The Rough Stuff Rally is back in 2024 in Copper Harbor, Michigan and we’ve got all the info you need! Let’s check it out.
Thanks to Chris Guibert for the photos!
The Rough Stuff Rally invites y’all to join us on the amazing trail network of Copper Harbor, Michigan for two nights of camping, community, gourmet food, world class mountain bike riding and revelry at Trail’s End Campground. On August 2nd-4th the second annual Rough Stuff Rally will take place.
This event is part of a new breed of cycling events, deeply focused on fun, inclusivity, and community. While we love a good bike race, there’s just something magical that happens when competition is removed from the equation. It just seems easier for folks to be their best selves when the emphasis is on maximum good-time instead of speed.
The Rally is two days of riding on some of the best trails in the world, in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Copper is remote, hard to get to, and worlds away from the bummers of daily life. It’s a bit of a hassle to get there, and you sure won’t want to leave when it’s time to go back home.
On Friday we drop shuttle runs over at the East Bluff bike park with a happy hour (beer and N/A options provided) on the bluff top before the final shuttle powered descent of the day. On Saturday we’ll do a big loop of the trail system taking in a highlight reel of single track with a gourmet aid station hosted by Chef Adam Blake featuring organic vegetables grown on site at the campground, with a big party to follow that evening.
Registrants will receive: shuttle service on Friday at East Bluff, event t-shirt, gourmet food on course and complimentary beverages Friday and Saturday night.
Register Here: bikereg.com/rough-stuff-
About Copper Harbor
One of our favorite places to visit in the world, and we can’t wait to share it with you. It contains some of our favorite trails, favorite lake to swim in (Fanny Hooe), and of course some of our favorite people. Perched on the edge of the Keeweenaw Peninsula on Lake Superior, Copper Harbor has developed an international reputation for hosting some of the best mountain biking in the world.
A good day riding here is as good as any place I’ve been. The town has less than a hundred year round residents and no cell service. It feels remote and end of the road, it’s like being on an island. In addition to the riding there is exceptional sight seeing, rock hounding, kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking and fishing. Great times for everyone no matter what you’re into.
Route
43 mile or 22 mile loop on some of the best single track on Earth. A mix of machine built flow trails, rocky old school tight single track, double track and gravel roads. Ride fast or take it slow, all options are valid. Route has aid stations featuring hot food and cold beverages. We’re bringing in Chef Adam Blake to cook the best food you’ve ever had on course at the East Bluff aid station. This is an event for experienced mountain bikers. It’s not overly technically hard, but there are some challenging sections and it’s a real big day on the bike. Registration can be used for either distance, feel free to make the call day of.
Schedule
Friday – Riders Arrive
Check in at Trails End Campground 11-4 and 8-10pm
Shuttles at East Bluff Bike Park- 4-7
Social Hour on top of East Bluff 6-7pm
Mandatory Rider Meeting at 8:30pm at Trail’s End
Saturday
Rollout 9AM
6pm Time Cutoff
Saturday 7-10pm – Bonfire, beverages, music, dancing, revelry
Camping
We encourage all riders to stay at Trail’s End as that will be the center of activity, there are cabins available for reservation as well as first come, first serve campsites. The campground features a pump track, toilets and showers. Each campsite provides a fire ring and picnic table. All sites rent for $20 per site per night. We will be reserving a large section of the campground for event attendees.
For those seeking other accommodations Copper Harbor boasts a number of motels, airbnb’s, and another campground at East Bluff or at the State Park.
Partners
Rock Solid Trail Contracting, Trail’s End Campground, East Bluff Bike Park, Copper Harbor Trails Club, Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, Angry Catfish, Wilde Bicycle Co., Northern Coffeeworks
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