Doing The Hard Things – February 2026
What’s inside: Todd UpdateNew this Year: Adventure by HIKEMarquette Trail Running Series: Adventure Your WayPR26 – Polar RollTriple Crown: “I just want to see if I can do it.”New on MADE U.P.Monkey Loob: “I can’t imagine where I would be without these experiences.”Become an Adventure Team VolunteerEvents with 906AT Excerpt from the Mental Health Foundation: “Adventure experiences for children are diverse. They might include forest schools, high ropes courses, adventurous play, camping, water sports, and climbing, amongst many other activities. Adventures range from once-in-a-lifetime experiences, to everyday adventures, accessible to all.” Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation added, “Adventure helps to generate a range of positive emotions, including excitement, joy and wonder. It also helps to develop a healthy relationship to uncertainty. That is so important in boosting confidence and in children learning how to manage fear and anxiety.” The key elements of adventure include: Connection with nature Physical activity Unfamiliar experiences Challenge and risk Physiologically energized Working together and Supporting relationships From Todd Poquette, Director of Adventure: More than 10,000 people receive this email every month. Several thousand more people are reached through social media. I want to challenge you. Each and every one of ya. Are ya ready? Here it goes… Help us put wonder back into childhood adventure and stop conditioning kids to be afraid of everything around them. Instead of advocating for avoidance help us teach kids how to prepare for challenges, and overcome them. New experiences and the unknown shouldn’t scare us – they should excite us. Advocate instead for preparation, and learning how to properly asses risk. Let’s be real… If we are teaching kids to avoid every little thing that is scary and uncomfortable… What are we leaving them with? I’ll tell ya what I think it is… A phone, or a tablet, or an Xbox, or potentially more common and concerning, we’re leaving them with nothing but an empty room and anxiety. This doesn’t have to become our legacy. We don’t have to be our kids hero. We need to give them the space to become the hero of their own story, and that should be enough for us. Adventure: an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity. You don’t have to threaten me with a good time 😉 See ya out there. New this year: Adventure by HIKE 906 Adventure Team in Marquette is piloting a new program this summer: Adventure Hike Club. We’re starting with 50 spots on Wednesday nights from 6:00-8:00 PM at Tourist Park through the summer. This is a youth resilience program for kids 5-17 years old. First hike: June 10Last hike: August 19Cost: $150 The concept mirrors that of Adventure Bike Club – create a space for kids to adventure and do hard things – surrounded by a community of leaders who support their personal path of growth and development. We’re taking everything about the bike program and bringing it to kids minus the bike. All the same core values: respect, effort, grit, consistency. Growth Mindset and the “Power of Yet.” You vs. You! Registration opens April 18 – based on the response from the community, we expect spots will full up fast! We also need volunteers. We need dedicated volunteers who will show up for the kids. This is the most important part. If we can’t get volunteers we can’t get kids. Simple, right? Click the link below. Everything ya need to know is there. And then sign up. Our cap as of today is 50 kids, but if we get enough folks who wanna step up we’ll reach more. Two hours a week for 12 weeks this summer could change a kid’s life. LEARN MORE Adventure Your Way The Marquette Trail Running Series was created in 2009 and is the longest standing trail running series in Marquette. MTRS was formed by Andrew Rickauer and a small group of volunteers. Andrew’s commitment to organizing these runs and building community is truly commendable. As he steps away and 906AT takes over the series, we move forward with the intent to honor the work he’s put in and the community he’s created. MTRS has been under the 906AT umbrella for the past four or five years… and this year, we’re diving in a bit deeper and shaking things up a bit. We want to broaden our reach. We want to see more people get into the woods. And we want to offer a program that serves people of all ages and abilities. Running has always been a part of 906AT events – it’s an area that we’ve seen continue to grow over the years – and one we’re excited about! Director of Adventure Todd Poquette and Dawn Lundin are going to lead the Marquette Trail Running Series this year. We’ll be sharing more information in March but expect all new routes this year, including trails in the West End and the North Country Trail system. Our intention is to offer two distances each night of the series – a beginner/kids distance (3 miles or less) and a longer more advanced distance (6 miles or less). Before we finalize the details of this season – we’d like your input. Below is a link to a 3-question survey. If you’re interested in MTRS, take a few minutes and let us know what you think! Take the Survey PR26 – Polar Roll We are just under three weeks away from this year’s Polar Roll Mass Start in downtown Ishpeming on Saturday, February 21. Mother Nature has hit the U.P. with a winter to remember – from blizzard conditions to arctic temperatures – we can’t predict what she has in store for Polar Roll – but now feels like a good time to highlight the environment – quoted from the PR Field Manual: “The environment will be hostile. The topography features punchy climbs, deep snow, and potentially frigid temps. Frostbite is possible, water containers will freeze, and trail conditions
Doing The Hard Things – January 2026
