Tag Archives: biking

Local ALS Foundation hosts third annual PedALS event

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PedALS is Sept. 25 and 25. (Supplied)

By Nathan Slauer
Community Contributor

The nonprofit Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) care provider, the Susan Mast ALS Foundation, invites West Michigan residents to sign up for their “PedALS” bike ride and walk on Sept.25-26. Participants can register and pledge online at https://pedalsforals.com.

PedALS enables Susan Mast to provide critical support services and wheelchairs to nearly 100 ALS families across West Michigan. In 2020, the foundation offered 3,058 respite hours, $11,000 in meals, and 500 hours delivering medical equipment.

Susan Mast ALS Foundation Executive Director Julie Snelling believes that participation in the PedALS event will allow the organization to further extend its reach in the community.

“Our mission is to walk alongside families with loved ones experiencing ALS,” Snelling said. “PedALS gives us the chance to pay tribute to individuals with ALS, honor those who have meant so much to us, and make new memories in a fun, family-friendly environment.”

Cyclists will enjoy participating in one of a variety of rides. Options include a 25- or 50-mile road ride, 25-mile gravel ride, a 10-20 mountain ride, or a 10-mile fun ride. Runners and walkers can sign up for a 5K or 1-mile walk.

The third annual event, sponsored by generous local businesses, will feature live music from the Freddy Jones Band. Attendees can choose to attend the entire event or show up only for the concert afterparty.

 

Tribute signs honoring loved ones with ALS are available for a $100 purchase.

Participants are encouraged to sign up as a PedALS Pledger on the PedALS website. Pledgers commit to bringing in a specific donation amount and recruit a team to raise the funds needed.

Dr. Phil VanderLugt, an optometrist and PedALS committee member, will host the first day of the event at his home. Known affectionately as “Mr. PedALS,” VanderLugt said he is excited to celebrate the event’s best year yet.

For more information or to register or donate online, please visit https://pedalsforals.com.

The Grand Rapids-based Susan Mast ALS Foundation is named after Susan Mast who was the executive director of Faith Hospice. Mast passed away in 2014 from ALS.

Trails for hiking, biking, paddling, and more in West Michigan

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By Adrienne Brown-Reasner, West Michigan Tourist Association


Whether you want to get lost in the woods, put your mountain bike to the test, or explore the coastline, you’ll find a great way below to hit the trails.

Hiking & biking

Celebrate 100 years of Michigan State Parks this year by traveling the more than 12,500 miles of state-designated trails and pathways in our state, making Michigan home to one of the largest, interconnected trail systems in the country. This inviting network — and the associated quality of life, health, and economic benefits it offers — is fueling Michigan’s drive to be known nationally as “The Trails State.” The trail system offers ample opportunities for bicyclists, hikers, ORV riders, cross-country skiers, snowmobilers, horseback riders, and more.


Discover Munising’s wonderful waterfalls and hiking trails that provide opportunities for tranquility, relaxation, education and fun, including Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, which offers 100 miles of trails within its 73,000 acres along 42 miles of Lake Superior’s shore.

The Grayling area offers a number of walking, hiking, and biking trails, including a paved pathways system that is over 11 miles long, connecting parks and recreation spots around the area, such as Hanson Hills Recreation Area, Hartwick Pines State Park, and Wakeley Lake.


Cheboygan County has more miles of trails than any other county in Michigan. Their hundreds of miles of four-season trails bring visitors back year after year. These trails connect Cheboygan to the surrounding cities, lakes, and recreational areas.


Whether a beginner, intermediate, or expert rider, the world-class Copper Harbor Trails System has a ride-of-a-lifetime waiting for you. Join Keweenaw Adventure Company in Copper Harbor for a professionally-guided tour.


Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings has seven miles of hiking trails throughout the 662 acres of natural area it sits on, and you are invited to celebrate trails and the great outdoors with bird watching, fishing, nature art stations, bicycle safety, and maintenance demonstrations, nature journaling, and much more at the “Get Out on the Trail” event August 6th. 


Looking for a great ride/walk/jog in the Petoskey area? There are multiple trails throughout the area with breathtaking views and a mostly paved surface connecting the communities of Charlevoix, Petoskey, and Harbor Springs. For hikers, the Little Traverse Conservancy nature preserves dotted throughout the whole area gives nature lovers perfect spots to get off the beaten path. 


Coolbough Nature Area in Newaygo encompasses the largest natural prairie east of the Mississippi River. You’ll find several looped paths with unique ecosystems, including a rare oak-pine savanna, prairie, and wetlands.


