The Marji Gesick is one of the most notorious mountain bike races in the country. This 100-mile challenge in Marquette, Michigan is known for brutal climbs, rugged singletrack, and unpredictable Upper Peninsula weather. It is the kind of mountain biking event that tests every part of your fitness, mindset, and grit.
This year the race delivered the full Marji experience with rain, mud, and nonstop technical terrain. I went out a little too hard early on, burned more matches than I planned, and found myself deep in the pain cave halfway through the course. That was when I made a key switch and traded my race jersey for my Club Ride Apparel party shirt. (aka the Motive)
The change was more than fresh gear. It became a reset in attitude. Wearing the party shirt reminded me why I love mountain biking in the first place. It helped me embrace the grind, laugh at the chaos, and find some joy in pushing through a brutally hard day on the bike.
What makes the Marji race so special isn't only the course but also the community around it. Volunteers, locals, and fellow riders show up year after year to cheer in every kind of weather. That support reminds you that doing hard things together is what the mountain biking community is all about.
I crossed the finish line soaked, covered in mud, exhausted, and smiling. It was proof that the hardest mountain bike races often become the most memorable. And it was a reminder that the right mindset and the right gear, like Club Ride Apparel, can help turn a tough day into an experience worth celebrating.