What’s inside: New Year. Same Mission.RESEARCH: Playing in dirt transforms children’s healthVolunteering in 2026: Register NOWLeading Adventure Summit: April 25 & 26Adventure Team Youth ProgrammingYouth & Family InfoAdventure Team Registration: Get Ready!New on MADE U.P.Events with 906AT We’re dedicating the entire newsletter to the youth program and kicking off volunteer recruitment. The LMS (Learning Management System) has been updated. Quizzes have been streamlined and shortened. Video was added to diversify the training experience, and you can complete your training on a mobile friendly app. Progress. Ya know… I remember a time when the LMS was a three-ring binder. We had a handful of coaches and one Adventure Team. The training was nothing more than stuff I collected to hold myself accountable… A handful of ethics, core values, and rules of engagement. We focused a lot on HOW we would do things because how you do things creates your culture. IMO nothing is more important than an organization’s culture. When you have a group of people who believe in each other, trust one another, and like each other… You can do and overcome anything. Nothing can stop you. Failure is not an option. I’m a big believer that we’ve been successful because of the kinda people that get on our bus. Before I let you go, there’s one thing I would like to add. It’s something that keeps me up at night. I’ll call it the “Tyranny of Safety.” Our society has become obsessed with scaring the sh!t out of us so they can swoop in and be the safety police. It’s infecting our minds. It’s impacting our kids. We are losing touch with the world around us because we’re afraid of it, and that brings me to this. Our organization will continue to focus on personal accountability, resilience, courage, adaptability, and helping people become more independent. We will continue to provide difficult experiences to test you, and bring you together. We will continue to serve you before ourself, and lead by example. The world is a dangerous place. No one is going to change that. What we (you) can change is our level of readiness and training. So on that note, it’s 2026… let’s get started. RESEARCH: Playing in dirt transforms children’s health A few weeks ago Todd forwarded me and Marc a link to an article in The Guardian, “read this when you have a quiet moment.” I wasn’t surprised to see the article had to do with kids and the impact of play outdoors. I also wasn’t all that surprised to read about the positive impact on kids who were not just playing outside, but getting their hands into the dirt. I grew up in a small town outside of Grand Rapids. A highlight of my childhood was spending nearly all of my days playing outside. It wasn’t a question of whether we were going to go outside every day – we woke up, had breakfast and were sent out the door, often only returning for snacks, lunch and the occasional bathroom break. We had an endless number of made up games, tree forts, and shenanigans that were top priority. We took a bath nearly every night because we were typically filthy when we came in. Of course, I didn’t realize, and I’m not sure my parents did either the added benefits of playing in the dirt. It’s just what we did. We’re beginning to now understand those benefits on a deeper level – because of the negative trends that began popping up when kids weren’t spending their days in the outdoors. Medical experts are asking and beginning to learn the answer to – why are heath trends in today’s kids on a decline? Our world is different today than it was when I was a kid. Today’s world moves faster, it’s louder, distractions are everywhere. Play, like what’s discussed in the article, often has to be intentional – but that doesn’t make it any less impactful. I don’t think it’s ever been more important to make sure we’re creating opportunities for kids to adventure, play in the mud, and get dirty – it opens up a whole new realm of imagination and discovery – and how great that at the same time, as the research in this article suggests, aids in healthy growth and development. This article also presses the importance of protecting green spaces, parks, trails and places for kids and families to spend time outside together. We need to work together as a community to ensure there isn’t a barrier for this type of play – that our kids have the spaces and places to get dirty. I loved reading the below article and learning about what they’re doing in Finland – I only wish there was more of that happening on a larger scale. But, we can all do our part – and it’s rewarding to know we’re all a part of a community, the 906AT community, that’s creating opportunities and spaces to do just that!By Elizabeth Peterson READ THE ARTICLE VOLUNTEER IN 2026: SIGN UP IS OPEN! The number of kids we’re able to sign up for Adventure Team programming is directly tied to the number of volunteers in each community. For every volunteer, we’re able to open up three youth spots.Volunteers do NOT need to be expert bikers. We provide the training to be an effective volunteer. Volunteers DO need to Lead by Example and commit. Commit to the program. Commit to the 906AT ethos and mission. Commit to putting Service Before Self. And commit to showing up and being present. This program doesn’t just positively impact the kids participating – it changes the adults – for the better. Volunteers must pass a background check and successfully complete the 906AT online training module. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend the Leading Adventure Summit in Marquette in April to further your training and development. 906AT needs active, engaged and dedicated volunteers who believe in building up today’s kids – not by
Doing The Hard Things – December 2025
What’s inside: Thank YOUSponsoring Adventure Teams: For kids, for the communitySponsoring Adventure Teams: From the beginning to todaySponsor Feature: AthaMADE U.P.Volunteer Onboarding coming soonTrain for Life: Even in the off season906AT 12 Days of ChristmasEvents with 906AT To all of you, I want to thank you for… Helping us launch new youth Adventure Teams this year in Ludington and Kalamazoo, and also for helping our existing teams grow, as well. We reached a record number of kids and families in 2025. Your patience as we transitioned volunteers to a brand new Learning Management System. It was a success! Special props to Julie and Marc for the countless hours they invested in setting it up, and rolling it out. Supporting this newsletter and the MADE U.P. Podcast. We’re constantly looking for ways to connect with you, and to help you connect with each other. We will keep the new episodes and newsletters coming your way in 2026. Being the reason all three events, Polar Roll, da Crusher, and Marji Gesick, each broke records for attendance – again! Your continued support of the organization and commitment to “Doing Hard Things” carried us through another great year, and has us poised for another. Supporting our local trail orgs. A portion of the registration you pay for 906AT events is given to orgs who maintain the trails our events use. This year, we donated approximately $40,000 to local trails, because of you. Donating, sponsoring, volunteering, running and/riding in the events, sharing the mission, and most importantly… Leading By Example. Everyone plays a part, and the part they play matters, a lot. Happy Holidays. “I want to encourage people to get involved in their local area.” Every year, sponsor support enables the 906 Adventure Team program to keep costs low for participating families. To state it simply, we wouldn’t be able to offer the program the way we do without the generous partners who’ve joined in our mission for the past 11 years. One of those