Hiking opportunities abound at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, located in Hickory Corners. There are numerous trails and other areas open to the public for walking and hiking. The grounds of the Kellogg Estate, which include the Kellogg Conference Center and Manor House, are open from dawn to dusk year-round. Visitors may take self-guided tours of the estate and historic Manor House, and docent-led tours are available by reservation. The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, in nearby Augusta, offers several trails, some of which are paved and accessible to visitors using wheelchairs.


For a unique hiking experience, head to Oswald Bear Ranch in Newberry. Fun hiking around the bear habitats can take an hour at a leisurely pace while taking in beautiful Upper Peninsula scenery, and get a family photo with a bear cub.


Trails and hiking is part of the fun in the Saugatuck area. Home to Saugatuck Dunes State Park, hikers and mountain bikers will love the rugged trails that end on the shores of Lake Michigan. For bikers, Blue Star Trail is growing each year and is a great addition to the already very bikeable towns.


With 5,000 acres to explore, Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire offers a variety of options to just get outside and play. Enjoy the 750 acres that make up this combined trail system suited for hiking, biking and wildlife viewing.


In Bellaire, 31.5 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and winter sports trail await novices and avid trail users alike.


Grass River Natural Area in Bellaire is a special place and one of Michigan’s premier nature preserves. Located along Antrim County’s Chain of Lakes, Grass River Natural Area’s wetlands act as a filter for millions of gallons of water flowing into East Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan. Seven miles of trails and boardwalk take visitors through cedar swamp, sedge meadow, and upland forest. 


Holland boasts over 1,800 acres of parks for hiking, cycling, picnicking, and playing. With over 150 miles of paved bike paths, eight miles of mountain biking and hiking at the Riley trails, and over one-third mile of beautiful sandy beach at Holland State Park, there is truly something for everyone.

Set in the middle of the US-12 Heritage Trail, Coldwater Country is a haven for relaxation. From hiking and biking trails to two chains of lakes, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the area trails. Take a hike on the paved trails at Heritage Park in Coldwater or on the gravel trails along the Sauk River. 


Whether you are looking for a place to hike, bike, snowmobile, or snowshoe, Mecosta County has the trail for you, from a leisurely stroll while taking in a scenic view to a more challenging adventure. The Fred Meijer White Pine Trail is just under 100 miles long and is perfect for any time of year. The Hungerford Recreation Area in Big Rapids has separate trails for people to enjoy horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking


Marquette County is continually recognized for having the top trail networks in the state, region, and nation, holding a Bronze-level Ride Center designation from the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA). It is only one of two locations in Michigan with this award. In addition, with more waterfalls than any other county in the state.


South Haven has been named one of Pure Michigan’s first Trail Towns. There are two very popular biking and hiking trails: the Kal-Haven Trail and the Van Buren Trail. The Kal-Haven trail stretches from South Haven to Kalamazoo for a total of 33.5 miles, and the Van Buren trail stretches from South Haven to Hartford for 14 miles, and passes through the Van Buren State Park.


There are a number of hiking, biking, and even horse riding trails to check out in the Muskegon area, taking you through paved trails along the lakeshore and sand dunes, pathways through nature preserves, and trails that meander through oak savannahs and marshy fields.


Whether you prefer to explore on water or on land, Hastings has a trail for you. The scenic Thornapple River is adjacent to downtown Hastings and is easily accessible from Bliss and Tyden parks. The Riverwalk Trail follows the Thornapple for three miles and is suitable for walking, biking, and sight-seeing. For those seeking more of a challenge, the recently completed Hammond Hill Trail offers 7-miles of multi-use trails for hiking and mountain biking and more. Avid cyclists may also test themselves on the permanently marked Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race courses (24, 32, and 64 miles) that take in some of the area’s most challenging trails and scenic back roads.

Water trails

Experience Lake Superior’s Keweenaw Water Trail sea kayaking with the Keweenaw Adventure Company, located on the northernmost tip of the Upper Peninsula in Copper Harbor. Join a guided tour to discover stunning views, Hawaiian-like lava flows, vibrant reefs, & breathtaking boreal forests. 


Indian River, named after the river which flows through it, is home to the 40-mile long Inland Waterway which runs through Pickerel Lake and Crooked Lake, the Crooked River, Burt Lake, the Indian River, Mullett Lake, the Cheboygan River, and finally into Lake Huron. It’s is the ideal location to boat, fish, hunt, camp, bike, kayak, canoe, raft, tube, stand-up paddle board, and more. 


