Michigan C2C is probably my favorite race and 2024 marked the fourth time I would complete it. It's 204 miles of pristine Michigan gravel, sandy wildcard two-tracks, and some tame single track, which takes you from the coast of Lake Huron to Lake Michigan.
2024 was by far the hardest edition. 2021 was known as the "monsoon" year, but this year made it look like a light drizzle. The sandy two tracks became washed out creeks and ponds that made it impossible to pass without going through water up to your thighs or waist (SRAM XPLR also functions completely submerged in water if you ever need it to). It became the hardest ride I've ever done. Sand made it's way into every potential space on the bike (and between my skin), gradually wearing down my brake pads well into the metal. The sound was truly terrible.
Back onto the gravel roads, my "brakes" decided they would continue to rub for the remaining 30 miles while I fought a headwind and sloppy roads, making every pedal stroke seem like some sort of masochistic dream. But again, I saw Lake Michigan as the clouds broke and the sun came out. It was over.
If you're looking for one of the most rewarding personal experiences in your life, look into this race. At times you'll want to quit and get as far from sand as you possibly can. But the feeling of finishing it is truly spectacular. The organizers, volunteers, and fellow racers are an absolutely amazing group of people who will keep you coming back year after year. Now, I have a bottom bracket and brake pads to change.
by ProfessorBrewsington
2 Comments
Congrats on finishing! Def on my list of events to do.
Not to hijack but how do you like that standert!?
Ha I was riding behind you at one point and thinking “what a cool bike”. Congrats on a hard-fought ride. I also ended up with terminally rubbing brakes. I think my piston in the front had adjusted itself to the fully extended position and just seized there, so bad that even after removing the pads, the piston itself was rubbing, and I ended up having to completely remove the rotor itself in order to be able to roll the last 30 miles. Hell of a day, never seen conditions like that.