COVID-19 UPDATE

*** April 19, 2021 ***
To all MSB riders and supporters:

As you know, we have been patiently working with the state of Michigan on having the full 1,000 rider race on May 1. This is not happening because of current state restrictions limiting us to 300 people total in the state forest.
 
WHAT THIS MEANS:
1. If you signed up to race on May 1, 2021, you are now entered in what we are calling the MSB Classic on October 9, 2021.

2. There is nothing further you need to do, but if you want to check your status, click here.
 
HOWEVER…….
Since state regulations are allowing 300 riders, we have decided to launch a brand-new pop up race called MSB 300. This new race is 22 miles and will feature a course that is fast and furious ... perfect for spring riding. We expect a quick sell-out!  Registration will open at 8:00pm on 4/20/21 HERE



Here are the details:

1. This is a brand-new race. It is intended to raise money for the non-profit Mt. Holiday Ski Area, which suffered financially this year.

2. Sorry, you cannot switch your MSB Classic October 9 spot to MSB 300. They are separate races. The intent is to raise money for Mt. Holiday.

3. The MSB 300 is 22 miles only. There will be first responders on the course in case of rider injury, but no water/aid stations. Carry your own supplies.

4. Amenities for MSB 300 include the traditional mud pit finish, Short’s Beer and on-site post-race food for purchase. Plus, John Kerkhof on the mic! 

5. COVID protocol will be followed with hand sanitizer stations, masks and distancing at the start and post-race masks/distancing. 
 
Registration will open at 8:00pm on 4/20/21 HERE

Be well and ride on.

Team MSB
 
*** March 22, 2021 UPDATE ***
 
To all MSB riders and supporters:

As of today, the state of Michigan's COVID order will only allow 300 participants on state forest land if these participants are associated with an event.
1. This order will expire on April 19th.
2. Our hope is that the cap on riders will be raised to 750 or more by April 20th.
3. If it is not raised to at least 750 riders by April 20, we will reschedule MSB to Oct. 9, 2021.

We are prepared and ready to run the full event if allowed. A final decision will be made no later than April 20.

We realize many of you come from out of town and will not be able to make a last-minute decision. Here are the options at this time:

1. Wait it out with us until April 20th.
2.  Elect now to defer your spot to Oct. 9, 2021 or May 7, 2022.
3. Donate your entry as a charitable contribution to the nonprofit 501c3 Mt. Holiday Inc.

In spite of multiple attempts across all known channels, we have not been given any access to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to discuss the rationale of allowing 1,000 people at Mt. Holiday but only 300 in the state forest. Not even the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which gives us the permit to use state land, can discuss this order with MDHHS!

We will update you as we learn more in the coming weeks.

Please let us know via email if you wish to defer or donate your entry at this time.

Here is a link to those currently registered RIDER ROSTER.

Thank you for your continued support, patience and understanding. 

Be well and ride on.

Team MSB
 
 
*** March 5, 2021 UPDATE ***
 
To all MSB riders and supporters:

As Yogi Berra said "It's deja vu all over again".

We are in full planning mode for the 11th running of MSB on May 1.  We believe the recent orders issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) allows us to stage the race with up to 1,000 attendees including riders, volunteers and spectators.

We are reaching out to State officials to hold a fun and safe event.  Our goal is to keep as many elements of the MSB "experience" as possible.  Ultimately the State of Michigan will determine what can be done.

We will update you as we learn more in the coming weeks.

Here is a link to those currently registered RIDER ROSTER.

October 9th has been reserved as our back up date should the application not be approved or circumstances change.

Thank you for your continued support, patience and understanding. 
 

 

*** February 1, 2021 UPDATE ***

To all MSB riders and supporters:

We have reserved October 9, 2021 for the 2021 MSB should we be unable to secure our race permit from the State of Michigan.  We would like to hold the event in a safe environment while maintaining the spirit and size of the post race festivities.

 

*** July 18, 2020 UPDATE ***

To all MSB riders and supporters:

After diligent pursuit of every possible way to have a safe bike race on Saturday, August 15 at Mt. Holiday, we have come to a dead end and must cancel the race.

The state of Michigan has denied a permit to hold the race with more than 250 total people, including volunteers.

This permit would only be for one full day, meaning we would have to have four separate races of less than 250 riders on four separate days.

This model is not sustainable for our event, nor does it represent the quality and spirit of the MSB experience.

This is an enormous financial blow to Mt. Holiday Ski Area, the non-profit for which this race was designed 11 years ago.

We have explored all possible safe options, including most recently a time-trial style event stretching the race out to keep the numbers safe. The state’s message to us is clear: Any event which violates the 250-person limit would put all future MSB races in jeopardy.

