Bicycling - WKTV Journal

Crystal Mountain has a number of events and unique activities for you to enjoy the fall color season, plus the beautiful views of the Betsie Valley and nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore make it one of Fodor’s Travel’s 15 Best US Resorts for Fall Getaways (2015). Michigan’s Gold Coast along M-22 (just 20 minutes from the resort) was the first mention in Travel + Leisure’s list of ‘America’s Best Fall Color Drives.’

And there are plenty of ways to take in the scenery on-mountain, like chairlift rides each Saturday from 11am to 1pm and…

Peak2Peak Mountain Bike Festival, Oct. 15

Now in its 11th year, the Founders Peak2Peak Mountain Bike Classic features a 10.5-mile course through and around the single tracks and slopes of Crystal Mountain with three waves — beginner (1 lap), intermediate (2 laps) and professional/expert (3 laps). Chairlift rides, live entertainment, family fun activities and games, food and Founders beer will be available in the festival area at the base of the slopes throughout the day — admission is free to spectators. Register for the race at endomanpromotions.com.

Crystal Spa Days, Oct. 1– Nov. 6

October is not only a wonderful time to enjoy the crisp autumn air and vibrant colors but special pricing on a menu of 50-minute services at the award-winning Crystal Spa. Nearly a dozen services are available from $69 (Sunday through Friday) and $79 on Saturday.

Spooktacular Saturdays offer a haunted trail and family fun Oct. 15, 22, 29

The last three Saturdays in October you can ride the Loki quad chairlift up the mountain and follow the lanterns back down a Spooky (but family friendly) Trail from 7 pm to 9 pm ($7 per person, kids 6-and-under free). Spooktacular Saturday (2 pm to 6 pm) will lead up to the evening’s haunted hike featuring wagon rides, a petting zoo, caramel apples, pumpkin carving and more.

Grandville resident Grant Bergsma will ride his bicycle more than 3,500 miles, from California to Florida, to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). The five-week, cross-country adventure will begin November 1 in Los Angeles and is slated to conclude in Marco Island, Florida on December 7.

“It’s going to be a long trip but it’s a short amount of time compared to troops that will suffer from battle wounds mental and physical for the rest of their lives,” said Bergsma. “I am honored to have the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for this amazing charitable organization.” Photos courtesy of Grant Bergsma’s Facebook page.

WWP offers 20 holistic programs to wounded service members and their caregivers completely free of charge. To complete his goal, Bergsma plans to ride his bicycle approximately 100 miles per day. At night, the 30-year-old, Grandville native plans to sleep in a tree hammock and, whenever possible, stay with hosts he meets during his journey.

Bergsma’s interest in riding stemmed from turning a negative into a positive.

“I started riding about five years ago, out of necessity, after an irresponsible personal situation,” said Bergsma. “It was a tough time in my life, but through biking, I was able to create the necessary positive momentum to turn my life around.”

In 2013, Bergsma rode more than 1,400 miles from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Gainesville, Florida in an effort to raise money for the ALS Association. The charity was selected to honor a longtime family friend who died from Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2007.

Bergsma will be tracking his progress on social media. Donations can be made through GoFundMe or the WWP website.