Date:
March 3, 2012
First race: 11a.m. EST
Location:
5th Street, Calumet, Michigan
Races:
Fat Bike Sprints
Four Cross
Miss & Out
Cyclotron Snow Bike Criterium
Atomsmasher MTB Criterium
Fat Bike Expo:
Local and regional shops will be on
hand with the latest fat bikes;
take a demo for a spin
March 3, 2012
First race: 11a.m. EST
Location:
5th Street, Calumet, Michigan
Races:
Fat Bike Sprints
Four Cross
Miss & Out
Cyclotron Snow Bike Criterium
Atomsmasher MTB Criterium
Fat Bike Expo:
Local and regional shops will be on
hand with the latest fat bikes;
take a demo for a spin
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Pete and Nina Karinen Top Cyclotron Podiums
March 03, posted by cyclotron
Snow bikers from across the region congregated on 5th Street in Calumet for the inaugural running of the Red Jacket Cyclotron on Saturday. The Calumet Snowdrome, prepared to perfection for the Friday night start of the Copper Dog 150 dogsled race, featured two long straightaways – one, an elevated snow road, the other a snow-covered stretch of ice-encased cobbles – and two 180 degree turns, each demanding expert bike handling skills and nerves of steel. The previous day's warm temperatures combined with the 18+ inches of wet snow that had fallen earlier in the week to form a rock-solid base for the snow portion race course. As weather in the U.P. is known to do, however, the one to three inches of snow forecast for the area the previous day turned into 10"+ for Calumet and a winter storm warning for Marquette. Thus, in a twist of irony, the legions of snow bikers from Marquette who had planned to compete, were forced to retreat to safe harbor on account of the impassible roads in the Marquette highlands, thinning the number of participants somewhat, but not the high level of athletic prowess demanded of the competitors who rose to the challenge.
Three races were held over the course of the day. The first, a straight-up criterium, saw racers competing for fifteen minutes plus one lap. Pete Karinen (Culver's Cycling / Atlantic Mine) was able to open an early gap on his fellow A-race competitors. Teammate Eric Ollis of Houghton nipped at his heels for the duration of the event, but was never able to regain contact. Brian Geshel, the sole rider from Marquette, rounded out the top three. In the men's B-class, James Bialas (Red Jackets / Askel) battled with Bob Carpenter (Lanse) for top honors in the snow crit, with the younger Bialas holding on for the win. Third place went to Pat Szubielak of Calumet. Dominating the women's field was Nina Kerinen of Atlantic Mine.
Following a brief break for course prep on account of intense snowfall, racers rolled down to the far end of the race course for the sprint races which saw racers go head to head on a 500m straightaway. In a game of cat and mouse, Pete Karinen lulled Ollis into complacency before throwing down the hammer, leaving Ollis in a wake of blowing snow and shattered dreams. Ollis was able to fend off a fast approaching Geshel, however, for second. Nina Karinen, who raced with the men's B group, led not only the women's field, but also outpaced all of the men's B riders for the sprint win. In the B race, it was Szubielak narrowly outpacing Bialas, with Bob Carpenter claiming third.
Racing concluded with a 2-person exhibition relay, each team completing a total of 4 laps. With the intensifying snow, driving wind and falling temperatures, racers were transformed into anonymous figures waging battle against the elements as much as each other.
In the final standings, it was Pete Karinen who claimed the overall title in the men's A race. Eric Ollis and Brian Geshel rounded out the top three. Nina Karinen was crowned female champion of the 2012 Cyclotron. In the men's B race, James Bialas, Bob Carpenter and Pat Szubielak took top honors.
As snow biking grows in popularity, the Red Jacket Cyclotron is certain to grow as well. The event offers a unique opportunity to compete in a series of high-paced criterium events over the course of a few hours in the historic and welcoming surroundings of downtown Calumet. Race organizers are looking ahead to 2013. And, though they welcome the snow, they hope that it will hold back a bit on Cyclotron day next year.
