How many carbs per hour should I take for Marji Gesick?

60–90 g/hr for most trained riders, biased toward liquid and gel because you can rarely chew safely in the technical sections. Riders chasing the buckle often push toward 90 g/hr with a gut-trained mix of glucose and fructose.

How much water should I drink per hour?

500–1000 ml/hr baseline, adjusted for temperature. On a 14+ hour day cumulative volume matters more than any single hour — set an alarm and sip on every doubletrack second.

How much sodium do I need?

400–1000 mg of sodium per liter of fluid, tuned to your sweat sodium concentration and confirmed in long training rides in similar conditions.

Should I use caffeine overnight?

Yes — held back from the start and used from around hour 6 onward. 100–200 mg every 3–4 hours is a common pattern for riders finishing through the night.

What should I eat before Marji Gesick?

1–4 g/kg carbohydrate 2–4 hours pre-start, from familiar low-fiber, low-fat foods such as oatmeal with honey, white toast with jam, or a small rice bowl.

How do I avoid bonking after hour 10?

Never let intake drop below your hourly target, even when the trail is rough. Front-load before rock gardens, keep a warm bottle in your drop bag for cold hours, and lean on caffeine + simple sugars in the last 3 hours.

How hard is Marji Gesick, really?

It is widely regarded as the hardest 100-mile mountain bike race in North America. Finisher rates often sit below 50%, and the sub-12-hour buckle is earned by a small fraction of starters each year.

What is a realistic finish time?

The winning men's time is typically 9–10 hours; the buckle cutoff is 12 hours; most amateur finishers ride 14–20 hours; the overall finish cutoff is 25 hours.

How much climbing is there?

Approximately 12,000 ft (3,650 m) over 100 miles, distributed across dozens of short, punchy, often unrideable climbs rather than a few long ascents.

What are the cutoffs?

12 hours for the finisher's belt buckle; 25 hours to be an official finisher. Intermediate cutoffs at key aid stations are published in the racer manual each year.

Where are the aid stations?

The 906 Adventure Team publishes the current aid map each year — typically 5–7 stations across the 100-mile course, with a mid-race drop-bag hub. Assume up to 3 hours between stops in the middle of the race.

Yes, crew access is allowed at designated aid stations only — the racer manual lists exactly where. Free-crewing on the course is prohibited and can lead to disqualification.

Are drop bags allowed?

Yes. Two drop-bag locations are typical. Pre-stage pre-mixed bottles, pre-counted calories and one warm layer per bag.

What bike should I ride?

A capable trail hardtail or short-travel full-suspension 29er is the standard choice. Downcountry bikes (~120 mm travel) with dropper posts are increasingly common.

What tire width and pressure?

2.35–2.5 in tires with reinforced casings and sealant. Pressures typically 18–24 psi front / 20–26 psi rear tuned to rider weight — under-pressure is the number-one cause of race-ending flats on the granite.

Do I need a dropper post?

Almost every finisher runs one. The technical descents and rock rolls reward being able to drop the saddle quickly.

What lights do I need?

A helmet light plus a bar light, each with enough battery for 6+ hours, plus a backup. Most finishers who chase 15–20 hour times ride 3–8 hours in the dark.

How do I train for Marji?

Prioritize long rides on technical terrain (not smooth gravel), hike-a-bike practice, back-to-back weekends of 5–8 hour rides, and full nutrition rehearsal at race carbohydrate targets.

How do I pace the first 3 hours?

Sit at endurance heart rate (Zone 2 / ≤ 70% FTP where applicable). Every rider who blows up on Marji went too hard in the first 30 miles.

What's the best pre-race sleep strategy?

Bank sleep across the week. Prioritize a good two-nights-before sleep — race-night nerves usually disrupt the last night.

How do I fuel when I can't take my hands off the bar?

Fuel before entering technical sections and immediately after exiting. A hydration hose with a bite valve removes the need to reach for bottles in singletrack.

What's the weather usually like?

Mid-to-late September in Marquette often means 35–45 °F (2–7 °C) starts, 60–75 °F (15–24 °C) afternoons, and 30–45 °F (−1 to 7 °C) nights. Rain is possible; sunny with a hard wind is common.

How do I earn a Marji buckle?

Finish the full 100-mile course inside the 12-hour cutoff without shortcuts or disqualifying penalties. Points-based, race-issued challenges are published each year in the racer manual.

Marji Gesick 100 Race-Day Checklist — Fueling, Kit & Execution

Marji Gesick race-day checklist

A minimal execution checklist. Every line should be rehearsed in training, not tried for the first time on race day.

Bottles pre-mixed with target carbohydrate and sodium concentration
Backup calories (gels or chews) equal to 30–50% of planned intake
Caffeine doses pre-portioned and timed
Drop bag / aid plan with bottle swaps written down
Pre-race breakfast rehearsed in training
Layering plan for start-line temperature
Sunscreen, chamois cream and any GI insurance (e.g., anti-nausea)
Post-race recovery calories staged at the finish

Packing list

Bike

Race bike (tuned within 2 weeks)
Dropper post checked
Spare chain + master link
Spare derailleur hanger
Fresh sealant

Nutrition

Pre-mixed bottles (labeled by aid)
Gels (pre-counted per aid)
Real food (rice cakes, waffles, small sandwiches)
Electrolyte tabs
Caffeine gels or chews

Hydration

101 fl oz hydration pack
1–2 insulated bottles
Bite-valve spare
Drink mix (weighed)

Clothing

Bib shorts + chamois cream
Two jerseys (start + drop bag)
Arm warmers
Wind vest
Long-finger gloves
Warm buff or beanie

Weather gear

Packable rain jacket
Insulated jacket in mid-race drop bag
Emergency space blanket

Lights & electronics

Bar light + helmet light
Backup helmet light
GPS head unit + charger
Battery pack + cable
Phone in waterproof bag

Tools & spares

2 tubes
Plugs + patches
CO2 x 2 + hand pump
Multi-tool + chain breaker
Small first-aid kit
Duct tape wrap on frame

Documents & logistics

Racer number + zip ties
Signed waiver
ID + credit card
Crew brief printout
Post-race clothes bag

Download the Printable Marji Gesick 100 Race Guide

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Frequently asked questions

Generic fueling plans don't work for Marji Gesick.

Every athlete is different. FTP, finish time, body weight, sweat rate, weather, nutrition preferences and race goals all change what you should eat and drink.

FuelQ Pro builds a personalized race fueling strategy tuned to your ride — carbohydrate, hydration, sodium, caffeine and recovery, mapped to the course.

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A Race Fueling Plan gives you a personalized strategy for this event. The free checklist helps you prepare the basics first: race-week setup, 48-hour prep, race morning, hydration, sodium, caffeine, aid stations, and backup calories.

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Marji Gesick 100 — Race-Day Checklist

Marji Gesick race-day checklist

Packing list