The Copper Harbor Big Boy Clinic begins at 10:00 AM on June 5, 2026, giving you time to arrive the evening before if you're traveling from out of state. Located at 64 Gratiot Street in Copper Harbor, Michigan, this clinic costs $440 to enter. As a clinic rather than a competitive race, it's structured for instruction and skill development rather than racing against competitors. Plan your travel logistics accordingly, factoring in the remote location of Copper Harbor and allowing buffer time for the morning start.
From the Race Organizer
Welcome to the 2026 Copper Harbor Big Boy Clinic! Please note: The information below is preliminary and based on last year’s clinic. This page will be updated as more details come together for 2026. Keep an eye out on our website and socials for updates throughout the winter as we pin down the exact details and open registration! - Registration for Big Boy 2026 will open February 2, 2026 at 7 PM - Picture this: tearing down the trails with a crew of fellow riders, exchanging high-fives, and pushing each other to conquer new obstacles. Whether you're a seasoned shredder or just starting your mountain bike journey, the Copper Harbor Big Boy Clinic is designed to meet you right where you are and help you reach new heights. If you identify as a man and love hitting the trails on your mountain bike, this clinic is the perfect fit for you! Gear up for an unforgettable weekend of growth and adventure, and get ready to soak up knowledge from the best coaches around. The clinic is anticipated to begin the morning of Friday, June 5th, and finish the afternoon of Sunday, June 7th, 2026. Each day will include a combination of drills and skill-building sessions, trail riding to reinforce those drills, and free ride time with the coaches in a more relaxed, free-form atmosphere. Riders will be grouped in clusters of approximately 7–9 participants with at least two coaches per group (one head coach and one assistant). Coaches will rotate through groups throughout the weekend so you get a variety of perspectives and teaching styles. On Sunday, you’ll have the opportunity to choose which coach you ride with for more focused training in a variety of areas—from jumps and drops to climbing and more. We’ll also have clinic photographers on site, so dress to impress—you never know when your image might be chosen for a billboard, poster, or even this page’s cover shot! Cost Estimated cost for the clinic is $440. This includes 2.5 days of instruction with some of the best coaches in the business, lunches and snacks each day, coffee and breakfast bakery one morning, bonus evening hangouts with coaches, swag, and limited shuttles at East Bluff on Saturday. A portion of the proceeds supports the Copper Harbor Trails, helping make our ride center even better for your next visit. Lodging Our lodging sponsor is the Bella Vista Motel . Please book your stay there and let them know you are part of the clinic to receive spring season rates. Bella Vista will also donate $15 per room night booked by clinic participants. Staying there is a great way to support the Copper Harbor Trails Club! Other great lodging options can be found here. Bike Gear You’ll need a bike capable of handling singletrack mountain bike trails and a helmet. Pads are never a bad idea, but they are not required. If you’re deciding on pedals, flat pedals are recommended, as they help advance skills faster than clipless (and make repeated sessioning quicker and easier). Full-suspension bikes will be more comfortable, but if all you have is a hardtail, don’t feel like you need to upgrade to participate. Any bike from the past several years with front suspension will be more than sufficient. One of the most important upgrades you can make is a dropper post—it significantly improves downhill transitions, stability, and overall comfort. At minimum, a quick-release adjustable seat post is required. Don’t be the guy who needs five minutes before every hill to adjust your seat—we will leave you behind. E-Bikes We welcome Class 1 e-bikes into the clinic! Whether you need an e-bike to get around or just want to save your legs some strain, feel free to bring one. Depending on the number and skill level of e-bike participants, we may form dedicated e-bike groups. Otherwise, you may be placed in a mixed group and will need to ride at the group’s pace. All skill levels of e-bike riders are welcome—reach out if you have questions. Weather Watch the forecast and be prepared—we ride rain or shine. In 2018, the weekend ended with the historic Father’s Day flood that dropped 5–7 inches of rain across the Keweenaw in just hours. The trails were very wet, but we rode on. Our trails are sustainably built on rock and never close. Refund Policy If you must back out of the clinic, a flat $50 processing fee will apply. Refunds will be issued as follows: 100% of the remaining balance if 45 or more days before the clinic 70% of the remaining balance if between 45 and 30 days before the clinic 50% of the remaining balance if between 30 and 15 days before the clinic No refunds within 14 days of the clinic Transfers to friends or family members are free—provide a replacement and receive a full refund. Questions? Registration and clinic questions can be sent to info@copperharbortrails.org
