Crank the Shield 2026 – Back and bigger than ever – August 21-23, 2026
With a Brand New Stage 1 and even better singletrack!
3-DAYS OF RACING
A multi-day drive to/point to point stage race with food options, chip timing, awesome accommodations, medals and more!
BEAUTIFUL SCENERY
A cycling odyssey through stunning northern Ontario countryside! An incredible mix of trails through some of Ontario's most beautiful topography!
FINISHER PRIZES
Finisher medals, T-shirts, socks AND a custom Technical Long Sleeve Shirt for the first 50 registered riders!
VIP SPOTS AVAILABLE
Up to 70 VIP spots available with accommodations! Riders must contact Stokely Creek to book a bed! email info@stokelycreek.com or call (705)649-3421
ABOUT CRANK THE SHIELD
People travel from all across North America to be a part of those who hold the honour of Cranking The Shield. Crank participants describe the courses as the best they have ever ridden anywhere!
Crank the Shield offers a unique experience to riders from across North America. This is Eastern North America’s most challenging and popular mountain bike stage race that combines the option of amazing food over the duration of the event, cabin accommodations, baggage transport, event goodies, great aid stations and some of the best and most rewarding days you will experience on a bike. Riders will experience some of the best mountain biking Eastern Canada has to offer, as the City of Sault Ste. Marie has invested over 2 million dollars into the best trails in Ontario! AND – they are adding MORE!
A multi-day mountain bike adventure that some ride, some race, but all conquer!
3 UNIQUE DAYS OF RIDING
Some backcountry riding, epic climbs, and more singletrack than ever await riders for crank the shield: SSM 2024!
Stage 1
We've turned Stage 1 on it's head! After two years in a row of contending with re-opening over 15km of fresh singletrack, and dealing with rain saturating the newly opened trails, we're going back to the roots of CRANK:SSM! On a ride in July of 2025 from his Camp at Batchawana - Sean had an epiphany! The base of the Mile 38 road is just a 10 minute drive from Stokely Creek (Crank headquarters), and with the popularity of the ride/race format, we can easily meet for an awesome 28km Hill Climb challenge to the top of mighty Batchawana Mountain! An idea was born! A bawls to the wall race to the top! BBQ, music and party at the top of the mountain while we wait for the last rider - then an optional 3.5km Strava segmentde cent back down the tight ATV trail to the doubletrack! All riders will then ride back the same way, mostly down to their cars! If it's nice we can meet at Harmony beach for a swim on the way back to Stokely or your own accommodations! A perfect way to get the legs pumped for the amazing singletrack that awaits on Stages 2 and 3!
Stage 2
Our second stage is what was traditionally the third – the day starts with a now 13km neutral ride. Yes, we will have a new climb to the top of the famoush Bee Sting 2.5km Singletrack descent! This fun, technical trail is perhaps the longest singletrack descent in Ontario! After Bee Sting, 20km of mixed trail links riders with the newly created farmer lake trails, and a portion of the established singletrack cornucopia at Kinsmen Park! With all the new trail initiatives that have happened over the last two years, we have switched up the days to allow a full day of Singletrack BLISS on Stage 3!
Stage 3
Everyone, including the town of Sault Ste. Marie is super excited for our all new Stage 3! This will start, and finish at Kinsmen park, and feature over 75% amazing, world class hand and machine built singletrack over 55kms! Some trails may be reused from the prior day, but ridden in reverse, while the entire Red Pine section and many of the amazing, fast bermed trails will be featured for Stage 3! We are especially excited to include the NEW 2.5km trail, Mile High Club, in Superfly's humble opinion the best piece of Singletrack in Ontario! Finish off the event with the final Awards Ceremony, some great food and beer – but save some room for the famous Crank the Shield SSM after party - we may go back to the Bushplane Museum or find an equally amazing venue!
The Course (updated for 2026!)
Click the round icons to see images/info of stage sections!
Accommodations
Participants will enjoy the warm hospitality of northern ontario
Participants can break up their travel and book-end the race weekend on Thursday and Sunday night at the Holiday Inn Express Sault Ste Marie – or with the new ride/race only option, you can easily stay the entire weekend! Special rates are available for the race weekend! See the button below to book the Holiday Inn!
Riders that chose the full package can set up a tent or park their RV at the Stokley Creek Lodge for the event days – Friday and Saturday, or can choose to set up Thursday evening as registration will be at Stokely Creek. Stokley Creek is the the perfect basecamp for your race weekend! It’s also where up to 70 VIP riders will be staying in beds, for an additional fee (Package #3)
Stokely is located in the Algoma Highlands, just 20 minutes north of the Sault – or 40 minutes north of the U.S. border!
NOTE: Holiday Inn is our host hotel for the weekend. Click the link below for special race-weekend rates!
Suggested accommodations for the Ride/Race Only Option
Camping at the KOA – very close to Hiawatha (End of Stage 1, Start and finish of Stage2) https://koa.com/campgrounds/sault-ste-marie/
Camping at Pancake Bay Provincial Park (just 15 minutes from the start of Stage 1, 25 minutes from the Start of Stage 2, and 45 minutes from the start of Stage 3) https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/pancakebay
Bellevue Valley Lodge – Just 8 minutes away from Stokely Creek, and a reasonable drive from all locations – add something special to your trip and book your Weekend with Robin and Enn – the finest people the north has to offer! https://www.bellevuevalleylodge.ca/
Macauley’s Motel – Just 5 minutes from Stokely, and a short walk to a gorgeous sand beach! https://www.mccauleyshavillandbay.com/
Voyageur Lodge – Crank the Shield started here in 2022! While my old buddy Frank sold the place, it is still famous for doing over 50,000 apple fritters a year, and we hope to get some mini fritters again for Stage 1! They have a great hotel and on-site food, with an amazing beach! Just 10 minutes from Stage 1, and 30 minutes from Stokely Creek! https://www.voyageurslodge.com/
Awesome Air bnb’s Nearby!
