Great Lakes Challenge

Duluth, MN
July 20 - 24, 2009



The MTF would like to thank Team Stange for developing the
Great Lakes Challenge
and for allowing us to host this ride.

 Offered with permission from Team Strange, The Great Lakes Challenge is an IBA ride around all five Great Lakes (Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie).

This challenging ride is being offered in two versions:

  • The Great Lakes Gold (50hrs)
  • The Great Lakes 100   (100hrs)

    The rides differ only in the amount of time allowed to complete them. All other aspects of the rides are exactly the same. Both rides are intended to be challenging and should be undertaken with the understanding that they require experience, planning, and maybe a little luck to complete.

    		• Responsibility to Report
    Event Managers: 

    Mark Campbell

      Registration
      List of Participants
              Schedule        
      Ride Form & Log
      Ride Information
              Route        
      Responsibility to Report
      Ride Philosophy
      Lodging Details
      MTF Refund Policy
      Ride Disclaimer & Waiver

    Registration
    Coming soon!

    * As the sponsoring organization, the MTF requires prerequisites greater than those stipulated by the IBA.

    The prerequisites for the Great Lakes Challenge are:

    • For the Great Lakes Challenge Gold (50 hour) ride are:
      • Certified IBA Bun Burner Gold (1500 miles in 24hrs) -or-
      • A certified IBA ride of 2000 miles or more* -or-
      • A qualifying rally**.

    • For the Great Lakes Challenge (100 hour) ride IBA membership is required

      **Notes:

        *  The IBA National Parks Tour does not qualify as a prerequistite for this ride
        ** A Qualifying Rally is generly a multi-day rally. Contact the Event Manager to determine if a specific rally will be accepted as a prerequisite

    Ride Coordinator

    Mark Campbell


    Email: camelmd@yahoo.com



    Ride Schedule


    Date/time Event Location / Details
    July 19th - 6:00pm CST Pre-Ride Dinner Grandma’s Saloon (I-35 Exit 256B) 522 Lake Avenue South
    telephone: 218-727-4192
    July 20th - 5:00am CST Depart BP Gas Station
    (I-35 Exit 253B)
    3931 W 1st St
    Duluth, MN 55807
    Telephone: 218-624-2680

    NOTE: All Riders will be released between 5:00 – 6:00 am

    July 22nd - 7:00am CST 50 Hour Ride End Time BP Gas Station
    (I-35 Exit 253B)
    3931 W 1st St
    Duluth, MN 55807
    Telephone: 218-624-2680
    July 24nd - 9:00am CST 100 Hour Ride End Time BP Gas Station
    (I-35 Exit 253B)
    3931 W 1st St
    Duluth, MN 55807
    Telephone: 218-624-2680

    Ride Guidelines & Rules


  • All riders will start and end in Duluth, MN

  • All riders will ride the same route clockwise around the Great Lakes

  • All riders must check in before leaving and must be out by 6:00 am in order be counted as part of this ride

  • The GLC Gold level is designed so that a well prepared and experienced long distance rider should be able to successfully complete it. There is no margin for error in this ride. The GLC 100 level is more forgiving and will require adequate preparation.

  • We have made no suggestions as to rest stop locations, gas locations, or how you manage this ride. When planning this ride, it is extremely important that you take these stopping locations into account. Every rider is different and has different requirements for rest, gas, and riding distances. You will need to take these in to account as you plan your ride.

  • When riders register they will declare what ride they are intending to ride. This is so we can verify the rider’s prerequisites. It should be noted that any rider who doesn't meet the prerequisite for The GLC Gold, but finishes in Gold time will not be certified as a Gold finisher. This is our best attempt to curb inexperienced riders from making the attempt. Riders that sign up for The GLC Gold but do not meet the time requirements for that ride and do meet the time requirements for The GLC 100 ride will be shown as finishers of The GLC 100. Note: The GLC ride times are measured from Duluth, MN to Duluth, MN. Riders are to use the same Gas Station at the beginning and end of the ride.

  • All Riders will check-in with the MTF site host upon their return or terminating the ride(see Responsibility to report).

  • Any Rider exihibting unsafe practices will be disqualified. Excessive speed is considered unsafe.

  • Riders & Passengers will wear a DOT approved helmet at all times while riding regardless of the local/state laws.

  • All IBA Ride and documnetation requirements and rules apply. Keep in mind: The IBA requires a fuel receipt at least every 350 miles!

