Copper Harbor trails tale

[Arlyn Aronson]

We've had a few private notes with questions concerning the trails up at Copper Harbor and following is a little story concerning their technical aspect. Keep in mind they have green, blue and black rated trails there but they're built over conglomerate rock, with elevation changes which you don't normally find in the Midwest.
A few years ago we were up to help with the CH Fat Tire Race which they have every fall and some of you have done. Race info can be had at http://www.copperharbortrails.org/ (http://www.copperharbortrails.org/) The day before the race as we drove into Ft Wilkins state park to find our camping spot we followed an Illinois car with nice bikes on it. At the park entrance we asked if they were up for the race and they said "no" but wanted to hear about it. They said they might do it so we suggested they do the course pre-ride event that afternoon. We located our camp site and noted a Wisconsin car with nice bikes on it just a few spots down from us. Again we asked if they were there for the race which they said "yes!". Again we asked if they planned to do the pre-ride tour that afternoon and the fellow said "no, I'm recovering from an injury". We then asked if they had ridden CH trails before and invited them to ride the course with us that afternoon, plus we suggested he might want to see it before the race. His response "oh I ride at Nine mile trails in Wausau which is -SOOOOO- technical I won't need to pre ride this course". Hummmm We'd done all the Nine mile trails before and I should mention he was on a brand spanking new unsuspended single speed (I believe Surly?). For the race we spotted up at the Keweenaw Mountain lodge which is the top of the trails and recorded racers numbers as they passed our point. It was about 1/2 way around the race course. We didn’t see our Wausau buddy but thought we must have missed him. After the race we went past their camp and spied them so we stopped to ask how the race went. Following are his words: "Oh man that is SUCH a cool course I just couldn't believe how nice it was. But about 4 miles in I went into a BIG hole and when I came out I thought the bike kind'a rode funny so I stopped to check it out. Then I saw that my down tube was kinked!!!" OK so he didn’t get around the course 1/2 way!! We later bumped into the IL couple who had attempted the prerace but they had given up during the 1st climb out of CH so obviously didn’t do the race. Ya it's a climb. :crazy:

[FarmerBEN]

There is alot of climbing but it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. To be honest my calves got more sore from absorbing decents than my thighs did on the climbs. Truely an amazing trails system though, all-mountain is a good way to describe, I doubt you can find anything like it in the midwest.

[Arlyn Aronson]

We’ve taken a few more photos at CH & Swedetown trails including the “still under construction” board walk "Stairway to Heaven" at Copper Harbor. If you’d care to see see them please go to MTBR.com.http://tinyurl.com/6y9mr3 (http://tinyurl.com/6y9mr3) I tried adding one here but couldn't.<O:p</O:p

[daviebee]

We've had a few private notes with questions concerning the trails up at Copper Harbor and following is a little story concerning their technical aspect. Keep in mind they have green, blue and black rated trails there but they're built over conglomerate rock, with elevation changes which you don't normally find in the Midwest.
A few years ago we were up to help with the CH Fat Tire Race which they have every fall and some of you have done. Race info can be had at http://www.copperharbortrails.org/ (http://www.copperharbortrails.org/) The day before the race as we drove into Ft Wilkins state park to find our camping spot we followed an Illinois car with nice bikes on it. At the park entrance we asked if they were up for the race and they said "no" but wanted to hear about it. They said they might do it so we suggested they do the course pre-ride event that afternoon. We located our camp site and noted a Wisconsin car with nice bikes on it just a few spots down from us. Again we asked if they were there for the race which they said "yes!". Again we asked if they planned to do the pre-ride tour that afternoon and the fellow said "no, I'm recovering from an injury". We then asked if they had ridden CH trails before and invited them to ride the course with us that afternoon, plus we suggested he might want to see it before the race. His response "oh I ride at Nine mile trails in Wausau which is -SOOOOO- technical I won't need to pre ride this course". Hummmm We'd done all the Nine mile trails before and I should mention he was on a brand spanking new unsuspended single speed (I believe Surly?). For the race we spotted up at the Keweenaw Mountain lodge which is the top of the trails and recorded racers numbers as they passed our point. It was about 1/2 way around the race course. We didn’t see our Wausau buddy but thought we must have missed him. After the race we went past their camp and spied them so we stopped to ask how the race went. Following are his words: "Oh man that is SUCH a cool course I just couldn't believe how nice it was. But about 4 miles in I went into a BIG hole and when I came out I thought the bike kind'a rode funny so I stopped to check it out. Then I saw that my down tube was kinked!!!" OK so he didn’t get around the course 1/2 way!! We later bumped into the IL couple who had attempted the prerace but they had given up during the 1st climb out of CH so obviously didn’t do the race. Ya it's a climb. :crazy:

