Michigander Bicycle Tour

***** July 13-19, 2013 *

The 22^nd Annual Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance Michigander Bicycle Tour is back and better than ever! Join us July 13-19 when bicyclists of all ages and expertise will come out and tour northern Michigan’s rail trails and back roads on a fabulous biking adventure.

The featured trails on this year’s tour are the Little Traverse Wheelway Trail and the North Central State Trail. Participants can choose between the 2, 6, or 7 day option depending on their riding preference.

The two-day tour is a great choice for families and first-time riders who want to experience what bicycle touring entails. This year, two-day riders will begin in Charlevoix and travel along the Little Traverse Wheelway Trail up to Harbor Springs, where they will spend the night and travel back down the trail the following day to end their tour. This magnificent trail offers a breathtaking view of Lake Michigan the entire ride with the lake literally at your fingertips along the trail.

The week-long tour offers riders the chance to extend their fun and challenge their fitness even more as we travel through quaint northwest Michigan towns such as Bellaire, Gaylord, Indian River, and Mackinaw City where we will spend two nights. Riders will an extra day in Mackinaw City where they will have the option of traveling to Mackinac Island and touring Michigan’s beloved island in the best way possible: by bicycle. Or riders can choose to stay and explore Mackinaw City or ride in the countryside with two optional routes. Finally on our last day, we will travel through Cross Village and the tunnel of trees, finishing on the shores of Lake Michigan in Harbor Springs where your adventure began. Riders can celebrate a successful ride with cake, refreshments, and new found friends. Whether you’re an expert, beginner, or just along for the ride, bicyclists of any age can join in on the fun. Bring your hybrid, mountain, or road bike. An all-paved route is available for road bikes and there are opportunities for mountain bikers to test their mettle on singletrack options. Bring the whole family and make it a family vacation to remember or come alone and meet new, fellow bicycle enthusiasts looking to tour Michigan’s scenic bike trails.

* * * Registration is Open * * *

To learn more about the ride and to print the REGISTRATION BROCHURE.

Mail or Fax: To register by mail or fax, print registration brochure, fill out application and mail or fax.

Online Registration: Please read the brochure before signing up online.

2-Day Michigander route

Click below the map on “view 2-day Michigander 2013 in a larger map”.

View 2-day Michigander 2013 in a larger map

1 On July 16th, 2012, Tim N said:

I just finished the 2-day right yesterday. What a great experience! I met a couple different people that I rode with each day. I want to say thank you to all the volunteers. They were very nice and helpful. Also thank you to all those responsible for organizing the bike trip. I will definitely be looking at riding in the Michigander again next year.

2 On September 6th, 2012, Shirley Johnson said:

This was my first 2 day Michigander. I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was great. The scenery was beautiful,the food was excellant and everyone was friendly. I was glad my husband was allowed to volunteer so he could go with me. I was nervous about if I would be able to do the 36 miles each day but I did. I can’t tell you how proud of myself I was when I crossed the finish line. I can’t wait to sign up for the 2013 ride!

3 On January 15th, 2013, Jennifer Bickel said:

Woohoo! Cannot wait – my favorite area to bicycle in!

4 On January 15th, 2013, Tim N said:

I cannot wait for this! I had a great time on the 2-day ride last year. Now I just have to decide if I want to stick to the 2-day or take time off to ride the 6-day. Either way, good stuff!

5 On January 20th, 2013, Robert Flynn said:

Like the idea of staying in Bellaire as they have a new trail system there . Also Gaylord with Aspen park trails and being able to ride the ISLAND . Is the Mackinaw to Petoskey trail open to ride instead of the Tunnel of Trees ?

6 On January 30th, 2013, barry said:

Sorry, the bridge authority doesn’t allow that. They do have 2 times a year when you can ride across with different bicycle tour. You would have to ride DALMAC and a ride put on by the Chamber of Commerce in Mackinaw City.

