Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance

Find out all about the Michigander this Sunday at the Michigander Expo, happening at Maybury State Park in Northville from 10 am to 3 pm.

We will have  seminars on bikes from several area bike shops that are joining us (American Cycle & Fitness, Performance Bikes and South Lyon Cycle)  as well as a seminar on  camping equipment from Moosejaw.  Barry Culham, Michigander Coordinator, will talk all about this year’s ride and answer your questions.  Nancy Krupiarz, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance Executive Director, will talk about new trail connections  and respond to inquiries about Michigan’s trails.  A light lunch is included.  The admission is free of charge, but you will need a Recreation Passport ($12 for the year)  to get in the park, which you can purchase at the gate to the park.  Bring your bike and you can access 4 miles of paved trails or 11 miles of singletrack for your riding pleasure.

Please use the 8 Mile entrance to find your way to the Expo location, and follow the Michigander Expo signs to the Walnut Shelter. Map . . .

See you there!!

Now in its eighth year, the Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day offers a chance for all bicycle-related groups and advocates to unite together with the common goal of making positive changes for Michigan’s bicycling conditions, including on-road and off-road facilities, safety initiatives, and law enforcement .  This year’s event on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 from 8 – 2 p.m.  is hosted by the League of Michigan Bicyclists, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, Michigan Mountain Biking Association, and the Program to Educate All Cyclists.  It is a major opportunity to have a big impact on issues that can affect your enjoyment of your sport and active lifestyle.

The event starts with an optional bike parade down Michigan Avenue, Michigan’s “Main Street”,  from Michigan State University to the State Capitol, follows with an update on the latest policy issues and the important opportunity to meet with legislators, and then ends with a nutritious and delicious lunch.  There is even a post-event bike ride around the Capitol area for those who can stay a little longer to enjoy the day.

Nothing helps more to make positive policy changes than having bicyclists show up from across the state to show how much they care about these issues.    Talking to legislators is easier than you think, you will be paired with others for your visits, and the result is you will feel inspired from being engaged in the Michigan democratic process by giving input on issues that are near and dear to your heart.  It is an enjoyable day, and you will receive abundant gratitude from your Michigan bicycling organizations for playing an ESSENTIAL role in shaping bicycle policy.  For more information and to register see the attached flier.

Saturday, May 4,

Friends of Fred Meijer Heartland Trail annual banquet is an important fundraising event that helps support Trail activities including Trail maintenance, insurance, Signage and publicity.  The banquet will be held in Edmore at the Curtis Building, 209 Sheldon Street.

A social hour that includes a silent auction begins at 5:00 pm.  Dinner will be served at 6:00 pm and will include fried chicken and roast beef with several sides and dessert.  Tickets are $15.00 and will not be sold at the door.  The deadline for purchasing tickets is May 1^st.  Drawings for the raffle prizes will be held at 8:00 pm. You do not need to be present to win.

The raffle prizes include a 2 night stay for two at the Cloghaun House on Mackinac Island, a Raleigh bike, 2 for 1 Golf Passport for 17 Gaylord area courses, and a two nights stay for two persons at the Insul Haus on Bois Blanc Island.

Dinner tickets can be purchased from Alice, 941-204-7811 (alannings [at] gmail [dot] com). Montcalm County raffle tickets from Ralph, 616-754-5253 (ralph-greenville [at] sbcglobal [dot] net, Gratiot County raffle tickets from Nellie Lou, 989-875-4761 (nlsm [at] charter [dot] net)

Silent auction items are always needed.  Please contact Dianne, 989-268-5143 (jdwilson [at] cmsinter [dot] net) .

Join us Sunday, May 19, 2013 from 10 AM – 3 PM at Maybury State Park for the 2013 Michigander Expo! Learn everything you need to know about the 22nd Annual Michigander Bicycle Tour.

Please be sure to register online. Admission is FREE!

Map to Maybury State Park entrance off of 8 Mile Rd

Spread the word to your friends on Facebook.?Check out the rest of our upcoming Michigander Warm Up Events as we get ready for this year’s ride!

Wednesday, May 8

The Michigan Fitness Foundation is advocating for schools to register for the second annual National Bike to School Day on May 8, 2013. The event is part of Michigan’s Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Program and supplements the ideas of International Walk to School Day by promoting safe, active communities. Children, parents, teachers and other community stakeholders all will come together for this fun day.

Not only does biking offer a fun way for children to exercise, it also saves costs on transportation and is eco-friendly.  The size of the event doesn’t matter. Coordinate one that works for your community. It is also important to make sure that you work with your local safety and police departments to create strategies for a safe route and awareness of the event to the community.

Bike to School Day is May 8, but B2SD events can be held anytime during May, which is National Bike Month. Furthermore, schools are encouraged to use Bike to School Day as their ACES activity on Wednesday, May 1.

Register your school at http://saferoutesmichigan.org/register-for-bike-to-school-day

to receive free event planning and promotional materials along with technical support from the Safe Routes to School office. Schools are also encouraged to download materials from the National Bike to School Day website at www.walktoschool.org.