Exercise R Us

Question:

>We’ve got info on road rides, but haven’t been >able to find too much >info on mountain biking in the area except that >some of the=

 ski areas >have trails (Boyne, Crystal, Sugar Loaf, etc). >Does anyone have any >suggestions? We’ll be mostly in the northwest >sec= tion of the lower >peninsula (Petoskey/Traverse City/Gaylord area), >but we’ll consider >good rides elsewhere – Alpena, Charlevoix, = Upper >Peninsula, etc. >Thanks >Steve

Boyne, Crystal and Sugar Loaf do have a variety of trails available.   Crystal has some good, short climbs and Sugar Loaf has a wide variety, including lot of sandy spots. You may also try Schuss Mt. (also in Traverse area) the site of one of the big NORBA races in July.  This course has lots of rolling hills, lots of green (see last year’s VeloNews coverage), fun to ride and fun to look at. Don’t write off the on-road riding either.  Good routes can be found around Petosky, Harbor Springs, Walloon Lake, East Jordan, and others.   Check with the local chamber of commerce as several tours are planned each year. Enjoy your stay.  

Response:

My wife and I are heading out to Michigan for a golfing/biking vacation later this summer. We’re not sure if we’re going to bring the road bikes or the mountain bikes. We’ve got info on road rides, but haven’t been able to find too much info on mountain biking in the area except that some of the ski areas have trails (Boyne, Crystal, Sugar Loaf, etc). Does anyone have any suggestions? We’ll be mostly in the northwest section of the lower peninsula (Petoskey/Traverse City/Gaylord area), but we’ll consider good rides elsewhere – Alpena, Charlevoix, Upper Peninsula, etc. Thanks Steve

Response:

>My wife and I are heading out to Michigan for a golfing/biking vacation >later this summer. We’re not sure if we’re going to bring the road bikes >or the mountain bikes. We’ve got info on road rides, but haven’t been able >to find too much info on mountain biking in the area except that some of >the ski areas have trails (Boyne, Crystal, Sugar Loaf, etc). Does anyone >have any suggestions? We’ll be mostly in the northwest section of the lower >peninsula (Petoskey/Traverse City/Gaylord area), but we’ll consider good >rides elsewhere – Alpena, Charlevoix, Upper Peninsula, etc. >Thanks >Steve

I grew up in the area, so let me give you my biased view . This is one of the best areas I have ever seen for biking, road or mtn. The whole area is built around the tourist industry, but I don’t think the mountain biking aspect has been emphasized by any of the resorts. Schuss Mountain in Mancelona holds one of the Norba series races, so it obviously has some decent trails. The event will have coverage, I know I saw a little ESPN clip on last year’s event. Misleading somewhat is that the whole area is called Traverse City, as that is the main city in the area, and the most tourist-centered. I highly recommend going to Brick Wheels in Traverse City, the best bike shop I’ve been to, and asking around about local trails. If you want to contact Boyne, their number is 1 800-Boyne-USA. If you can only bring one bike, however, I’d say go for mountain. True singletrack of the eastern/rocky/rooty variety, and no worries about hikers or equestrians. The other areas you mentioned: Petoskey: near boyne,will have some great trails in the area. Not as tourist-trap’ish as Traverse City, but doesn’t have all the amenities either. Traverse City: will be a bit expensive. A big tourist trap, but probably the most advanced as far as Mtn biking goes. Within reasonable distance of the Schuss Mtn trails mentioned above. Gaylord: smallest of the three. Should have some great trails, most likely hidden, as I don’t think the area has promoted Mtn Biking much. Could be wrong, however, I haven’t gotten to enjoy the area much at college. Alpena: on the eastern side of the state, coast of Lake Huron. The eastern part of Michigan is pretty flat, doubt there will be good mtn biking. Charlevoix: kind of a port, about 10 miles or so south of Petoskey. Really touristy, and really expensive. I’d suggest going to Petoskey instead.   Ok, I’ll close this too-long message about my home area . I obviously think it’s an undiscovered heaven for biking. E-mail me for more info, I can go into much greater detail . Brad W. Glasgow

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