With more than 100 lakes in Coldwater Country, a water adventure is a must — rent a pontoon or launch a kayak.


The Pere Marquette River Lodge in Baldwin sits on the banks of the legendary Pere Marquette River, which has been named one of the top trout fishing destinations in the world by Field & Stream magazine. It’s also a popular destination for canoers and kayakers looking for solitude on one of Michigan’s designated National Wild and Scenic Rivers. The lodge offers a full-service fly shop, guided fly fishing for trout, migratory steelhead, and salmon, and pheasant hunting trips. The fly fishing schools offered throughout the year are a great opportunity for beginners to learn the sport.


For those in search of a more relaxing stroll, enjoy the Big Rapids Riverwalk in Mecosta County, which is accessible to all. The Riverwalk is just under 3.5 miles long and follows alongside the beautiful Muskegon River. It features fishing platforms, benches, bike racks, and picnic areas on either side of the 250-foot wooden bridge that spans the Muskegon River.


The Chain of Lakes Water Trail, planned, coordinated and led by Paddle Antrim, is an extensive trail with over 80 miles of routes through 14 stunning lakes and rivers in Benzie County. This water trail has 81 access sites and stretches through four counties in Northwest Michigan (Antrim, Charlevoix, Kalkaska, and Grand Traverse). From the small upper lakes to Torch Lake, there is an incredible diversity of paddling opportunities, making it a destination for all paddlers.


South Haven is home to the Bangor/South Haven Heritage Water Trail, a great route for kayaking or canoeing for 21 miles. There are also a number of places to rent kayaks and other water vessels and accessories nearby. 

Other trails to try

Developed by the Mason County Historical Society in partnership with the Mason County Cultural Economic Development Task Force, the Ludington section of the Mason County Maritime Heritage Trail provides a free, interactive, and educational experience for residents and visitors to the community alike. The trail, which can be started at the Historical Society’s Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, will guide you along Ludington’s historic waterfront as you explore the fascinating history that is all around you. The trail features 13 stops, each with an exhibit-quality sign explaining the history and significance of that location to Ludington’s maritime heritage. 




Experience Grand Rapids launches Bike App in partnership with My City Bikes

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Experience Grand Rapids, in partnership with My City Bikes, has launched an app to help visitors access the city’s best local attractions and nearby communities on two wheels.

 

The new bike amenities include a comprehensive bike map with local road, recreational, and mountain biking opportunities, plus two self-guided bicycle day tours. Local bike maps and self-guided tours are available online at www.experiencegr.com/biking or in the free My City Bikes Grand Rapids mobile app.

 

Recommendations from the Destination Asset Study released in December 2016 showed that Grand Rapids has an opportunity to leverage outdoor recreation to increase travel to the area. Due to these findings, Experience Grand Rapids wanted to further promote and organize the biking scene which led to the partnership with My City Bikes and the development of two self-guided bicycle day tours.

 

Self-Guided Tour: West Side to Uptown Day Tour The “West Side to Uptown” Day Tour is a 9-mile loop that starts and finishes at John Ball Zoo. The day tour features a beginner-friendly route with destinations including the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, Rosa Parks Circle, Donkey Taqueria, New Holland Knickerbocker and more.

 

Self-Guided Tour: Stops Along the White Pine Trail The “Stops Along the White Pine Trail” Day Tour is a build your own adventure along Michigan’s second longest rail-trail. Beginning in Riverside Park in Grand Rapids, users can make the 6-mile round trip ride to Comstock Park, the 21-mile round trip ride to Rockford, or the 35-mile round trip adventure to Cedar Springs. The tour features highlights like Elk Brewing and the Rockford Dam Overlook at every stop along the way.

 

The self-guided bicycle tours and interactive Kent County bike map developed through a partnership between Experience Grand Rapids and global beginner biking specialists My City Bikes provide visitors with a bicycling adventure to enjoy at their own pace. Simply follow the turn-by-turn directions to pedal to historic places, delectable local flavors, and entertaining attractions for a quintessential Grand Rapids experience.

 

As with any bicycling adventure, safety should always come first. When riding a bicycle, always wear a helmet and use bike lights. Obey traffic signals and stop signs just as a car would, and stop at all intersections when on a shared-use path. Use hand signals like indicators to tell traffic when turning left or right. Use a bike lock to secure the bike to a rack when stopping at local attractions. For more information about bicycle safety, visit http://grdrivingchange.org.

 

For more information about the bike tours, visit https://www.experiencegr.com/biking.