partners is Dan Farkas with 1st Advantage Realty in Kentwood. This summer will be Dan’s third year supporting Adventure Team Grand Rapids… and his second year as a Trilogy sponsor. For Dan, his desire to give back is personal. Biking and running changed his life for the better, and he wants to carry that forward. Dan says, “The biking part got me more active, it was a keystone that changed my life dramatically, and having intent behind my life – there’s a reflection of that when helping kids around here.” It was the right time and the right place – when he stumbled into a meet-up at Switchback about the launch of Adventure Team in Grand Rapids. He now makes it a point to visit basecamp at least once during programming to see firsthand the impact he’s helping make. “It’s super important to get kids excited and moving to get out there and ride mountain bikes or bikes in general – a lot of kids don’t have the opportunity, and this is the beginning for them.” Dan says he aligns with the mission of 906 Adventure Team – he believes in what we’re doing and he believes in taking care of his community. He’s actively involved in not just 906AT but as a steward for the trails and the spaces we all recreate in – something he wants everyone to take part in. “I want to encourage people to get involved in their local area. I’d really like to see people become trail adopters, trail coordinators, volunteer their time – it takes a village. It’s a lot of work spread amongst dozens – hundreds of people – to get involved and be a part of that – it’s something awesome.” When he’s not helping people find their perfect home at 1st Advantage Realty, he’s volunteering, riding, and training for his next 906AT event. He’s finished the MG50 twice and admits he’s got a bit of unfinished business with the MG100, which might turn into a run in the duathlon. Regardless, he’s committed to bettering the community around him – and continuing to be part of the solution. He’s currently helping to raise funds for Johnson Park in the Grandville area to expand single-track opportunities there and provide a space for thousands of kids to ride. Thanks for all you do, Dan, for your community in West Michigan and ours in the Upper Peninsula and all those in between.By Elizabeth Peterson “It’s pretty cool when I’m walking around the mine and I see someone in a Marji Gesick or Adventure Team shirt.” When Eagle Mine first began sponsoring 906 Adventure Team programming over eight years ago – Matt Johnson, the External Affairs Manager for Eagle Mine says it felt like supporting a startup in the community. The foundation of 906AT was just being built. But the fundamentals and the mission of the organization was set and aligned with Eagle Mine. “As a company we have certain values that we want to promote in our host communities – one of them is supporting youth development, which can be defined in many different ways and in many different activities,” explains Matt. “906AT offers us the opportunity to support the positive of getting kids outdoors in a way that’s not competitive, it’s not pitting one child against another – but rather, having an adventure.” Matt says because of the growth, the success and the positive brand recognition of 906AT, Eagle Mine has continued to support the organization over the years. He recalls some of the kids that were in the program those first years have now graduated college. It’s been a full circle experience for him. “Over the years and the developing success – 906AT has created its own social culture and part of the social culture encourages employees and children of employees to participate in Adventure Teams and events. Whether that was parents dropping kids off or volunteering, participating for events or volunteering for events,” says Matt. “It’s pretty cool when
Polar Roll 2026
REGISTRATION OPENS NOVEMBER 9, 2025 @ 9:06 AM Days Hours Minutes Seconds REGISTER WE SOLD OUT IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES LAST YEAR MASS START FEBRUARY 21, 2026 ::: ONLY 400 SPOTS AVAILABLE Date: 2.17.25 Why: You love winter adventuring with 400 of your best friends.Who: Anyone signed up for the Polar Roll-MS, their support crews, friends and family, and sponsors. What: 15 or 30 miles of machine groomed singletrack, by bike or on foot. When: February 17, 2026Where: Start Line: 319 East Division Street, Ishpeming, Michigan 49855 Finish Line: 319 East Division Street, Ishpeming, Michigan 49855 Routes: Will not be released until the week of the event. GPS is required! If you do not use GPS, go off course, or cut the course, you will be disqualified. Event start times: MS-30 (Bike/Hike) *Reference PR26-MOD1 Field Manual when it is released MS-15 (Bike/Hike) *Reference PR26-MOD1 Field Manual when it is released Event Cut-offs: 12 hours for all event lengths. Timing company: https://www.superiortiming.com/ 2026 Field Manual: Coming Soon. POLAR ROLL EX JANUARY 2026 – MARCH 2026 ::: NOT CAPPED Date: 1.26 – 3.26 Why: You prefer your winter adventures alone, or with a small group of friends.Who: Anyone looking for a challenge, or seeking a winter goal. What: EX15, EX30, Duathlon for Dummies, IQ Test. When: January 1 – February 2026Where: Al Quaal Recreation Area Routes: EX routes will be available one week prior to the opening of the EX window. Start Times: Whenever the hell you want. Event Cut-offs: 24 Hours, All events. Timing company: Refer to the Field Manual for details. Again, this page covers only who, what, when, where, and why. Polar Roll Field Manuals provide a much deeper dive into the nuance and fundamentals of each event. 2026 Field Manual: Coming Soon. POLAR ROLL ULTRA FEBRUARY 23, 2026 ::: PRU150 – 75 SPOTS, PRU100 – 50 SPOTS Date: 2.23.26 Why: Because you’re looking for a new challenge that will take you to your limits. Who: Anyone can sign up. What: PRU150 (150 miles) PRU100 (100 miles) When: February 23, 2026 Where: Start TBD, Finish: West End Ski & Trail, Ishpeming, MI Route: The 2026 route will receive a few “enhancements”. Stay tuned. Start Time: 7:00 AMEvent Cut-off: 48 hours. Buckle Times will be established once the route is finalized.Timing company: https://trackleaders.com/ Again, this page covers only who, what, when, where, and why. Polar Roll Field Manuals provide a much deeper dive into the nuance and fundamentals of each event. In compliance with MCL 324.51113 of the Commercial Forest Act, none of the funds raised for this event will be used as payment or compensation for use of any part of the event that traverses property enrolled in the Commercial Forest Program. 2026 Field Manual: Coming Soon Fuel your roll, your stroll and your life. Self-Support Nutrition by Restore Ease Dietetics will help you build a freeze proof nutrition plan so you can keep rolling, strolling, rolling, strolling, what? Early bird pricing is available through 11/11/2025. More information and sign up here: https://www.restoreeasedietetics.com/sports-nutrition/self-support Supporting Partners
