Supporting Partners
What’s inside:
An update from Todd: Meeting kids (of all ages) where they are
P2P: 500 miles of trails, testing skills and finding connection
Crusher 2025: A dream turned reality
#CRUSHED: Welcome to Crusher Country (the Keweenaw)
906AT: Bike club brings shared experiences
Freedom Machine shirts: On sale now!
906 Volunteer Ethos: Service Before Self
Events 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 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.
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 instead focus on the journey, on the present moment, on her connection to God, nature and the experience.
A highlight of her ride came when she was able to ride 25 of her miles with her family. Her husband, son and father-in-law were riding in the MS40, and Kristy was able to time out a place to meet them on the trail. She said it allowed her to just have fun; she says that time with them took away all her aches and pains.
Eventually, she had to veer onto a separate part of the course away from them and continue on alone. She was nearing the end. But, even a mile from the finish line, she recalls telling herself, “It isn’t finished until it’s finished.” She knew that at any time something could happen, and she had to remain focused.
Elation. The emotion Kristy says she felt crossing the finish line at Trails End Campground in Copper Harbor. And as she got off her bike and sat down in the grass, surrounded by those who had been tracking and cheering for days, all of those emotions she had held back came pouring out. In tears. In laughter. In deep breaths. She felt it all.
There was a sense of awe and admiration from all those at the finish – for the magnitude of what she’d just accomplished. And perhaps unknowingly to her, that ride, the push, her determination, her fight to the finish – it will undoubtedly inspire others to make that trek, to test their limits, to find moments one can only find in nature.
38 people signed up for this year’s P2P. 14 finished. Congratulations to all of the riders. And to those setting their sights on the next P2P – Kristy says, “Be confident, get out there and try. Believe in yourself. It’s worth it.”
By Elizabeth Peterson
“If they’re coming to my backyard, it’s going to be done right.”
Planning for Crusher 2025 began long before cars were packed and bikes were heading toward the tip of the Keweenaw. Creating the routes took planning, recon, cooperation, permitting, and a whole lot of boots on the ground. One pair of those boots belonged to Kiko Silvelet, who volunteered countless hours, offering his knowledge of the trails, terrain, elevation and information on the area.
“If they’re coming to my backyard, it’s going to be done right,” explained Kiko when asked why he offered his time.
Kiko provided hours of recon – done on his bike, from his vehicle, or simply by walking. Kiko is familiar with much of the trail system in the Keweenaw – partially from his own personal adventures – but also from his work with the CopperDog as the Chief Timer and Assistant Race Director. Though he admits helping plan the Crusher routes allowed him to go places in the Keweenaw he’d never been before.
And that’s the point of the work behind organizations in the Keweenaw working to help events like the Crusher find success. Adam Yeoman is the Interim Executive Director of the Copper Harbor Trails Club, a nonprofit organization supporting non-motorized trails. He says the Crusher was a natural fit to the area and was excited to work with 906AT, connecting Todd Poquette and his crew to the proper landowners, stakeholders and helping with hurdles along the way. Adam says the Keweenaw is unique in the way non-motorized and motorized organizations are working together to figure out ways to protect the land in the Keweenaw and their way of life. The Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition (KORC) was established in 2019, bringing together various partners in outdoor recreation, promoting non-motorized and motorized use – all have a seat at the table, and all work cooperatively toward a shared wilderness experience.
“Copper Harbor is small, the economy is tourist-based – the dollars from events (like the Crusher) make a huge difference,” says Adam.
“It’s only going to work if we’re all in it together,” adds Kiko. “Tourism is the new copper – a way for us to stay relevant and make the Keweenaw a year-round destination.”
Kiko and Adam both agree that watching the Crusher rollout was a sight to be seen. The 906AT crew came in, set up a small city at Trails End Campground in Copper Harbor and dispersed in an impressive way – leaving a positive impact on businesses, the community and the reputation of the Keweenaw.
Kiko says there’s more of the Keweenaw to be seen, new historical markers to highlight, new checkpoints to be created, and new terrain to be explored. The Crusher will be returning to the Keweenaw next year, and as nervous and anxious as Kiko was this year to see riders take to the courses he helped design – he can’t wait to get started on next year’s course.
