GRIT Finishers Certification Program

We have created a GRIT Finisher Certification Program to register those that had the skills, knowledge and commitment to complete the journey.  There has to be rules of course for it to have any meaning, so here are the rules.

There are 3 styles of finishers:

1) True GRIT Style is the toughest challenge and few riders are up to this level. To meet this designation, the rider  must have excellent physical endurance, good rider skills and be smart enough to be self reliant in navigation, mechanical and outdoor survival skills.

• The True GRIT finisher must complete the journey within the same number of days as there are stages.
• You must start and end at the official locations for point-to-point routes. You must end where you started for giant loops.
• Self Supported means you must ride without any coordinated support, or sending supplies (or persons) to a point along the course.
  • You must use your wits and resources that you naturally find along the route or carry with you.
  • One exception is that you can mail your preferred oil to staging points to use along the way.  There are a couple optional refuel points like Atlanta Beaver Lodge and Gold Creek Lodge that are by appointment only. So you can/need to call ahead to ask if you can get gas.
  • Giant loop routes that cross over themselves are an obvious exception for your truck to be there when you come back through.
• Go beyond the standard by either:
  • Complete at least one Special Test option on at least half the days ( IE: 7 day ride requires 3).
  • Showing that you pack smart and have the ability to survive by sleeping in the wild for at least half of the nights of the journey rounded down ( IE: GRIT#1 has 6 nights, so 3 camp outs). This means camping where there is no electricity, heat, or city limits within 5 miles.  Or…
• You must ride at least 95% of the standard route trail mileage. 
  • Custom road deviations do not count for, or against you.
  • Extra Special Test sections can be used to recover lost trail miles.
  • For bypass options or custom reroutes that include trail miles, the trail miles still count towards the 95% total trail mileage requirement.
  • Enroute trail clearing or tread repair will be credited at 5 trail-miles per hour of work. Gas chainsaw work counts double.
• You must submit your unmodified GPS log files of the entire journey either from your navigation device or satellite auto-tracking device website, preferably both. Self-support is validated by the Honor system.
• Riding trails that are designated as non-motorized is grounds for disqualification.

2) Pioneer Style is more casual, but is still tough through capability or self reliance.

• The Pioneer must either:
  • Complete the journey self-supported, but within the twice the number of days as there are stages. Or…
  • He can complete the route with support, but do so within the same number of days as there are stages.
• Self Supported means you must ride without any coordinated support, or sending supplies (or persons) to a point along the course.
  • You must use your wits and resources that you naturally find along the route, or carry with you.
  • One exception is that you can mail your preferred oil to staging points to use along the way.  There are a couple optional refuel points like Atlanta Beaver Lodge and Gold Creek Lodge that are by appointment only. So you can/need to call ahead to ask if you can get gas.
  • Giant loop routes that cross over themselves can are an obvious exception for your truck to be there when you come back through.
• You must ride at least 95% of the standard route trail mileage.
  • Custom road deviations do not count for, or against you.
  • Extra Special Test sections can be used to recover lost trail miles.
  • For bypass options or custom reroutes that include trail miles, the trail miles still count towards the 95% total trail mileage requirement.
  • Enroute trail clearing or tread repair will be credited at 5 trail-miles per hour of work. Gas chainsaw work counts double.
• You must start and end at the official locations for point-to-point routes. You must end where you started for giant loops.
• You must submit your unmodified GPS log files of the entire journey either from your navigation device or satellite auto-tracking device website, preferable both. Self-support is validated by the Honor system
• Riding trails that are designated as non-motorized is grounds for disqualification

3) Explorer Style is the “Do it your way” category.

• The Explorer must complete the route within 8 weeks. You may depart and return from the route during that time.
• You must start and end at the official locations for point-to-point routes. You must end where you started for giant loops.
• You must submit your GPS log files of all riding days from your navigation device showing that you rode at least 66% of the trail-miles on the route.
• Riding trails that are designated as non-motorized is grounds for disqualification
• Note: Explorer Style Finishers do not receive a finisher number

Submit your application for GRIT Finisher approval to this: Finisher Application Email. All finisher applications will be reviewed by 3 GRIT committee members for majority decision.  If your application is approved, you will be be notified and can request the GRIT Finisher Bundle (TBD) of your choice if you are a True GRIT or Pioneer Finisher.  We provide a free service to create these items, but you can donate for actual cost of optional custom items. At a minimum, you will be sent a GRIT Finisher Certificate suitable for framing and you will be added to the GRIT Finisher Hall of Fame and be assigned a Finisher Number.