Organizers would like to thank the CopperDog 150 race committee and Main Street Calumet for making the event possible. The race would also not have been possible without the support of numerous area business and organizations, including the Michigan House and Red Jacket Brewery, Cross Country Sports, Tony's Country Kitchen, Cafe Rosseta, EarthWise, Bohemia Printing, 5th and Elm Coffee House, Downwind Sports, The Bike Shop, Aspirus Keweenaw, Red Jacket Cycling Team, Todd Van Dyke and The WOLV radio, photography by Adam Griffis and Bill Fink, Andrew Hanson of Marquette for the some truly amazing awards, and Bike the Keweenaw. Special thanks as well to the volunteers who braved the elements: Tim Kostner, Kit Cischke, Rick Vendlinski, Mike and Kathy Abbott, Pat Szubielak, Bill Marlor, and Cynthia MacDonald. Thanks, too, to the racers!
Snow bike racing continues in the Keweenaw March 11 with the Great Bear Chase Snow Bike Race and Midwest Snow Bike Championships.
Race photos: by Adam Griffis
All Systems Go for the Red Jacket Cyclotron
March 2, posted by cyclotron
With two storms in the past five days followed by moderate temperatures, the Calumet Snowdrome on 5th Street is sure to be in top shape for the inaugural running of the Red Jacket Cyclotron this Saturday. Racers from across the U.P. and northern Wiscosin will be in town to battle it out for top honors in one of the most unqiue fat bike events anywhere.
A total of nine races in four classes will be contested over three hours beginning at 11a.m. Events include action-packed criteriums for the endurance racers and high-speed sprints for the power riders. Mountain bikers can have a go on the course as well in the Atomshasher Snow Crit.
The day doesn't end with the Cyclotron, however. Snow bike riders are invited to pre-ride the course of next weekend's 25k Great Bear Chase Snow Bike Race in a group ride, which will be leaving from Cross Country Sports in Calumet at 3:30pm.
Merchants up and down Fifth Street and around Calumet will be offering special deals and products throughout the day. Keep your eyes open for flyers with all of the deals and special coupons. And be sure to hit The Michigan House and Red Jacket Brewery afterwards for a Moonlander Ale, brewed special for the Cyclotron!
Free Internet Access by Pasty.Net This Weekend
February 27, posted by cyclotron
Pasty.NET is adding speed and capacity in Eagle Harbor, Copper Harbor, Gay and Calumet for the businesses we serve, that carry our WiFi signals, including the Pines Resort, Mariner North, Eagle Harbor Inn, Gay Community Center, Calumet Theater, and others. This weekend (March 3,4,5), wherever a HotSpot login is required, use username "copperdog" and password "pastynet" to connect your wireless device through the Pasty.NET network without charge.
Thanks Calumet!!
February 22, posted by cyclotron
We're quickly running out of space on the website for all of our supporters. A big thank you goes out to the Michigan House and Red Jacket Brewing Company, Cross Country Sports, Cafe Rosetta, Tony's Country Kitchen, 5th and Elm, Bohemia Printing, and Earthwise - Calumet business that have stepped up to help make the Cyclotron reality!
T-Shirts!
February 16, posted by cyclotron
Thanks to our friends at the Michigan House, Cross Country Sports and Bohemia Printing in Calumet, we're pleased to announce that we're guaranteeing free t-shirts to the first two dozen racers to sign up for any of the Cyclotron snow bike categories! (Mountain bike class not eligible.) Include your email address when you register and we'll get in touch with you for size info.
Race Schedule Update
February 1, posted by cyclotron
Planning on racing the Great Bear Chase Snow Bike Race and Midwest Snow Bike Championships on March 11? Stick around after the Cyclotron Award Ceremony (and pasty feed) for a preride of the 25k Bear Chase Snow Bike Course: one of two days this season the trails will be open to snow bikes!
