it’s FREE. just take it.
Manistee & Mason County Ride Guide your legs Volume 1, Edition 1
MTB & Road Manistee Co. Mason Co.
Shoreline-Cycling-2013Pub_rev2.indd 1
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Our Mission The purpose of the club is to educate cyclists, elected officials, local decision makers and the general public about the benefits of cycling. Health, environmental responsibility and a practical means of transportation are a few of these benefits. In order to achieve this purpose, the Club will promote and participate in trail and bicycle path construction, maintenance and cleanup, conduct educational programs and advocate increased bicycle use as a means of environmental conservation.
Please respect IMBA rules on our trail systems. The Shoreline Cycling Club members strive to ensure that the trails that have been created will survive for generations of riders, so we ask that when riding, please respect the trails, and others who are enjoying them. For a complete list of IMBA rules we encourage you to visit: www.imba.com
Special Thanks This edition of DIRTroad was funded in part by a grant from the Community Foundation for Mason County.
Shoreline Cycling Club www.shorelinecyclingclub.org 2013 DIRTroad Committee:
Shoreline-Cycling-2013Pub_rev2.indd 2-3
David Maclean Scott Quiring Christina Peek
Ken Blakey-Shell Sara Kronlein
PUBLISHER:
Shoreline Cycling Club
ART DIRECTOR:
Brandon JensenRIGHTside design
EDITOR:
Maralee Cook
MANAGING WRITER:
Ken Blakey-Shell
MANAGING PHOTOGRAPHER:
Andy Klevorn
4/30/2013 5:56:35 PM
your legs in Manistee and Mason county
road DIRTroad magazine was created by the Shoreline Cycling Club of Manistee and Mason counties. SCC is a non-profit group of die hard cycling junkies, promoting and growing the cycling community in the area and opening up people’s eyes to great riding available right here in Northern Michigan. Flip through these pages and check out the top ten MTB and ROAD rides selected by the “panel of experts” who meticulously selected these top rides in the area.
step
Look for the symbols... Do you like ROAD, MTB, BOTH?
TERRAIN
DIFFICULTY
step
Check out the stats and symbols... see if it’s a good fit for your style of riding and experience level. To avoid confusion, we stuck to three rating scales. Easy - Great for families/kids-smooth & flat. Medium - Rolling hills,smooth with a few bumps.. Hard - A high climb here &there and rougher terrain Harder - More climbing and pretty rough terrain. Insanity - Up and down like an elevator and you ask yourself... is this a trail people actually ride? Recommended for very experienced riders
RIDER
EXPERIENCE
Beginner- Great for families/kids learning skills. Intermediate - Need to have ridden a bike before. Advanced - Need the right gear & really understand how to handle your bike. Expert - Need quality equipment and understand technique. Junkie - If you are here, you get it... and probably have a garage full of bikes.
step
RIDER
ENDURANCE
Easy Going - Short ride, all you need is a bottle of water.
Shoreline-Cycling-2013Pub_rev2.indd 4-5
Good Workout - Need to be in some sort of shape. High Pace - Going to need water and some fuel! “I enjoy pain” - You better ride often... this is a long ride. Expect heavy breathing. Are you human? - Long haul, you enjoy pain, and a serious personal fitness challenge.
Get off your couch and go riding in Northern Michigan! We have given you everything we can in a 40 page ride guide.
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The trails in this area are “old school” in their design. In other words, expect some water damage which will cause sandy patches, root exposure, and some small drops/ledges. This really isn’t ideal for the health of the trails, and the cycling club works with the National Forest Service to address problem areas, but it does make for some fun riding if you like things to be a bit more technical. Seasonally, the trails change in character. In the spring there tends to be a fair amount of leaves and small sticks covering the trails (ideal single speed conditions). In the summer, when things get a lot drier and warmer, the trails tend to get sandier (riding after a rain is the perfect time to get out there.) In the fall you will be treated to riding bliss until the leaves start to drop, or we get a storm which starts to bring down a lot of sticks and limbs. We do our best to clear the trails but after a windstorm a lot of junk can fall on the trails, so make sure you are prepared for potential stick damage (bent/broken spoke, bent derailleur hanger/ derailleur...) if you are headed out for a long ride. (continued on page 10)
he Big M trail system is located between the Big and Little Manistee rivers on a big mound of “glacial poo” named Udell Hills. Flat terrain surrounds much of the Udell Hills. The trails meander all over this mound providing a wide variety of terrain, including a lot of challenging climbs and descents. In total, there are over 40 miles of single-track in this area when you include the North Country Trail (NCT), which traverses Udell Hills. There are as many good routes as there are mountain bikers, so the Big M is a great place to follow your bliss and ride without a fixed route ahead of time. If you feel like hitting some hills, you are in the right spot to get your fix of climbing and downhilling. If you want flatter terrain, not a problem! Hit up some of the trails on the perimeter of Udell Hills and enjoy the speed.
