Home    Views   June 2003

		Points of View Posted June 12, 2003* (See Editor's Note below) Guest Column © 2003 Dan Dalquist Published with Permission Photos © 2002 Keweenaw Now

Keweenaw Chain Drive Bike Races June 14-15 to offer spectator area, guided tour

By Dan Dalquist, Volunteer Coordinator

*Editor's Note: This article was scheduled to appear in Keweenaw Now on May 29, 2003. Technical difficulties prevented us from publishing it on time. We apologize for the delay.

The biggest change this year is in the schedule: The 16-mile and 32-mile races will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, at Maasto Hiihto in Hancock; and the technical time trial and Junior Chain Drive will be Sunday, June 15, at the MTU Ski Trails in Houghton.

Mountain bikers head toward the finish line of the 2002 Keweenaw Chain Drive 32-mile race at Maasto Hiihto trails in Hancock. (2002 Keweenaw Now file photo by Michele Anderson)

The two-mile technical time trial with natural and manmade obstacles begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday at the Michigan Tech trails, just off Sharon Avenue in Houghton. At 1 p.m. the Junior Chain Drive kicks-off, also at the Michigan Tech trails. The Junior Chain Drive, for youth under age 13, includes a one-mile non-timed race for those ages 7 and under and a three-mile timed race for ages 8-13. There is a $5 entry fee. 

The net proceeds from this race will be used to design and maintain trails for non-motorized use in Houghton and Keweenaw counties. Our race committee is comprised of cyclists with a variety of race organizing experience. I have been involved with the Canal Run since 1980. Mike and Chris Young, Craig Hughes and Mike Abbott have extensive experience with Nordic ski races and cycling races. Lori Hauswirth is an accomplished mountain bike racer in her own right as well as an alpine ski racing coach and racer.

We have accepted the challenge of promoting and organizing this event. Our purpose is to promote mountain biking in our community and to raise in excess of $3000 this year for trail maintenance and design.

Volunteers will help with the 16- and 32-mile cross country race on Saturday. We especially appreciate the people who have offered to help  with traffic control at the various intersections on the race course and at the aid stations. 

Questions may be directed to Dan at dand@chartermi.net or at 482-8198.

* Check out all the events at http://www.chaindrive.org. You can register online at www.active.com, download an entry form from the Chain Drive website or pick up a form at Downwind, Cross Country Sports or the Hancock Bike Shop.

Update:  Here is a June 11 update from Lori Hauswirth: Jersey pick up and registration for local riders and volunteers has been changed from Wednesday, June 11, to Thursday night, June 12, between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Youngs' house, 1102 Ethel in Hancock unless you hear otherwise. Call Christine at 482-1308 with any questions. Participant registration will also be taking place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 13, at the Best Western-Franklin Square Inn in Houghton. Volunteer jerseys must be paid for ($25) and picked up by 10 p.m. Friday or they will be fair game for day of registrants.

Learn more about the author of this guest column, Dan Dalquist.

Visit the Keweenaw Now discussion forums to comment on this article.

Note: Views expressed by our guest columnists are not necessarily the views of Keweenaw Now.