Copper Harbor Trails Club’s endurance challenge is back for its second year. Participants spin a wheel which decides what trail they will take on. (Photo courtesy of the Copper Harbor Trails Club)

COPPER HARBOR — Copper Harbor Trails Club’s endurance challenge is back for another round. The All You Can East Bluffet takes place on August 1. There are many ways riders can get involved this year, including a kids’ competition. 

Outreach and Engagement Coordinator Emily Ruonavaara said the Bluffet race has components of luck and randomness — making it engaging for racers. 

“What makes this race super fun and special is that you don’t get to decide what trail you take,” she said. “Racers spin a wheel and each little section of the wheel has a different tail name on it.”

The wheel is situated on top of the East Bluff, with a two-mile ascent to mark the start of the challenge. After the wheel decides racers’ fates, they will make their way through trails for the 6-hour intermediate/expert and 12-hour intermediate/expert race categories. Ruonavaara said the race is both for fun and for glory. 

“Last year’s winner — the 12-hour — did 84 miles on his bike,” she said. “It’s as fun as you want it to be.”

The kids’ race is a 1.5-hour affair. Kids aged 5-12 can be accompanied by their parents or ride solo through the trails. 

“Parents can join in with their kids on this one,” she said. “Or, if you have, more of like a 10-year old who’s just been riding their bike for five years now that wants to take it more serious, they can go up too.”

The Bluffet is one of the last big events Copper Harbor Trails is throwing this summer. Another event to look out for is on Labor Day weekend. The 33rd annual Copper Harbor Trails Fest will be on September 4-6. Ruonavaara said she is happy the Bluffet race is getting more and more interest, especially because of its unique style. 

“We definitely want to continue to grow this race,” she said. “And to highlight it as a big endurance race, because I think that’s what a lot of riders are looking for in the area.”

Registration for the race can be found at copperharbortrails.org/bluffet.