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On Sunday, September 18th, the Cherry Capital Cycling Club will host the Leelanau Harvest Tour, an annual bicycle road ride through scenic Leelanau County. Over 900 riders (families and individuals) from all over Michigan are expected to participate in this non-competitive event. Proceeds from the tour benefit the Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trails, a Traverse City-based nonprofit trail and bicycle advocacy organization. TART Trails owns, operates, and maintains the Leelanau Trail, a 15-mile trail that stretches from Traverse City to Suttons Bay.

The Leelanau Harvest Tour is known for its unique food stops every 20 to 30 miles. Each stop is on a lakefront park with a menu that includes specialties donated by area merchants and restaurants. Pre-registered riders will also enjoy a post-ride pasta dinner, included in the registration fee.

Route options cover 15, 25, 45, 67, or 100 miles through beautiful Leelanau County. All of the routes cover hilly terrain and riders are rewarded with great views at the top of most hills.

The event starts and ends at Glen Lake Schools. Cyclists may register for $35, and families may register for $80.

To sign up online or to find out more information, please review the Leelanau Harvest Tour's web site, leelanauharvesttour.org

Or, if you have other questions, please feel free to call the TART Trails office at 941-4300 to speak to someone about the Leelanau Harvest Tour.

"We are very excited to have awarded the state championship road race to the Cherry-Roubaix event.The Cherry-Roubaix has continued to grow into a popular event in Traverse City and the surrounding area, and now, to have the Michigan State Road Race Championships as part of this event, brings it to another level."
~ Joe Lekovish, Director of the Michigan Bicycle Racing Association

Leelanau County and the Third Coast Bicycle Fest have scored a major event on the Michigan cycling scene, and also rounded out what was already one of the Midwest's best cycling weekends, the Cherry Roubaix.

It all starts tonight with the Downtown Drag Race sprints at Friday Night Live in Traverse City as bikers race head to head down the middle of Front street for prizes and bragging rights. There's also a kids bike rodeo and high-flying action on a BMX freestyle ramp.

Then on Saturday morning, the Charity Ride on Old Mission Peninsula to benefit the Munson Women’s Cancer Fund. That's followed by one of the highlights of the weekend, the fast-paced and exciting Old Town Criterium where riders fly around a closed course that twists & turns through the city streets and neighborhoods of Old Town. It's definitely not to be missed.

On Sunday morning the Cherry Roubaix Road Race returns cycle racing to Leelanau County. The Michigan State Road Race starts and ends in downtown Cedar and takes racers through a gear-shifting, lung-splitting, quad burning, 15.5-mile loop course.

There's lots more events this weekend and next week and weekend - head over to tcbikefest.org for all the details!

Photo Credits: 2010 cherry roubaix criterium mens pro 17 by northernlightphotograph and Charity Ride courtesy Cherry Roubaix.

The TC Ticker reports that at long last, the rest of the Leelanau Trail will be paved! It begins:

If you’ve ridden the Leelanau Trail from Traverse City to Suttons Bay, you know what happens at Lakeview Hills Road – the pavement ends. For the next 6.5 miles, it’s a dirt two-track.

A year from now, that two-track will likely be a memory for trail users who have been pining for pavement for years. Why?

The Ticker has just learned that the public phase of a fundraising campaign to lay that final stretch of asphalt kicks off this Friday, July 22 – appropriately, in tandem with the 11th annual Tour de Tart bicycle ride from Traverse City to Suttons Bay.

Read on for details and definitely check out the Tour de Tart. This evening ride to Suttons Bay is now in its 11th year,. It's a one-way bike ride on the TART and Leelanau trails from Traverse City to Suttons Bay that happens this Friday, July 22nd.

Starting anytime between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., riders will enjoy snacks along the 19-mile ride and a bayside meal at the Suttons Bay Marina, and then can relax on a bus ride back home. Bus service begins at 7:00 p.m. and the last bus departs at 9:30 p.m.

Pre-registration is encouraged and can be done online or pick up a registration form at the TART office (415 S. Union St. in downtown Traverse City) or at local bike shops. Day of ride registration is also available from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m.

THE COURSE:
The start will be located under the awning at EuroStop Cafe' located at 8th Street/Woodmere Ave. in Traverse City, cyclists will ride on the TART and Leelanau trails to the Suttons Bay Marina. Twelve miles are paved and seven miles unpaved (hard-packed, two-track). The flat course is suitable for cyclists of all abilities and ages.

A road ride option is available for riders who prefer pavement. Again this year, we will be offering special transportation for Suttons Bay area participants. A bus (and truck for bikes) will leave the Suttons Bay Marina promptly at 4:00 p.m. and drop riders at event check-in in Traverse City.

The 1st annual Third Coast Bicycle Festival is a weeklong celebration of 2 wheel fun in Traverse City that features something for every bicycle enthusiast.

Tonight there's an evening ride through Leelanau that leaves from Darrow Park in TC (near Tom's West Bay).

