up north – Top of Michigan Trails Council https://www.trailscouncil.org Connecting Northern Michigan by Trail Wed, 22 Dec 2021 17:24:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.6 /wp-content/uploads/cache/2019/09/cropped-TOMT_Logo/50812735.jpg up north – Top of Michigan Trails Council https://www.trailscouncil.org 32 32 2021 Top of Michigan Festival of Races /event/2021-top-of-michigan-festival-of-races/ Sat, 29 May 2021 11:30:00 +0000 /?post_type=tribe_events&p=31636 While the Marathon is canceled this year due to closures along the Little Traverse Wheelway, the Half Marathon, 10K and 5k are on schedule and going strong. Space is limited and all safety measures will be implemented.

All races will start and end in Petoskey along the Little Traverse Wheelway.

More information here:

Register HERE.

 

 

]]> Harbor Springs Cycling Classic /event/harbor-springs-cycling-classic-3/ Sat, 19 Sep 2020 13:00:00 +0000 /?post_type=tribe_events&p=27207            

2020 marks the 30th year for this cycling event which is organized by Birchwood Inn, an iconic lodging establishment located on M 119 north of Harbor Springs. Frank Shumway, owner of the Inn, welcomes cyclists to come and be a part of this event, which features 20-, 45- and 60-mile road routes, and options for routes along paved trails that are part of Top of Michigan Trails Council’s network in Northern Michigan.

The road routes all encompass at least part of the famous “Tunnel of Trees” on M 119. The 20-mile route goes north from the Birchwood Inn to Cross Village and back. The other routes follow local roads and then return south on M 119 along the lake. Both Classic rides (June 1 and September 7 this year) enjoy lighter auto traffic on this route because of their timing during our “shoulder season.”

The paved trail option is perfect for folks who don’t feel comfortable riding on the road. Those cyclists will start at Reynold’s Field (the beginning point of the Little Traverse Wheelway in Harbor Springs) and will pedal toward Petoskey. The Top of Michigan Trails Council’s Trail Center at 1687 M 119 is a great place to stop for a rest on the way to some sweet cycling rewards at the Dairy Queen (on the North Western State Trail near Alanson) or Kilwin’s (on the Wheelway).

All riders meet at Birchwood Inn on Saturday morning, where Bill Prall, Trails Council Safety and Maintenance Director, will be available to check out bikes for mechanical and safety issues. Then it’s off to follow your chosen route. There will be food stops along the routes, and Bill will also be offering SAG services in case you have mechanical issues enroute. A delicious lunch will await all participants at Birchwood Inn from noon to 3:00 p.m. Birchwood also offers a dip in their pool or the use of their showers after your ride to cool off.

Don’t miss this great “up north” cycling experience! For registration information, visit http://www.birchwoodinn.com/hscyclingclassic.html or call Birchwood Inn at (231) 526-2151.

]]> Festival of Races /event/festival-of-races-2/ Sat, 23 May 2020 12:00:00 +0000 /?post_type=tribe_events&p=27146 While the Marathon is canceled this year due to closures along the Little Traverse Wheelway, the Half Marathon, 10K and two 5ks are on schedule and going strong.

The half marathon will start in Petoskey’s Bayfront Park, highlighting the Bear River Trail in downtown Petoskey before jumping on the Wheelway towards Magnus Park, then passing back through Bayfront Park before running around the bay and into Harbor Springs.

The 10K run/walk starts at 8:30 am, in Harbor Springs, where it will also finish.

The Charlevoix 5K race will begin on Michigan Ave near West Dixon Ave at 8:00 am. Runners will run out and back. The Harbor Springs 5K will start at the race finish line in Zorn Park at 8:30 am.

More information here:

Register HERE.

 

 

]]> Harbor Springs Cycling Classic /event/harbor-springs-cycling-classic-2/ Sat, 13 Jun 2020 13:00:00 +0000 /?post_type=tribe_events&p=27083            

2020 marks the 30th year for this cycling event which is organized by Birchwood Inn, an iconic lodging establishment located on M 119 north of Harbor Springs. Frank Shumway, owner of the Inn, welcomes cyclists to come and be a part of this event, which features 20-, 45- and 60-mile road routes, and options for routes along paved trails that are part of Top of Michigan Trails Council’s network in Northern Michigan.

The road routes all encompass at least part of the famous “Tunnel of Trees” on M 119. The 20-mile route goes north from the Birchwood Inn to Cross Village and back. The other routes follow local roads and then return south on M 119 along the lake. Both Classic rides (June 1 and September 7 this year) enjoy lighter auto traffic on this route because of their timing during our “shoulder season.”

The paved trail option is perfect for folks who don’t feel comfortable riding on the road. Those cyclists will start at Reynold’s Field (the beginning point of the Little Traverse Wheelway in Harbor Springs) and will pedal toward Petoskey. The Top of Michigan Trails Council’s Trail Center at 1687 M 119 is a great place to stop for a rest on the way to some sweet cycling rewards at the Dairy Queen (on the North Western State Trail near Alanson) or Kilwin’s (on the Wheelway).

