If you are looking for a race that really tests your lungs and your technical flow, the Fort Custer Stampede is one of those events you just can't skip. Every year, mountain bikers from all over Michigan and the surrounding states descend on Augusta to see who has the best legs and the sharpest handling skills. It's one of those races that manages to feel both like a high-stakes competition and a massive family reunion in the woods.
I've spent a lot of time riding at Fort Custer, and there is something uniquely "Michigan" about the way this place rides. It's not about massive mountain descents—we don't have those here—but rather about the relentless, punchy climbs and the kind of flow that makes you feel like you're on a roller coaster. The Stampede captures that energy perfectly. Whether you're a seasoned pro or someone just trying to survive your first XC race, there's a specific vibe at this event that keeps people coming back year after year.
What makes this race different?
Most people who haven't ridden in Southwest Michigan assume the terrain is flat. They couldn't be more wrong. The Fort Custer Stampede takes place on land that used to be a military training ground, and the topography reflects that history. The trails are carved into ridges, valleys, and old trenches that provide a constant up-and-down rhythm.
One of the things that sets this race apart is the sheer variety of terrain. You'll be hammering through a wide-open field one minute, and the next, you're plunged into a tight, canopy-covered singletrack where the trees feel just a little too close for comfort. It's a physical race, for sure, but it's also a mental one. You have to stay focused because the trail changes character constantly.
Then there's the dirt. Fort Custer is famous for its sandy patches. Depending on how much rain we've had leading up to race day, the "Stampede" can either be a fast, hero-dirt speedway or a grueling slog through "sugar sand" that threatens to wash out your front tire at every turn. Learning how to navigate those sandy corners without losing all your momentum is probably the biggest secret to a good lap time.
Tackling the Trenches
You can't talk about the Fort Custer Stampede without mentioning The Trenches. For a lot of riders, this is the highlight (or the nightmare) of the course. It's exactly what it sounds like—deep, narrow gullies where the trail snakes along the bottom and sides.
When you're racing through them, it's all about commitment. You have to keep your eyes way up the trail and trust your tires. If you hesitate in the middle of a transition, you're going to lose your speed, and at Fort Custer, momentum is everything. There's a specific rhythm to the Trenches that feels amazing when you nail it. It's almost musical. But if you get out of sync, you'll find yourself grinding up short, steep hills in the wrong gear, watching your heart rate spike into the red zone.
The atmosphere on race day
Honestly, the "stampede" part of the name is pretty literal when it comes to the start. Watching a huge pack of riders blast off from the starting line is a sight to behold. There's a lot of adrenaline, a fair amount of dust, and a whole lot of heavy breathing. It's intense, but once the pack thins out and everyone settles into their rhythm on the singletrack, the race takes on a different feel.
The community aspect of this race is really what makes it special. You'll see kids as young as six or seven out there doing the youth loops, and you'll see riders in their 70s who can still kick your butt on the climbs. The Michigan Scholastic Cycling Association (MiSCA) often has a presence, and seeing the next generation of racers getting stoked on the sport is honestly one of the best parts of the weekend.
People bring cowbells, they set up lawn chairs near the technical sections, and they cheer for everyone—not just the leaders. It's a supportive environment, even when you're suffering through that last mile and wondering why you signed up for this in the first place.
How to prepare your bike
If you're planning on lining up for the Fort Custer Stampede, you want to make sure your gear is dialed. This isn't a course where you need a massive long-travel enduro bike. In fact, most people find that a fast-rolling cross-country rig—either a hardtail or a short-travel full suspension—is the way to go.
- Tires: This is a big one. Because of the sand, you don't want a totally slick tire, but you also don't want a heavy downhill tread. Something with a fast center and decent side knobs is the sweet spot.
- Pressure: I always tell people to run their pressure a little lower than they think they need. You want that extra footprint for the sandy sections and the rooty bits. Just don't go so low that you're hitting your rims on the occasional rock.
- Gearing: Make sure your shifting is crisp. The climbs at Fort Custer are short but steep. You'll be shifting constantly to maintain your cadence. If your derailleur is jumping, it's going to drive you crazy about three miles in.
Strategy for the course
A lot of people blow their engines in the first ten minutes of the Fort Custer Stampede. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of the mass start and go way too hard. My advice? Be patient.
The course is designed in a way that allows for passing in certain spots, but there are long stretches of tight singletrack where you're basically stuck in a line. If you burn all your matches trying to get ahead in the first mile, you won't have anything left for the second half of the lap where the technical features really start to add up.
Focus on your breathing and try to find a "flow state." If you're fighting the bike, you're wasting energy. Let the bike move under you through the root sections and use the downhills to recover. It's a game of efficiency. The person who wins isn't always the one who can push the most watts; it's the one who can maintain their speed through the corners.
Why we keep coming back
At the end of the day, the Fort Custer Stampede is a celebration of the Michigan mountain bike scene. There's something so satisfying about finishing a hard race, grabbing a cold drink, and sitting in the grass with your friends to talk about the "close calls" you had in the Trenches.
The park itself is beautiful, too. Even if you aren't racing, just being out there in the woods during the peak of the season is a treat. The trails are well-maintained by the Southwest Michigan Mountain Bike Association (SWMMBA), and you can really feel the love and hard work they put into the dirt.
If you've been on the fence about signing up, just do it. Whether you finish on the podium or finish dead last, you're going to have a blast. There's just nothing quite like the feeling of the Fort Custer Stampede—the dust, the sweat, the cheers, and that incredible feeling of accomplishment when you finally cross the finish line.
Just remember: watch out for the sand in the corners, keep your head up in the Trenches, and don't forget to have a little fun out there. See you at the start line!