Great Deer Chase Information
The Great Deer Chase showcases the Swedetown Recreation Area trail system, better known for skiing. Proceeds will support the continued creation and maintenance of mountain bike trails at Swedetown. The Adult Race Course Adults can choose between a 13-mile and 22-mile race. The course is predominantly intermediate with
some short sections of expert terrain. There are a number of short ups
and downs that will challenge riders, as well as the tight, twisty portions of the singletrack sections. However, most riders with
basic mountain biking skills will have no problem
negotiating this course. This is an excellent course for first-time racers to get a taste of competition. The race starts at 10 am on Fourth Street in Calumet, near
Red Jacket Road. The rollout will take riders through downtown
Historic Calumet. Racing will begin on the gravel road
that leads to the Tamarack loop of the
Swedetown trail system. The course includes a mix of singletrack and doubletrack and takes in most of the trails at Swedetown -- from Tamarack down to M-203 and back. The race finishes on Oak Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets, in downtown Calumet (right in front of Cross Country Sports). In our 15-and-under category for the 13 mile race, we ask that you ensure your child has completed rides of like nature, at distance, prior to competing. Singletrack is more demanding physically than riding gravel roads. If your child is 12 or under and wants to do the distance event we ask that they be accompanied by an adult or guardian rider (18 or older) throughout the race.
The Youth Race Course The youth races will start at 1:30 pm, also on Fourth Street near Red Jacket Road. There is a 3-mile race for those youth ages 10-and-under and a 4.5 -mile race for those 11-14 years old. Most of this race is
doubletrack and the finish is also on Oak Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets. Parents are
encouraged to ride with younger racers. Please remember to yield to faster racers and do not hamper
or impede others or your child may be disqualified.
Younger racers may compete in the 4.5-mile race but will be registered in the 12-and-under
category for awards.
Other Events and Amenities: There will be Heritage Days events in Agassiz Park
(near the start area) featuring games, music
and food. The Awards ceremony will follow about an
hour after the conclusion of the Youth Races.
Barring the rental of the Calumet Colosseum (Red
Jacket Road near Fourth) to a wedding party, there
will be lockerrooms with showers and parking available
at that location only 100 yards from the start area
(Fourth and Red Jacket Road
|