Thursday features a celebration of bicycles and bicycle fashion with a cruise on Front Street at 7:30 PM by the State Theatre in your best bike duds. Prizes will be given for best dressed, best bike, best combination bike/fashion, and best bike family followed by some short biking films and aspecial screening of Bicycle Dreams – The True Story of The Race Across America by Stephen Auerbach.

On Friday there's tons of fun including a hill climb, Kids Bike Rodeo and downtown sprints at 6:30 PM and the Twin Bay Cyclocross Race at 5:30 and the Two Wheel Technique trials at 6:30 at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons.

Saturday afternoon features the Cherry Roubaix Criterium Road Races downtown. As someone who's checked this the last two years, I have to say that this is about the most entertaining racing event I've seen as cyclists tear around a loop at high speed. There's also Roller Sprints and a Cyclocross Race at the TC Microbrew and Music Festival at The Grand Traverse Commons.

Here's video from the winter cyclocross to take you out!

The Glen Arbor Sun reports on Summer bike tours offered at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.  Interpretive Park Ranger Ryan Locke will lead bicycle tours that focus on how invasive species are affecting our native plants and animals here on the Lake Michigan shoreline. Superintendent Dusty Shultz says:

“While we will be offering our usual wide variety of daily Park Ranger-led walks, historical demonstrations, and evening campground programs, the GLRI is providing park visitors and locals the opportunity to see and learn about the National Lakeshore with a knowledgeable bike guide. Ryan worked with us as an intern the past two summers pioneering the bicycle program, so he is quite familiar with the park and is very excited about continuing these bike programs.”

Ryan will pedal two different routes: one each on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The easy to moderate rides will cover between seven and 10 miles, lasting approximately two hours. Topics include:

Discovering the Changing Landscape: North of Glen Arbor, through the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. Wednesdays at 5 p.m.

Aliens in the Ecosystem! South of Empire, through an agricultural landscape, ghost town, and former logging area. Thursdays at 11 a.m.

More about the bike tours and bicycling from the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Photo: Untitled by cyoas55

"The Broneah Brothers," Matt and Keegan Meyers, are once again bringing us the M-22 Challenge to be held on June 12. The Challenge, which begins Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore park (aka Little Glen Lake Picnic Area), is multi-discipline event, with biking, running, and paddling, which is designed to challenge athletes against the natural terrain and environmental elements of the area.

The first leg requires athletes to bike approximately 17 miles around Big and Little Glen Lake. Bike highlights include a peddle through downtown Glen Arbor, sections along the Crystal River and the famous M-22, and of course, Inspiration Point. The Leelanau County Sheriffs Department will be leading the bikers in a “rolling enclosure” that will allow athletes use of the entire right lane of the roads.

For the second running portion, athletes will cross the street into the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Parkshore “Dune Climb” park and face a steep and sandy climb up the dune. The reward at the top is the view! Competitors will then catch their breath in a fun run down the dune and along a groomed trail to M-109. On the road, runners will sprint back to the event site and transition area to complete the approximate 2 mile run. Approximately half of the run will take place on pavement.

Transitioning from a run to the water, the third and final portion of the event has participants paddling out and back into Little Glen Lake for approximately 2 miles. Athletes are only allowed to use one (1) paddle to hand power their chosen craft (kayak, standup paddle board, anything else you can dream up! etc.) A two blade paddle is allowed, but in no way can the paddle be fixed to the craft.

The M-22 Challenge is a Zero-Waste event, "Green Certified" event, meaning every aspect of this event’s planning and operation is scrutinized to make sure that waste is not only minimized, but any wastes generated are able to be collected and processed via recycling/composting at local facilities.

Although registration for the event is sold out, volunteer opportunities are still available. And, of course, spectators are more than welcome to come and cheer on their favorites.

Be sure to check out the results from the 2009 M-22 Challenge and race photos!

Photo: M22 Challenge by Andy McFarlane

What is Smart Commute Week?

The goal of Smart Commute Week is to promote alternative ways to get around town. Smart commuting includes bicycling, walking, carpooling or taking BATA. The purpose of Smart Commute Week is to promote alternative transportation and to educate area residents of the benefits of a smart commute. Smart commuting includes many benefits for your health, for the environment and for your pocket book. Smart Commuting increases our mobility with less pollution.

What is your commute costing you?
In addition to saving cash, did you know that you could keep approximately 19 pounds of CO2 emissions out of the atmosphere for each gallon of gas you don't use? Saving money and reducing the impact driving your car has on the environment is easier than you think. Use this Commute Cost & Carbon Emissions Calculator to calculate the financial and environmental benefits of alternative transportation.

Smart Commute Week at a Glance

Click the pictures above to find out more about Smart Commute Week activities and BATA information.

