bike tour – Top of Michigan Trails Council

Lake to Lake Tour 2019

Trails Council — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 04:00:00 +0000

“I am fairly new to the sport of bicycling. The Lake to Lake Tour this fall was my first time riding for any distance and I was a bit nervous before starting this event. I have to say that I plan on going back every year from now on. The Trails Council was so organized and helpful. Our group was so impressed with how well they thought of every little detail. They were waiting for us at every checkpoint with water and trail mix. We felt safe and looked after. The trails were absolutely beautiful. Our group made such precious memories. My favorite part was the personal touch in each small town. The meals were fabulous and the hosts were so proud and happy to show off their communities. This trip was the highlight of my fall. Thank you Trails Council for making us feel so special.”

Kathy Dennison Adrianse, Grand Rapids, MI, 2018 tour participant

This is our third year of offering this unique tour. Participants have the opportunity to ride from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan, primarily on dedicated bike trails.

19 Bike Tour Registration and Waiver

19 L2L brochure

The 2019 Lake to Lake Tour will begin on Friday morning, September 13 at Petoskey’s Bayfront Park. From there, you, your gear and your bike will be transported to Alpena where you will dip your back tire in Lake Huron. The tour will follow the North Eastern State Trail to a lunch stop in Metz, then on to the Nettie Bay Lodge (Hawks) where you’ll spend the night in a rustic hunting/fishing lodge. On Saturday the tour follows the NEST to Cheboygan, where lodging will be provided at the Best Western hotel, and you’ll enjoy a reception featuring local beer, followed by dinner on your own in Cheboygan. On Sunday, the tour will follow the North Central State Trail to Mackinaw City at the very top of the lower peninsula of Michigan and then its south on the North Western State Trail through Pellston and Alanson to just outside of Petoskey, where you will end the day by pedaling on the Little Traverse Wheelway for three miles to Bayfront Park. There you will celebrate your successful trip by dipping your front tire in Lake Michigan.

Included in the tour cost are lodging, transportation to Alpena, day-to-day transport of any gear you don’t carry on your bike, SAG support, and volunteer riders to assure you a safe and enjoyable ride. Meals included in the registration price will be lunch and dinner on Friday, breakfast and lunch on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. The total number of riders, exclusive of volunteers, will not exceed 35. The cost for the tour is $525+ (varies depending on your occupancy choice). Your deposit will be counted as your annual membership donation. All funds in excess of actual costs will be credited as a donation to the trail advocacy efforts of TOMTC.

See links above for brochure and registration form.

Lake to Lake Tour 2018

Trails Council — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 04:00:00 +0000

“We thoroughly enjoyed the Lake to Lake tour during the fall of 2017. We appreciate all those who took the time to provide us with such a memorable weekend of riding, local history and hospitality. Thanks for a bike trip that was special, because my family and I were able to enjoy an outdoor activity with other cyclists that I now call my friends.”

–David M, Rochester 2017 participant

Last year’s tour was a huge success, so we’re doing it again in 2018. This bicycle tour gives participants the opportunity to ride from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan, all on dedicated bike trails.

18 Bike Tour Registration and Waiver

18 L2L brochure

The 2018 Lake to Lake Tour will begin on Friday morning, September 14 at Petoskey’s Bayfront Park. From there, you, your gear and your bike will be transported to Alpena where you will dip your back tire in Lake Huron. The tour will follow the North Eastern State Trail to a lunch stop in Metz, then on to the Nettie Bay Lodge (Hawks) where you’ll spend the night in a rustic hunting/fishing lodge. On Saturday the tour follows the NEST to Cheboygan, where lodging will be provided at the Best Western hotel, and you’ll travel by boat to dinner on the river. On Sunday, the tour will follow the North Central State Trail to Mackinaw City, to the northern terminus of the North Western State Trail. Then it’s south to Petoskey, where you’ll ride the Little Traverse Wheelway to dip your front tire in Lake Michigan at Bayfront Park.

Included in the tour cost are lodging, transportation to Alpena, day-to-day transport of any gear you don’t carry on your bike, SAG support, and volunteer riders to assure you a safe and enjoyable ride. Meals included in the registration price will be dinner on Friday and breakfast and dinner on Saturday. The total number of riders, exclusive of volunteers, will not exceed 30. The cost for the tour is $450. Your deposit will be counted as your annual membership donation. All funds in excess of actual costs will be credited as a donation to the trail advocacy efforts of TOMTC.

2018 Michigander Tour to visit Cheboygan

Trails Council — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 18:34:57 +0000

The Michigander Bicycle Tour will be returning to Cheboygan in July 2018, bringing with it approximately 500 avid cyclists. “This is an excellent opportunity to showcase our town,” said Jim Conboy, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance and Top of Michigan Trails Council board member.

Cyclists will use the North Central State Trail and the North Eastern State Trail, both of which are located in Cheboygan. The trails intersect at the trailhead at the corner of Lincoln and Western Avenues. Riders will be on these trails almost exclusively throughout the ride.

The tour last visited Cheboygan in 2015 and riders universally enjoyed their stay. Just like their previous visit, many will be camping at the campus of Cheboygan Area High School, where they will also be able to shower and enjoy breakfast each morning. Riders also have the option of staying in area motels.

Participants will have several options for their ride: a two-day tour, six-day tour, or an eight-day tour that combines both. Cyclists will be in town from Friday, July 13 until Tues., July 17, with the six- and eight-day riders returning to a festive finish line on Sat., July 21.

The Michigander also will provide a significant boost to the local economy. “There should be a very positive economic benefit. Restaurants, shops, just about everyone should see a benefit from this event being based in Cheboygan,” Conboy noted.

Downtown Enhancement Administrator Kirsten Guenther is also looking forward to the arrival of the Michiganders. “We hope to see many of them downtown stopping in local stores and enjoying the nightlife. Merchants will ship their purchases, so there is no need for riders to worry about having to carry back what they buy,” she said. “We also have the bike station at Festival Square where riders can make minor adjustments to their bikes, and if they need something more significant, the bike shop is right across the street.”

While in Cheboygan riders will be enjoying local events scheduled during their stay, including the farmers market at Festival Square, the Cheboygan Area Arts Council Art Festival, and any scheduled events at the Opera House.

“Riders want to be downtown and will be looking for things to do,” said Conboy. “Cheboygan has become a real draw for cyclists, both those with tours and those riding individually,” Conboy observed. “The trails are bringing people in.”

Michigander Registration is open now through June 30 at www.michigander.bike. The Michigander Bicycle Tour is part of The Pure Michigan FITness Series. This series endorses local, regional and state events consistent with the Governor’s Council mission to promote healthy choices, while offering a physical activity event open to all participants, regardless of skill level or age.