  • One exception to the IBA rules is we realize it may or may not be possible to get a receipt at some locations. We are aware of this and will make appropriate allowances. If you are unable to obtain a recipt, document the time, location, and mileage on your Ride Log. Your previous and next documented stops will be used to validate locations where you were unable to obtain a receipt. It is possible, but unlikely, you will have sucessive stops where a receipt is not available, the same proceedures apply.

  • To be considered a finisher, riders must turn in their ride documentation to the MTF Site host at the completion of the ride. Required documentation includes witness forms, logs and time/dated receipts for each stop, including the mandatory locations, in the specified order.

    • Ride Witness Form & Log


    Click here to download the GLC Witness Form & Gas Log

    * Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF documents.
    It is free. Just click the image below.

      Route


      Webpage

      Microsoft Streets & Trips 2009


      MS S&T 2005 version

      Garmin MapSource



      Mandatory Check points


      The mandatory check points are in the table, below, along
      with their approximate mileage andleg distances.

      Note: We will be riding a clockwise route around the Great Lakes starting in Duluth, MN.
      Location Mileage Leg
      BP Gas Station
      (I-35 Exit 253B)
      3931 W 1st St
      Duluth, MN 55807
      Telephone: 218-624-2680       		0.0 0.0
      Thunder Bay, ON 186.8 186.8
      Sudbury, ON 811.3 624.5
      Watertown, NY (instead of a fuel receipt, you may use the toll receipt for the
      bridge on I-81 at the US/Canada border (shown as Westminister Park on S&T Route)       		1216.4 405.1
      Cleveland, OH 1614.0 397.6
      Illinois (any town is allowed) the Chicago Skyway toll receipt is acceptable 2033.4 419.4
      BP Gas Station
      (I-35 Exit 253B)
      3931 W 1st St
      Duluth, MN 55807
      Telephone: 218-624-2680       		2423.9 390.5
      NOTE: IBA ride rules, including obtaining a receipt every 350 miles, must be followed



      Responsibility to Report

      The MTF and IBA are dedicated to SAFE long distance riding.

    • If you are registered and are not going to make the check-in deadline at the starting location, you must contact Mark Campbell or call the MTF emergency number that will be provided to you as the ride start approachess. We don't have to wonder why you didn't show. A special phone number will be provided to all riders prior to the start of the ride to call in the event they terminate their ride.

    • If at anytime during the ride you question whether or not you should continue, by all means you should terminate the ride.

    • Listening to your body is an important part of long distance riding and you should not continue unless you are comfortable with your physical and mental state.

    • If you terminate the ride or have an accident, you must notifying us by calling the MTF emergency number that will be provided as soon as reasonably possible.

    • Failure to report at the begining, or at the end of the ride or in the event of termination may result in suspension from future MTF Events.

      Ride Philosophy

      The Motorcycle Tourer's Forum's role in these rides is simply logistics. Riders are responsible for their ride and are encouraged to ride as individuals. A quote from an LDRider will be used as the philosophy: "Everyone gets tired at different times, or gets hungry or even has to pee at different times. It's YOUR ride and it really isn't much fun when you are sitting on the side of the road waiting for your riding partner who is taking a quick nap."

      • Although the trip is being organized as a "group" ride, riders are encouraged to ride individually and join with other riders at the end to celebrate. 

      • Riders will be staged so as to leave in a staggered start. Riders may request to be staged with a riding partner(s). Small groups of 3 or 4 are acceptable, but riding in a pack is not considered safe and is not allowed during MTF Long Distant events.

      • If you elect to start in a small group, whether you continue to ride as a group once you are on the road is up to you. If you find that your habits are not compatible with the group, simply wave off. It is nothing personal. In addition to the problems mentioned above, the group may have different attitudes about driving speeds. If you are tough enough to do a TC, you should be tough enough not to yield to the pressure of the group to conform.   




      • Host Hotels


      Super 8 Hotel

      I-35 Exit 253B
      4100 W Superior St
      Duluth, MN 55807

      Telephone: 218-628-2241

      E-Mail: s8duluth@aol.com

      Website: http://www.super8.com/Super8/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=03645&brandInfo=SE

      Alternate Hotel

      Comfort Inn - West

      I-35 Exit 253B
      3900 W Superior St
      Duluth, MN 55807

      Telephone: 218-628-1464

      Website: http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel/mn017

      The MTF reserves the right to limit participation for any reason.

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