2006 Avita Water “Black Bear” Bicycle Event Rules

 

1.      Safety is central to the success of this event.  Do nothing that places yourself or other riders in danger.

 

2.      Follow all traffic laws.  The Black Bear route only has one stop light and less than a dozen stop signs over 100 miles.  Stop at all crossings unless directed otherwise.

 

3.      Ride only two abreast unless passing.  Use the shoulders as much as possible.  There are more and more older drivers every year ( you will be one some day) make sure you are seen.

 

4.      Do not impede vehicle traffic. Canoe race fans and canoe team feaders will be following the course of the event. Canoe racers depend on their feeding crew for supplies and serve as the canoe teams safety net.

 

5.   No Passing over Yellow Lines.

 

6.   No feeding from vehicles. This is not fair to all riders, and it impedes normal traffic. All rider feeding must be from stationary locations.

 

7.   No shadowing riders with your vehicles. This also impedes traffic and creates a safety issue.

 

8.   The best way to be seen is to wave at people you meet.  All of the locals in Northern Michigan wave at each other.  When you wave they wave back and think their neighbor took up bicycling, not sure which one.

 

9.   If you get tired let us give you a ride.  No need hurting yourself.

 

10. If you have an accident, tumble or fall please let us know.  We would like to know about these sooner instead of later.

 

11. We will be having flag personnel at all corners and some markers along the way.

 

 

12. Stay away from bears.  Bears now associate people with bicycles and have learned it can be a quick way to acquire a titanium framed road bike to replace their old mountain. Don’t fall for their tricks.

 

13. All of the individuals working the event are volunteers. Several  communities have stepped forward to provide water and snack stations. Please tell them thanks and treat them well.  Take the time to perform random acts of kindness.

 

14. Pair up with another rider and split the mileage by riding the McKinley Class if you are not sure of being able to ride a whole centry. Better yet, bring two riders for the McKinley Class and they can get your vehicle to Oscoda so you will not have to take the shuttle back to Grayling for your car. Woo Hoo.

 

15.  Have fun – if you don’t – who will.

 

IMPORTANT – IMPORTANT- IMPORTANT –YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE

 

      We need your assistance in allowing fans and feeders to get down stream.  Canoe teams depend on feeder crews to hopscotch ahead with food and liquids that are needed when paddling a 14-18 hour event.  Frequent re-supply is critical later in the event as that fatigue manifests itself and feeders also serve as a safety check for the well being of the paddler’s.  In 2003 one of the paddler’s was medevaced off the river and hospitalized for several days.  The safety net for this team was their feeders and we as fellow travelers in the corridor need to ensure they can pass our event in a timely manner. No feeding of riders from moving vehicles will be allowed this year.  This holds up traffic and is not fair to all riders and created a safety hazard last year for oncoming traffic. We have five feeding stations along the route.  If you require feeding other than what you can carry your feeders must re-supply you from stationary locations. Your feeders can hopscotch ahead the same as the feeders for paddler’s.  Use places that lend themselves to easy hand offs (hills).  State law says riding can be no more than two abreast.  No one cares about this if traffic is not being held up.  Please let traffic pass in a timely manner.  That traffic contains feeders for paddler’s and riders alike.  Lets take care of each other. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.  Note Rule 1.