair lift will be running ($15 charge), and there will be an array of excellent food, including a huge barbecue, complete with side dishes. And, of course, the Stormcloud folks will be on hand to make sure the beer keeps flowing! The P2P strives to be a very family-friendly experience so bring everyone along and make it a weekend!
Registration Info and Day-Of Registration Info
Online registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on October 16 so now is the time to register if you want to save a few dollars. After that, you’ll have to register in person on Friday between 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., or on Saturday morning starting at 8:00 a.m. But it will cost some extra bucks so don’t wait - register online now!
Please note: Payments for registration or merch can be processed through Venmo (Endoman Promotions), cash, or check. There will be a QR code for Venmo payments available to scan at registration. Also, there is an ATM machine at the Inn at the Mountain (where you check in for rooms) which is close by, in case you need it.
Packet Pick Up
On Friday, preregistered racers can pick up their race packets, t-shirts, water bottles and other merchandise from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Pavilion, aka the Big White Tent. Packet pickup and Day-of registration on Saturday starts at 8:00 a.m. Since the Pros/Elites/Experts don’t go off until 12:50 p.m., those racers can pick up their packets or register anytime up to noon on race day.
Wave Start Times (Subject to minor variations)
Check the Wave Start Times tab on the website to see where you go off. Also, your Wave number and the time of that wave will be on the back of your number plates. It's your responsibility to know what Wave you're in so check the back of your plate!
Please note: starting in a wave ahead of the one on your number plate will result in an automatic DQ!
Awards, Purse, and Prize Drawings
The awards ceremonies will be held at the base of the mountain right outside the lodge. The Beginner category awards will be held at 11:45. The sports classes will have their ceremony at around 1:15 pm. The Pros/Experts will have their ceremony somewhere around 3 or 3:30 p.m.
The Weather
The P2P has seen really great weather and very, very cool and wet weather. A couple of years, there's been snow.
In keeping with the erratic weather northern MI in October can bring, the theme of the day will be LAYERING!
Come prepared and you'll be able to race in any type of weather!
Places to Watch
One of the best places to watch the action, and your favorite racer, is at the top of the Clipper Chair Lift. Other places to view racers are the base of the mountain at the Start/Finish line, and out at the Bestie River Pathway trailhead on Longstreet Rd, which is off of King Road, right across from the Mountain Valley Motel on M115. To get there, go about 5 miles west on M115 from Crystal Mt (toward Benzonia), take a left on King Rd, go down about a half mile, hang another left on Longstreet Rd, and go down about a mile to the trailhead on the left. You can’t miss it. Riders will be passing through this area twice in pretty quick succession and will be sharing the road with you – please watch out for them if you go out there.
That’s pretty much it for now. Get ready to rock at a great race, in a great venue.
Peak2Peak + Crystal Mountain Resort + Stormcloud Brewing Co = a day to remember!
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See you on the start line and have a great ride!
Tad Peacock - Race Director