7 On February 2nd, 2013, Les Rosan said:

Riding over the Mackinaw bridge isn’t really all that. I have done it several times with the Chamber of Commerce ride which included a large group of people who really never rode much. Picture if you will, football helmets,blue jeans,Wal-Mart bikes, and boots and you kind of get the picture. Anyway the bridge patrol leads the route and keep everyone boxed in to the point that it is difficult to maintain your balance. They do this going up as well as down the bridge incline. The last time I rode the bridge was in 2001 and I told my friend that as soon as we got off the bridge we could pick up speed and coast down to the ferry dock for the ride back across the straits. Waiting for our slow moving and unbalanced parade was a state trooper who took over the procession with everyone still boxed up behind him. He took his responsibilities very seriously and had everyone behind him off the road and on the shoulder. Hey I know my rights, I was on a public road and took his suggestion that we follow him as simply that– a suggestion. This particular trooper was totally ignorant of the law regarding bicycles as I discovered when he found my friend and I at the dock. When he told me that I had to stay to the far right side of the lane, he did not appreciate my retort when I informed him that I in fact was when I passed him because he was off the road on the shoulder. The next thing I know he is loudly questioning me, “semantics, semantics, do you want to debate semantics?” At this point I could not remember if I had signaled for a right turn at the ferry dock, and really didn’t want to get sucked into some contempt of cop battle complete with some chicken feather covered civil infraction notice that I could take back to Alma with me. Enjoy the bridge from the shore, you can get some great pictures, and ride at your own speed if you choose.

8 On February 24th, 2013, barry said:

There is a all paved route for road bikes.

9 On March 3rd, 2013, Dan and Lucy Chartier said:

We decided on participating in the 6-day 2012 Michigander because of the “10 Best Rides” article in Bicycling magazine. The ride well exceeded our highest expectations. Barry and his crew did a fantastic job in all aspects of the ride. As soon as we post this comment we will be registering for the seven-day 2013 tour. We are looking forward to more great scenery and excellent company.

P.S. Barry, we loved the hills.

10 On March 6th, 2013, Ann Franas said:

The Beanie Babies can’t wait for this years ride and to see our Michigander friends! Looking forward to another great tour of northern Michigan on beautiful trails! Thanks to all the organizers and volunteers for their dedication and support. This is a great ride so get on your bike and come join us!!

11 On March 6th, 2013, Mark & Holly Swan said:

Holly & I and the Michigander Crew are looking forward to getting together again with our extended family
Bring friends. Bring non friends, they will be family & friends
by the end of the ride. Saw the 1st Robin today.

12 On March 20th, 2013, Diane Ruggles said:

Mobile Bike Repair will be returning again this year. BUT I now have a “BIGGER SHOP” This year look for the BIG grey VAN. With the same black and white signs that where on the little red truck. Looking forword to seeing the rest of my biking Famliy. Take Care The Bike Lady.

13 On March 25th, 2013, Tony Anclard said:

I just had my knee replace and I was wonder how many hills will be on the route this year.

14 On March 26th, 2013, barry said:

2-day route has 1 very short hill on the rail trail.
6-day –
Day 1 is hilly,
day 2 has little hills,
day 3 is all down hill on the trail,
day 4 is flat railtrail,
day 5 depending on your option, no hills to small hills.
Last day small rolling hills through the tunnel of trees.

15 On April 3rd, 2013, Diana Richardson said:

This looks like a beautiful ride this year. Overnight in Mackinaw – couldn’t ask for more – love exploring the island. Have done 5 of these in the past. If you haven’t done one – you have to try it!

16 On April 11th, 2013, Janell Saunders said:

I wanted to travel to Michigan from Maryland to do this tour, but wanted to bring my bike. Does anyone have info on a bike shop to ship my bike to for re-assembly in prep for the ride?

17 On April 16th, 2013, barry said:

Yes we have one of our vendors that will receive, assemble and dis-assemble, and return your bike back to you. You may contact him at Ph: 517.614.5659, or website at http://michigancyclingcharters.com/tours#michigander

18 On April 16th, 2013, Richard Beaujean said:

Barry,

Something I thought you and Nancy would like to know:

I subscribe to an internet bicycling newsletter called, BikeCycling Reviews. In the most recent newsletter, they had an article on “The 50 Best Bike Trails in America” http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com/the-50-best-bike-trails-in-america/. Number 20, was the North Central Trail out of Gaylord, on which we will be riding during Gander this year. This is another compliment to Michigan’s trail system and the type of trails the Michigander uses further justifying Bicycling Magazine calling the Michigander one of it’s top 10 multi-day rides.

Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance

MTGA is a non-profit organization that shall foster and facilitate the creation of an interconnected statewide system of trails and greenways for recreation, health, transportation, economic development and environmental/cultural preservation purposes.