“It was awesome to see people push through. It was hard, but not dangerous or impossible. And for those that didn’t finish, they’ll either come back and finish or they won’t.”
“If they’re coming to my backyard, it’s going to be done right,” explained Kiko when asked why he offered his time.
Kiko provided hours of recon – done on his bike, from his vehicle, or simply by walking. Kiko is familiar with much of the trail system in the Keweenaw – partially from his own personal adventures – but also from his work with the CopperDog as the Chief Timer and Assistant Race Director. Though he admits helping plan the Crusher routes allowed him to go places in the Keweenaw he’d never been before.
And that’s the point of the work behind organizations in the Keweenaw working to help events like the Crusher find success. Adam Yeoman is the Interim Executive Director of the Copper Harbor Trails Club, a nonprofit organization supporting non-motorized trails. He says the Crusher was a natural fit to the area and was excited to work with 906AT, connecting Todd Poquette and his crew to the proper landowners, stakeholders and helping with hurdles along the way. Adam says the Keweenaw is unique in the way non-motorized and motorized organizations are working together to figure out ways to protect the land in the Keweenaw and their way of life. The Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition (KORC) was established in 2019, bringing together various partners in outdoor recreation, promoting non-motorized and motorized use – all have a seat at the table, and all work cooperatively toward a shared wilderness experience.
“Copper Harbor is small, the economy is tourist-based – the dollars from events (like the Crusher) make a huge difference,” says Adam.
“It’s only going to work if we’re all in it together,” adds Kiko. “Tourism is the new copper – a way for us to stay relevant and make the Keweenaw a year-round destination.”
Kiko and Adam both agree that watching the Crusher rollout was a sight to be seen. The 906AT crew came in, set up a small city at Trails End Campground in Copper Harbor and dispersed in an impressive way – leaving a positive impact on businesses, the community and the reputation of the Keweenaw.
Kiko says there’s more of the Keweenaw to be seen, new historical markers to highlight, new checkpoints to be created, and new terrain to be explored. The Crusher will be returning to the Keweenaw next year, and as nervous and anxious as Kiko was this year to see riders take to the courses he helped design – he can’t wait to get started on next year’s course.
“It was awesome to see people push through. It was hard, but not dangerous or impossible. And for those that didn’t finish, they’ll either come back and finish or they won’t.”
“I was not expecting the event that went down.”
Chas Shefchik says he wasn’t planning on signing up for the Crusher MS this year; he had committed to taking a year off. But as the deadline approached for transfers, he just couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
He signed up for the MS175. He had, after all, participated in the Crusher for the past four years and had four green dots behind his name.
The plan was similar to past years – he felt confident he knew what it took to finish.
He was in better shape this year. Fitness was not a limiting factor. His bike choice, however, a gravel bike, became the issue that eventually led to his first Crusher DNF. He says he has a fair bit of regret for the decision he made regarding his bike.
“I thought I could handle anything Todd threw at me. This was a humbling experience. The MS175 Crusher is a thing to be respected in the Keweenaw.”
He said the whole thing was full of “hard parts.” The surface was chunky. The single track was as expected. But the gravel was not your average gravel. Around mile 60, he knew it wasn’t going to happen this year. He was disappointed, but he knew his limits. He knew he had to make an adult decision. And after around 12 hours of riding, somewhere around Houghton, he decided to stop.
Chas says his mindset was not there to be suffering for 24 hours.
“They’ve taken it to a level where the MS is just as hard as some of the EX,” says Chas. And while he isn’t expecting an easier course next year. He is wondering: “What will Todd do?” Will he extend the cutoff time? Will the course itself be shifted? While he waits to find out, he says he’s unsure if he’ll sign up again. He says he’s not there yet, but admits he will likely talk himself into it.
Regardless of whether he rides or not – and for those looking at next year’s Crusher – there are takeaways from this year’s experience.
- Don’t listen to any advice out of Crusher Munising experiences.
- Don’t ride a gravel bike.
- Respect the difficulty of the Keweenaw and the Crusher.
- Don’t go in with expectations or a set outcome.
Chas says if and when he rides the Crusher again, he’ll be committed to what is going to happen on the course – taking it mile by mile.
We’ll be watching for you Chas – and all those chasing a green dot next year!
By Elizabeth Peterson
“Kids need to know they can do these things.”