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55
Udell Trailhead
TO MANISTEE
0.5
0.25
44.10559 -86.029318
TO WELLSTON
0.5 MI
0
15.0 Ro on M ad
2.5
y ke
u
North Co
5.0
Big Wheel
EXPERIENCE |
II
Climbs “Worth Naming”
Double Bit
er ack
llw
Bu
ail untry Tr
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44.191688 -86.064716
Cappers Corner
C
North Co
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a at
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13.1 26.2
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10.0
“Good Road Climb” elev: 110 ft. avg grade: 4.1% dist: 0.79mi
“Poplars Climb” elev: 145 ft. avg grade: 6.5% dist: 0.58mi
1,200
elevation - feet (ft)
13.1 13.1 MyRaceSticker.com
ou
m
acker
Goo
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Bullw
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Recommended that the riders start on the Udell Trailhead at M-55. This trailhead is part of the Manistee National Forest and is a “fee area” which requires a small fee for parking. Start out on the North Country Trail and head south and after about 1 mile you will catch the Big M Outer loop (25 on marked post.) Continue west on “Shanty Boy”. When you reach Marker 29, continue to 30 on the Outer loop. When you reach the 30 marker, you may take a detour to 31 and see the Udell Lookout Firetower or continue to marker 33. Continuing on the Outer Loop you will get into the inner trail system of Big M. You will reach marker 17, continue on to 34 (you will be on “Corkpine”). Continue to 35, to 2, 3 and 4 on Lumberjack. From marker 4, continue to 23 to 24, 25, and hook up with the North Country Trail back to the Udell Trailhead.
8 | Shoreline Cycling Club
Do
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Roads
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12.5
rkp
Finish
Sky Pilot
Co
Start
Ryberg Rd
ubl
Ch
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eat
7.5
Oh Me
Stic
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Mile Marker
Mo
2.5
The Firetower
k
ad
MTB TRAIL (associated with this ride)
Camp 24
Barber Chair
Lumberjack
Ro
ENDURANCE |
Bindle Stiff
Udell Lookout Tower
ine
DIFFICULTY |
oy
Shanty B
Big-M Outer MTB trail
Gabriel’s Horn
ntry Trail
“Big M’s Bitchin’ Berms”
elev: 179 ft. avg grade: 9.0% highest grade: 11.2% dist: 0.52mi
elev: 321 ft. avg grade: 7.1% dist: 1.59mi
1,000
“Off-Chamber Climb”
800
600 0
2.5
5.0
7.5
distance - miles (mi)
10.0
12.5
15.0
DIRTroad Magazine | 9
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“Highlights” in the area include Capper’s Corner and the Firetower. Capper’s Corner is the location of an old ski lift and offers excellent views. The Firetower is the high point of the area and offers some interesting history on the area. There are two primary trailheads that service the Udell Hills area, and one super secret trailhead with a special bonus feature.
Lumberjack, Corkpine, Bindle Stiff, Road Monkey, and Swedish Fiddle are all flat to rolling. Most everything else is fairly hilly. Swedish Fiddle is best avoided because it is pretty unspectacular and typically not in as good of shape as the rest of the trails.
On the north end just off of M55 is the North Country Trailhead. This is the quickest location to get on the trails if you are coming from Manistee. Head south out of the parking lot on NCT and after .7 miles the Big M trails will intersect NCT. You don’t have a ton of options for trails to start out on, and no matter which way you go there is going to be some climbing, so this isn’t the best trailhead for beginners. The trailhead has a hand pump for water (only trailhead in the area with potable water), a pit toilet, and lots of parking. There is a fee tube and National Forest Service usage fee at this site.
lodge that is open to XC skiers in the winter. There is a fee tube and National Forest Service usage fee. The “super secret” trailhead isn’t really secret at all. It is a put in for the Little Manistee River named Nine Mile Bridge. There are no amenities at this location and no fee to park here. The big “amenity” is the river. This is an awesome place to ride from in the summer because you can swim and cool off after the ride. To access the Big M trails you
need to head north from Nine Mile Bridge and hop on NCT. You then climb, climb and climb some more until the Big M trail system crosses NCT. This is also an excellent place to park and head south on NCT. The section of NCT to the south is fairly flat to rolling and is a great option if you want to avoid hills. text: Ken Blakey-Shell Ken is a board member of the Shoreline Cycling Club and an avid outdoor adventure seeker.
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Classic routes include the “outer loop” which will take you around the perimeter of the “poo.” Another great option if you are looking for a challenging route is the old 25 mile Lumberjack 100 route. The Lumberjack 100 is a 100 mile mountain bike race held each June. In recent years it has moved to a 33 mile loop which includes some two track, but the old 25 mile loop is 99% single-track and is an excellent way to take in the best of the Udell. In general, we recommend against hopping on the two-tracks in the Udell if you are not familiar with the area and/or do not have excellent navigation skills. There is not good signage on the twotracks for MTB use and it is easy to get lost.
