We are so proud of our cycling community! This past Saturday’s Bear Claw Epic was one of the best editions of the race ever, and we have so many people to thank for making it happen.
The Bear Claw Epic has always meant a lot to locals because of what it does for the trails and who it brings to the Pathway. The race is our opportunity to show off what a special place we’ve built and how much the community supports our efforts to offer Cadillac and Wexford County a safe, fun, natural trail experience that everyone can access. We take a lot of pride in seeing locals how up, but also riders from Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, the Detroit area, and from across the state. We’re really thankful that so many racers make visiting the Cadillac Pathway a priority, especially with so many other cool events on the calendar.
Of course, we couldn’t put on such a cool show without race directors Michele Andrews and Dustin Webb coordinating efforts. They bring in so many generous sponsors and scores of enthusiastic volunteers that make the BCE one of the best-run events in the state. As more than a few riders pointed out, race day on the Pathway goes incredibly smoothly, and a lot of that is down to our volunteers passionately giving them time and effort to the cause.
Another real point of pride is how many new riders choose to make the Bear Claw Epic their first race. Jumping into a mountain bike race can be intimidating, and it takes a lot of guts to toe the line someplace different. To see dozens of beginners and kids say that this was their first race really reflects how accessible our event is. That doesn’t mean the course is easy; even the Elite men and women all commented just how challenging the Pathway is at race pace, especially that brutal fourth lap!
We’re excited to confirm that the Bear Claw Epic will be back on September 26, 2020! To see the full results from 2019, head here.