Couple more things about the Tart Trail that starts up in Traverse City....
It has spectacular views because the old railroad trail was built up on a mound, so you are standing up high and can see clearly across miles of land and cherry orchards.
Being that we did this ride in the middle of summer it was great taking a swimming break. However, we had failed to secure lodging and when we returned to the Traverse City area there was 'no place at the Inn'. After driving all the way to the small town of Kalkaska, we found a dirty dingy motel for about $150 a night. It was late and all we wanted to do was sleep, get up and go.
I hated spending money on a dump. We learned to better plan our trips and try to book lodging well in advance. The problem was that so often, we did not know for sure where we would end up. In February of 2006, we purchased our RV Motorhome to allow us to travel 'on the fly' and take our lodging with us.
One thing about linear trails is that you must turn around and go back the way you came; something else to post discussion points about.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Rail to Trails - Tart Trail
That first summer, 2004, is when we discovered the Rails to Trails systems around Michigan.
There are many groups involved in the Rails Trails initiative to take old railroad trails that are no longer in use, and convert them to trails that can be used for many recreational activities.
Many trails have been paved and are great rides. The initiative works to inter-connect these trails across the state and across the country. We have been on Rails to Trails system in Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, and even Florida; our Tandem has been in many geographic locations since 2004.
One that we thoroughly enjoyed that first summer was the Tart Trail. It starts up in Traverse City and goes up the Leelenau peninsula to Sutton's Bay. The first five to eight miles was paved, then it turned into a dirt trail for another ten miles. The unpaved part was packed down enough that we had no problem pedaling through the countryside.
The Tart trail goes through many orchards of Cherry trees. There were many wonderful views and quite a mix of open land and wooded areas. This is a linear trail. When we got to Sutton's Bay, we changed into our swim suits, went swimming, took in an art festival, and sat outside eating in a courtyard restaurant. Then, we headed back down to Traverse City. It was a great day and I would love to do this ride again.
There are many groups involved in the Rails Trails initiative to take old railroad trails that are no longer in use, and convert them to trails that can be used for many recreational activities.
Many trails have been paved and are great rides. The initiative works to inter-connect these trails across the state and across the country. We have been on Rails to Trails system in Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, and even Florida; our Tandem has been in many geographic locations since 2004.
One that we thoroughly enjoyed that first summer was the Tart Trail. It starts up in Traverse City and goes up the Leelenau peninsula to Sutton's Bay. The first five to eight miles was paved, then it turned into a dirt trail for another ten miles. The unpaved part was packed down enough that we had no problem pedaling through the countryside.
The Tart trail goes through many orchards of Cherry trees. There were many wonderful views and quite a mix of open land and wooded areas. This is a linear trail. When we got to Sutton's Bay, we changed into our swim suits, went swimming, took in an art festival, and sat outside eating in a courtyard restaurant. Then, we headed back down to Traverse City. It was a great day and I would love to do this ride again.
Short Road Bike Rides in Michigan
Since the summer of 2004, my wife and I have owned a tandem bicycle and have gone on many excursions around Michigan.
We live in the Southeast part of Michigan; Metro Detroit area. So, we started doing our regular bike rides around our neighborhood. However, we purchased a guide book called 'short Bike Rides in Michigan' by Pamela Stovall. We started picking rides we could do within a couple hundred mile radius of our home. Something we could do on weekend getaways. Being that we had to get 'in shape', we chose to do rides that were on primarily flat roads. We were trying to limit the up and down hills. That first summer, we were doing about 25 to 30 miles a day, Monday through Friday, after work.
On the weekends, we would throw the bike on our bike rack, and head out. One of the first rides we did in the guidebook was out near Sturgis and Colon, Michigan. It was a 30 mile ride out on Farm roads. We road by many small lakes, pretty views, and a few Amish farms. It was an awesome ride and we stopped in Colon. Known for being the 'Magic' capital of the world, it was a neat place to checkout.
Colon is a small small town. However, the magic shop was pretty cool. Evidently, many magicians through the years had settled there, died there, and were buried there. There was a magic show, and a chance to buy some neat tricks.
I especially enjoyed the ride out in the farm country, looking for miles across the land and open skies. The guidebook had us start at a small park with a small lake and small beach. We had a blast. We checked off the ride in the book, rated it, and made a note to do it again.
We live in the Southeast part of Michigan; Metro Detroit area. So, we started doing our regular bike rides around our neighborhood. However, we purchased a guide book called 'short Bike Rides in Michigan' by Pamela Stovall. We started picking rides we could do within a couple hundred mile radius of our home. Something we could do on weekend getaways. Being that we had to get 'in shape', we chose to do rides that were on primarily flat roads. We were trying to limit the up and down hills. That first summer, we were doing about 25 to 30 miles a day, Monday through Friday, after work.
On the weekends, we would throw the bike on our bike rack, and head out. One of the first rides we did in the guidebook was out near Sturgis and Colon, Michigan. It was a 30 mile ride out on Farm roads. We road by many small lakes, pretty views, and a few Amish farms. It was an awesome ride and we stopped in Colon. Known for being the 'Magic' capital of the world, it was a neat place to checkout.
Colon is a small small town. However, the magic shop was pretty cool. Evidently, many magicians through the years had settled there, died there, and were buried there. There was a magic show, and a chance to buy some neat tricks.
I especially enjoyed the ride out in the farm country, looking for miles across the land and open skies. The guidebook had us start at a small park with a small lake and small beach. We had a blast. We checked off the ride in the book, rated it, and made a note to do it again.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Bicycle Riding in Michigan
This Blog is to tell the stories of our bicycle rides all over the great state of Michigan, and to discuss others thoughts on the trailes and short bike rides in Michigan.
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