On the southern side of Udell Hills is the Big M Parking lot. There are a lot of options for riding from this trailhead to accommodate all skill and fitness levels.There is a nice paved parking lot with tons of space, pit toilets, and a DIRTroad Magazine | 11
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ou would be hard pressed to find a bad road riding route in Manistee County because of the rolling terrain, low traffic, and beautiful views. If there is one standout route it has to be Lakeshore Rd out of Manistee and then M22 from Portage Lake/Onekama heading north. These roads are the trifecta of road riding bliss: good roads that are safe to ride, beautiful views and terrain that varies from flat to hilly depending on what you are looking for. To cap it off, if you want to ride a different route back, there are many variations on back roads branching off the route which provide low traffic, more beautiful views, great terrain and some really great rider attractions. Lakeshore Rd heads north out of the City of Manistee and has a nice bike lane along its entire length as well as low speed limits for cars. The route is bookended by two climbs on the north and south. These can be challenging with elevation gains of around 100 vertical feet, but the climbs are broken up with some flat sections part way through the climbs. The center section of Lakeshore Rd is flat with views of Lake Michigan and Bar Lake. Options to make your ride into a loop include turning onto Bar Lake Rd and then connecting back up to Lakeshore Rd via Kott Rd which will take you through the Bar Lake Swamp and past gorgeous farmland with periodic views of Lake Michigan and the dunes in the distance. (continued on page 16)
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13
13 Mile
Burtker
Old Faceful Artesian Well
Bear Lake
le
Mi
Nice Rest Spot VILLAGE OF BEAR LAKE
Potter Rd Milarch Rd
17.0
25.0
22
ENDURANCE | ROADS (associated with this ride)
2.5
Poi n age
Portage Point
Mile Marker
n iga
elev: 132 ft. avg grade: 2.9% dist: 1.02mi
750
34.0
34.0
Scenic Overlook
Schoedel
41.0
Ro
25.0
distance - miles (mi)
ore
17.0
Lak esh
9.0
22
ad
500 0
10.0
Bar Lake Road
elev: 300 ft. avg grade: 3.5% dist: 1.74mi
Rd
La
elevation - feet (ft)
“Pierport Climb” “Notfarhfrompuking”
950
t Beach
ich
Roads
Crescen The “Art Deck” Outdoor Art Studio
ke M
Finish
Climbs “Worth Naming”
8 Mile Rd
Portage Lake
9.0
OVERLAP (riding same stretch) Start
VILLAGE OF ONEKAMA
Miller Rd
EXPERIENCE |
Portage Point Artesian Well
Por t
DIFFICULTY |
tD r
This rideshowcases the great roads along the shoreline and also highlights the country roads further inland that are both beautiful and lightly trafficked. There are a few challenging climbs along the way to test the legs, and the downhills are really fun.
22
14.0
Bar Lake
Hiking Trails
Ve Gr t. Oa ove k Dr
Hill
Orchard Beach State Park
Polen
Sudia
Dontz
DIFFICULTY |
31 Find the Paved Bike Trail between Hill & Vet. Oak Grove
EXPERIENCE | ENDURANCE | ROAD TRAIL (associated with this ride) OVERLAP (riding same stretch as other route)
Manistee Lake
CITY OF MANISTEE
31 14 | Shoreline Cycling Club
Shoreline-Cycling-2013Pub_rev2.indd 14-15
55 VILLAGE OF EASTLAKE
2.5
-or- 2.5 Start
Mile Marker Finish
Roads
DIRTroad Magazine | 15
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M22 is nice and flat in the area of Portage Lake and heads through the charming Village of Onekama. A great option is to turn onto Portage Point Dr and ride out to Portage Point on the north side of the Portage Lake channel. Along the way there is an artesian well which has crystal clear and cold water to resupply with. Further out near Portage Point you will go past historic Portage Point Inn and eventually end at Lake Michigan where Portage Lake hooks up with the big lake. If you head north of Portage Lake on M22 you will get into some winding and substantial hills (most about 1 mile in length and 300’+ elevation gain) but will be rewarded by stunning overlooks of Lake Michigan and the small lakes in the area. This route is a great choice when looking to venture beyond the Manistee County border north of Arcadia. If you are looking for a long ride, continue north into Benzie County and beyond. M22 between Onekama and Arcadia has many quaint produce stands with fresh fruit grown in the very orchards you will be riding through. There are excellent diversions along the way. If you turn west off of M22 onto 13 Mile Rd you will be treated to a very fun, winding downhill into Pierport. Not
only will you dead end at a nice beach access to Lake Michigan, you will also find the second artesian well in the area: Old Facefull. This is yet another excellent tasting, cold water resupply station along the lakeshore. These wells have saved many a weary cyclist! The roads east of M22 are also great options. Milarch and Erdman are both quality north and south roads to use if you want to loop back to your starting location. St Pierre south of Arcadia is a fun and challenging option going both up and down from the Arcadia Valley. Whichever road you choose to ride along the lakeshore, you will find youself coming back for more once you have experienced. text: Ken Blakey-Shell Ken is a board member of the Shoreline Cycling Club and an avid outdoor adventure seeker.
we are here Located in downtown
Manistee Michigan
231.398.5556 OutpostManistee.com
On your way through downtown Onekama don’t hesitate to stop at the local shops and farmers markets. They offer some of the best local/fresh produce around. A great local fuel source. Right at the beginning of the ride on Lakeshore Road you will find Orchard Beach State Park. Connected to the park is a great hiking area with 5+ miles of marked trails.
FEATURING If you are riding in the shoulder seasons, be sure to pack an extra layer you can put on and take off as temperatures may vary by 10 degrees from the lakeshore to the inland roads.
- clothing - accessories - footwear - michigan gear - much more!
DIRTroad Magazine | 17
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THOMPSONVILLE
Benzie County Manistee County
44.526273 -86.214753
115 13 Mile Rd
ONEKAMA Coates Hwy
BRETHREN
Experience the rolling hills and beautiful wildflower fields on this single track loop system.
31 Page: 24
MANISTEE
Beginners/Intermediate MTB riders looking to venture out on single track for the first time will enjoy this.
istee
r
Page: 30
Sauble R
iver
Page: 15
Stiles Rd
FOUNTAIN Round Lake
Ludington Ave
LUDINGTON
SCOTTVILLE
Pere Marquette Lake
Short on time? Cut the Pierport Loop short on the Bar Lake Loop and still catch the beauty of the Lake.
