Great Deer Chase Information

The Great Deer Chase showcases the Swedetown Recreation Area trail system, better known for skiing. Proceeds will support the continued creation and maintenance of mountain bike trails at Swedetown.

We encourage you to download and read this PDF with all race details.
You can also download an entry form here.

The Adult Race Course

Adults can choose between a 15-mile and 25-mile race. The course is predominantly intermediate with some short sections of expert terrain. There are a number of short ups and downs that will challenge riders, as well as the tight, twisty portions of the singletrack sections. However, most riders with basic mountain biking skills will have no problem negotiating this course. This is an excellent course for first-time racers to get a taste of competition.

The race starts at 10 am on the west side of the Calumet Colosseum (the old Armory) on Fourth Street in Calumet, near Red Jacket Road. The rollout will take riders through downtown Historic Calumet. Racing will begin on the gravel road that leads to the Tamarack loop of the Swedetown trail system. The course includes a mix of singletrack and doubletrack and takes in most of the trails at Swedetown -- from Tamarack down to M-203 and back. The race finishes on Oak Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets, in downtown Calumet (right in front of Cross Country Sports).

In our 14-and-under category for the 15 mile race, we ask that you ensure your child has completed rides of like nature, at distance, prior to competing. Singletrack is more demanding physically than riding gravel roads.

The Youth Race Course

The youth races will start at 2:00 pm, in the finish area, on Oak Street between 5th and 6th Streets (in front of Cross Country Sports). There is a 3-mile race for those youth ages 10-and-under and a 4.5 -mile race for those 11-14 years old. Most of this race is doubletrack and the finish is also on Oak Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets. Parents are encouraged to ride with younger racers. Please remember to yield to faster racers and do not hamper or impede others or your child may be disqualified. Younger racers may compete in the 4.5-mile race but will be registered in the 12-and-under category for awards.

Other Events and Amenities: The Heritage Celebration events will be going on in Agassiz Park (near the start area) featuring games, music and food. The Awards ceremony in Agassiz Park will follow at 4:00 pm after the conclusion of the Youth Races.
Changing rooms and showers are located in the basement of the  Calumet Colosseum (Red Jacket Road near Fourth). Please use the door on the West side of the building to access them. The Calumet Keweenaw Sportsmens Club has their expo the same day and there is a charge to enter it. Please use the main doors on the South side of the building to see the displays and visit their vendors.