Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic - 2024

​August 10, 2024
Marquette and Neguanee, MI
www.oretoshore.com/

Diablo Racing's Jeff Abitz spends a lot of time in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He knows the areas surrounding Neguanee and Marquette well. For the first time he finally raced the 26th Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic.
This was fast for a mountain bike race, averaging over 16 mph.
Starting with a three mile 30+ mph paved ride out of downtown Neguanee, followed by a soul breaking uphill (on a luge track...see image below www.upluge.org/the-full-track.html), the race settled into a roller coaster ride of ski trail, chunky gravel roads, and sketchy high speed turns. Group tactics were a must, and Jeff found himself watching Brian Hansen ride away in his (upper midpack group) split.  
The last 15 miles felt mostly downhill, finishing with a couple miles of easy singletrack and couple more miles of flat, fast two track and pavement.
Jeff Abitz made up 15 positions in the last hour. His attack into the single track, with a few miles to go, put him just ahead of third (2 seconds) and fourth (23 seconds) 55-59 place.
Five minutes prior, O2S veteran Brian Hansen was "in another league", earning 1st place in his category...for the second consecutive year!
Peter Post and Joseph Coughlin always come back for more, finishing high up as usual.

Course Description: www.oretoshore.com/about-me-shift#contactus

​Here is how the Diablos did:

Hard Rock (48 miles) 772 total

45 to 49 Male (65 total)
Peter Post - 26th , 276th overall

50 to 54 Male (97 total)
Joseph Coughlin - 43rd, 353rd overall

55 to 59 Male (62 total)
Brian Hansen - 1st, 68th overall
Jeff Abitz - 2nd, 101st overall
 
Full Results: my.raceresult.com/302555/

​Check out a random YouTube video of the first 90 minutes below:

- Jabitz