Meet Alan, Ursula, Evelyn and Nina. The Pinon family. A family of four who for two years have been volunteering and riding with 906AT in Marquette.
Alan coaches on Thursday nights, while Evelyn rides. Ursula coaches on Monday nights, while Nina rides.
They’re all in separate groups, riding the trails, learning new bike skills, making friends – having a unique yet shared experience.
It’s a 906AT policy. Coaches with kids in the program don’t ride with their kids during bike club. So, Alan might pass Evelyn while on the ride with his group, but they say they usually just wave and say hi as they pass.
The format creates opportunities for Evelyn and Nina to have autonomy over their night, to be self-reliant and to come back with stories, lessons and interactions to share with their parents.
Alan says he’s been blown away by what Evelyn can do when they can go on rides together outside of bike night. Both of his daughters can navigate the trails and show Alan and Ursula their favorite spots, including where to find the best blueberries.
Evelyn says she enjoys learning new bike skills and how to ride as a team. Nina agrees and loves learning new places to go. She says she looks up to the youth mentors, like Ella Clement, “I want to be strong like Ella.”
Alan coaches on Thursday nights, while Evelyn rides. Ursula coaches on Monday nights, while Nina rides.
They’re all in separate groups, riding the trails, learning new bike skills, making friends – having a unique yet shared experience.
It’s a 906AT policy. Coaches with kids in the program don’t ride with their kids during bike club. So, Alan might pass Evelyn while on the ride with his group, but they say they usually just wave and say hi as they pass.
The format creates opportunities for Evelyn and Nina to have autonomy over their night, to be self-reliant and to come back with stories, lessons and interactions to share with their parents.
Alan says he’s been blown away by what Evelyn can do when they can go on rides together outside of bike night. Both of his daughters can navigate the trails and show Alan and Ursula their favorite spots, including where to find the best blueberries.
Evelyn says she enjoys learning new bike skills and how to ride as a team. Nina agrees and loves learning new places to go. She says she looks up to the youth mentors, like Ella Clement, “I want to be strong like Ella.”
Neither Evelyn nor Nina minds riding without their parents. They’ve made friends and connections with the coaches.
Ursula, a teacher, says the program 906AT offers is needed. She sees kids not getting outside, not taking risks. “Kids need to know they can do these things.”
The family has taken to the concepts shared during their rides and incorporated them into their daily lives. Alan says the statement, “You Can Do Hard Things,” is repeated often at home. It’s a reminder for his girls of what they’re capable of, and it’s also a reminder to Alan and Ursula of what their girls are capable of.
They have confidence in the program, in the volunteers and believe in the mission. For Ursula and Alan, the noncompetitive environment is really important. For their kids to be in a space that is focused on the journey, on learning from one another, where the concentration is being outside and in finding limits. It’s why they show up and why they’ll continue to spend their summers as a family with 906AT.
Ursula, a teacher, says the program 906AT offers is needed. She sees kids not getting outside, not taking risks. “Kids need to know they can do these things.”
The family has taken to the concepts shared during their rides and incorporated them into their daily lives. Alan says the statement, “You Can Do Hard Things,” is repeated often at home. It’s a reminder for his girls of what they’re capable of, and it’s also a reminder to Alan and Ursula of what their girls are capable of.
They have confidence in the program, in the volunteers and believe in the mission. For Ursula and Alan, the noncompetitive environment is really important. For their kids to be in a space that is focused on the journey, on learning from one another, where the concentration is being outside and in finding limits. It’s why they show up and why they’ll continue to spend their summers as a family with 906AT.
Freedom Machine shirts are now for sale!
We’ve had a number of requests to add this year’s Adventure Team shirts to the 906 Gear Store. We heard you. We listened. And they are available!
What’s behind the design? It’s more than just a logo – it’s a reminder, a message to get out there, to find moments and experiences that matter.
“You wanna know what I appreciate most about riding a bike? It puts the rider (you) at the controls, 100% accountable for what happens. I’d go so far as to say it may be the purest form of autonomy you can experience these days. Don’t lose sight of the need to experience solitude, lack of comfort, and resistance as a way to re-calibrate.
There’s a space “out there” where you can listen to the most important voice you never hear, the voice most often drowned out… your voice. No one is going to give you this space. You need to create it, and take it.” -Todd Poquette
They’ll be available for a week. Order yours today!