Harmony Haven! – My friend Alannah hosts this great spot – at a reasonable price and just 5 mins from Stokely, and across from Harmony Beach!
Bunkie by the Bay – A cheap spot for 2-3 ppl on Lake Superior!
Entire Home on the water! – Great price, accommodates up to 4 people
Riverside Bunkie – Tiny home for 2 people, reasonable price
Large Home on the water – more $ but accommodates up to 7 people
The LOFT in Goulais – cheap quaint spot for up to 4 people.
Hike, fish 7+ppl enjoy Rustic Cabin Lake Superior! – Good price for up to 7 ppl!
Package #1 (food/on-site accommodations) Register HERE
- 3 days of EPIC riding in the Canadian wilderness
- Camping (Bring your own tent) & RV parking
- Incredible food to keep you fueled throughout the event, with vegetarian options
- Personalized # Plate, Finishers Plate
- Chip timing
- Finisher medal
- Event shirt, socks & other goodies (First 50 riders also get a CRANK longsleeve Shirt)
- Award ceremony feast
- 1 free beer each day
- Parking
- Entry for special draw prizes
- Friends for life
- Famous catered CRANK afterparty (location TBD)
Package #2 (Ride/Race only) Register HERE
- 3 days of EPIC riding in the Canadian wilderness
- Super well stocked aid stations and finish line food
- Personalized # Plate, Finishers Plate
- Chip timing
- Finisher medal
- Event shirt, socks & other goodies (First 50 riders also get a CRANK longsleeve shirt)
- Award ceremony feast
- 1 free beer each day
- Parking
- Entry for special draw prizes
- Friends for life
- Famous catered CRANK afterparty
Package #3 (VIP – $30 less at time of registration, but you book your own bed at Stokely!)
This includes everything you get with Pacakge #1 – Food, and use of Stokely Creek Lodge, but YOU book a cozy bed at Stokely for a reduced rate. With registration and the ride starting at Stokely on Friday the 21st, ideally you will stay for Thursday through Saturday, and could even book Sunday if you want to head back after the CRANK afterparty – however the Holiday Inn is just a 10 minute walk from our afterparty location, making it perhaps the better option for Sunday night!
To book a bed, call (705) 649-3421 or email: info@stokelycreek.com
We are going back to old school for Stage 1! With rain the last two years, our King Mountain loop didn’t hold up to rain and the difficulty of re-opening old trails got to be too much. So – We are going to congregate at the base of the famous Mile 38 logging road, and race 27km to the top of legendary Batchawana Mountain! over 2300 feet of climbing over 27km, with the finish, BBQ and finish line at the top! Once everyone finishes, Those who want to do a downhill Strava segment can go at 30 second intervals down the unreal 3.5km downhill, otherwise riders will make there way back to the start, at their own pace, mostly downhill! Take in the scenery on the way back!
The popular Ride/Race only category from 2024 is back – with the race starting and finishing within 25 minutes, and no need to bus riders and bikes to the start, you can decide to do your own thing – camp, grab an airbnb maybe even on the water – or get a hotel room at our host hotel, the Holiday Inn! There are more options now to bring the family, or race hard during the day and explore the area by night. With a ride/race only, camp and eat, and VIP beds at Stokely available, there is now more ways to CRANK with us!
Pricing has only marginally increased since 2024! – and we will offer even bigger savings for local riders for 2026!
2026 Prices:
Package #1
Full experience, includes 3 days of riding/racing, Breakfast/Dinner Friday night to Sunday morning, a tent or RV site, use of the wonderful facilities at Stokely Creek Lodge, and the famous CRANK afterparty!
Super Early Bird October 1 – October 31 (midnight) $750 +HST
Early Bird November 1 to May 31 (midnight) $800 +HST
Standard Price June 1st to August 19: $850 +HST
*Local SSM riders – email sean@superflyracing.com for a coupon code to save BIG on your registration!
Package #2
Ride/Race only, includes all 3 days of racing, aid station, finish line food, Stage 3 final feast, and the famous CRANK afterparty). You are also welcome to attend the awards ceremonies on Friday and Saturday night at Stokely Creek. You are responsible for your own lodging away from Stokely Creek.
Super Early Bird October 1 – October 31 (midnight) $525+HST
Early Bird November 1 – May 31 (midnight) $575+HST
Standard Price June 1 to August 19: $625+HST
Package #3: VIP (all the food and accommodations at Package #1, with a $30 camping rebate as you book your own room!)
Super Early Bird October 1 – October 31 (midnight) $720+HST
Early Bird November 1 – May 31 (midnight) $770+HST
Standard Price June 1 – August 19: $820+HST
Payment
Our new online provider – Regfox, has very low processing fees, and you can pay using apple pay google or your credit card!
Don't Miss Out
Register today to experience some of the most rewarding days you will have on a bike!
Our Sponsors
Thanks to our great sponsors! We are also working with the quebec singletrack experience to offer discounts to anyone doing both events, so contact us for more details!
Have Questions?
We’re here to make crank the shield the best experience you’ll have on two wheels! please feel free to contact us if you need any further information.
What Participants Say
