Editor’s note: This story ran in Up North Voice in 2019. Writer Jim Smith passed shortly afterward. We are proud to re-run his work.
By Jim Smith
GRAYLING – The world is full of unique passions—some people find joy in stamp collecting, others in hunting or fishing. For Connie Swander, her passion was racing motorcycles.
Born and raised in Morenci, near Jackson in southwestern Michigan, Connie grew up in a family of bike racers. Her father and brothers were avid riders, and Connie, an admitted tomboy, eagerly joined them. The family was a regular presence at “Earl’s Cycle Center” in Jackson.
Connie’s first bike, a Triumph Tiger Cub, became her companion for weekend races, scrambles, and cross-country events. Racing was a family affair, and Connie embraced the challenge and camaraderie of the sport.
After graduating high school, Connie enrolled in the Medical Technology program at Michigan State University. During this time, she met her future husband, Steve, at an endurance race in Mio. Steve also shared a deep love for motorcycles and racing, making them a perfect match.
The couple eventually had two sons, Chad and Eric, and their family life revolved around racing. Connie’s favorite events were Endurance Runs, where riders were timed on specific course segments. The objective was to maintain a precise average speed—too fast or too slow, and penalties followed.
Weekends were spent at hill climbs, scrambles, and endurance races, often camping at the tracks as a family. Among these events, the Jack Pine Enduro was a highlight. This iconic 500-mile, two-day race, established by the Lansing Motorcycle Club in the early 1910s, tested riders with its rugged terrain. Connie fondly remembers the year she, her father, and her brother completed the race with nearly identical times.
In 1972, the family relocated to Grayling, a community they had grown to love through cross-country and endurance events. The move brought them closer to Steve’s work, and the area suited their active, outdoorsy lifestyle. Connie began working in the lab at Mercy Hospital before joining the Michigan State Police Crime Lab as a biologist in the Serology Lab.
After moving north, the family discovered a new passion: the AuSable River Canoe Marathon. Their sons competed in various events over the years, and even the five grandchildren have caught the “paddle bug.”
Connie herself competed in the marathon multiple times. In 1991, she partnered with Brenda Carlson, completing the race in 17 hours and 35 minutes. The pair repeated their performance in 1997 with a similar finish time. Since 1986, Connie has raced five times in the AuSable Canoe Marathon. When she isn’t racing, she’s supporting other teams as part of their feed crew.
When asked how she has stayed competitive across decades and disciplines, Connie credits her commitment to preparation. “You’ve gotta’ train,” she says—a philosophy that has fueled her lifelong love of adventure.
From motorcycles to canoes, Connie Swander has spent her life pursuing her passions with determination, skill, and an enduring sense of adventure.