906 Volunteer Ethos: Service Before Self
With the culmination of mass start Crusher, I have navigated one cycle of 906 events and volunteer support and am sharing some thoughts on what I have learned.
- Marji camp coaches are there for the riders.
- 906AT coaches give a lot of time and energy to inspire kids and adventure.
- 906 events would not run without volunteers – so many individuals give back to the community.
- Some volunteers who show up consistently and often behind the scenes lead you to wonder if they are actually staff members.
When last year’s Marji coaches were asked about their preferences for coaching this year, most of them said put me where you need me. When we asked Marji coaches to take the Adventure Team training to coach youth at camp, they signed up and completed the training in less than a week. When we asked any Marji camp coach to take on a new rider at camp, each did so without hesitation. When we thanked a coach for their commitment, they said of course – it isn’t my ride it is the participant’s ride. This is what makes Marji camp a great experience for all involved!
Over 550 coaches in 13 communities show up to help kids find adventure on bikes each week. However, they don’t just show up for 10 weeks over summer. Their commitment starts much earlier. They register, submit to a background check and participate in online training. Many also travel to Marquette for the Leadership Summit in April, and still others participate in their local coaches training. As an example, if we consider Midland Area’s Adventure Team – we have 26 coaches that allow 65 kids to adventure weekly. Of those 26 coaches, 11 have participated in Adventure Team for all four of the years of the team and 13 have coached for 2 or more years. Additionally, fewer than half of our coaches have kids in the program, so they are committing to helping other riders without enrolling their own kids in the program. This summer, I have watched as volunteers have talked kids through the trails, encouraged resilience, told them stories, shared their passion for adventure and taught both character and bike skills. Additionally, the coaches have had to do some hard things like dropping their own kids off to be coached by another adult (even when the young rider was asking to be coached by their parent), having tough conversations with parents when riders needed some additional attention, and digging deep for patience when kids are tired or hungry and the heat index says it is over 100 degrees. This is what it takes to get almost 1200 kids in 3 states out on bikes each week.
It is amazing to me that when one 906 event ends, new individuals are signing up to volunteer for the next one – without a request going out. Many of the event volunteers travel from areas other than Marquette, often staying in the area for several days. They do everything from grilling burgers for six-hours shifts, to pouring beer and cheering at the finish line, to standing out in the cold at a course position or hosting an aid station.
It is amazing to me that when one 906 event ends, new individuals are signing up to volunteer for the next one – without a request going out. Many of the event volunteers travel from areas other than Marquette, often staying in the area for several days. They do everything from grilling burgers for six-hours shifts, to pouring beer and cheering at the finish line, to standing out in the cold at a course position or hosting an aid station.
Volunteers often show up for their shift in the middle of the night or at the brink of dawn, some have participated in events, some are supporting others in events and some volunteer simply so the event can have participants. Often the hours they commit to and/or the weather they work in is less than ideal. And yet, they don’t leave until the last rider is in and do it all with a smile.
And then there are the potentially unstable suffer crew volunteers (I say this with the utmost respect). You know who you are, and I consider myself lucky to have volunteered with you and/or to have ridden events designed by you. These are the folks who selflessly work on events behind the scenes. They regularly show up and ask how they can help or don’t say anything at all and jump right in. They have an impressive knowledge base of the events and skill sets that are well outside their day jobs. This is the team who does not sleep, says yes to whatever crazy task is assigned (sometimes last minute) and sees tasks through to the end.
Everyone has their own WHY for volunteering for this organization. For me, it fills a bucket that I have not found any place else. I believe in the organization, value supporting youth adventure on bikes, am grateful for the community and enjoy being an (EX) event participant. Hopefully this snapshot of my experience allows you to appreciate the time and energy invested by volunteers for 906 Adventure Team and events. I know I am continuously in awe of those who give their time and energy to this organization – thank you.
By Julie Cunningham
Whether through a donation to youth resilience programming or a sponsorship of your local Adventure Team, your support is crucial to keep the momentum going. We’ve made incredible progress, but we’re already fully immersed in the planning and building for the next decade of growth. Through your financial partnership, you can be a key part of helping us build the foundation for the next 10 years of leadership, resilience and growth for thousands of youth.
Trilogy Partners
