$1 Per Rider
Melting Mann Dirt Road Bike Challenge
Sat. March 21, 2020
Details
The 7th Annual Melting Mann Dirt Road Bike Challenge will be SATURDAY, March 21st, 2020.
About the 7th Annual Melting Mann…..
Melting Mann is a Dirt Road Challenge for Mountain Bike, Fat Bike and/or Cycle Cross Bikes of all skill levels. First time racers and experts welcome! You’ll race throughout Newberg, Penn, and Marcellus Townships in Cass County Michigan. The Melting Mann event is named after one of the most challenging sections of the route, MANN Road. MANN Road has been known to turn bikers into hikers! Also accessed via MANN Road, but buried deep in the woods of Michigan’s State land, is Mount Misery, one the highest natural geographical points in Southwest Michigan.
You may choose from a 24 mile, 35 mile, or the new 60 mile route. Come discover what many serious and successful bikers use as their training terrain!
Date & Times
Saturday, March 21st, 2020
Start times:
9:00 a.m. 60 Mile Race
10:00 a.m. 24 & 35 Mile Races
Waves for all three distances will be designated and announced as race day approaches. You must start in the correct wave.
Distances
24 Mile Route
Melting Mann 24 Mile Route Map
Melting Mann 24 Mile Connect Garmin Map
35 Mile Route
Melting Mann 35 Mile Route Map
Melting Mann 35 Mile Connect Garmin Map
60 Mile Route (There may be slight changes to course closer to race date)
Melting Mann 60 Mile Route Map
Melting Mann 60 Mile Connect Garmin Map
Melting Mann 60 Mile Strava File
Location
18035 W. State Street
Vandalia, MI 49095
Fees*
*A portion of every race fee is donated to NIMBA (Northern Indiana Mountain Bike Association), SWMMBA (Southwest Michigan Mountain Bike Association) and LMB (League of Michigan Bicyclers). Thank you to them and all organizations that support our biking industry and passion. Since our first event in 2014, Heart Smart Events has donated over $10,000 to our local biking community.
ONLINE REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE AT 5PM ON THURSDAY, MARCH 19th, 2020.
REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE RACE DAY ONLY IF WE HAVE NOT EXCEEDED 1,000 PARTICIPANTS.
- $50 through March 10th, 2020, $65 after March 10th, 2020 and day of race. *
- Fee Includes a T-Shirt in sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL. SAVE $5 by opting out of our Event T. Only those who register by March 10th will be guranteed a T-Shirt.
- Juniors, Age 18 and under, receive $10 off their registration fee.
- Tandem Division $70 through March 10th, 2020, $85 after March 10th, 2020 and day of race.*
- Registration is limited to 1000 participants.
- *Prices and registration deadlines may change.
Divisions
- 24 Mile: Male and Female (0-19), (20-29), (30-39), (40-49), (50-59), (60 and Over). Male and Female Fat Tire.
- 35 Mile: Male and Female (0-29), (30-39), (40-49), (50-59), (60 and Over), Male and Female Fat Tire, Co-ed Single Speed, and Tandem.
- 60 Mile: Open Class Race / Podium Pay Out & Prize Structure TBD.
Early Packet Pick-up and Registration
Early packet pick-up will be held on Friday, March 20th from 5:00pm-8:00pm., at the “Melting Mann Registration Head Quarters” in the Vandalia Village Office/Youth Center, 18035 W. State St., (M-60) Vandalia, Michigan 49095. REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ON-SITE FRIDAY, MARCH 20th, DURING PACKET PICK-UP FROM 5:00PM-8:00PM AND ON RACE DAY IF WE HAVE NOT EXCEEDED 1,000 PARTICIPANTS.
Course
Featuring 90% gravel roads, the 24 mile loop has over 1,000 vertical feet of ascent and the 35 mile loop has over 1,500 feet of vertical ascent.
The new 60 mile loop offers just over 75% gravel with over 3,500 vertical feet of ascent.
The course is an open road race course with vehicle traffic. You must follow the Michigan Vehicle Code and wear a ANSI/Snell approved bicycle helmet. RIDE SAFE and have tons of fun! E-Bikes are not allowed. For the safety of all racers, we will not allow AERO BARS which follows the USA Cycling Rules.
Awards
24 Mile Race placements receive medals through 3rd place.
35 Mile Race placements receive medals and gift card prizes through 3rd place.
Additionally, the fastest male and fastest female on the 35 mile route will each receive a $250 cash prize and be deemed the 2020 Melting Mann and Melting WoMann.
Each Division in 60 Mile Race will receive medals through 3rd place. The cash pay out structure for each gender is based on a minimum participation level of 65 racers. 1st Place $500 / 2nd Place $400 / 3rd Place $300 / 4th Place $200 / 5th Place $100. (If the participation levels are not met in either gender, the pay out will be based on a percentage of the revenue generated.)
2019 Melting Mann total prizes amounted to over $7000.00. We expect to surpass that amount for our 2020, 7th Annual Melting Mann.
Timing & Results
Timing and results will be provided by Macs Sport Timing. We will be using Chrono Track Systems, featuring the disposable B-tag that remains attached to the race number.
Results will be posted continuously during the race for review, with results posted here after the completion of the event.
The Melting Mann Dirt Road Challenge will be photographed by Rob Meendering Photography. Music will be provided by South Bend Premiere Wedding and Event DJ.
Melting Mann Custom Merchandise
Melting Mann custom merchandise may be purchased during the online registration process or purchased separately. We offer short and long sleeve jerseys, hoodies, mugs, beanies, growlers, buffs, insulated thermal mugs, hats and T-shirts for purchase. Some items have purchase deadlines, so order early to get your custom Melting Mann Merchandise! All merchandise* will be available for pick-up at the event. *Jersey’s ordered after February 20th, will require participant to be responsible for pick up arrangements or shipping expenses.
Local Accommodations
Melting Mann encourages participants to take advantage of early packet pick-up held from 5pm-8pm on Friday, March 20th. We will treat you right on race day but treat yourself the night before by arriving to the area Friday night. Plan for dinner at Jaywalker Restaurant in White Pigeon, The Rock in Marcellus, Yesterday’s of Granger, Indiana or Frankies and Roosters Wing Shack in Three Rivers. We encourage you to stay with T & R Inn Between the Lakes, a local Country Inn that caters to active people.
Volunteers
Each year over 100 Melting Mann Volunteers make it happen! Would you like to join us? Volunteer for Melting Mann
Adverse Weather Policy
Heart Smart Events, LLC reserves the right to delay or cancel the start of MELTING MANN in the event of inclement weather and/or unsafe road conditions. The definition of inclement weather and unsafe road conditions belongs solely to the discretion of the Heart Smart Events, LLC, Race Directors. Sorry no refunds)
Michigan Gravel Race Series
Melting Mann is one of the first races in the Michigan Gravel Race Series. Learn more about the series at www.michigangravelraceseries.com.
