Course Descriptions

HARD ROCK

48 Mile Race – Mass Start at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time)

The course traverses some of the most scenic terrain available in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The 48 mile race starts in downtown Negaunee, which is the “birthplace” of iron ore in Michigan. The first mile will be a roll-out on pavement, and then the race will hit the dirt as you make your way to Ishpeming. There you will detour through downtown and travel the city streets for another mile. Then you’re back on the trails. The course will roll with the hills as you gradually drop in elevation to Marquette. You will be captivated as you pass by the lakes, rivers, ponds, and wildlife along the way. The course is wide enough the entire way to allow for easy and safe passage, but yet remains “tunneled” by nearby trees to give the sense of winding your way through the forests. Approaching the city of Marquette, you are still in the highlands, look off in the distance for a beautiful view of Lake Superior and the final destination. The course passes through local mining history in the area. Look for the following sites along the way: Cliff’s Shaft, Rope’s Gold Mine Haul Road, L.S. & I. Railroad’s, Presque Isle Ore Dock and many other intriguing points of interest.

SOFT ROCK

28 Mile Race – Mass Start at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time)

Like its HARD ROCK counterpart, the 28 mile SOFT ROCK covers some very scenic terrain. Starting at the shores of Negaunee’s tranquil Teal Lake, you will immediately begin your journey to Marquette. After a 2 mile roll-out on pavement, you will connect to dirt trails. Approximately 4 miles into the race, you will merge trails with the HARD ROCK course and will be afforded the same splendid vistas as you make your way to the shores of Lake Superior.

SHORE ROCK

10 Mile Race – Mass Start at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time)

The Shore Rock offers an entry-level distance for the rider looking to try mountain bike racing, or for kids wanting to expand beyond the Junior Rock. Starting at Lakeview Arena at 8am, the racers will travel towards Tourist Park, and along the last section of the Hard/Soft Rock. The course will circle around and finish back at Lakeview Arena. Trophies will be awarded to the top age group finishers.

JUNIOR ROCK

4 Mile Race at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

The Junior Rock race is a 4 mile loop on a dirt trail starting at Lakeview Arena for those ages 13 and under. The racers finish using the same finish chute as the Hard and Soft Rock racers. Each racer will receive a commemorative T-shirt for participating.

Age group categories are in 2 year increments and the start is in waves by age groups. All the Jr. Rock racers are timed using the same professional timing company that is used for the Hard and Soft Rock.

Age group awards are given to the top 3 finishers in each age group. These unique Ore to Shore trophies can be picked up from the trophy table following the finish of the race. Everyone is welcome to take a picture with their trophy at the podium area.

The Junior Rock course is best suited for children old enough to ride the entire course without a parent; although parents are permitted to ride with their children. While the course is not technically difficult, it is not suggested for children who need training wheels or for those on tricycles/Big Wheels.

LITTLE ROCK

Kids’ 1 Mile Race – a non-timed event at 5:15 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Younger kids will also have the opportunity to experience the thrill of a race as they ride near the shores of the “Great Gitchee Gumee” and make their way around the partially paved course. This non-timed event will also start in waves by age groups and all kids will leave winners by taking home a ribbon and an official race t-shirt.

This year’s course does have some smooth but graveled sections. The course is very ridable for kid’s that are adept at riding with training wheels. Beginners and riders with tricycles/Big Wheels are permitted, but not suggested. Parents are permitted to ride with their children.

LITTLEST ROCK

Kids’ 50 Yard Race – a non-timed event 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Your young one can’t quite reach the pedals? Bring your toddler’s tricycle, Big Wheel, or push car, and do what’s necessary to get them to the finish by pushing, pulling, or letting them “pedal”. They will cruise into the finish area with a grin that won’t quit. Each child will go away a winner by taking home a ribbon and an official race t-shirt.

Please Note: All riders are required to wear a helmet.

O2S History

Scott Tuma, O2S race director, attributes the success to a combination of factors. “First, I think it’s our geography. We have great terrain here in Marquette County. It’s not flat by any means, but it’s not as undoable as the Colorado Mountains either. We are lucky to have Lake Superior as a backdrop providing magnificent views as racers descend practically 1,000 feet over the course of the trail. Sometimes I know it doesn’t seem like it, especially at Kirby’s Hill, but from 20 or so miles out, you’re on a gradual decline towards the lake for the duration.”
 
Tuma continues, “Secondly, we’ve designed a course that’s interesting to all levels of riders. We’re attracting some of the Mid-West’s top riders who enjoy the challenge of the 48-mile course, but we are also attracting riders for the 28-mile race & mile race who have never before entered any race. They feel comfortable enough knowing that there is support on the trail, that the trail isn’t too technical and that they can ride for their own personal enjoyment.”
 
The O2S is a point-to-point race, with riders gearing up at the start line in Negaunee, where in 1844 iron ore was first discovered in the Superior region. The long distance course travels through Ishpeming, past towering head frames from the heyday of underground mining, and then heads north into the beautiful wooded wilderness, crossing or running along side of the Dead River all the way into Marquette to the Lake Superior shoreline. The shorter race also starts in Negaunee, but immediately turns north and then east towards Marquette. The two courses merge six miles north of Negaunee and the soft rock riders get to experience the same Dead River and Superior overlooks as well as the same finish line. The 28-mile Soft Rock and 48-mile Hard Rock races offer a challenge for every level of rider. The outstanding support by hundreds of volunteers makes racing and riding the course an outstanding experience.