Doing The Hard Things – November 2025
What’s inside: Call to Action: Do The WorkPolar Roll 2026: It gets worse before it gets worserCrusher 2026: Nothing is off the tableRegistration Dates for 2026 eventsNew on MADE U.P.#TRAIN4LIFE906 Adventure Team Powered by Borah TeamwearYouth Adventure Teams 2026: Developing resilient kids to create resilient communities Events with 906AT The theme for this month’s newsletter is “Do The Work”. How ironic, as I sit here putting off writing the opening remarks. My issue isn’t a lack of ambition – that’s never the case. But I am struggling to find the right words. Not just any words – the perfect words. Type, delete. Type, delete. Elizabeth is gonna kill me 😂 And then it hit me – like the fresh scent of Buck lure the first time you open a new bottle. Bam!! That’s the problem. I’m not focusing on getting it done… I’m focusing on it being perfect… and that makes me not wanna do it. Why? Because I don’t wanna fall short of expectations. Do The Work isn’t about perfection. It’s about doing whatever it takes to get the job done no matter how bad or ugly things get. How many times do ya think you’ve cost yourself a finish simply because you wouldn’t go toe-to-toe w/ your self doubt, or because ya didn’t think the way you’d finish would be impressive enuff? How many times have you let emotions get da best of you? Would ya rather be a #quitter who is chasing perfection or a resilient grinder that gets shit done? I’m gonna be honest with ya… That 12 hour buckle at Marji is impressive, but so are those folks who finish at 25 hours after they lost their job, went through a divorce, got sick, etc. it’s all a matter of perspective. With that… I’m not asking ya for perfection, but I am asking ya to join us in 2026 while we keep grinding it out and doing the work 👊🏽 If you’re already involved, stay involved.If you’re not involved, get involved. First off, YES. Polar Roll is a week later this year. Ok… read on. You know what I love about Polar Roll? It gives ya something to shoot for in the winter. A goal to keep you motivated. All of that, and ya never know if it’s gonna be the best day of the winter, or the worst. Ha!. No, I’m serious. It can be downright terrible AND that’s why we do it 👊🏽 The best part? You have options. If you love racing, or just hanging with a bunch like-minded people, register for the Mass Start February 21st. You can bike it or hike it. There’s a chance you might hike it even if you bring a bike 😂 Distances are 15 or 30 miles. You can take all day… Just get er’ done by dark. We typically cap the field around 450 people. Not into big gatherings, or racing? Register for the EX. You can choose your category & do it when you want with whomever you want. Solo or with a couple a friends. EX opens January 10 and wraps up in mid-March. Let’s talk Polar Roll Ultra. We’re adding a shorter distance this year, PRU100, for folks who aren’t quite ready to commit to the PRU140 (150?). The number of spots will be limited. The rules and the gear requirements for this new category will be the same as the big one. If you’re gonna sign up for this one – make sure you know what you’re getting into to. February doesn’t mess around. It can be dangerous out there. This isn’t an attempt to scare ya – it’s me telling you to be ready. The Ultra is February 23rd – 25th, 2026. I wanna touch on one other category – one that often gets overlooked. On the EX side of Polar Roll, we offer a snowshoe sampler. It’s three or four routes that are 2-4 miles a piece that you can do alone, or as a family. Heck, you could do it with your partner, or a friend. The routes are local and easy to access. Most importantly, they give ya a reason to get outside in the winter, and it connects you to the community at large. It’s a great way to get kids outside experiencing winter, and you get to pick when ya go. Complete your adventure between January 10 – and mid-March. What next? Join the Facebook Group here. Polar Roll & Polar Stroll: Winter Adventures is a group of 906AT event veterans, #freshmeat, and crews. This group can help you get ready. Also, you should visit the website www.thepolarroll.com, and download last year’s field manual. Read it. It will tell ya everything you need to know before you roll! Registration sold out last year in less than five minutes. Mark your calendar now. It’s November 9th at 9:06 AM. Spots are limited. Also, this is your last chance to check the Polar Roll off your Triple Crown checklist before we run the first “secret event” in October 2026. Refer to the Trilogy website for more information about how to qualify for the Triple Crown and get inducted into the Hall of Pain. MADE U.P. Episode 30 – Dan: At the end of 2024 Dan Harvala committed to finish all three of the qualifying 906AT Triple Crown Events and become a member of the Hall of Pain in 2025. He talks about that journey, but not before unpacking a great deal of combat experience while serving our county with the United States Marine Corps. MADE U.P. Episode 32 – Wally: NTN Board President since 2021, Wally Pearson drops by to talk trails, a career in medicine (retired MD), and how he hopes to continue making a difference in of both worlds. It can be easy to take access to your favorite trail for granted – but we can’t – we need to all work together to maintain, protect and preserve these spaces for future generations –
Doing The Hard Things – October 2025
What’s inside: An update from Todd: The ImpossibleMaking Marji Gesick HistoryMatt Acker Continues to Ride Because He CanThe Power of Grit and DeterminationNew on MADE U.P.Marji Supports 906AT Youth ProgrammingRegistration Dates for 2026 eventsSecret Event Q & AEvents with 906AT Sixteen days ago, we witnessed what some said was impossible. For the first time ever, a woman claimed a Marji Gesick buckle, but she wasn’t alone. Three women took a buckle home. It begs the question. How? Here’s how they did it: 1. Each of them believed it could be done, despite the best effort of those who said it could not. 2. Each woman was willing to dedicate the time, effort, and commitment necessary.3. They worked together. We can all learn from this. Let me be clear, women who went for the buckle in the past believed they would (or could) get it. And they worked their asses off, too. The thing that set these women apart this year is that they set out to do it together, and it wasn’t so much about doing it themselves, but doing it together. The goal was simple: one of us needs to buckle. What they wanted to accomplish for women was more important than what they wanted for themselves. They