By Jeni Jewell

Blink and they’re gone. That’s how I felt as I tried to photograph the Twilight criterium Friday night in downtown Marquette. Some waves were easier than others, but capturing the essence of an all out sprint was more difficult than I thought.

Still it’s that same speed and persistence that creates energy, both on the course and in the crowd. Those jaw dropping turns when some riders have one rider on each side as they flow smoothly around another bend at a higher rate of speed — that’s what made this event so much fun to watch. Perhaps the danger, an event I wouldn’t attempt also excited me.  And I wasn’t the only one who thought so. Spectators flocked to downtown Marquette Friday night to enjoy the action as riders and bikes of all types dueled it out for winners “bouquets”, bike cog “flowers” attached to metal stems.

Category: News

Hey Bike Jam fans! We want to thank you for checking out Marquette’s newest bike resource by giving away one $100 gift certificate toward any bike shop in Marquette, plus Letsbikemqt.com t-shirts to the first 75 people to visit our booth at the Bike Jam Expo on Main Street. (click here to see the weekend’s schedule of events)

Here’s the scoop. Come visit the Letsbikemqt.com booth at the Bike Jam expo, Friday afternoon from 4-9 pm on Main Street, in downtown Marquette. Tell us the secret password, “What’s Your Human Nature?” and we’ll give you a shirt. (If you get here before we give the limited 75 shirts away)  If you’re wondering, the “What’s Your Human Nature?” slogan belongs to our parent site the Marquette County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. We are all things bike in Marquette County. Their site will tell you everything else cool to do and where to stay, while you’re here.

Category: News

By Jeni Jewell

Is it chance that the Marquette Bike Jam Fondo, a 50K and 100K tour and my favorite stage race  the “Tour de France” coincide on the same day this year? I like to think I’ll be riding at the same time the best in the world start their journey in Liege, Belgium toward the Champs-Elysees. In fact, the cable installer is here while I write, setting up television so I can watch as many stages as possible.

It’s part of what inspired me to join the throng of riders during this year’s Bike Jam, a decision I made only recently. My list of excuses was long…”I haven’t ridden as much as I would have liked”, “I wish I were in better shape,” “I don’t want to compete, just have a nice ride.” I tried to convince myself that I would feel better if I opted out of Bike Jam instead of signing up for the 50K.

Back in February as I spun I living room, I pictured consistent weeks of training this spring and early summer, leading to a nice “easy” Bike Jam ride. But you know how life happens. It just happens. Life gets busy, and biking took a backseat. So instead of one day a week off, I squeezed in two to three rides a week and logged a 40 mile day as my longest distance so far. Not quite the goal I had in mind. My husband says I’m too hard on myself.  That’s true.

So if you’re unsure if you can make the trek up Marquette Mountain, if you think you have to measure up before you can join the group, I’ll probably be somewhere in the back, enjoying the summer day. I need to stop worrying and just get out there. That’s the advice I would myself. Plus, it’s a tour, so there’s no pressure. See you on the ride!

Category: Jeni's Blog

By Jeni Jewell

It’s not too late to register for the 2012 Marquette Bike Jam, a three day bike festival offering road, mountain and downhill bike races. Packet pickup and final registration takes place Friday, June 29 from 4 until 7 pm at the Marquette Commons off Third and Washington Streets in Downtown Marquette. Check out the Bike Expo on Main Street, where letsbikemqt.com will be hanging out, enjoying some criterium racing, and food from local vendors. We’ll also be giving away free t-shirts to people who ask us the phrase “What’s Your Human Nature?”, the slogan for our parent business, the Marquette County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

Follow Jeni’s blog on letsbikemqt.com as she joins the 50k Fondo during the Traffic Jam on Saturday. Check back all weekend for bike photos, stories and video, and share your Bike Jam experience for a chance to win $100 cash toward any bike shop in Marquette. Share to win! We’ll announce the winner on Sunday during the awards for the Mountain Bike events, so don’t wait to share your Bike Jam experience.

Category: Events, News

By Jeni  Jewell

Riders looking for the inside scoop on training for and racing the 2012 Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic, set for Saturday August 11, have a chance to build their skills with a pro rider, at Marquette’s newest indoor cycling studio, Cycle Soleil. Located in Downtown Marquette, Cycle Soleil is offering a four-session Ore to Shore Skills Clinic with Culver’s rider Tyler Gauthier and Cycle Soleil instructor, Taylor Darcy.

Category: News

By Jeni Jewell

The sound of the river gurgling just a few feet away fills my ears as I traverse down the new Collinsville Cut Trail, on the Marquette NTN North Trails, off Wright Street, in Marquette. The trail is fresh, 2.25 miles for riding, walking, running, hiking and other non-motorized uses, part of the Dead River (Orange Loop) that will see development for the next several years.

“ Our plan is to build trails all the way around the (Dead River) basin in a loop that connects to Tourist Park and also to a Hwy 41 crossing, the Noquemanon Trail and the Iron Ore Heritage Trail”, said NTN Singletrack President, Lyle Vanderschaaf.

Category: Biking Route Reviews, News

Submitted by Eric Jarvi

Category: Pictures

Submitted by Josh Griffin

Category: Videos