Cyclotron in the News!
January 26, posted by cyclotron
Read what the Mining Gazette has to say about the latest addition to the CopperDog 150 weekend!
Cyclotron to round out CopperDog 150 weekend
Snow bike race added to event schedule
CALUMET - Thousands of people lined Fifth Street in Calumet on March 4, 2011, for the start of the second annual CopperDog 150 sled dog race. Many returned on March 6 for the race's exciting conclusion, but for all intents and purposes, with a snow road in place, downtown Calumet turned into a ghost town on the Saturday in between - something organizers plan to change this year. Read More...
Fatbike Racing in Downtown Calumet!
January 6, posted by cyclotron
Calumet's snow-covered and cobbled 5th Street will play host to the Keweenaw's first ever fatbike criterium March 3, 2012. Racers will test their bike handling skills, strength and endurance in a variety of short and fast races, from the all-out two-man sprint and four-cross to a standard criterium (or lap race). All fatbike competitors will have numerous opportunities to toe up on the start line.
Organized by Bike the Keweenaw, The Red Jacket Cycling Team and the Copper Dog 150, the event aims to give fatbike racers a unique venue to test and hone their skills. And, with thousands of dogsled fans in the area for the Copper Dog 150, a heavy showing of specators is anticipated in this extremely viewer-friendly form of bicycle racing.
With one half of 5th Street paved with snow for the departure and return of the dogsled teams competing in the Copper Dog 150 dogsled race and the other half a slick mix of snow, ice and cobblestones, racers will need the power of a steamroller and the finesse of a ballet dancer to negotiate the boulevard-style course, which also features skill-taxing U-turns at either end.
The race is targeted primarily at fatbike racers, who will be competing on bicycles specially designed for use on snow and sand. Their wide tires and rims (3.5" and up) and low tire pressure allows them to float over loose and soft terrain. Minimal profile on the tires, however, will make for tactical and difficult turns and sprints.
Skinny-tired mountain bikers will also be given opportunity to compete on the course: a special mountain bike criterium will see the more familiar mountain bikes try their luck. Excitement is guaranteed for racers and spectators alike.
Not sure what a fatbike is? Shops from the area and region will be on hand with the latest in the next big thing in bicycles at the Cyclotron Fatbike Expo. Stop by and see what it's all about even if you're not racing!
March 03, posted by cyclotron
Snow bikers from across the region congregated on 5th Street in Calumet for the inaugural running of the Red Jacket Cyclotron on Saturday. The Calumet Snowdrome, prepared to perfection for the Friday night start of the Copper Dog 150 dogsled race, featured two long straightaways – one, an elevated snow road, the other a snow-covered stretch of ice-encased cobbles – and two 180 degree turns, each demanding expert bike handling skills and nerves of steel. The previous day's warm temperatures combined with the 18+ inches of wet snow that had fallen earlier in the week to form a rock-solid base for the snow portion race course. As weather in the U.P. is known to do, however, the one to three inches of snow forecast for the area the previous day turned into 10"+ for Calumet and a winter storm warning for Marquette. Thus, in a twist of irony, the legions of snow bikers from Marquette who had planned to compete, were forced to retreat to safe harbor on account of the impassible roads in the Marquette highlands, thinning the number of participants somewhat, but not the high level of athletic prowess demanded of the competitors who rose to the challenge.
