The
Crusher
WELCOME TO ENHANCED GRAVEL
12.31.2024 REG
7.01.2025 EX OPENS
7.15.2025 P2P
7.19.2025 MASS START
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 June; until then, please reference the previous year’s passport.
CRUSHER – Mass Start
Mass Start events are about community and doing hard things together. The Crusher MS format is harder than your average gravel event. The experience will test you. You will learn about “Yooper Math” and “Checkpoints.” You’re not gonna find a better place on Earth to spend a weekend or a better group of people to spend it with. All MS events begin and end in Copper Harbor (loops), except for the P2P, which is a point-to-point.
Join the Crusher Facebook group. It’s the best source for up to date Crusher information and help from the community. Go join it today.
Signage: There is none. GPS is required.
Routes: All new routes (cause we’re moving to the Keweenaw). Between now and next summer we’ll tease ya with photos and video from the course. The best place to go for that content is the public “The Crusher” Facebook page, or join the Facebook group. You will not see final routes until a couple of weeks before the event. Here’s a tip: Be ready for everything. If you do that… it won’t matter what the route is.
MS stands for Mass Start. Learn the Crusher nomenclature. The Mass Start is July 19th-20th, 2025 at the Trail’s End Campground in Copper Harbor. You’ll get to crush it with 400-500 fellow Crushers. We camp together. We cry and laugh together. We CRUSH together.
Self-supported/Neutral Support. You’re expected to be fully self-sufficient and carry all recommended gear. We’re telling you up front no one is coming to save you. Be prepared. If you’r not prepared stay home.
Checkpoints. Are required. Reference the field manual for details.
Field Manual. The Field Manual is your single source of truth for all things Crusher. It will contain everything you need to know about the event. The new Field Manual will not be available until early summer 2025, but for now you could download one of the digital copies of the manual on our website to get a feel for what the event is all about.
Distances (in miles): 40, 100, 175, P2P, a 50-mile NFR (Not Fun Run). Refer to the manual for details.
Location: Trail’s End Campground, 14203 M-26, Copper Harbor, MI 49918
Camping: We have rented the entire Trail’s End Facility for the weekend of the event. You can camp with us at no cost. When registration opens, we’ll ask you to answer questions. Basically, you’re telling us if you plan to camp with us or not. From there, you’ll need to await further instruction after registration fills up. Camping is offered on a first come, first serve basis.
Timing: Superior Timing. Wanna visit their website? Google it.
Photographers: Ryan Stephens Photography, Rob Meendering Photography, and Fresh Coast Exposures.
P2P
The only thing standing between you and Copper Harbor is 500 miles. You’ll start days ahead of the rest of the event. The P2P format has always been the ultimate Crusher experience. This is the first time that we’re riding TO the harbor. For all intents and purposes, you should look at this ride as an EX event because the only time you’ll see anyone else is most likely at the finish. Hell, you might even finish before we get there.
Join the Crusher Facebook group. It’s the best source for up to date Crusher information and help from the community. Go join it today.
Signage: There is none. GPS is required.
Satellite communication devices are recommended for this event. I.E. Garmin Inreach, etc.
Route: This is a bikepack route/event. P2P means you start in one place and end in another. There will be logistics. You will need to figure them out. Expect to encounter everything you’d expect from a gravel event, and a lot of stuff you wouldn’t. This includes singletrack.
P2P. Point-2-Point.
Self-supported. We’re offering you a chance to declare at registration that you’ll complete this challenge unsupported. That means no one can help you from outside the event. If you accept help from anyone, you will be disqualified. We will not move you from unsupported to supported categories mid-event.
All P2P riders are required to be fully self-supported. No one is out there to save you. You will be alone. There are inherent dangers in activities of this nature that can only be mitigated by preparation, experience, and grit.
Neutral Support. If you register to complete this event “unsupported,” you cannot accept the support of any kind. For everyone else, you know the drill. If you offer help to one rider, you must be willing to help them all if you can.
Checkpoints. Are required. Reference the field manual for details.
Field Manual. The Field Manual is your single source of truth for all things Crusher. But we haven’t done this before, so it’s not in the Field Manual.
Distance (in miles): 500 miles.
Start Location: TBD
End Location: Trail’s End Campground, 14203 M-26, Copper Harbor, MI 49918
Camping: You can camp at Trail’s End Campground at the finish*.
Timing: Superior Timing and Trackleaders.
* If you finish
CRUSHER – EX
Also referred to as our expedition format. The ultimate adventure experience. No crowds. No dog and pony show. Just you and the challenge in front of ya. You can complete your ride anytime within the three-month window. You will be all alone. No one is out there to save you. The variety of routes that were offered last year was a hit (EX40). We expect to do the same this year.
Join the Crusher Facebook group. It’s the best source for up to date Crusher information and help from the community. Go join it today.
Signage: There is none. GPS is required.
Self-supported/Neutral Support. You’re expected to be fully self-sufficient and carry all recommended gear. We’re telling you up front no one is coming to save you. Be prepared. If you’r not prepared stay home.
