A Crusher’s first experience.

Doug Glen

Like a lot of people in mid 2020 I got back into cycling. I was out for 10 years. I started training for a bike race that a friend talked me into signing up with him. Things were going well, until they weren’t. As we all know, life came to a halt. Just about everything bike related was canceled. Except the Crusher was still going to run, but changed up the format to EX. After reading through all the warnings about self-supported, have an extraction plan, and dial 911 because no one is coming for you, we thought this sounds like a bad idea and immediately signed up. Out on course of the Crusher 40 things were going well. Within 4 miles we were off course trying to find a checkpoint. We got help from some friendly crushers when they told us we were not even close and to follow them. I’d like to say it got better after that, but sadly it did not. After a lot of sand, mud, rocks, and climbing we were nearing the second and final checkpoint. We again were having trouble finding the checkpoint. Along came another Crusher who was clearly going for a fast time. He said to follow him to the checkpoint. I was in no shape to keep up with him, but my buddy was. After a few minutes they were both out of sight. I kept riding thinking I would see someone shortly. After a while I was out of water and food. My legs were cramping, and I had to push my bike up some(most) of the hills. What ended up being 3 ish miles later, the other rider came up behind me yelling “turn your phone on, your buddy is back at the checkpoint”. They ended up going off course and I rode past them. At that point I knew I failed. I mentally had quit, so I texted my friend to meet back at the truck. That was a decision I regretted later that night. I didn’t like the feeling of leaving it unfinished. I could have turned around and got that check point, but 6 miles seemed to be insurmountable in that moment. I was wrong, I took the easy way out. I said to my friend “I need to finish that ride the right way”. We then made plans to come back. We rode the Crusher 40 ex two more times that year, and finished it both times. Finish what you start. Those 6 miles taught me a lesson. You can always do more than you think you can. Since this ride I was able to finish the long Polar Roll EX, Crusher P2P, Polar Roll SnowFlake Challenge, and I will be making a second attempt at Marji in the fall.

It’s all about community.

906 Adventure Team is a 501c3 Non-Profit based in Marquette, Michigan. Since 2014 we have been creating outdoor adventure experiences for youth through Adventure Bike Club and events like Polar Roll, The Crusher, and Marji Gesick. Our take on life is pretty simple – it’s an adventure. In life (and adventure) stuff doesn’t always go to plan. Things go wrong. Bad things happen to good people and you don’t overcome it by complaining or pointing fingers. The truth is adversity brings out the best of us – by taking us down unknown paths to find it. 

 

906 Adventure Team uses revenue from the events to support trail organizations and create more youth Adventure Teams. 

 

The Marji Gesick will donate $27,000 to local trails this year, bringing total trail donations since 2015 to $216,000. 

 

In 2022, with the help of corporate partners, we invested $40,000 in youth programs for three new Adventure Team communities. Resilience, confidence, community, and a sense of belonging have never been more important than it is for kids today. Adventure Teams help them “find their people”, the way you feel like you’ve found yours at Marji. 

 

We want you to know when you support 906 Adventure Team and the events you’re making life better here in Marquette County and in communities across the Midwest.