worked together. In a world that promotes individualism, and rewards social media influencers who promote divisiveness; three women reminded us what can be done when we work together… The impossible. How can we apply this approach to our lives? What are you telling yourself is impossible? What is someone telling you cannot be done? Who could you work with, not against, to create more opportunity for both? Think about it. What can we accomplish together? It’s a great time of year for a little reflection. To Syd, Kristy, Kaitlyn, and Julie. Thank you for this timely reminder. “I don’t know if I’ll have a moment like that again.” “I hope that people can see how many limits are self-imposed or based on what has or hasn’t been done in the past. There was a big mental block because there was this energy that it (a woman earning a buckle) wasn’t possible.” Just days after Marji Gesick 2025, Syd Schulz of Los Alamos, New Mexico reflects on the experience and what got her to the finish line, a buckle and standing next to Katie Boyle and Kristy McBride – as the first three women to buckle the MG100 in event history. “The Marji was a career highlight as a race. I don’t know if I’ll have a moment like that again – even if I have better performances. Being one of the first, the energy of the crowd, AND having a good day on the bike,” she admits it was a lot of training and a fair bit of luck. Syd’s Marji story began in 2024 – riding the MG100 for the first time. She said she knew so little about the event that she was a bit hesitant, not knowing what she was getting into. She finished in just under 13 hours. It was then she realized, buckling – finishing in under 12 hours was doable. The coveted buckle had become, in 2024, a point of contention for many Marji racers. There was a push for Todd Poquette, the event organizer, to give women more time. A woman hadn’t buckled since the race began in 2015 and a growing number of participants felt it simply wasn’t possible. Todd held firm. And Syd felt the pressure. “It felt more like us against the course, than against each other.” Syd knew if she signed up again, it’d be all about the buckle. She didn’t register at first for 2025. She says it took a while to decide if she wanted to make that a goal. “Reading the comments from people last year (2024) on changing the time, I thought this needs to happen soon. I wasn’t at all sure that it could be me, but I thought I could help.” Eventually, she committed. She decided to dedicate a year to training – all while knowing finishing below that 12 hour mark would be close. And she committed, knowing she wasn’t alone. She stresses it was a team effort comprised of herself, Katie, Kristy and Julie Momber. “It became more of a personal quest than a race. It felt more like us against the course than against each other. Marji isn’t a raw fitness race – it’s technical skills, course knowledge, execution – it took all of us working together to figure out how that could happen.” And they did it. Coordinating and discussing everything from tire choice and support to aid spots and crews. Syd says it felt incredible on the trail. The women took turns leading; they felt energized by the crowd and other riders – it was all coming together. She says it took all four of them – buckling wouldn’t have happened without everyone working together. Julie had a bad crash around mile 95 – and was unable to finish – but was an integral part of the historic finish. Syd says she’s never felt anything like that finish. The energy was unparalleled. A great punctuation on the end of a season. A moment that was a long time coming for the race and for the women who showed an entire community what’s possible – glass ceilings are meant to be shattered. By Elizabeth Peterson “There’s just something about when you have a streak going.” Matt Acker is no stranger to Marji Gesick – he’s participated in the MG100 every year since it began. He’s also buckled every year. And to top it all off he earned the MG1,000 buckle this year. He says it’s a cool achievement, but the buckles aren’t what keep him coming back. For him, it’s not about what place he lands – it’s about the ride, the time on the trail, the time spent with friends and the community around Marji. In fact, when asked about a favorite moment over the past ten years –
Doing The Hard Things – September 2025
What’s inside: Special edition featuring Adventure Team season highlightsA special MADE U.P. episodeThe unveiling of TWO new Adventure Teams in 2026staying involved and active in the off-season 15 Communities. 1 Team. It’s one thing to type it out and add it to Adventure Team marketing materials… it’s another thing to see and feel what it really means. We’re highlighting an incredible season in this newsletter– 1,300 kids on bikes across the Midwest. Learning to do hard things together with the guidance of 600+ volunteers. As you look through these photos and read about the experiences these kids and families shared – I hope you can take a moment to feel the community – the smiles – the thread that ties this group together. It doesn’t matter what city the stories come from – whether kids rode in Wisconsin or Michigan – you can’t tell a difference between a picture from Lansing or a picture from La Crosse – these kids are together showing all of us – being a part of a team means showing up, doing hard things, respecting and supporting each other, and appreciating each ride for the opportunities to adventure, get outside and connect (not with technology, but with smiles and encouragement). Enjoy this special edition of ‘Doing The Hard Things’ – this edition is all about you and why we keep focused on the 906AT mission: encouraging people to become the best versions of themselves through outdoor adventure.