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		Points of View May 22, 2002, Updated: May 29, 2002* (See Editor's Note below.) Guest Column © 2002 Dan Dalquist Published with Permission Photos in text © 2002 Keweenaw Now and © 2001 Michael Young

Volunteers needed for Bridgefest Mountain Bike Race

By Dan Dalquist, Volunteer Coordinator

HANCOCK -- This year's Bridgefest Mountain Bike Race, known as the Portage Health System Chain Drive, will be a two day event -- Saturday, June 15, and Sunday, June 16 -- including 16-mile and 32-mile loops. The net proceeds from this race will be used to design and maintain trails for non-motorized use in Houghton and Keweenaw counties.

Members of the Keweenaw Trekkers Monday Night Mountain Biking Group, from left, Dan Dalquist of Hancock, Ed Kraai of Sherman Township and Shane Sullivan of Hancock get ready for a ride at the Maasto Hiihto cross-country ski and bike trails. Dan's Keweenaw Trekkers shirt was designed by Hancock High School art teacher Illa Garver, whose husband, Dennis Garver, is a member of the Trekkers. (Photo by Michele Anderson)

Our local race committee is comprised of cyclists with a variety of race organizing experience. The committee includes Chris and Mike Young, Mike Abbott, Bill Marlor, Lori Hauswirth, Gary Lubinski, representatives from DownWind Sports and Cross Country Sports and myself. I have been involved with the Canal Run since 1980. Mike and Chris Young 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. This group, and others helping us, have accepted the challenge of promoting and organizing this event to promote mountain biking in our community and to generate money to help with trail maintenance and design.

Chris Young, a member of the organizing committee for the Bridgefest Mountain Bike Race, rides her MTB at the Chequamegon Fat Tire 40 in September 2001. (Photo © 2001 and courtesy Michael Young)

We are at the point where we need workers to help with the two days of races.

Saturday's events (June 15) will be held at the Michigan Tech Trails. The race will be a time trial over a five-mile route. Workers are needed to man intersections and keep the riders going the correct route (perhaps six volunteers), to provide trail marking and cleanup (perhaps two) and to help with first aid (need three). You do not have to be a bicycle rider to work these events. If you do ride, bring your mountain bike!!

Our biggest need is volunteers to help with the 32-mile cross-country race on Sunday (June 16). We need about 20 people from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The race starts in Houghton, crosses the bridge, turns down to the marina and follows the Hancock waterfront to Birch St. It continues up Birch to Jasberg, then to M-203, then to the Eagles, and up onto Maasto Hiihto. From Maasto the group will ride into Churning Rapids, across Lake Annie Road onto some neat singletrack, back across Lake Annie onto Churning Rapids, return to Maasto and finish at the main driveway to the Hospital.

Preparing for the Bridgefest Mountain Bike Race, Dan, Shane and Ed check out the Maasto Hiihto trails, where part of the 32-mile race will be held on Sunday, June 16. (Photo by Michele Anderson)

There are two routes for Sunday's race: a 16-mile and a 32-mile. We need people to help with traffic control at the various intersections on the race course and at one of two aid stations. Workers are needed as follows:

• Traffic control: Two-person teams at a city street intersection. You watch for vehicle traffic, stop it to let the riders go by.


• Aid Stations: Nine workers needed. We will have three aid stations on the routes. All are accessible by vehicle. Your task is to count the riders, provide water, let the first aid teams know of any problems.


• First Aid: This group will be on the trails riding bikes or 4 wheelers to help any riders who are hurt. Four teams of two volunteers each are needed.

Help us raise the money to help our trails! Volunteer for any of the above tasks by responding to dand@chartermi.net or by calling 482-8198. Leave your name and phone number. If you prefer a certain assignment, please let me know!

*Editor's Note: Friday, May 31, is the early registration deadline for the  Portage Health System - Keweenaw Chain Drive Festival on June 15 and 16. You will receive a free jersey with your entry if registered by May 31 (postmarked by May 31). Entry fees are currently $50/weekend or $35/one day and jump up to $65/weekend and $45 one day after the May 31 deadline if you want to receive a jersey. For more info or a printable registration form please go to the Chain Drive Web site, www.chaindrive.org.

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

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