ALL CURRENT REGISTRANTS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY DEFERRED TO NEXT YEAR’S RACE ON MAY 1, 2021. If you are able, please consider donating your tax-deductible registration to Mt. Holiday, a 501(c)3 which has suffered a poor winter weather cycle and a slow summer schedule due to COVID.

You may also remain deferred to 2021 (no action needed) AND donate HERE!  Mt. Holiday is relying on proceeds from our race to make badly needed repairs to equipment.

For those of you who preordered merchandise, it can be:

  • Picked up at Mt. Holiday during their normal hours of operations
  • Mailed upon receipt of $10 for shipping (via PayPal here or check mailed to Mt. Holiday at 3100 Holiday Rd., Traverse City, MI 49686)
  • Stored at Mt. Holiday until MSB 2021
Thank you for your continued support, patience and understanding. 

Be well and ride on.

Team MSB

 

 

*** July 9, 2020 UPDATE ***

Like many of you, we have been watching the effects of COVID-19 on events in Michigan. After consulting with regional health officials and aligning with USA Cycling recommendations and State of Michigan Executive Order 2020-115, this is the plan for Sat., August 15, the 11th MSB fundraiser for Mt. Holiday:

 

The race will be a modified time trial with three riders launching every 10 seconds from their designated wave. All waiting riders will be masked and socially distanced until they are at the start line. Three waves will be spread out over during the day to minimize grouping and maximize social distancing.

 

There will be no:

  • Water stations on the course (except for emergency medical care)
  • Awards
  • Water-filled mud pit
  • Root Beer/Ginger Ale kids’ races
  • Beer tent and on-property alcohol consumption
  • Food trucks or any food
  • Results board
  • Spectators

 

There will be:

  • Mandatory masks worn in the rider lineup (can be removed at start line)
  • Drive up packet pick up at Mt. Holiday, 3100 Holiday Rd on Friday, August 14 from 4pm-7pm
  • Fox Lot parking on Saturday (for those who have a vehicle purchased from Fox Motors, print this PDF for your dash)
  • Coast Guard flyover
  • National Anthem
  • Legendary announcer John Kerkhof on the mic
  • Packaged Short’s Brewing Company beverages for carry-out
  • Merchandise sales and rider pint glass SWAG
  • Virtual alternative ride for registered riders

 

Riders will be required to:

  • Sign and turn in a special COVID waiver in exchange for their number plate
  • Respect lineup mask-wearing and social distancing
  • Avoid drafting/slip-streaming on course
  • Depart property promptly after completing ride

 

For all of us, 2020 has been a year of change. One thing that hasn’t is our love for Mt. Holiday and for mountain biking. On August 15, it is our belief that our community can safely experience both. Should things change on the state level, we will communicate immediately to riders.

 

Until then,

Team MSB

 

*** June 4, 2020 UPDATE ***

MSB is still a GO on August 15, 2020.

As of now, only groups of 100 can gather outside with social distancing in Michigan, but this may change.

With that in mind, we will wait until mid-July to make a final decision. We can only wait and see ... and hope.

If the race is cancelled, all registrants will automatically be transferred to MSB 2021.

If we are allowed to hold the race and a rider does not feel safe, they may transfer their spot to another rider with no transfer fee or elect to move their registration to 2021.

MERCHANDISE
If you pre-ordered merchandise, it may be picked up at Mt. Holiday, 3100 Holiday Road in Traverse City from 5-8 pm each Friday beginning June 12. The T-bar will also be open at that time. If you would like to have your order mailed to you, please send $10 to Mt. Holiday or pay via PayPal here.

Questions and comments can be made via our contact form on the site.

Thank you for your understanding, flexibility and positive attitudes.  We hope to see you all in August.

All our best,

Team MSB

 

*** March 16, 2020 UPDATE ***

 

Amid the current progression of the COVID-19 virus and directives from the CDC, the MSB Team and its race sponsors have agreed to move this year’s event from Saturday May 2, 2020 to Saturday August 15, 2020.

Nothing more than the date has changed and you can expect nothing less than the incredible experience you’ve come to love. 

Current registrants will continue to receive updates as we move toward our new date and we hope that this change will be in alignment with your summer plans.  

We are working through different options for those that cannot make the race that include options for transfers/refunds/credits that will be fair and equitable for everyone.

Questions and comments can be made via our contact form on the site which you can connect to here:

http://www.mudsweatandbeers.com/177/contact-us

Thank you for your understanding, flexibility and positive attitudes to continue to make Mud, Sweat and Beers the most unique race in the state!

We would also like to thank our event and race sponsors including Short’s Brewing, Fox Motors and McLain Cycle and Fitness.

We will be following up with more information soon. Do your part to flatten the curve and we’ll all get through this together.

All our best,

Team MSB