-Elizabeth Peterson “The energy, passion and positivity… was indescribable.” This summer was Nash’s (9 years old) first experience with the 906 Adventure Team in La Crosse, WI. Nash’s experience with the La Crosse County Adventure Team has been unbelievable, sparking a passion for bike riding and personal growth that made him wish the team could meet every day of the week instead of just once a week. Throughout the summer, Nash has developed not only his biking skills but also valuable life skills such as perseverance, teamwork, and self-confidence. The supportive environment of Adventure Team and the amazing coaches challenged him to push past his limits and build his confidence both on and off his bike. As a result, Nash has grown into a stronger, more resilient individual and rider, gaining lessons and friendships that will continue to impact him well beyond the trails. Each week he would come off the trails and want to share with family and friends all of the bike skills that he learned. His stories about the trails and his demonstrations of the skills he learned were just small pieces of how he developed as a person and as a rider. As a parent seeing his smile each week as he came up over the hills of La Crosse was incredible. Throughout the summer as a parent and volunteer I was able to help at the Adventure Team base camp. As an educator my passion is watching children succeed and grow. I had no concept of how volunteering at base camp would not only fill my personal bucket but allow me to be a part of a group of adults that would encourage, teach, challenge, and help children of all ages grow both physically and mentally, and grow their passion for biking. From the young 4-year-old whose goal it was to get off her training wheels to the 12-year-old who struggled with his fear of how to conquer the challenging trails, the adult coaches rallied and cheered them through it. The energy, passion, and positivity the adult coaches and base camp volunteers had that I was able to witness as they left base camp for their rides was indescribable. I am forever grateful as a parent and as a volunteer to be a part of this organization and group of individuals. The volunteers, coaches, and team leads are not only making our youth and biking community stronger but also contributing to making each of us better humans! Thank you, Adventure Team La Crosse!-Lindsey Seipp “The kids conquered their fears over and over.” Adventure Team La Crosse County had a spectacular season. Before the season, thinking about wrangling 130 kids was daunting. But when the time came, the kids arrived, rode their bikes, learned some new skills, and left with smiles, all kudos to our amazing coaches. Not only did we get to use our new trailer this year, we also got to test out our new wooden obstacles. The kids conquered their fears over and over, proving to themselves every week that they are strong and resilient. AT La Crosse also got to test out our skills of “adapting to change.” We had to pivot when the mosquitos got too bad to go into the woods and found out we can have fun just about anywhere. We also cooled down with water balloons when the heat index was over 100. Kids, coaches, and parents are already excited for next year.-Randi Pueschner “She learned to be brave and confident on her bike.” Special thanks to your whole team! This girl, my granddaughter, Savannah, only took her training wheels off her bike a few weeks before she hit the trails this year. She said she learned to be brave and confident on her bike. I think she was the only girl in her group, too! Good stuff! ❤️-Ann Perala Our season started with a bang, as the first two rides had unexpected thunderstorms. Our coaches and riders adapted and overcame the weather, making it memorable experiences for the riders. The following weeks were spent finding individual and collective best selves through outdoor adventures. Highlights included solid friend connections, wildlife exploration, 1:2 rider/coach experiences to overcome personal challenges, another year for an adaptive rider to participate, and no incident reports 🙂 Our 56 coaches are deeply invested in the 906 ethos and it shows, and being their Lead (for the 4th year of ATGB) was pure joy. Matt and I are so grateful for our community, including our sponsors: Belgiosio, BW Corporation, The Bike Hub, Broken Spoke, Pete’s
Doing The Hard Things – August 2025
What’s inside: An update from Todd: Meeting kids (of all ages) where they areP2P: 500 miles of trails, testing skills and finding connectionCrusher 2025: A dream turned reality#CRUSHED: Welcome to Crusher Country (the Keweenaw)906AT: Bike club brings shared experiencesFreedom Machine shirts: On sale now!906 Volunteer Ethos: Service Before SelfEvents with 906AT An update from Todd: Meeting kids (of all ages) where they are When people talk about the 906 Adventure Team, the conversation can go in a lot of directions. If they have kids in our youth program, or if they’re a volunteer coach, they might talk about their Adventure Team. If they’re a participant in the events, they’ll probably talk about Polar Roll, Crusher, and Marji Gesick. If they’ve been inducted into the “Hall of Pain”, they will have some stories to share. Almost everyone who knows us knows we like doin’ hard things, and they’ll be quick to share that, too. I like to get into the weeds and talk about the stuff I think people miss, and today I’m gonna touch on something very important: Meeting people where they are. It’s an important part of our success. It’s the main reason we can connect with just about anyone, of any age or background. I’ll give ya some examples of what this looks like day-to-day for 906AT. We tell volunteers and coaches of the youth Adventure Teams to meet the kids where they are. Figure out where they are developmentally, and figure out how to help them advance. We’re invested in being part of their journey and showing them that they can get better at things they’re not as good at as other kids – and it’s ok to not be as good at something as someone else. Meeting kids where they are tells them we care about them. We want them to succeed, and we will walk with them, instead of leaving them behind. In all of our events, we celebrate the last person to cross the line after 25 hours (or more, depending on the event) the same way we celebrate all of the “winners”. And, can we be honest for a minute? Anyone who shows up and toes the line at a 906AT event can be a winner when they embrace the You vs. You mentality, because that mentality tells people that no matter how they stack up against someone else, their experience matters! A couple of weeks ago, we were up in the Keweenaw for “The Crusher”. After 29 hours, we had close to ten people still on course, after the cutoff. They would not quit, and because of that, we didn’t either. We waited. We let them know that even if it was past the cutoff… their experience mattered. People talk about Marji Gesick and the Crusher like they’re the hardest things you can do in a 906AT event, but I’m here to tell you, they’re wrong. The hardest thing you can do at a 906AT event is put another person’s experience ahead of your own. Support a participant through the night. Volunteer for 40 hours. And do it all with a smile, for someone else. Later in the newsletter, Julie writes about our volunteers. Without these people, there is no 906AT, because 906AT is people, and people meeting other people where they are when they don’t have to, is how you build a community, and create a feeling of belonging to something bigger than yourself. It’s amazing to witness daily the selflessness of this community, and I implore you, all of you, to never lose sight of what got us here… Keep meeting people where they are. “I’m going to pedal my bike today.” Kristy