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.

Photo: Lake to Lake Tour participants cross the Tower Pond on the North Eastern State Trail.

Twenty cyclists braved the hottest, most humid weekend of the year to ride from Alpena on Lake Huron to Petoskey on Lake Michigan. The first “Lake to Lake Tour” took place Friday, September 22 to Sunday, September 24.  The tour, presented by Top of Michigan Trails Council (TOMTC), made use of four of the multi-use trails in the Council’s network.

The completion of the North Western State Trail in 2016 made it possible to travel from lake to lake in on dedicated bicycle trails for the first time in the state of Michigan. After dipping their rear wheels in Lake Huron at the marina in Alpena, the group took the Alpena Bi-Path to the start of the North Eastern State Trail (NEST). After a stop in Metz for lunch (along with a presentation on the devastating Metz Fire of 1908), the group rode to dinner and lodging at Nettie Bay Lodge, a hunting and fishing lodge located two miles from the NEST near Hawks. On Saturday, the group stayed at the Best Western in Cheboygan, and traveled by pontoon boat down the river to Pier 33 where they enjoyed dinner and a presentation on Cheboygan’s history. On Sunday, the group cycled from Cheboygan to Mackinaw City on the North Central State Trail, and then south on the North Western State Trail to the Little Traverse Wheelway, which led them to the Petoskey marina where they dipped their front tires in Lake Michigan.

Reviews were overwhelmingly positive for the tour. One rider from Traverse City wrote, “I want to thank you and the team for making the Lake to Lake tour so pleasurable…. All the support made us very comfortable, knowing we wouldn’t be left in the woods.  You also had little extra side trips, the pontoon rides to see the loons, the pontoon ride on the river to dinner, the historians telling us about Metz and Cheboygan, and the cheering when we arrived at Petoskey with cokes and cookies…. Thanks for a very organized and well-run trip.  It was great fun with great people (even though it was a little warm).”

TOMTC board member Jim Conboy planned the event, with help from committee members Jim Schroeder, Steve Biggs, Anne Belanger, Bill Prall and TOMTC director Jeff Winegard. For more information about upcoming tours, contact the Trails Council at 231-348-8280 or email info@trailscouncil.org.

For photos of the inaugural Lake to Lake tour, click HERE.