CUSTER
River Pere Marquette
31
Page: 22
PENTWATER
N. Oceana Dr
[47.5 miles out/back : Dashed White + Dark Red line on map] Page: 27
Lake County Newaygo County
Madison Rd Monroe Rd
Page: 32
Wide roads, views of the Lake and plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the state park! A great family ride.
18 | Shoreline Cycling Club
Shoreline-Cycling-2013Pub_rev2.indd 18-19
43.743378 -86.404336
Ri
[15.0 miles out/back]
Deer Rd
31
Tyler Rd
HART
120th Ave
dg e
Rd
Take in Lake Michigan, the Big Manistee River and rolling farmlands all in one ride.
Mason County Oceana County Oceana County
It has this name for a reason. This ride is a long haul on undulating terrain with tight roads.
Harrison Rd
10
< North Country Trail (Dashed - NO MTB bikes) W 76th St
Newaygo County
Page: 26
BALDWIN
52nd St
Darr Rd
Morton Rd
The southern equivalent of the Pierport Loop. Beautiful views of Lake Michigan and great roads to ride on. [54.9 miles out/back]
Wolf Lake
10
Branch Rd
Chauvez Rd
[33.2 miles -or- 41.2 miles w/ add-on]
4 Mile Rd
< North Country Trail (Solid - MTB bikes allowed)
Scottville Rd
OUR FEATURE ROAD ride, the Pierport Loop takes you along one of the most scenic highways in Michigan, M22. You meander your way up and down the coastal terrain on great roads with scenic overlooks! A must ride when you are in the area. [17.2 miles - Dashed White/Red line on map]
Jebavy Rd
Page: 14
37 5 Mile Rd
in
gl
An
Fountain Rd
d gR
Free Soil Rd
44.10559 -86.029318
Custer Rd
31 Hamlin Lake
10 1/2 Mile Rd
Bass Lake Rd
Quarterline Rd
Page: 33
A great spot to take the whole family on an afternoon MTB ride! Also a great spot to pick up the sport!
[41.3 miles]
Manistee County Lake County
44.170657 -86.103628
A great collection of MTB trails that is sure to intrigue all types of riders. [miles varies]
Hoxeyville Rd
Manistee County Mason County
Hamilton Rd
[miles vary]
Rive
d
County Line Rd
55
nR
Define EPIC... This ride is for your advanced MTB practitioners of the sport.
WELLSTON Man
34 1/2 Rd
ma
Little
Tippy Dam Pond
< North Country Trail (Dashed - NO MTB bikes)
44.231989 -86.07628
55
Manistee Lake
Page: 28
Dillings Rd
44.273175 -85.946448
Bi
Hwy
Sea
[17.26 miles out/back]
tee
nis
a gM
Coates
er Riv
Lake County
[17.8 miles out/back]
44.291839 -85.88171
Wexford County
Portage Lake
Page: 20
Beers Rd
KALEVA
Mason County
[12.2 miles - per complete loop]
9 Mile Rd High Bridge Rd
OUR FEATURE MTB ride, the Outer Loop has one of the most diverse collections of terrain in Michigan. It also boasts some of the largest elevation changes of any of our rides, so pack plenty of fuel!
44.373938 -85.838452
Manistee County
Lake Michigan
Page: 8
Healy Lake Rd
BEAR LAKE
aniste e Rive r
Bear Lake
[15.7 miles]
Marilla Rd
31
22
Big M
DIRTroad is proud to say that we have eliminated the guessing game by mapping out the five best MTB and ROAD rides in the Manistee and Mason County area.
Warfield Rd
ARCADIA
37
xx.xxxxx -xx.xxxxx
Finding some of the trailheads for the MTB rides can be tough, so we gave you all the GPS coordinates so they should be easy to find!
DIRTroad Magazine | 19
4/30/2013 5:56:45 PM
22
44.527014 -86.142006
Joyfield Rd
8.0 Best when ridden in the Shoulder season. This section of trail is frequently traveled by hikers during the summer months
Hunt Rd
St. Pierre Trailhead
FIGURE 8
St. Pi erre R
FIGURE 8: This 10 mile ride (red trails) is a classic no matter which direction you decide to go. The figure 8 is made by the two trails in the Dry Hill area right off the St Pierre trailhead (Chestnut and Dry Hill loops). If you go such that you can hit the middle of the 8 going south towards Matzinger Rd you will take in one of the best downhills of the trail system.
EXPERIENCE | ENDURANCE | MTB TRAIL (associated with this ride) MTB TRAIL (alternate trails) Climbs “Worth Naming” Start
2.5
QUAD LOOP: There are four basic loops in the Arcadia trail system: The 2 mile loop west of M22, the 2 mile Chestnut loop off the St. Pierre trailhead, the 7 mile Dry Hill Loop and the 2 mile Pete’s Woods loop. Hit all four loops for about a 20 mile ride (7 miles gravel road on top of the loops).
Roads
“Deep-Dark-Forest” elevation - feet (ft)
“99 Bottles”
elev: 83 ft. avg grade: 4.7% highest grade: 5.1% dist: 0.33mi
1,200 1,100
TO PETE’S WOODS
Taylor Rd
SEASON TIP: If you can only pick one season to ride the loops, it must be sping. When the Trillium wildflowers are in full bloom it is a breathtaking scene to see the hills blanketed with them.
