It has come to the attention of both participants and spectators of Michigan’s largest mass start, point-to-point mountain bike race - the Ore to Shore - that women placing sixth to twentieth are paid nothing, while their male counterparts receive payments from $175 to $25. 

Mountain biking is such a dynamic sport. It requires skill, stamina and constant adaptation. A few examples of the adaptation needed to mountain bike include adapting to changing trail conditions, weather, and even mental mindset during events, especially endurance events like the Ore to Shore. 

Our world is constantly adapting and changing - striving to be better than it was previously. We, the undersigned, have noticed the inequity in the payout amounts for women participating in your event, and believe this is a wonderful opportunity for your event to adapt and offer identical payment amounts for women placing sixth through twentieth in the Hard Rock event beginning immediately with your impending event on August 13, 2022.

While we all can understand the immense pressure of planning an event as large as the Ore to Shore, we also acknowledge how small the amount of funding it will take to make this event equal for women. At the current rate for entry ($90 as of 8/1/2022) only twelve people signing up in the next two weeks could cover the amount needed to pay your women competitors fairly.

2022 marked an incredible year for advancements in women's cycling both globally and locally - The Tour de France Femmes returned this year after a thirty year hiatus and here at Marquette Trails Fest more women competed in both the dual slalom events and the enduro than ever. The Ore to Shore has an incredible legacy of being Michigan’s largest mass start, point-to-point race, we look forward to watching the Ore to Shore become even more renowned by making the changes to pay its female participants fairly starting with this event.