McBride says her interest in the Crusher P2P 500-mile course had to do with the challenge behind it. She’s relatively new to bikepacking; this race was just her fourth time out, and she says she wanted to test her skills. Her approach was simple: she’d ride, camp alone, and get back on her bike. Her drive came from the deep connection one finds on an adventure like this. She says you just can’t find it anywhere else – not like this. The scenery. The breathtaking moments. Too spectacular to even photograph. They’re moments you have to feel and be there to see. There’s no explaining it. No scrolling through a camera roll after the event to show the magnitude of what she immersed herself in. “It was just gorgeous,” recalls Kristy. There aren’t adequate words to describe it. In total, Kristy biked for nearly four and a half days from the Stonington Peninsula to Copper Harbor. She pushed her limits. Did what many didn’t think was possible. And she did it feeling an immense sense of pride. She made it up big climbs, up Arvon and Brockway – she rode in the heat, the rain, the cold. She faced fears of hypothermia. She overcame feelings of loneliness, spending days without seeing another person. And deep down, she carried a sense of knowing – that unless she faced a medical emergency, she would finish. She says she woke up every day ready for the adventure of it. Telling herself, “I’m going to pedal my bike today.” And so she did. Minute after minute. Mile after mile. Day after day. Kristy originally had planned to ride the course unsupported – meaning she wouldn’t be able to accept aid or assistance from anyone along the way. At the last moment, she changed to ride supported. A decision she’s grateful she made. “It’s really special to have those connections out there.” From Spencer Prusi at West End Ski and Trail staying open late so she could grab dry gloves and nap on the floor to the countless others she encountered along the way. She looks back on those interactions with gratitude and love. “It isn’t finished until it’s finished.” Kristy says she felt a lot of emotions during her ride… emotions that she would often have to tuck away, and
Doing The Hard Things – July 2025
What’s inside: An update from Todd: Mistakes are the price we pay to learnNew on Made U.P.Apprentice Leadership Program: From rider to leaderAdventure Team LaCrosse: It’s not the falling down that counts10 Years after 906AT: A rider’s perspectiveWelcome to Crusher CountryJumping into the Outdoors: Finding JoyEvents with 906AT Mistakes are the price we pay to learn. For July, I’m going to share something that happened this week in Marquette and a few thoughts. The weather was looking questionable all day. We kept an eye on the radar while we set up. It would change every 15 minutes. Not helpful. When it was time to make the decision, things looked good, so we decided to go ahead. Everyone showed up and headed into the woods. Then, the radar changed again. Staff decided to shorten the ride. The groups were advised to return early, and parents were contacted. We beat the rain, and everyone made it home safe. Worth noting… It didn’t rain, but the temperature dropped, and the wind picked up, and thunder rumbled overhead. It was scary for some of the kids. We heard some crying and saw a few tears. The experience was… new. The staff and the volunteers did a great job keeping calm and distracting a handful of kids with snacks while they waited for their parents in the 906AT trailer. Before they knew it, they were headed home, telling mom and dad about their adventure. Have you ever been caught outside in a storm? I have. And, every time it happens, I learn something new. The first time it happened, can you guess what I learned? We don’t melt in the rain. Over the years, I’ve learned how to read the weather, the gear I need, and how to use it. Have I made some mistakes along the way? For sure, and I’m thankful I did, because each of those experiences was educational. Mistakes are the price we pay to learn. My parents didn’t teach me to fear the world around me. They encouraged me to experience things and seek adventure. They did what they could to help prepare me. I am thankful for that. I guess the reason I’m sharing this is because it’s 2025, not 1980. It feels like our view of the world has changed. Intentional or not, it seems like we’re telling kids to stay away from things that are uncomfortable and scary, instead of teaching them how to face and overcome them. I don’t know… is the world that much more dangerous than it was forty years ago? Or are we (adults/society) scared and, in turn, passing it onto our kids? Our parents had it harder than we did. Their parents had it harder than they did. Things (life) have gotten better. That’s a good thing. But… comfort comes with a cost. The cost of comfort is a compromised relationship with nature. That’s not good for us. That’s why we developed Youth Adventure Teams. To keep kids in the woods getting dirty, dealing with bugs, running (riding) through the trees, feeling the freedom we felt as kids, but not just the freedom. Also, familiarity with being hot, getting cold, pushing hard, being out of breath, hearing the sounds of the forest, and feeling the wind in their hair. It’s important to experience this stuff. It’s important to learn we can do hard stuff. Stay Wild. Todd Poquette, Director of Adventure Here’s a plug for the MADE U.P. Podcast that we launched four months ago. We’ve recorded 19 episodes and over 60 hours of content. We’ve talked about the events (Polar Roll, Crusher, Marji Gesick), Adventure Team youth programming, youth health trends, trails, access to trails, trail user groups getting along, and community. We talked to our favorite storyteller, Frida Waara. Shelley Wellings from Straight Line Archery in Ishpeming joined us & we talked about bow hunting and what it’s like to be a female business owner in a male-dominated sport. Al and Kristen visited a couple of times and we talked about training – how to get ready to do hard things. If you haven’t yet – check it out. Interested in getting on the pod? Drop me a line. Click here to subscribe to our YouTube ChannelClick here to follow us on Spotify “Coaching is what I want to do with my life.” The Adventure Team Apprentice Leadership Program began three years ago in Marquette, offering kids an opportunity to expand their development beyond the lessons of a rider in bike club. The concept, give kids a place to develop leadership skills, learn the value of giving back to their community and at the same time provide a coach for adventure team that understands the experience of being in the program. Sawyer Stelwagen and Ella Clement are two mentors in the program in Marquette this year. Ella is in her third year, Sawyer is