This year, the Color Tour is on Saturday, 09/26/2026. Register for the event using this link: 52nd Annual Color Tour.

51st Annual Copper Country Color Tour Poster

The new poster will be present once it is finished!

52nd annual information: September 26th, 2026 | 8:00am R.L. Smith Building (MEEM) | 6:45-7:45 Check-in

THE DIRTY DIETER [deet – er]

(80 miles / 130k)

50 miles of gravel, 30 miles of road

Yep, there is a gravel section of the Color Tour. This route will not be easy, but you don’t do this because it’s easy. Expect plenty of aggressive gravel riding, along with some kinder gravel roads and a bit of pavement. The route will take you on ATV trails with difficult terrain including some muddy and rocky sections. Oh yeah, and the apex of the Dirty Dieter is a climb up the cliffs on Cliff Drive.

Bring your gravel bike for this ride, but it could also be done on a mountain bike. The Strava route is posted below so you can assess it for yourself. Keep in mind this is less supported than other routes; You’ll have your one-and-only aid station in Gay.

See the pictures below of what to expect for the Dirty Dieter. Oh yeah, there’s one section of sand in the route; we’ve created a Strava segment of this called “Sandy Send”; good luck!

Information

The Copper Country Color Tour is an annual scenic ride hosted by Michigan Tech’s Copper Country Cycling Club (C4). Enjoy riding along the pristine shores of Lake Superior and through colorful forests.

The event is on Saturday, September 26th. Check-in will be from 6:45-7:45am outside of the R.L. Smith Building (MEEM) on the Michigan Tech campus.

The rollout through downtown Houghton is at 8am.

Routes

Routes are available for a variety of experience levels. 60K route goes Calumet, 115K route goes to Gay and Allouez, with the 210K route going all the way to Copper Harbor. The routes will not be marked with orange arrows this year like previous years, but we will have printed maps available at the Check-in morning of. Make sure you have a general idea of the route!

With up to five separate food stops, you will be properly nourished throughout most of your ride.

The riders going to Copper Harbor will be greeted with pasties at Keweenaw Adventure Company, courtesy of Roy’s Pasties and Bakery.

Click the links below for the Strava routes for each ride: