IRISH HILLS, MI — A new gravel bike race is part of efforts to help bring tourism back to the Irish Hills near Jackson County.

The county’s tourism bureau, Experience Jackson, is organizing Irish Hills Gravel on Saturday, Oct. 18. The race will start and end at the NASCAR Fan Zone at Michigan International Speedway, 12626 U.S. 12, and lead riders along rural gravel roads in Brooklyn, and through corners of Lenawee and Washtenaw counties.

Cyclists will have their choice of either the 100K (62 miles) or the 50K (31 miles), and can use various bikes including flat bar, drop bar, gravel, mountain bike, touring bike or e-bike.

Gravel bike racing is a cycling discipline that combines road and mountain biking elements on unpaved roads and trails. Quickly growing, the sport draws residents and

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