Three races were held over the course of the day. The first, a straight-up criterium, saw racers competing for fifteen minutes plus one lap. Pete Karinen (Culver's Cycling / Atlantic Mine) was able to open an early gap on his fellow A-race competitors. Teammate Eric Ollis of Houghton nipped at his heels for the duration of the event, but was never able to regain contact. Brian Geshel, the sole rider from Marquette, rounded out the top three. In the men's B-class, James Bialas (Red Jackets / Askel) battled with Bob Carpenter (Lanse) for top honors in the snow crit, with the younger Bialas holding on for the win. Third place went to Pat Szubielak of Calumet. Dominating the women's field was Nina Kerinen of Atlantic Mine. Following a brief break for course prep on account of intense snowfall, racers rolled down to the far end of the race course for the sprint races which saw racers go head to head on a 500m straightaway. In a game of cat and mouse, Pete Karinen lulled Ollis into complacency before throwing down the hammer, leaving Ollis in a wake of blowing snow and shattered dreams. Ollis was able to fend off a fast approaching Geshel, however, for second. Nina Karinen, who raced with the men's B group, led not only the women's field, but also outpaced all of the men's B riders for the sprint win. In the B race, it was Szubielak narrowly outpacing Bialas, with Bob Carpenter claiming third.Racing concluded with a 2-person exhibition relay, each team completing a total of 4 laps. With the intensifying snow, driving wind and falling temperatures, racers were transformed into anonymous figures waging battle against the elements as much as each other.
In the final standings, it was Pete Karinen who claimed the overall title in the men's A race. Eric Ollis and Brian Geshel rounded out the top three. Nina Karinen was crowned female champion of the 2012 Cyclotron. In the men's B race, James Bialas, Bob Carpenter and Pat Szubielak took top honors.
As snow biking grows in popularity, the Red Jacket Cyclotron is certain to grow as well. The event offers a unique opportunity to compete in a series of high-paced criterium events over the course of a few hours in the historic and welcoming surroundings of downtown Calumet. Race organizers are looking ahead to 2013. And, though they welcome the snow, they hope that it will hold back a bit on Cyclotron day next year.
Organizers would like to thank the CopperDog 150 race committee and Main Street Calumet for making the event possible. The race would also not have been possible without the support of numerous area business and organizations, including the Michigan House and Red Jacket Brewery, Cross Country Sports, Tony's Country Kitchen, Cafe Rosseta, EarthWise, Bohemia Printing, 5th and Elm Coffee House, Downwind Sports, The Bike Shop, Aspirus Keweenaw, Red Jacket Cycling Team, Todd Van Dyke and The WOLV radio, photography by Adam Griffis and Bill Fink, Andrew Hanson of Marquette for the some truly amazing awards, and Bike the Keweenaw. Special thanks as well to the volunteers who braved the elements: Tim Kostner, Kit Cischke, Rick Vendlinski, Mike and Kathy Abbott, Pat Szubielak, Bill Marlor, and Cynthia MacDonald. Thanks, too, to the racers! Snow bike racing continues in the Keweenaw March 11 with the Great Bear Chase Snow Bike Race and Midwest Snow Bike Championships.
Race photos: by Adam Griffis
All Systems Go for the Red Jacket Cyclotron
March 2, posted by cyclotron
With two storms in the past five days followed by moderate temperatures, the Calumet Snowdrome on 5th Street is sure to be in top shape for the inaugural running of the Red Jacket Cyclotron this Saturday. Racers from across the U.P. and northern Wiscosin will be in town to battle it out for top honors in one of the most unqiue fat bike events anywhere.
A total of nine races in four classes will be contested over three hours beginning at 11a.m. Events include action-packed criteriums for the endurance racers and high-speed sprints for the power riders. Mountain bikers can have a go on the course as well in the Atomshasher Snow Crit.
The day doesn't end with the Cyclotron, however. Snow bike riders are invited to pre-ride the course of next weekend's 25k Great Bear Chase Snow Bike Race in a group ride, which will be leaving from Cross Country Sports in Calumet at 3:30pm.
Merchants up and down Fifth Street and around Calumet will be offering special deals and products throughout the day. Keep your eyes open for flyers with all of the deals and special coupons. And be sure to hit The Michigan House and Red Jacket Brewery afterwards for a Moonlander Ale, brewed special for the Cyclotron!
