Ride the Keweenaw weekend is May 25-29

COPPER HARBOR -- It's time for the third annual Ride the Keweenaw Weekend! Meant to highlight the great mountain bike trails in the Keweenaw, this event covers three days and four trail systems.

Cruising down the "Stairway to Heaven" in Copper Harbor, Mich. (Photo © Chuck Haney and courtesy Keweenaw Adventure Company)

Events start Friday, May 25, and continue through Sunday evening, May 27. The Ride the Keweenaw will offer guided rides throughout the weekend and also will feature the grand opening of the Copper Harbor IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association) Ride Center.

Pro riders Andrew Shandro and Tammy Donahue will join participants for a jumping clinic at the Michigan Tech Trails on Saturday, a women's clinic on Sunday and a freeride exhibition on Flying Squirrel Trail in Copper Harbor.

Riding "On the Edge" near Copper Harbor. (Photo © Aaron Peterson and courtesy Keweenaw Adventure Company)

Sunday of Ride the Keweenaw is the Ride Center Party in the Park fundraiser at 7 p.m. at Copper Harbor Park. For $25 you can get some good food, listen to some great music and contribute to the trails. Please help the organizers plan for attendance by registering for Sunday evening. Simply click here to register.

Please pay for your meals when you check in at Copper Harbor Park. BBQ and assorted beverages are on the menu. Pro Riders Andrew Shandro and Tammy Donahue will be there -- what about you?

Gromit the Trail Dog checks out the new Garden Brook Trail near Copper Harbor this past weekend. (Photo © and courtesy Arlyn and Sandy Aronson)

Currently there are only two IMBA Ride Centers in the Midwest and only seven world wide. So when you ride Copper Harbor you are literally riding world class trails. Your support made this happen and your continued support will only make these trails better!

Make sure to read on for the complete weekend schedule and plan to attend one, two or all of the weekend's events! Bring your friends, family and riding legs for a fun weekend of trails, food, good times, music and pro-riders.

"Ahhhh Garden Brook is my favorite stop!" Gromit notes. "Almost as good as seeing friendly bikers." (Photo © and courtesy Arlyn and Sandy Aronson)*

Here is the schedule:

Friday, May 25:
8 p.m. -- Mountain Bike Social at Keweenaw Brewing Co., downtown Houghton

Saturday, May 26:
9 a.m. -- Guided group ride at Michigan Tech Trails (post-ride food at trailhead)
10 a.m. -- Jumping clinic/demo – Michigan Tech Trails – Andrew Shandro and Tammy Donohugh
Noon -- Guided group ride at Churning Rapids Trails, Hancock (post-ride refreshments)
3 p.m. -- Guided group ride at Swedetown Trails, Calumet (post-ride grill-out at Swedetown)
9 p.m. -- Social gathering/music -- Mariner North in Copper Harbor

Sunday, May 27
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. -- Demo Day in Copper Harbor Park
10 a.m. -- Women’s MTB skill clinic and ride, Copper Harbor
10 a.m. -- Group rides at Copper Harbor trail, Copper Harbor Park
Noon - 5 p.m. -- Discounted shuttles up Brockway Mtn ($10 – Keweenaw Adventure Co., Copper Harbor
1 p.m. -- IMBA Ride Center dedication -- Top of Flow Trail on Brockway Mtn.
1:30 p.m. – Flying Squirrel Freeride Demo -- Andrew Shandro and Tammy Donahugh
7 p.m. -- Party in the Park (BBQ, beverages and music) -- Copper Harbor Park*

* Editor's Note: Thanks to Lori Hauswirth and the Copper Harbor Trails Club for this information and to Sam Raymond of Keweenaw Adventure Company and Gromit the Trail Mutt and her "pack" for photos.