IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – The recent debut of the Shiver-Me-Timberstones Fat Bike and Snowshoe Race garnered enthusiastic participation and accolades from organizers and participants alike. Mike Halley, the owner of U.P. Sport and Spoke, which is the sole sponsor of the event, expressed satisfaction with the turnout and community engagement.
Halley emphasized the collaborative effort that made the event possible, citing a joint effort from U.P. Sport and Spoke, the Iron Hills Cycling Team, the Dickinson Trail Network, and the Pine Mountain Ski and Golf Resort. He commended the meticulous grooming efforts by the Dickinson Trail Network preceding the race, ensuring the best possible conditions for participants.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Halley remarked, “It went really well. The participation was good. The weather threw us a little bit of a challenge with the warm temperatures, but overall we still put out a really fun, successful event with a lot of potential for the future.”
One highlight of the post-race discussion was the announcement of a new youth program aimed at fostering biking skills and life lessons among local youngsters. Halley shared, “Probably the biggest news for the biking community locally here is a youth program starting up in Dickinson County.” The program, affiliated with the Marquette-based 906 Adventure Team, caters to youths aged 5-17 and aims to instill valuable life skills while nurturing a love for biking.
The new Dickinson County program will run in the summer months for 10 consecutive Monday nights, starting on the 1st of June. The newly formed Dickinson County branch makes 11 branches total for the 906 Adventure Team.
The next meet-up for the Dickinson 906 Adventure Team will be at the Pine Mountain Ski resort, February 29th. For those interested in finding out more, that meeting runs from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Halley also teased an announcement regarding the Millie Hill Enduro. “What’s next for the Iron Hills Cycling team will be the Millie Hill Enduro on June 8 right here in downtown Iron Mountain,” he shared. Further updates are expected from the Iron Hills Cycling team as the summer months draw closer.
Reflecting on the genesis of the youth program, Halley revealed, “We’ve been engaging with the 906 Adventure Team for probably 2+ years now trying to get a Dickinson County branch started up.” With community interest on the rise and burgeoning trail growth, the timing proved opportune for the program’s establishment.
As anticipation builds for future biking events and initiatives in Iron Mountain, Halley affirmed the commitment to sustain and expand upon the success of the Shiver-Me-Timberstones event.
“We definitely want to continue on with the Shiver-Me-Timberstones event, and there’s good potential for growth there. The course is amazing and challenging, and we just want to keep it going,” he shared, underscoring the event’s potential for growth and the enduring appeal of fat bike racing in the region.
With the inaugural race setting a high bar for future endeavors, the local biking community eagerly anticipates further developments and opportunities for enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels.
The new Dickinson County Branch of the 906 Adventure team is looking for more participation from adult volunteers. Those interested in volunteering can find more information by visiting:
U.P. Sport and Spoke is located right in the heart of downtown Iron Mountain near City Hall. For those interested in checking out the local bike shop, it’s open Tuesday – Friday 9:30-5 CST, Saturdays 9:00 a.m.-2
For more details, visit:
https://www.upsportandspoke.com
The Iron Hills Cycling team is a local non-profit serving to support the passions of Dickinson County cyclers. The team is active with updates on their Facebook page.
The Dickinson Trail Network is a local non-profit whose mission is dedicated to building and maintaining non-motorized trails in the County. Those who want to find out how to support the DTN can visit:
Still shot of video (courtesy: Mike Halley of U.P. Sport and Spoke). Pictured: Emily Broeders, age 14 of Negaunee, who holds the time to be beat for next year’s Shiver-me-Timberstones 5.5-mile Fat Bike race, as she earned top speed across both gender groups for her whirling 57:13 time.