Free Internet Access by Pasty.Net This Weekend
February 27, posted by cyclotron
Pasty.NET is adding speed and capacity in Eagle Harbor, Copper Harbor, Gay and Calumet for the businesses we serve, that carry our WiFi signals, including the Pines Resort, Mariner North, Eagle Harbor Inn, Gay Community Center, Calumet Theater, and others. This weekend (March 3,4,5), wherever a HotSpot login is required, use username "copperdog" and password "pastynet" to connect your wireless device through the Pasty.NET network without charge.
Thanks Calumet!!
February 22, posted by cyclotron
We're quickly running out of space on the website for all of our supporters. A big thank you goes out to the Michigan House and Red Jacket Brewing Company, Cross Country Sports, Cafe Rosetta, Tony's Country Kitchen, 5th and Elm, Bohemia Printing, and Earthwise - Calumet business that have stepped up to help make the Cyclotron reality!
T-Shirts!
February 16, posted by cyclotron
Thanks to our friends at the Michigan House, Cross Country Sports and Bohemia Printing in Calumet, we're pleased to announce that we're guaranteeing free t-shirts to the first two dozen racers to sign up for any of the Cyclotron snow bike categories! (Mountain bike class not eligible.) Include your email address when you register and we'll get in touch with you for size info.
Race Schedule Update
February 1, posted by cyclotron
Planning on racing the Great Bear Chase Snow Bike Race and Midwest Snow Bike Championships on March 11? Stick around after the Cyclotron Award Ceremony (and pasty feed) for a preride of the 25k Bear Chase Snow Bike Course: one of two days this season the trails will be open to snow bikes!
Cyclotron in the News!
January 26, posted by cyclotron
Read what the Mining Gazette has to say about the latest addition to the CopperDog 150 weekend!
Cyclotron to round out CopperDog 150 weekend
Snow bike race added to event schedule
CALUMET - Thousands of people lined Fifth Street in Calumet on March 4, 2011, for the start of the second annual CopperDog 150 sled dog race. Many returned on March 6 for the race's exciting conclusion, but for all intents and purposes, with a snow road in place, downtown Calumet turned into a ghost town on the Saturday in between - something organizers plan to change this year. Read More...
Fatbike Racing in Downtown Calumet!
January 6, posted by cyclotron
Calumet's snow-covered and cobbled 5th Street will play host to the Keweenaw's first ever fatbike criterium March 3, 2012. Racers will test their bike handling skills, strength and endurance in a variety of short and fast races, from the all-out two-man sprint and four-cross to a standard criterium (or lap race). All fatbike competitors will have numerous opportunities to toe up on the start line.
Organized by Bike the Keweenaw, The Red Jacket Cycling Team and the Copper Dog 150, the event aims to give fatbike racers a unique venue to test and hone their skills. And, with thousands of dogsled fans in the area for the Copper Dog 150, a heavy showing of specators is anticipated in this extremely viewer-friendly form of bicycle racing.
With one half of 5th Street paved with snow for the departure and return of the dogsled teams competing in the Copper Dog 150 dogsled race and the other half a slick mix of snow, ice and cobblestones, racers will need the power of a steamroller and the finesse of a ballet dancer to negotiate the boulevard-style course, which also features skill-taxing U-turns at either end.
The race is targeted primarily at fatbike racers, who will be competing on bicycles specially designed for use on snow and sand. Their wide tires and rims (3.5" and up) and low tire pressure allows them to float over loose and soft terrain. Minimal profile on the tires, however, will make for tactical and difficult turns and sprints.
Skinny-tired mountain bikers will also be given opportunity to compete on the course: a special mountain bike criterium will see the more familiar mountain bikes try their luck. Excitement is guaranteed for racers and spectators alike.
Not sure what a fatbike is? Shops from the area and region will be on hand with the latest in the next big thing in bicycles at the Cyclotron Fatbike Expo. Stop by and see what it's all about even if you're not racing!