The Basics
Self-Supported Ethos
FAQ's
Trails
Local Shops
History
Results
The Basics
This page covers who, what, when, where, and why. For a more complete and comprehensive overview of the event, rules, recommended gear, etc., please refer to the passport, which you can download from the top of this landing page. The current year’s passport will be released in January; until then, please reference the previous year’s passport.
The Polar Roll Facebook Group is a great source of event information, gear, and more. Join the group with this link.
POLAR ROLL – MASS START
Why: You love groomed trails, large community gatherings, and playing outside in the snow.
Who: Anyone signed up for the Polar Roll-MS, their support crews, friends and family, and our sponsors.
What: 15 or 30 miles of machine groomed singletrack, by bike or on foot.
When: February 17, 2024
Where: All events start and end at Ishpeming High School. Indoor seating and an aid station are available inside the school cafeteria.
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 TBD (Bike/Hike)
MS-15 TBD (Bike/Hike)
Event Cut-offs: 12 hours for all event lengths.
Timing company: https://www.superiortiming.com/
POLAR ROLL – EX
Why: You enjoy rolling groomed singletrack alone, or with a small group of friends, and the flexibility of doing it when it works into your schedule. Note: EX courses are not the same courses used during the Mass Start, and trail conditions will vary. Consider this a more “enhanced” way to enjoy the Polar Roll.
Who: Anyone signed up for the Polar Roll-EX.
What: EX15, EX30, Duathlon for Dummies, IQ Test.
When: January 13 – March 17, 2024
Where: EX events utilize multiple start points. Details below.
EX15, IQ Test: RAMBA Trailhead (The HOB) East Division Street, Ishpeming, Michigan 49855
EX30, Duathlon for Dummies: Lower Harbor Ore Dock, Marquette, Michigan 49855
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. Download a copy and dig in.
POLAR ROLL ULTRA
Why: Because you have been dreaming of a winter ultra that offers a ton of groomed bike specific singletrack, and we have it. Read on.
Who: This event is capped and will be limited to participants whom we allow to register for it.
What: PR-Ultra (140 miles)
When: February 19, 2024
Where: Otter Lake Campground, E7609 Buckhorn Rd, Munising, MI 49862
Route: In 2024 we intend to use the same course used in 2023, but until we release the GPX,. we reserve the right to make changes.
Start Times: 5:00 AM
Event Cut-offs: 48 hours
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. Download a copy and dig in.
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.
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Self-Supported Ethos
THE SELF-SUPPORTED STATEMENT
906AT productions are unlike most events you will sign up for. We do not hold your hand. We give you just enough information to point you in the right direction and leave it up to you to get all the details. We share a lot of content through the official Facebook pages, Facebook event groups, and the newsfeeds on our website. Stay connected. If the way we do stuff isn’t your thing, it’s ok. There are a lot of other events out there.
“You are on your own. No one is out there to save you. GPS is required. You must observe and obey the “rules of the road.” We do not sign the course. You should not approach wildlife. In an emergency, dial 911.”
906AT events will expose you to treacherous terrain, inclement weather, fatigue, hallucinations, and inherently dangerous activities. At some point, you will likely ride or push your bike through the night, swearing you’ll never do <insert event name> again. Don’t feel bad; this is normal.
Hype disclaimer: Right now, some people start rolling their eyes because they think some marketing department is trying to scare them. That’s not the case. This is not hype. If you don’t respect the inherent danger of the activity, it could kill you. However, with proper preparation and practice, you will learn how to survive and thrive, which is the goal.
Each event carries a recommended gear list. Find the lists. Make sure you have everything on them. Train with the gear. Learn how to use it. The last place you want to find out you don’t know how to start a fire is on the Peshekee Grade at six o’clock in the morning when it’s 33 degrees. It’s a mistake you might only get to make once.
Some ask, “Why do you make it so hard?” The world is full of people pushing easy things on you or hyping stuff up to be challenging, but that isn’t the case. Those folks are just trying to sell you a product. Our mission is to help you find your best version. That’s going to take work – dedicated, consistent, hard work. We’re not selling you a product but offering you a path for continued personal improvement.
Now get ready, or don’t. It’s up to you.
FAQ's
Please spend some time reviewing the website – all of it. Not just the specific event or events you are interested in but everything. Dig into the “about” pages. Get a feel for who we are, what we do, and our mission. Understand the connection between the Endurance Trilogy (Triple Crown) and Adventure Team youth programs.
