Tour Da Yoop Eh passing through this week

The 2021 edition of the Tour Da Yoop Eh bike race is off and riding. The 10-day circuit totals around 1,200 miles, but there are options to compete in only sections of the race. The Copper Country’s portion of the event begins Tuesday.

Section Four will bring riders from Ironwood through Ontonagon, and then up M-26 to Houghton. The 137-mile stretch is rated moderately difficult with the Porkies featuring the toughest hills, while riders end with the steep descent down toward Portage Canal.

Wednesday is the Copper Harbor Loop. It is the easiest of the three days in the area. Riders head up the western side of the Keweenaw via M-203 towards Calumet, and then fan out onto M-26 through Eagle Harbor. They return via the Lac La Belle-Gay Road and down the Traprock Valley.

Section Six is Thursday, Houghton to Marquette. The 114-mile route is rated the third most difficult of the entire race. The website cites the “immediate super tough climb out of Houghton” and a “10 mile climb after L’Anse, crest[ing] just west of Eagle Mine” as being the hardest portions of the route.