MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Thousands of bikers made their way to Marquette tonight to register for this weekend’s Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic.
2,700 riders from all over the country waited in line at LakeView Arena Friday night to sign up for the Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic. The ride is the biggest in the races history and organizers have been working hard to make sure the trails are ready.
“We have designed the course with a lot of passing zones, it’s wide,” remarked Scott Tamu, one of the Co-Founders of the race and the Director.
Bringing almost 3000 people to town has a significant economic impact on the area. Tuma says a study done 15 years ago showed that the race injects nearly $1 million into the economy.
“It’s probably more like $2 million dollars of revenue we’re bringing in here,” added Tamu when speaking about the growth of the race over the years.
The race draws people back to the U.P. year after year. Some families make it a tradition.
“We do it just about every year,” commented Sean Gilin who is racing in his 10th Ore to Shore with his daughter.
Bikers say the unique environment of the upper peninsula presents challenges not seen anywhere else. Some racers arent only competing against others but against themselves as well.
“I haven’t really completed this in the way I want to do it, so I gotta get to that point,” said Nick Vaughn who traveled from Metro Detroit to ride in his 6th Ore to Shore race.
At its core the Ore to Shore is still a race and the competitors, even the young ones come for the same thing. One young bike said beating everyone else was what he was most excited for and his brother quickly chimed in that he was most excited to win.
The race starts tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.
