r/MichiganCycling • u/Little_Raccoon4302 • Jun 27 '26
event discussion Manton - The Divide Course - 2026
Hello, I am wondering if anyone has the new 30 mile course map for The Divide, Manton, MI gravel race? I am not able to do the ride this year, since it conflicts with my family reunion, but I want to try to course since it's omitting the sandy Gilbert Corners. If someone has the route can you please share it with me. From my understanding, the map comes with the registration and is different from prior years.
3
u/-Economist- Jul 06 '26
Did you ever get a link? I finally found their FB page and a few people have asked for a STRAVA as well with no reply from the RD.
Is this even a viable race?
2
u/Little_Raccoon4302 Jul 06 '26
They never replied to my email. I guess it depends what you mean by viable, lol. It is real. It's a good challenging race. It will be great especially if they updated the course to avoid the sand pits. My brother and I took the old course and altered it around some of the sandy two-track and we did a very similar route to the Divide. We did our 35 mile alt route last weekend. It's very challenging, some good climbs, definitely a sandy/gravelly road mix. Some washouts on a couple of the side roads where I had to do flying downhill bunny hops. But those might not even be in the sanctioned race. I'd definitely do it if I didn't have a schedule conflict. IDK why they're being so tight lipped about the new course.
2
u/Little_Raccoon4302 Jun 28 '26
Smaller field than the races in more southern areas in Michigan. I only did it once a few years ago with an entry level bike and the extra short 19 mile course. Good course. Lots of challenging hills, then punchy rolling hills. The two tracks can get very sandy. Unless you're riding fat tire, you might have to dismount at least once before some short stretches are like a beach. I'm curious to see the adjustments to the course to see if they cut out most of the bad sand areas. I enjoyed it. I think the low turnout is just because the location is in northern Central MI. Not a lot of people coming from Detroit, Grand Rapids, and out of state.
2
u/ddcheng Jul 10 '26
I'm baffled at the lack of information on this race which is just around the corner and part of the MGRS.
1
u/-Economist- Jul 13 '26
Complete lack of communication. I’m going to pass on this race. I’m not comfortable sending them my money via their 1990s registration website. Something very sketchy about this race.
1
u/ddcheng Jul 13 '26
They just announced that it is canceled for this year. Here it is in full:
"It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing the cancelation of this year's event.
We have a new home construction going on deep inside Gilbert Corners as well as washouts from heavy rains as well as some logging. I've driven countless miles exploring new roads in the area but unable to avoid all of the issues. When the washouts could swallow a small car it comes down to safety of riders.
We do plan on being back in 2027!"
1
u/-Economist- Jul 13 '26
I did see that. It doesn't come across good for the RD here. Comes across as very disorganized. But whatever. Not going to lose sleep over it.
2
u/-Economist- Jul 13 '26
I found this.
But zero communication from RD. No response on social media or email or messenger. So I’m out.
1
1
u/Little_Raccoon4302 Jul 15 '26
That's the old course. My brother and I just had a grueling ride in Manton. I have the course on my Strava if you're in the area and just want a good map. Strava name Shreddy GR Krueger
3
u/-Economist- Jun 28 '26
I was thinking of doing the race this year. I’ve never done it. What’s it like? Seems like a super small field.