Mile Marker
Finish
2.0
Letteau Rd
44.526273 -86.214753
Zilch Rd
22
DIFFICULTY |
4.0
Matzinger Rd
d
10.0
1.0
6.0
TO Taylor Rd
PETE’S WOODS Swamp R d
“Old Baldy” Overlook
elev: 121 ft. avg grade: 3.9% highest grade: 7.1% dist: 0.61mi
1,000 900 0
2.0
20 | Shoreline Cycling Club
Shoreline-Cycling-2013Pub_rev2.indd 20-21
4.0
6.0
distance - miles (mi)
8.0
10.0
12.0
DIRTroad Magazine | 21
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ROAD TRAIL (associated with this ride) ADD-ON
Mile 2.5 Marker
(To Pentwater)
Finish
Roads
Mile 2.5 Marker
(From Pentwater)
Jebavy Dr
Brye Rd
Pere Marquette Hwy
Meyers Rd
Washington
Bradshaw Rd
10.0 Morton Rd
W. Chauvez Rd
Hopkins Lake
25.0
ADD-ON: As you are riding south (or back north from Pentwater) you will see fifty-six 465' tall wind turbines from the Lake Winds Energy Park. This add-on route takes you down 12 miles of great road through the heart of the wind farm. These structures are amazing to see up close and you should consider the add-on if you have the time.
31
Dr
Start
Conrad Rd
Iris St
S. Lakeshore
2.5 Add-Mile Marker
5.0
31
Lister Rd
ENDURANCE |
6th St
Pere Marquette Lake
1st St
Kinney Rd
Kistler Rd
5.0
Hawley Rd S Brye Rd
EXPERIENCE |
30.0
Pere Marquette Hwy
DIFFICULTY |
10
CITY OF LUDINGTON
Dowland
Rd hore Lakes
For those looking to venture out on the road for an easy/moderate road ride with stunning views of Lake Michigan, this is a perfect "out and back" option for you. We recommend that you begin your ride at Stearns Park at the west end of US10 (Ludington Avenue) From there, you will head through downtown Ludington until hooking up with the Pere Marquette Highway & Iris Road. Iris Road has a decent climb, but the view from the top is well worth the energy used during the early stages of this ride (use caution on Iris, it is very narrow.) Once you make your way west on Iris, swing south onto S. Lakeshore Dr. You will take Lakeshore all the way to the Marina in downtown Pentwater. Give yourself some extra time in Pentwater, as many of the shops are worth checking out.
Ludington Ave James St
Stearns Park
0.0
Blundell Rd
Meisenheimer Rd
10.0
Deren Rd
Anthony Rd
Lake Michigan
Lattin Rd
Bass Lake N 72nd Ave
Marrison Rd
20.0
N
Oc
Han
N 66th Ave
coc
k St
ea
15.0
na
N 80th St
Washington Rd
Dr
Hogan Rd
Jefferson Rd
Hammett Rd
31
d
eR
ro
Shoreline-Cycling-2013Pub_rev2.indd 22-23
Pentwater Lake
Madison Rd
on
22 | Shoreline Cycling Club
6th St
M
Pentwater Marina
VILLAGE OF PENTWATER
DIRTroad Magazine | 23
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Skocelas Rd
8.6
Udell Hills Rd 44.170657 -86.103628
9-Mile Bridge R ive
rsid
eD
r
DIFFICULTY | EXPERIENCE |
Campbell Rd
ENDURANCE | MTB TRAIL (North Country Trail-NCT) Ri
ve r
NCT TRAIL (may continue riding on
sid
this trail if you desire)
eD
r
10.0
Mile 2.5 Marker
Mile Marker
2.5
(Return mileage)
Start
Roads
River Dr
Finish
5.0 d
ig R
This section is about 17 miles round trip and is beginner friendly because it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t very hilly nor is it very tight. On the southern end there is a swampy area that comes alive in the spring with lots of frogs and other wildlife meandering about. If you want to add on some more challenging terrain you can continue north on this section and into the Udell Hills which is hilly and more technical hooking up with Big M (see page 10 for full map.) This is a popular ride to go out and back on, as you will easily identify the end of the route when you reach the Little Manistee River and the bridge crossing. Keep in mind that the final half mile will be over dirt roads, as you will hook up with Riverside Drive and merge onto 9-Mile/Skocelas Road until you hit the makeshift parking area near 9-mile bridge. Be sure to pack plenty of water, as neither parking area to the north or south have potable water. The Freesoil Trailhead does have a quality info kiosk, and neither parking area requires a vehicle permit/fee for parking.
24 | Shoreline Cycling Club
Shoreline-Cycling-2013Pub_rev2.indd 24-25
2.5
d
eR
Pin
15.0
Tyndal Rd
n Koe
231-843-3441 800-748-0173
(reservations only) Exceptional Quality www.vikingarmsinn.com and Hospitality 44.10559 -86.029318
930 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington
Freesoil Rd/8-Mile
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40.0
Dontz Rd
Kott Rd
Leckrone
Farnsworth
2.5 Mile Marker Griffith Rd
5.0
an
rm
20.0
e ind
H
Rd
High Bridge Rd
Optional BAILOUT
(beginning at 1st St and Maple St.)
25.0
Rose Rd
45.0 Bar Lake
Start
Skidmore
15.0 River Rd
Archer Rd
Coates Hwy
30.0
Chief Rd
35.0
Kettner Rd
10.0
Milarch
Bar Lake Rd
Rd Lak esh ore
iga n La ke Mi ch
Switalski Rd
Schoedel Rd
Kenny Rd
31
22
DIFFICULTY | EXPERIENCE | ENDURANCE |
Finish Roads
ROAD TRAIL
(associated with this ride)
OVERLAP
(riding same stretch as other route)
Veterans Oak Grove Washington (Maple) St.
