Traverse City Trails Festivals Get A New Date, Venue!

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The Traverse City Trails Festival presented by Stone Hound Brewing has new digs and a new date! After a lot of discussion with race participants, sponsors and the board, we’re stoked to confirm that the 2023 Traverse City Trails Festival will start and finish at Timber Ridge Resort on September 30!

Why Timber?

We’ve loved the atmosphere and unique setting provided by Rand Rudolf since the first edition of TCTF. The venue truly became a part of the TCTF experience; who hasn’t hopped in the creek after crossing the line?

However, the ranch did limit our access to some of the best trails in the area. It also forced us to cross a busy Supply Road twice, adding to the risk of the event, our volunteer needs and impacting the experience.

Enter Timber Ridge. Gordon and crew have been crucial to the development of trails and, just as important, the growth of our community for decades. Timber has facilitated our winter grooming program by allowing us storage and a cabin, plus donated generously to NMMBA and other bike-focused non-profits, including TART and Norte.

In addition to being a nice place to camp, it’s also in the perfect location to allow for easy access to nearly 100 miles of trails. The prospect has our course design team salivating.

About That TCTF Route…

We’re working on nailing down courses for three distances. While the mileage isn’t set, expect each of these categories to be roughly these lengths:

  • Expert/Elite – 25-30 miles, 2 hours

  • Sport – 20-25 miles, 1.5 hours

  • Beginner – 15-20 miles, 1 hour

So Why September?

Summers are busy. Based on feedback from race participants, the July race date was a challenge based on other events and off-the-bike priorities. We also faced several editions of TCTF with temperatures well into the 90s! We’re confident that moving September will make TCTF the unofficial kickoff of the fall mountain biking season that queues up a slew of great races across the state.

How can I get involved?

We like your attitude! Register to race or ride with us or by becoming a sponsor. Can’t make it September 9? You can still support our mission by registering to race and considering it a donation!