All riders meet at Birchwood Inn on Saturday morning, where Bill Prall, Trails Council Safety and Maintenance Director, will be available to check out bikes for mechanical and safety issues. Then it’s off to follow your chosen route. There will be food stops along the routes, and Bill will also be offering SAG services in case you have mechanical issues enroute. A delicious lunch will await all participants at Birchwood Inn from noon to 3:00 p.m. Birchwood also offers a dip in their pool or the use of their showers after your ride to cool off.

Don’t miss this great “up north” cycling experience! For registration information, visit http://www.birchwoodinn.com/hscyclingclassic.html or call Birchwood Inn at (231) 526-2151.

]]> Harbor Springs Cycling Classic /event/harbor-springs-cycling-classic/ Sat, 01 Jun 2019 13:00:00 +0000 /?post_type=tribe_events&p=23983            

2019 marks the 29th year for this cycling event which is organized by Birchwood Inn, an iconic lodging establishment located on M 119 north of Harbor Springs. Frank Shumway, owner of the Inn, welcomes cyclists to come and be a part of this event, which features 20-, 45- and 60-mile road routes, and options for routes along paved trails that are part of Top of Michigan Trails Council’s network in Northern Michigan.

The road routes all encompass at least part of the famous “Tunnel of Trees” on M 119. The 20-mile route goes north from the Birchwood Inn to Cross Village and back. The other routes follow local roads and then return south on M 119 along the lake. Both Classic rides (June 1 and September 7 this year) enjoy lighter auto traffic on this route because of their timing during our “shoulder season.”

The paved trail option is perfect for folks who don’t feel comfortable riding on the road. Those cyclists will start at Reynold’s Field (the beginning point of the Little Traverse Wheelway in Harbor Springs) and will pedal toward Petoskey. The Top of Michigan Trails Council’s Trail Center at 1687 M 119 is a great place to stop for a rest on the way to some sweet cycling rewards at the Dairy Queen (on the North Western State Trail near Alanson) or Kilwin’s (on the Wheelway).

All riders meet at Birchwood Inn on Saturday morning, where Bill Prall, Trails Council Safety and Maintenance Director, will be available to check out bikes for mechanical and safety issues. Then it’s off to follow your chosen route. There will be food stops along the routes, and Bill will also be offering SAG services in case you have mechanical issues enroute. A delicious lunch will await all participants at Birchwood Inn from noon to 3:00 p.m. Birchwood also offers a dip in their pool or the use of their showers after your ride to cool off.

Don’t miss this great “up north” cycling experience! For registration information, visit http://www.birchwoodinn.com/hscyclingclassic.html or call Birchwood Inn at (231) 526-2151.

]]> Lake to Lake Tour 2019 /event/lake-to-lake-tour-2019/ /event/lake-to-lake-tour-2019/#respond Fri, 13 Sep 2019 04:00:00 +0000 /?post_type=tribe_events&p=23079

“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.

    
]]> /event/lake-to-lake-tour-2019/feed/ 0 Lake to Lake Tour 2018 /event/lake-to-lake-tour-2018/ /event/lake-to-lake-tour-2018/#respond Fri, 14 Sep 2018 04:00:00 +0000 /?post_type=tribe_events&p=19998

“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.

    
]]> /event/lake-to-lake-tour-2018/feed/ 0 Top of Michigan Marathon – Register Now! /marathon-register-now/ /marathon-register-now/#respond Mon, 27 Nov 2017 20:11:47 +0000 /?p=17535 For 2018 Race Information Click here:  2018 Top of Michigan Marathon

Stafford’s Top of Michigan Marathon – A USATF CERTIFIED COURSE to benefit the Top of Michigan Trails Council and the Petoskey High School Cross Country and Track teams.

New this Year – two 5K races

The marathon race will be run on a beautiful course made of asphalt starting in Charlevoix, then Petoskey and finishing in Harbor Springs. The trail is an excellent venue for runners stepping up to a marathon or seasoned runners looking for a fast time. The trail is relatively flat and perfect for getting a qualifying time for other races. The trail has spectacular views of the Little Traverse Bay.

The half marathon is run on the same course and begins in Bay Harbor and finishes in Harbor Springs.

The 10K starts at the Top of Michigan Trails Council’s Packy Offield Trail Center at 1687 M 119, Petoskey and also finishes in Harbor Springs.

5K races are being planned as well. One will start and end at the Marathon start line in Charlevoix, and one will start and end at the finish line in Harbor Springs. Watch for more details on these events!

Register Online Today!

]]> /marathon-register-now/feed/ 0 Lake to Lake Ride /lake-to-lake-ride/ /lake-to-lake-ride/#respond Sat, 07 Jan 2017 16:24:40 +0000 /?p=17509 TOMTC plans ride on our trail system from Alpena to Lake Michigan

Lake to Lake Ride in September!

The Trails Council is in the planning stages for a September “Lake to Lake” ride on our trail system from Alpena (on Lake Huron) to a yet-to-be-determined location on Lake Michigan. The multi-day tour would take in the entirety of the North Eastern State Trail, portions of the North Central State Trail and perhaps segments of Northwestern State Trail and the Little Traverse Wheelway. The trip will include lodging and SAG support. If you are interested in receiving more information about this tour as our plans progress email Sue Bouwense at admin@trailscouncil.org and simply put in the subject line “September bicycle tour”, and include your name.

 

 

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