I'm sorry but stop being wussies :fool: and complaining about my home turf. Yes there actually is elevation change, yes you have to ride up a lot, yes it is naturally technical in no way that a log pile, rock gardens, skinnies, teeters, bridges can compare because like I said you are either going up or down at more than 60 degrees while hitting the "technical features". Not that I did not say that there weren't any of those either:crazy:.

Aryln,

looking to be up there on the 4th though the weekend next week.

[Arlyn Aronson]

We do have a few folks showing up here to ride over the holiday weekend. Will we see you as well?? :D<O:p</O:p

I'm sorry but stop being wussies :fool: and complaining about my home turf. Yes there actually is elevation change, yes you have to ride up a lot, yes it is naturally technical in no way that a log pile, rock gardens, skinnies, teeters, bridges can compare because like I said you are either going up or down at more than 60 degrees while hitting the "technical features". Not that I did not say that there weren't any of those either:crazy:.

Aryln,

looking to be up there on the 4th though the weekend next week.

[bootsiebee]

Sandy, Arlyn, & Grommet!

It was really great meeting you guys this weekend & a HUGE thanks for taking us under your wings and showing us around the Copper Harbor trails! What a great trail system you guys have out there!!! It was great riding and hanging with you guys & I only hope we can return the favor someday when you're passing through the Twin Cities enroute to Mah Dah Hey!!!

[daviebee]

Yes, I think I'll be signing up for the Fat Tire Race after my adventures up there! Pics/Vids to come...

[DANW]

Back in '06 my wife and I went to Copper Harbor to ride. I will admit that I had no idea what I was getting into! The elavation changes were much more than I thought that they would be. I thought that it was fun. My wife... Not so much... :D

Will I go back? HELL YA!!!!

[bootsiebee]

Back in '06 my wife and I went to Copper Harbor to ride. I will admit that I had no idea what I was getting into! The elavation changes were much more than I thought that they would be. I thought that it was fun. My wife... Not so much... :D

Will I go back? HELL YA!!!!

You definitely SHOULD go back! Make sure you ride the Stairway to Heaven (new feature this year) when you go!!! Lots of fun!!!

[JayPee]

I spent a night in Copper Harbor during my bike tour around Lake Superior last month, everyone I met up there was awesome and had many tales to tell. I can't wait to check 'em out when I have an appropriate bike!

[bootsiebee]

Pics of Copper Harbor Trails. The last one is at Swedetown.

[bootsiebee]

More pics...

Sandy, Arlyn, & Grommet - who rode everything on tandem (Grommet ran behind them) almost flawlessly! Who woulda thought!?! Also, when you ride Swedetown be sure to stop at the Conglomerate Cafe in Calumet for homemade baked goods & deli treats. Best hummus I've ever had!!!

[Arlyn Aronson]

On Friday the 25<SUP>th</SUP> until Monday we’ll have friends staying here with us in Houghton MI and going for rides. So far we plan take them on Michigan Tech (Houghton), Swedetown (Calumet) , Churning Rapids (Hancock) and of course Copper Harbor trails. Every time we’ve been to CH this summer we’ve seen out of town folks riding up there!! :banana: If anyone is going to be here and like to join us just get in touch with us at Arlyn (at) superiortandems.com<O:p</O:p