CITY OF MANISTEE
Maple Rd
ck R
Start
” oute
Rd
ty
ple
Ci Rd
Preuss Rd
50.0
EXPERIENCE | ENDURANCE |
31 Ford Lake
10.0
Hoague Rd
ROADS (associated with this ride) Darr Rd
Quarterline Rd
Morton Rd
Co. Line Rd
OVERLAP (riding same road) 45.0
2.5 Mile Marker
Tuttle Rd
Koenig Rd
ALT (optional route)
15.0
Custer Rd
35.0 Gun Lake
d
Poplar R
Beyer Rd
25.0
Fountain Rd
.
Millerton Rd
Ford Lake
k Ford L
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20.0
Free Soil Rd
ROAD TIPS: There are almost 2 miles on Quarterline which don’t have a shoulder and are highly trafficked so you may want to push the pace on this section to shorten it up. The rest of the roads do not have bike lanes but are low traffic country roads hooking back up with Maple Road into Downtown Manistee. If you are at all familiar with the area, we suggest bailing out on Filer City Road which is the local "Truck Route." It is marked well so it is an easy and scenic road to make your way back to Manistee.
26 | Shoreline Cycling Club
Roads
Reek Rd
Named Southern Discomfort for its outgoing direction and mileage. You will Terml Rd need endurance for this 55 mile round trip ride, however, you don't have to be the most experienced climber, as there are few hills that need to be navigated. Make sure you pack plenty of fuel, as there are few stops along the way. You will find a gas station in Freesoil (on Free Soil Rd.) but that is your only real option.
Reek Cleveland
Fox Farm Rd
Camp Rd
DIFFICULTY |
Maple Rd
Wildwood Rd
Ap
Finish
er
Red
(beginning at 1st St and Maple St.)
Fil
5.0
This is primarily an east/west ride (or as much as possible from Manistee). The ride heads north and then inland at Kott Rd. When you turn off Bar Lake Rd and onto Schoedel Rd you are in for a big climb to one of the best views in the area once you reach the top. Continuing on to US31 (a very safe stretch with rumble strips and a wide shoulder), turn right so you can ride that short section slightly downhill to Coates Hwy. Shortly after this you will jog onto Milarch and then onto River Rd where you will ride through a section of the Manistee River valley. High Bridge Rd and Coates Hwy are both busier roads but have good shoulders for most of their lengths. Once you get back to Milarch, turn north to 31 and hook up with US31 to Schoedel. You can loop around Bar Lake (via Bar Lake Road) and come back to Manistee via Lakeshore Rd. This is a great ride to do early in the spring when it is sunny because it is 10+ degrees warmer inland than by the coast.
Manistee Lake “Tru
Cherry Rd
1st St
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Beers Rd
Marilla Trailhead NCT (NO Bikes) >
Hodenpyl Dam Pond
d
R am
D pyl den Ho
44.373938 -85.838452
d
rs R
Bee
10.0
DIFFICULTY |
River nistee
Big Ma
Up pe r
Ri
ve r
Rd
HODENPYL DAM
EXPERIENCE | ENDURANCE | MTB TRAIL (associated with this ride)
5.0
NCT TRAIL (North Country Trail) Start
Finish
This is one of those trails that you can ride out and back and you would never guess that you are on the same trail. We suggest you begin your 17.26mi. round trip from Coates Highway as it is the easiest access point where you can “Sweets Ravine” park along the road (on the shoulder near the NCT sign) or you can park at elev: 293 ft. the Upper River Trailhead and ride avg grade: 7.01% dist: 0.79mi down Upper River Rd to Coates Hwy when you will hook up with the NCT marker indicated on the map. Please note that this section of trail is traveled frequently by hikers so make sure you follow the IMBA trail etiquette guidelines.
Climbs “Worth Naming” Sh
eep
Mile Marker
2.5
Ra
nch
Rd
Mile 2.5 Marker
(Return mileage)
Big Ma n
istee R
iver
Roads
15.0
“Red Hill Lookout” idge d Br
elev: 246 ft. avg grade: 11.3% dist: 0.41mi
oad
R Twr.
iver
Rd
Upp
er R
Po le
Rd
Re
NCT (NO Bikes)
Upper River Rd. Trailhead
La
ge
rq u
ist
Rd
NCT marker on Coates Hwy (shoulder parking)
Coa
44.291839 -85.881711
This ride takes you on nearly 2,800 feet of climbing, so you will need plenty of fuel and water on this ride. We do not recommend this for beginners as much of this single track is fast and tight. This stretch of the North Country Trail has some of the best MTB riding in the state, so enjoy every minute of it!
tes
Hw
< NCT (Bikes Allowed)
28 | Shoreline Cycling Club
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y
For those of you looking to extend your ride, you can keep riding south from Coates down to Dillings Road. This will add another 1,200 feet of elevation to your ride (out and back) along with another 13 miles. DIRTroad Magazine | 29
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Pentwater Lake
TO PENTWATER
d eR
idg
r gb
31
n Lo
0
d
Monroe R
5 Ja
ck
so
n(
un
pa ve d
6
)
2
1
43.743378 -86.404336
Pentwater Pathways Parking Area
4
N 60th Ave
3
Ave
WEEKEND TRAVEL TIP: For those of you who are visiting Pentwater, be sure to bring both your ROAD and MTB bikes! With Pentwater being the turn-around point for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;South Lakeshoreâ&#x20AC;? ride, the Pentwater Pathways MTB trail system is a perfect spot to Stretch your MTB legs. Bring both of your bikes and have a blast on the Pentwater ROAD and MTB trails!