Next, get connected to the online community. Look through the posts. Ask some questions. We’ll warn you it can be a tough crowd, but you will not meet a group of people more committed to helping each other. That includes new folks willing to put in the time and work.
There’s a nifty tool called Google. Type in what you’re looking for and hit enter. Google will show you videos, articles, and posts related to your search. It’s handy.
Download a copy of the current Field Manual (Polar Roll) or Passport (Crusher). Read it cover to cover.
One of our community members suggested this question for the FAQ. It is too funny to leave out. The answer is No.
Mass Start: Large community event scheduled for a specific day or weekend. Race atmosphere. Great chance to meet people and make friends. MS events are good training opportunities for EX courses, but success with MS does not directly correlate to EX success. They’re different animals.
EX format: Also called EX-expedition or Polar Roll-EX. Solo or small group format. You get a time window to complete your event (often 90 days). You can do it as many times as you want. More challenging than MS events. On a scale of 1-10, the adventure rating is about 11.
Yes. You do. Consider the recommended gear list as the bare minimum. Your needs will vary with the weather and other variables. Some people will watch the weather and make gear decisions based on the forecast. Don’t do this. You should gear up for the worst-case scenario.
- What kind of bike should I use?
- What tire pressure should I run?
- How do I keep my water from freezing?
- How do I keep from sweating, and how should I dress?
- Will I need studs?
- What gets worse before it gets worser?
- Where is early packet pickup?
- What GPS should I use?
- Who is Baby Todd?
- What’s with all the middle fingers?
Yes. Here’s a list:
- Polar Roll-MS events finish by dark.
- Polar Roll-Ultra140 = 48 hours.
- Polar Roll-EX events: 24 hours.
We like to underpromise and over-deliver. Where else can you get 25% more miles for free? The mileage is never what we say it is, and never less.
No. Our answer is not a statement or position on e-bikes. 906AT events are not e-bike events.
There are no official event-run aid stations.
Neutral support is allowed and must be given to all participants without exception.
We do not handle drop bags.
You must have your contingencies covered.
We don’t sign the course for EX events. We mark for the MS, but there’s no guarantee a sign won’t fall; someone might take one, or a bear could eat one. Requiring GPS and giving you gpx-files sets you up for success. If you fail to follow the rules – don’t blame us.
For the Mass Start, they’ll be able to track when/if you finish via Superior Timing’s website. The answer for the EX is yes if you’re doing the Ultra, in which case Trackkeaders will provide beacons.
Unpredictable and dangerous. Prepare for the worst.
Yes. Until January 1st.
Yes. Until January 1st.
We don’t offer cash prizes or traditional podiums. Everyone is there for their reasons and goals. Every finish matters.
Trails
THE POLAR ROLL SUPPORTS ’EM, AND SO SHOULD YOU
The Marji Gesick is a production of the 906 Adventure Team, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit. The organization is based in Marquette County and serves ten communities in three states offering youth Adventure Teams. Its mission is to empower kids through outdoor adventure to become the best versions of themselves.
906AT Productions, like The Crusher, give back to local trail-building organizations, including NTN, RAMBA, Munising Bay Trails Network, and Friends of Harlow.
A portion of your entry fees goes back into the trails on which we hold our events.
Local Shops
LOCAL BIKE SHOPS – THESE SHOPS SUPPORT US, AND YOU SHOULD SUPPORT THEM!
We’ve got some of the best bike shops in the country up here. How else can 5 different shops survive in a region of 33,000 people. When we break stuff (we do that a lot) or just need a beer and a place to hang, we go here. You should too. Make it a point to visit at least one of them every time you’re in our neck of the woods because we could not do any of this without their support.
These are the local shops that have pledged to financially support us, give ’em a visit!
West End Ski & Trail
101 S. Main St,
Ishpeming, 49849
906-204-2498
westendtrail.com
Down Wind Sports
514 N 3rd St
Marquette, MI 49855
Phone: (906) 226-7112
downwindsports.com
Sports Rack
315 W Washington St
Marquette, MI 49855
Phone: (906) 225-1766
sportsrackmqt.com
History
CHECK BACK LATER. WE’RE BUSY GETTING READY FOR CRUSHER AND MARJI.
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Results
Results
We’ve had all kinds of weather and terrain at Polar Roll. From the inaugural year that was a cold as cold can get, to the year that dumped sheets of ice on the course and hundreds of volunteers saved the day.
