Deadline for early Chain Drive registration is May 31; volunteers still needed

Participants in the 2010 Portage Health Keweenaw Chain Drive Festival head for the trails after crossing the Portage Lift Bridge from Houghton to Hancock. The Chain Drive Festival is held annually in conjunction with Bridge Fest. (Keweenaw Now file photo © 2010 and courtesy Kate Flynn)

HANCOCK -- The Portage Health Keweenaw Chain Drive Festival is once again ready to roll out on Father's Day Weekend, June 18. The race features 16- and 32-mile point-to-point events starting in downtown Houghton, traversing Maasto Hiihto, Churning Rapids and a few private trails on its way to the finish at Portage Health in Hancock.

Be sure to register by Tuesday, May 31, in order to receive a discount and an event t-shirt. After May 31 the fees go up and t-shirts are not available.

Single track, elevation and rocks -- what more could you ask for? There's also a Junior Chain Drive for those 13 and under.

Please visit www.chaindrive.org to register or to receive additional information. All proceeds go to support trail efforts in the Keweenaw!

Please note: Junior Chain Drive registration is day-of-race only.

Volunteers still needed for race

Dan Dalquist, Chain Drive volunteer organizer, reports the good news that all the first aid teams, all the sweeps, all registration volunteer spots are full. Still, more volunteers are needed.

"We need people for traffic control,' Dalquist says. "This is a short-time commitment and involves you and a partner at many locations, stopping cars at a particular location as the racers fly past. Once the trace Sweep passes, you are done! We have spots in Houghton and in Hancock and near the finish line at Portage Health."

Volunteers are scheduled for Navy St. and Tezcuco on site at 0900 to stop parking along Navy St. in Hancock.

"This is a great way to see the racers," Dalquist adds, "a lot of fun for spouses, partners and those cyclists who are not racing! Cheering and applauding and ringing cow bells are encouraged!"

If you can volunteer, call Dan Dalquist at 906-337-0356 or at 906-370-2206 or email him at ddalquist@gmail.com.