4.5
52nd
If you head south out of Ludington on the expressway, the first town you will come up on is the bustling summer community of DIFFICULTY | Pentwater, MI. If you take the Business US31 exit (Monroe Road), you will hook up with EXPERIENCE | Long Bridge Road (Turn Left). Cross the ENDURANCE | bridge and turn left onto Wayne Road. Follow Wayne for approximately 1.5 miles MTB TRAIL (associated with this ride) and turn right onto a dirt road (Jackson). This will take you to a spectacular set of MTB Intersection trails in the heart of the State of Michigan 1 Roads Marker cross country ski area. This is a great trail area for beginners looking to refine their Beginner Trail MTB skills before hitting the Coates and Marilla Ride, or Big-M (also mentioned and Intermediate Trail mapped out in this guide). Advanced Trail There are a variety of options when you are at the pathways, and these trails are marked similar to Big-M (MTB #1) with intersection markers and a color coaded trail system referencing difficulty (green-beginner, blue-intermediate and black-advanced). Even though there are three sets of trails, if you are an experienced rider, you won't have a problem handling the advanced trails right from the beginning.
e Av ne ay W
.25mi
N 54th Ave
.50mi
Wayne Rd. (no exit off US31 Use Monroe Rd Exit)
31
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.125mi
0 Hamlin Lake
MTB TRAIL (Trails vary by color)
7.5
WALKING PATH Trailhead
LUDINGTON STATE PARK 6 11 M-
1
Intersection (markers & maps)
DIFFICULTY |
Start
EXPERIENCE |
Finish
ENDURANCE |
DIFFICULTY | EXPERIENCE |
This is a great trail system to refine your MTB skills with the whole family! The Ludington School Forest Trails were built by the Shoreline Cycling Club and each year they keep adding to the trails. If you are looking for a quick hour-long workout, or a half day of fun with the family, the Ludington School Forest Trails is where itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at
ENDURANCE | ROAD TRAIL (Out and Back)
2.5 Mile Marker
Sherman Rd
The Ludington State Park ride takes you on a flat, scenic ride along Lake Michigan! Leaving from 5.0 Stearns Park on the west end of Ludington Avenue (US-10), you head north along Lakeshore Drive to M-116 following the lake all the way to the main parking area at the State Park. Many of the roads in the park are also paved and enjoyable to explore with the whole family! Ride back and enjoy scenic views of the Ludington Lighthouse and spend the rest of the afternoon at the beach!
.25mi
1.8 Miles
Bryant Rd
2.5 M-116
7m 0.1
0.1
mile
6m
Disc Golf Area
4
iles
0.27 mil
20
10
31
mi
Pere Marquette Lake
2
3
0.
1
(0.6 miles)
les
0.
Ludington Ave
mi le
s
es
TO US-10
Washington Ave
Rath Ave
Oriole Field
8
s
CITY OF LUDINGTON
1.8 Miles
0.20 miles
Bryant Ave
5 Jebavy Dr
Stearns Park
Sherman Rd
Lake Michigan
Cartier Park
0.20 miles
6 iles
0.17 miles
0.08 miles Lincoln Lake
CARTIER PARK FAMILY LOOP (1 Mile Paved)
0.7 Miles
7
Jagger Rd
0.24
Lakeshore Dr
0.42 miles
0.11 miles
Tinkham/Johnson Rd
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Ludington Area Visitors Center Nader’s Lakeshore Motor Lodge 612 N. Lakeshore Dr, Ludington MI 49431 231-843-8757 www.nadersmotel.com
Butt hurts, back is killin’ ya, so I suppose you should find a place to crash before starting up with that 40 mile ride tomorrow. Here are a few places that we recommend. We have a little something for everyone in just about every price range.
A very short walk to the amazing Lake Michigan sandy beach. In town—close to Ludington shops & restaurants. A family fun resort at an affordable price.
Crystal Mountain 12500 Crystal Mountain Drive Thompsonville, MI 49683 800.968.7686 www.crystalmountain.com
Mason Co. Campground & Picnic Area 5906 W. Chauvez Rd, Ludington, MI 49431 231.845.7609 www.masoncounty.net Playground, Disc Golf, Pavilion, Cabinssurrounded by towering hardwoods and only minutes to Lake Michigan.
Poncho’s Pond
5335 W. Wallace Ln, Ludington, MI 49431 888.308.6602 www.poncho.com We are a full service hook up RV park featuring a fitness center, 3 heated pools, activities and much more!
Best Western Splash Park Inn 5005 West US-10, Ludington, MI 49431 231.843.2140 www.bwludington.com When you visit Ludington, your very best hotel choice is Best Western Splash Park Inn. Enjoy our waterslide, swimming pool and new hot tub! We also offer a Free expanded breakfast bar everyday.
Whether you’re looking to get away from it all or be the center of attention, Crystal Mountain has the perfect place for you to call home. Our property boasts over 250 hotel rooms, suites, condos, townhomes and resort residences, all nestled against the backdrop of beautiful northern Michigan.
