Hope Springs Eternal - Three Events To Look Forward To Through February
Oh, February. In Michigan, winter seems to have started a long, long time ago now, and even a casual glance on the calendar shows that there are plenty of cold, snowy days left to go before warm weather, sunny skies, and riding bikes in short sleeves. Luckily, there are plenty of great spring events to keep you motivated through the last few weeks of snowstorms and ice patches.
We’re mostly kidding in just how bleak winter is. Michigan is home to hearty athletes and some incredible groomed trails that allow us to fat bike and ski just about as soon as the snow flies. Many of us have spent the past few months since the Iceman Cometh Challenge makes the most of the groomed trails at events like the Fat Chance Fat Bike Race, North American Vasa, or the Polar Roll just this past weekend all the way up in Marquette.
Even without venturing out of doors, technology has offered up ways to stay fit and entertained. So many of us wouldn’t make it through winter without a Zwift or TrainerRoad subscription, two of the most popular training software options available. From proven training plans to new worlds and engaging graphics, riding nowhere is at least more fun than it used to be, no matter how stationary it remains.
The real motivation to survive and even thrive in winter, however, is having a light at the end of the tunnel. There’s nothing like having an event on your calendar to keep you motivated and active into the ides of March like registering for an early-season race. We’ve picked three to circle, sign-up for, and get excited about.
Dirty Thirty Grave Road Race - March 28.
Located in Saranac, the Dirty Thirty isn’t the first gravel race on the calendar, but it’s an early test that fits in nicely around Spring Break for those with kids and offers at least a chance of nice, warm, and maybe even dry weather. Choose from 15, 30, or 50 mile distances and squeeze in a hard race effort way before your buddies are even logging a decent amount of miles!
Barry-Roubaix - April 18.
The biggest gravel road race in the country is located right here in Michigan! While this year’s event is already sold out, you can still nab an entry by heading to the website and looking for a transfer. Even if you can’t race this year, make sure you follow the race’s social channels and join in for one of the many pre-rides that take place in the weeks leading into race day. Of course, we’ll have a few free entries for a couple of our followers later this spring!
Yankee Springs Time Trial - April 25.
Michigan’s first chance to shred singletrack comes with the 31st Annual Yankee Springs Time Trial. The oldest race in the state, it’s turned into an absolute institution in the Grand Rapids area, drawing riders from around the region for a first chance to test the legs. It serves a bigger purpose, too. The Yankee Springs Time Trial is also the biggest fundraiser of the year for the West Michigan Mountain Biking Alliance, the local non-profit trails association that maintains non-motorized trails from Holland to Rockford. It’s a unique chance to race and do good for an organization that makes our sport possible!
What race are you getting excited for? Let us know in the comments and stay strong this winter...spring isn’t too far away!