Traverse City Trails Festivals Get A New Date, Venue!

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!

Your Race Day Itinerary Is Here!

Location:  Ranch Rudolf, 6841 Brown Bridge Rd, TC, MI 49696

Packet Pickup:  Friday, July 20st at Ranch Rudolf in the Tumble Weed Room.  Pick-up
hours 4-7pm

OR
Saturday (Race Day) 7-8.30am

Important Parking Information

ALL RACERS AND SPECTATORS MUST PARK IN THE RACER PARKING LOT SOUTH OF THE
RANCH.  IT WILL BE MARKED.  PLEASE DO NOT DRIVE INTO THE DOWNTOWN AREA OF
RANCH RUDOLF ON RACE MORNING!

Start Times:
- 40 Mile RACE Starts at 9 am (Pre Race Meeting at starting line at 8:45)*
- 25 Mile RACE Starts at 9:30 am (Pre Race Meeting at 9:15 at the starting
line)*

- 40 Mile TOUR Starts at 10 am (Pre Ride Meeting at 9:50 at the starting
line)
- 25 Mile TOUR Starts at 10 am (Please attend the same 9:50 meeting at the start line)

*Mass start with self-seeded waves.  Elites on front row, then experts,
then sport.  Lots of room to pass for the first 5 miles.

The 8 mile kids' race will start at 1:30pm! 

Race Distances:
- The 40 Mile is 41.5 actual miles on a mechanical odometer.  Garmin/GPS
style will read 38-39 at the finish.
- The 25 Mile is 27 actual miles on a mechanical odometer.  Garmin/GPS
style will read 25 nearly on the nose.

Road Crossings:
There are 4 Paved Road Crossings.  Details for each below.....
- For all RACERS, Muncie Lake/Supply (Mile 5) will have a Sheriff stopping
CARS so racers can glide right through.  Tour riders will self cross all
intersections.
- For 40 Milers ONLY, Williamsburg Rd on the trip OUT (mile 23) to Sand
Lakes Quiet Area will have a volunteer crossing guard stopping BIKES if
necessary.  Race times will be adjusted at the end if a stop is longer than
15 seconds.
- For 40 Milers ONLY, Williamsburg Rd on the trip BACK (mile 33) from Sand
Lakes Quiet Area will have a volunteer crossing guard stopping BIKES if
necessary.  Race times will be adjusted at the end in a stop is longer than
15 seconds.
- For all RACERS, Supply/Williamsburg Rd (mile 21 or mile 37) will have a
Sheriff stopping CARS so racers can glide right through.  Tour riders will
self-cross.

- For 40 Milers ONLY there are 2 major gravel road crossings (Both on
Broomhead Rd) at mile 27 and 29.  Volunteer crossing guards will be present
during the race.  Tour riders will self cross.

- There are 6 minor road crossings that will NOT be posted with a
volunteer.  These will be self-crossings for all riders and racers.  Every
attempt will be made to mark them and to make oncoming traffic aware of the
race route.  Please listen for motorized vehicles and stay alert while
riding.   Ear buds are not allowed for this reason.