5300 US-10, Ludington, MI 49431 800.542.4600 www.pureludington.com For all your tourism needs in Mason County contact us. We have lodging, restaurants, attractions and so much more. Everything you will need for your time here in Ludington.
Manistee Area Visitors Center 310 First Street, Manistee, MI 49660 877.626.4783 www.VisitManisteeCounty.com Here’s an invitation to step off the grid into a small town right out of a storybook. Great lodging, attractions and dining opportunities await you around every corner of Manistee County. Visit our website for more information.
Greiner Motel 4616 West US 10, Ludington MI 49431 231.843.3927 www.greinermotel.com Warm & friendly welcome, good morning coffee, sparkling clean rooms, all ground level, eateries, shopping close by.
Vacation Station RV 4895 W. US-10, Ludington, MI 49431 800.499-1060 www.vacationstationrvpark.com
Snyder’s Shoreline Inn 903 West Ludington Ave. Ludington, MI 49431 231.845.1261 www.snydersshoreinn.com
Situated in a beautiful natural setting with 155 manicured sites with full hook-up service!
Holiday Inn Express
CENTURY 21 Boardwalk: Vacation Rentals 113 Maple St, Manistee, MI 49660 231.645.RENT (7368) www.iLOVEmanistee.com From secluded cabins and cottages to beautiful Lake Michigan waterfront properties, we are your rental company of choice in the Manistee/Mason county area!
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5323 West US-10, Ludington, MI 49431 231.845.7004 www.stayludington.com The Holiday Inn Express is the top choice for travelers looking for a hotel in Ludington. Enjoy our indoor heated pool and hot tub, fitness facility, arcade room and daily breakfast bar.
Description: View Lake Michigan from your balcony. Walk to shopping & restaurants. Near bike paths. Packages available.
Viking Arms Inn
930 E. Ludington Ave, Ludington, MI 49431 231.843.3441 -or- 800.748.0173 www.vikingarmsinn.com Exceptional Quality and Hospitality! Visit us on Facebook.
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Make sure you replenish yourself when you are out riding! Consider anyone of these great spots to chow after a long day riding the beautiful roads & trails.
The Mitten Bar
Old Hamlin Restaurant
109 Ludington Ave, Ludington, MI 49431 231.843.7616 www.Mittenbar.com
122 W. Ludington Ave, Ludington, MI 49431 231.843.4251 www.oldhamlin.com
Your recovery watering hole proudly serving only Michigan made beer, wine and spirits.
Good homecooking, daily specials, full bar, seasonal buffets, soup and salad bar daily!
House of Flavors - Ludington 402 Ludington Ave, Ludington, MI 49431 231.845.5785 www.houseofflavors.com
Hamlin Grocery 3611 N. Jebavy Dr, Ludington, MI 49431 231.843.2058 www.hamlingrocery.com Your favorite corner store! Featuring coffee bar, groceries, souvenirs & more!
EZ Mart: Blarney Castle Various locations: blarneycastleoil.com While cycling in beautiful northern Michigan, stop at the nearest EZ Mart for a cold drink and snack!
Great food, ice cream and atmosphere! Breakfast is served ALL DAY!
House of Flavors - Manistee 284 River St, Manistee, MI 49660 231.887.4600 www.houseofflavors.com Great food, ice cream and atmosphere! Breakfast is served ALL DAY!
Jamesport Brewing Company 410 S. James St, Ludington, MI 49431 231.845.2522 www.jamesportbrewingco.com
Hungry Howies
Ludingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ONLY brewpub! Great food, Great Service, and Great Beer & Cocktails!
5485 W. US-10, Ludington, MI 49431 231.843.6363 www.HungryHowies.com Lunch and Dinner options available! Pizza, Calzones, Salads, Breads and wings available!
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From shopping to bike repair, sometimes you need to know where these other important things are when you are hitting the ROAD/MTB trails.
Trailhead Bike Shop 216 W. Ludington Ave, Ludington, MI 231.845.0545 www.TrailheadBikeShop.com Your West Michigan full-service bike, kayak and outdoor retailer. Walk-in repairs welcome.
Snyder’s Shoes Located in downtown Manistee and Ludington. Snyder’s shoes fit the way you live! Featuring your favorite brands from Keen, Merrell, Reef & much more! Manistee: 231.723.3383 Ludington: 231.845.6346
Quiring Cycles-Custom Frame Builder www.quiringcycles.net Building custom built bicycle frames since 1999. Quiring is quality MADE IN MICHIGAN! We are an industry leader in titanium, steel, aluminum and stainless steel bike frames.
West Shore Medical Center The Outpost of Manistee 359 River St, Manistee, MI 49660 231.398.5556 www.outpostmanistee.com We offer a fine selection of Women’s and Men’s clothing, accessories, outdoor gear and much more! Also stop in to check out our coffee and tea bar!
MyRaceSticker.com Custom and standard stickers for runners, triathletes and cyclists. Designs from 5k to 140.6 and up. Use coupon code “dirtroads” for 10% off your first order.
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1465 E. Parkdale Ave (US-31) Manistee, MI 49660 231.398.1000 : westshoremedcenter.org Whether you’re a year-round resident or a visitor to our community, you can be confident in the expert staff, advanced technology, and dedicated physicians at West Shore Medical Center.
Lake Michigan Car Ferry S.S. Badger 800.841.4243 www.ssbadger.com
Take your bike on an S.S. Badger MiniCruist while visiting Ludington. Service between Manitowoc, WI. and Ludington MI.
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