Epic Powersports in Traverse City is a powersports dealership that offers pre-owned snowmobiles, dirtbikes, riding gear, accessories, parts, service and installation. Each Thursday night they host a weekly snowmobile ride called Thursday Night Thunder (or TNT) for people who are looking to meet and ride with fellow snowmobilers. The riders meet at Peegeos in Traverse City at 6:30pm and ride the Grand Traverse Loop. The event ends with most riders sticking around at Peegeos to thaw out with dinner, drinks and conversation.

MyNorth’s Eliza Foster talked to Lauren Harris, the co-owner of Epic Powersports about the Thursday Night Thunder rides and more in the following Q&A.


 

Can you tell me about Epic Powersports?

Based in Traverse City, Epic Powersports is northern Michigan’s fastest growing powersports dealership. Every aspect of our business focuses on the overall experience. From the consultation with our knowledgable staff, to products, brands, and services our clients want, to sharing in the experience via our weekly group rides, Epic offers that something extra customers forgot to expect from a dealership.

 

What are your weekly rides?

Coordinated by EP, our weekly events offer an opportunity for riders to meet new people and share the experience of riding. All ages, all skills levels are encouraged. Our fellow riders have coined names for them. In the winter, we offer TNT, Thursday Night Thunder, each Thursday night for our snowmobile riders, weather permitting. In the summer we offer WNN, Wednesday Night Nationals, for our dirt-bike enthusiasts. Riders meet at Peegeos in Traverse City at 6:30, and typically ride for 2-3 hours on a local trail loop, which varies each week.  At the end of the ride everyone gathers inside Peegeos for great food and conversation.

 

What has the response been like to your weekly rides?

The response has been great so far, and it’s only our first season! For our TNT, we have 10 riders on average, so there’s plenty of room for more. Last summer our WNN ride averaged 25 riders. So many in Northern Michigan and love to ride, but don’t always have someone to go with. We’re finding we are the common connection as the dealership, and we love it!

 

Are the weekly rides open to anyone?

Anyone – men, women, all skill levels.

 

Do you snowmobile? Is it still an activity where women are a minority or have you seen more women on the trails?

I’ve snowmobiled a few times with my husband, and is something I would like to spend more time doing in the future. Women are making great strides in this industry, both with snowmobiles and dirt-bikes. At our store, we carry a women’s brand of snowmobile gear known as Divas Snow Gear – made for women, by women so they fit just right for a women’s build. Our goal is to promote riding as a hobby an entire family can enjoy together safely and responsibly.

 

You said you will be doing these for the rest of the winter, but you also have a plan to continue the fun in the summer. Can you tell me a little bit about your plans?

We will continue with our WNN group rides in the summer. Plans are in the works to host family Sundays, ladies night, rider safety courses and expand our product offerings.

 

For more information…

Epic Powersports can be found online (it’s updated daily and features an online gallery of vehicle inventory for purchase, as well as TNT/WNN information, promotions, pictures and videos. Clients can also request service quotes or appointment times with the online service forms.)

Like them on Facebook and participate in their Helmet Head Selfie contest. Post creative photos of you in your riding helmets, making coffee, exercising, working at the office. All approved photos will be posted to their Facebook for the public to vote on the best one using the “like” feature. The person with the photo who receives the most Facebook likes will win a brand new helmet of their choice.

 

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