We’re gonna say this once, and it’s not meant as a comparison of the two formats, but it has to be said: EX is gnarlier, harder, and much more remote than the MS. Go into it fully prepared to be tested in ways you haven’t been tested before.
Checkpoints. Are required. Reference the field manual for details.
Field Manual.
The Field Manual is your single source of truth for all things Crusher. It will contain everything you need to know about the event. The new Field Manual will not be available until early summer 2025, but for now you could download one of the digital copies of the manual on our website to get a feel for what the event is all about.
Distances (in miles): 40, extra 40, 100, 225, and a 50-mile NFR. Refer to the manual for details.
Location: Start locations vary. See manual for details.
Camping: Not provided.
Timing: Trackleaders. Beacons are required for this event. See manual for more details.
Photographers: You
Again, this page covers only who, what, when, where, and why. Crusher Passports provide a much deeper dive into the nuance and fundamentals of each event. Download a copy and dig in.
The Crusher is operated under special use permit with the Ottawa and Hiawatha National Forest. The Crusher is an equal opportunity provider.
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, and hallucinations; the activity is inherently dangerous. At some point, you will likely ride or push your bike through the night, swearing you’ll never do <insert event name here> 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. What we’re telling you isn’t hype. If you don’t respect the inherent danger of an activity, it could kill you. However, with proper preparation and practice, you will learn how to survive and thrive; that’s our 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?” Well, the world is full of people pushing easy things on you and hyping stuff up to be challenging that isn’t. 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; we’re offering you an opportunity.
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 Crusher-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 15.
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?
- Where is early packet pickup?
- What GPS should I use?
- Do I need a snorkel?
- What’s with all the middle fingers?
- Is pain going to chase me?
- How do I keep all the tech charged?
- Will places be open if I get to L’Anse at 3:00 am?
- What kind of lights do you recommend?
- What’s with the green and red dots?
Yes. Here’s a list:
- Crusher-MS events 24 hours.
- Crusher-EX events: EX225 = 40 hours. All the rest are 24 hours. EX-Bikepack cutoff will vary with distance. Refer to the Passport.
We like to underpromise and over-deliver. Where else can you get 25% more miles for free?
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 the Mass Start, they’ll be able to track when/if you finish via Superior Timing’s website. EX Crushers are allowed a beacon, but it must be reserved—Trackleaders handles tracking. Crushers can find instructions for securing one in the Passport.
Nothing against traditional Gravel, but it’s boring and predictable. We want to challenge and surprise you. We’d like to see how you handle the unexpected. Enhanced Gravel is the best of the worst we can give you. For clarification, both MS and EX formats are enhanced, with the latter offering much more of everything you don’t want.
Unpredictable and dangerous. It can be 90 degrees during the day and 30 degrees at night. Thunderstorms can pop up with hail and gale-force winds. Ma Nature will turn creeks into small raging rivers overnight. It’s wild out there.
Here are some ideas:
- In a ditch.
- The bench on Arvon.
- Inside the outhouse on da Peshekee Grade.
Yes. Until June 1st.
Yes. Until June 1st.
We don’t offer cash prizes or traditional podiums. Everyone is there for their reasons and goals. Every finish matters.
Terrible.
Trails
THE CRUSHER 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
HISTORY OF DA CRUSHER
We were founded originally in 2014 as “The Huron Mountain Crusher” by Matt Beardsley and Mike Beck. Then, a local grassroots event appealing to more experienced riders. No frills, no support. The duo operated the event until 2017, offering new routes and distances each year.
Mike moved on. Matt remained in the area creating and putting routes out around July and August. Current Director of Pain Todd Poquette rode the long Crusher routes in 2016 + 2017. He envisioned Crusher being an event that could appeal to a broader audience than the infamous Marji Gesick.
In 2018 Matt and Todd started working together. 906 Adventure Team took on the event as a 906AT production. Crusher had its biggest year, attracting over one hundred people from a handful of states across the Midwest.
We ran the first point-to-point Crusher in 2019. Enhanced Gravel was born. Riders nationwide tested themselves against a route from Copper Harbor to Marquette – 400 riders took on the Crusher that year. “Da Crusher” officially hit the national radar.
Everything changed in 2020. Lock-downs. No events. To hell with it – ADAPT. Crusher-EX was born. We hosted the first truly self-supported Crusher. It was a summer of “watching dots.” One thousand people took on the Crusher that summer, creating a community that has stuck together and grown stronger every year since.
Today, Crusher offers riders two options. You can ride with us at a mass start event or tackle the EX alone. It’s been an interesting journey as the event has evolved and grown.
#906adventureteam
#enhancedgravel
#dontchasepain
#getoffdacouch
#beuncivilized
#crusherex
#greendot
Results
It’s not a race, it’s an adventure.
Unless your name is Kransz or Tinker The Crusher is not a race.
What really matters is what color your dot is at the end of the event.
Green dot = finished.
Red dot = try again.
But we get it, some people get really worked up about how they did. They were so deep in the pain cave that they didn’t remember what time they finished, or if they finished at all. So, take these results with a few grains of salt and a healthy portion of whiskey, because at the end of the day what matters is that you crushed, or got crushed.