in his second. Both will be Seniors at Marquette High School next year and have been involved in Adventure Team Marquette for years… an experience they say helped them develop into the young leaders they are becoming today. “Coaching is what I want to do with my life,” said Ella. “906 Adventure Team made me what I am today. I love kids and love being a part of the community.” “Initially, my time as a rider, when I was 12 years old was hard. I had a tough time keeping up. There was a big skill difference between me and the other kids. But, that pushed me to work harder and do better,” recalls Sawyer. “I gained confidence and ability. It made me appreciate the program and what it did for my physical and mental journey.” Ella and Sawyer both grew as riders in the program. And both say the lessons learned through bike club – lessons of perseverance and doing hard things overflowed into other areas of their lives. “I learned the importance of staying consistent with my own health and working out. I saw the improvements from just one ride
Doing The Hard Things – June 2025
What’s inside: Breaking Records – Staying Focused: An update from ToddStrengthening Family Through Adventure TeamDetermination Driving Force Behind New Adventure Teams906AT Heads to Bay Cliff Health CampMade U.P. PodcastsMarquette Trail Running Series TransitionMarji Camp Kicks Off ThursdayJumping into the Outdoors: ConnectionSummer events with 906AT Breaking Records – Staying Focused In May, our Adventure Teams registered 1,175 youth for Adventure Bike Club this summer. That is a record. Since January, we recruited and trained more than 560 volunteers. Also, a record. Why am I sharing the numbers? It’s not to celebrate. And it’s not to gloat. It’s to remind us, and you, why we’re here. When I started the 906 Adventure Team eleven years ago, sitting at my kitchen table, it wasn’t to run epic events. That came later. In the beginning, it was about creating something special in our community, specifically for kids. We cannot ever forget that… We are here for the kids. How do we show it? By showing up… because we have 1,175 reasons to do it, and 560 volunteers who care, not for what they have to gain, but for what they can share. That friends, is the essence of “Doing The Hard Things.” Enjoy all of the stories Elizabeth and the team put together for this month’s newsletter. Todd Poquette ADVENTURE TEAM INFO Adventure Team became a steadying force For Liz Kyer and her three kids, Adventure Team has meant so much more than riding bikes, it’s meant stability, adventure, and a place to grow – together. Liz’s kids are heading into their 4th year with Adventure Team Lansing – ages 15, 12 and 9 – they began the same year their family began working through the divorce process. Liz says bike club nights became a steadying force. The clear expectations of the program combined with the opportunity to do something together – yet separately – gave the family a place to connect and work through challenges. She says the “Power of Yet” has become a huge part of her family dynamic – and Adventure Team gave them all a first hand experience of “maybe I can’t do something right now, but eventually I will.” From handling conflict to building resiliency and forming friendships – the experiences of bike club spread into their lives. She says they’ve learned things will be okay, even when it’s hard (and even when you don’t like it) – and that they can tackle challenges and come out the other side with new skills. And perhaps most impactful – that sometimes you just have to slow down, give people space and be patient when coming together to solve a problem. The impact hasn’t just been with her kids. Liz started coaching the second year they were involved. And she says the impacts have seeped into everything she does. “It’s allowed me to do things I never thought I would. I never had mountain biking on my radar.” Liz is enjoying the ride, carrying with her the motto, “let’s try this, even if it’s uncomfortable.” The family of four now rides together outside of bike club. They don’t compete, they don’t go fast. They’re in it for the time together and to get outside into the woods. She says that’s what she wants other families just getting into the program or considering it for their kids to know – that it’s not about being in a certain group, perfecting a skill, or having the best equipment – it’s about being present, noticing things around you and encouraging one another – and of course hanging out in the woods.By Elizabeth Peterson “We need this in our town” This year marks the start of two new Adventure Teams in Michigan, groups are kicking off new programs in Kalamazoo and Ludington. For those who’ve started an Adventure Team, you know the feeling of excitement leading up to that first day and the hard work that happens long before the first ride. We wanted to learn a bit more about the inspiration behind these two teams and how these teams came together. We start in Kalamazoo: The story behind Adventure Team Kalamazoo begins in 2020 when Nick Travis decided to do the Crusher EX. It was his first 906AT event and he was thrilled that despite all the canceled events COVID caused that year, there was an option to hit the trails. Getting checked in for the race he noticed a couple of guys wearing Barry-Roubaix shirts – he chatted with them and learned they were all from the same area, Kalamazoo. One of those guys was Travis Hutchens. A friendship was created through a shared interest in adventure biking. They began biking together, getting their families together. They continued to participate in events, learning more about the organization behind The Crusher, Marji and Polar Roll – 906 Adventure Team. Travis recalls it all just came together and fit. As a teacher he remembers thinking, “we need this in our town. Kids are seeking this – they just don’t know what they’re looking for.” Nick and Travis, along with Steve Anschuetz and Josh Torrans have all been instrumental in getting this summer’s program started. Nick says they made it happen by keeping focused on the goal and keeping things light and fun. He says there is an undercurrent of people in Kalamazoo who want an Adventure Team to happen because they believe in the mission and the positive impact on today’s kids. There’s momentum in Kalamazoo. Nick believes in his community and sees an opportunity to grow not just the infrastructure but the biking community – to grow what’s already there from trail access to businesses – one step at a time. For now – he’s anxiously waiting for the first night of Adventure Team – seeing basecamp set up for the first time – volunteers in place – the flags and canopies – and that moment when he can exhale and say, “Damn, we did it.” “Kids need this program” Now to Ludington: