1 event in Ely, Minnesota

Day of Schedule

On the day of the event, registration opens at 7:00 AM. The longer course participants will begin promptly at 8:00 AM, the shorter course begins at 9:00 AM. The long course will turn around at Soudan Underground Mine State Park in Soudan. The short course will turn around at Eagles Nest Town Hall. The finish line will have two different food trucks starting at noon. We look forward to having you join us!

Rules and Conduct Expectations

Our goal for this event is to host an incredible day of community and fun on the trail. To maintain that atmosphere, we have series of rules and expectations to keep everyone safe and having fun! It is expected that everyone abide by the rules as listed - these will be presented again on the day of the event and participants must abide by them in order to participate.

So that we can all get there together, please be mindful of the following:

• Helmets are mandatory.

• Basic group riding skills are key.

• Share the road with everyone.

• Be inclusive and friendly.

• Up to Class 1 Bikes - No Class 2 or Class 3 allowed during this ride - Human powered or assisted to Class 1 only

Ride Guidelines—The Basics

• Helmets, properly fitted and in good condition, are mandatory while riding.

• Basic group riding skills, including riding smoothly and predictably, the use of hand signals, and riding in a group are key. You should be comfortable riding around others. Asking questions and studying others always helps, but, ultimately, it’s down to practice, practice, practice.

• Share the trail. There is very seldom any need to fully block the trail. It is almost never necessary to ride more than one rider wide. Traffic will be going both directions on the Mesabi trail!

• Standard road bikes are the best choice for group rides. Class 2 and 3 e-bikes are not allowed. Whatever bike you use, please do not use a TT or “super-tuck” position while in a group. Group riding dynamics require quick, predictable reactions.

• Group rides often stretch out but typically regroup at the top of climbs or at major intersections. Ask if you are unsure where exactly as it can vary based on the route and participants.

• Be self-sufficient. Take care of your equipment. Carry water, food, money, tubes, tools, maps. Our rides are not always no-drop (except the Introductory Ride). If you become separated from the group, you may need to be self-sufficient in making your way home.

• Our ride is designed to be inclusive and friendly. Please always treat others with respect. This includes everyone on the ride and all those with whom we cross paths on the road. We are a community founded in positivity and inclusivity, and our behavior on all rides—solo and group rides—should reflect and reinforce this. Abusive, hateful, or intrusive language or actions will not be tolerated.

Ride Guidelines—The Finer Points

• Recreational means we all have fun.

• Learn and use hand signals which indicate hazards, turning, passing, slowing, approaching vehicles and peds, etc. When in doubt, use your voice.

• If you are inexperienced or uncomfortable riding in a group or a paceline, please let the others know so that they can support you. You’ll need to communicate and manage your personal bubble around other riders.

• At some point everyone is new to a group or a ride and needs to learn the group’s habits. Please introduce yourself and ask question. When in doubt, ride in the group or at the back.

• An intact paceline defines an inclusive and friendly group ride. Ride the pace of the slowest rider, maintain the distance to the rider in front of you, and keep the effort (as opposed to the speed) even at the front. Surging and swarming at the front, while not always unwelcome, defines combative group rides and races.

• Share the road. Road crossings will be managed by volunteers! Be prepared to come to a complete stop. They are there to keep you safe and their call is final. You may cross when they allow you to.

• Be prepared with fuel and hydration. There is one aid station in the middle at Eagles Nest. Please plan accordingly.

• Be self-sufficient. Take care of your equipment. Be sure your electronics are properly charged. Carry water, food, money, tubes, tools, maps. While we strive to keep the group together, our rides are not always no-drop (except the Introductory Ride). If you become separated from the group, you will need to be self-sufficient in making your way home.

• Unfamiliar with a route? Not sure you can keep up? Please let someone know. They will try their best to make sure you know your way home, just in case.

• There are so many Dos and Don’ts. Here is just a sampling:

• Do heed your Ride Leader/s. Ride Leader's will be assigned to you on the day of. They are in charge of pacing.

• Do offer help when it is needed. Follow up only when help is accepted.

• Do call out warnings. Calls such as “Car up” or “Stopping” or “Single-up,” etc., need to be communicated down through the field of riders.

• Do keep pedaling over the top of hills.

• Do follow traffic laws.

• Do look ahead and anticipate.

• Do not stare at the wheel in front of you.

• Do not “half-wheel” or lap wheels.

• Do not wear headphones.

• Do not stand up to pedal when there are riders directly behind you.

• Do not clear your nose in front of anyone.

• Do not touch others.

• Do not drift away from a group without alerting someone.

Introductory Ride

• Introductory Rides are no-drop rides. “No-drop” means no one gets fully separated from the group. The group may occasionally stretch out, but it will regroup.

• Recruit a ride buddy. If you do drop back, your ride buddy will know to look for you.

• Ideally, the group will stay together and arrive at the destination at the same time. Ask the ride leaders to slow the ride down if you cannot keep up.

For Those New to Group Rides

• During group rides there are certain responsibilities expected of both Leaders and Riders. Leaders are responsible—more or less—for being aware of the route and for establishing an agreeable ride pace. Riders are responsible—more or less—for having the equipment, skills and fitness needed to keep pace with the ride.

• If you are having difficulty keeping up, rather than stay at the back, try to stay in the middle of the group. That way, if other riders pass you, you are more likely to stay in or near the group.

• Recruit a ride buddy. If you do drop back, your ride buddy will know to look for you.

• Look ahead by riding just to one side of the rider in front of you. Anticipate what those in front of you will do. Do not stare at the wheel in front of you. That is a sure way to touch wheels.

• Learn to anticipate the pace and be prepared to work harder when the going gets tough. This usually means looking ahead and keeping tabs on the whole group. Then select the right gear, push the pedals harder and/or pedal more quickly when you must. At times it will mean breathing at a rate where it is harder for you to form complete sentences.

• Familiarize yourself with the route. Be prepared for the terrain and mileage of the proposed ride. Ask the group leaders for details, or use any ride app (Strava, Map My Ride, Ride with GPS). Signage does mark the challenging areas and ride volunteers will help direct you at road crossings.