Smart Commute Week Schedule

Monday, June 7
7 am - 9 am Free Commuter Breakfasts at:
•Pangea's Pizza (135 E Front St)
•Higher Grounds (GT Commons, 806 Red Dr), revving up with entertainment by Fixed Gear Gallery
8:00 a.m. Free Hot Yoga class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)
8:30 a.m. Free Vinyasa Flow class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)
All Day Commuter Cup Competition

Tuesday, June 8
7 a.m. - 9 a.m. Free Commuter Breakfasts at:
• Oryana Natural Foods (E 10th/Lake St)
• Autism Research Network/Opa! at Oak Park Elementary (301 S. Garfield)
8:00 a.m. Free Hot Yoga class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)
8:30 a.m Free Vinyasa Flow class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)
All Day Commuter Cup Competition!

Wednesday, June 9
7 a.m. - 9 a.m. Free Commuter Breakfasts at:
• BATA Transit Center (115 Hall St) catered by Warehouse Lounge
• Hagerty Insurance (Cass/Lake) catered by Morsels
8:00 a.m. Hagerty Employee Bike Show (Cass/Lake)
8:00 a.m. Free Hot Yoga class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)
8:30 a.m. Free Vinyasa Flow class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)
All Day Commuter Cup Competition!
All Day Try Transit Day
5 p.m. - 7 p.m. SCW Happy Hour - Come network with other smart commuters at Right Brain Brewery (221 Garland St)

Thursday, June 10
7 a.m. - 9 a.m. Free Commuter Breakfasts at:
• Bubba’s (428 E Front St)
• Munson Medical Center (6th St)
• MCHC (Munson Ave)
8:00 a.m. Free Hot Yoga class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)
8:30 a.m Free Vinyasa Flow class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)
All Day Commuter Cup Competition!

Friday, June 11
7 a.m. - 9 a.m. Free Commuter Breakfasts at:
• Mustard’s (State/Cass)
7 a.m.-9 a.m. Free Massages courtesy of Living Light Massage during breakfast at Mustards (State/Cass)
8:00 a.m. Commuter Cup Awards and Raffle Ceremony at Mustard’s (State/Cass)
8:00 a.m. Free Hot Yoga class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)
8:30 a.m. Free Vinyasa Flow class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)

This summer Leelanau.com has had a special focus on the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore.  The lakeshore, dunes, and scenic lake views are a favorite with photographers.  This beautiufl photo of Glen Lake is by yodraws.  Be sure to check out her other pictures from the area in her slidehow.

When you are done looking at yodraws' photos, head over to Leelanau.com to read some of our special features on the Sleeping Bear Dunes and National Lakeshore.  Or better yet, get out and explore the Sleeping Bear Dunes for yourself!  If you get any great photos, be sure to submit them to the Leelanau.com flickr group. Your photo  might be the next Photo Friday feature!

Superintendent Dusty Shultz welcomes Ryan Locke to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as a Transportation Interpreter, a position sponsored by the National Park Foundation (NPF). Locke, from Spring Lake, Michigan, will spend the summer creating and offering bicycle tours to the public and promoting the use of alternative transportation in the National Lakeshore.

Locke is one of 10 students working in nine national parks across the country providing visitors with invaluable information about the many alternative modes of transportation available to them. “While we will still be offering daily ranger-led walks, historical demonstrations, and evening campground programs, thanks to the National Park Foundation, park visitors and locals may choose another way to see and learn about the National Lakeshore with a knowledgeable bike guide,” said Superintendent Shultz. “Ryan worked with us as an intern last summer pioneering this program, so he is quite familiar with the park and is very excited about continuing these bike programs.” Locke will pedal on four different routes, Tuesdays through Fridays, beginning on June 23. The easy to moderate rides will cover between three and ten miles, lasting approximately two hours. Topics are:

• Discovering Cultural Landscapes: North of Glen Arbor, through the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m., Fridays at 11:00 a.m.
• Backroads, Farms, and Forests: South of Empire, through an agricultural landscape, ghost town, and former logging area. Thursdays at 11:00 a.m., Fridays at 5:00 p.m.
• Recreation and Tourism: Past, Present, and Future! North of Empire, on paved roads near the Dune Climb, along Glen Lake, and visiting Glen Haven. Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m., Thursdays at 5:00 p.m.
• Bicycle Safety and Beach Ride at Platte River Campground: Starting in the campground and riding down Peterson Road to the beach and back, all ages welcome. Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.

No reservations are needed, and participants need only purchase the park entrance pass to join in the fun ($10.00/vehicle valid for seven days or $20.00/vehicle for an entire year). When planning to attend a program, be prepared for all kinds of weather, dress appropriately and wear a bike helmet. It is recommended that participants be 10 years of age or older.

Click Here to download more information about tour schedule and meeting locations. For additional information, please call the Visitor Center at 231-326-5134, ext. 328.

Photo: Courtesy of the National Park Service

The 1st Annual M-22 Challenge was a success, according to event coordinator, Matt Myers. One-hundred twenty-two athletes participated in the challenge, which included a 17 mile bike ride around Big and Little Glen Lake, a 2 mile run including dune climb, and 1 mile out and back paddle in Little Glen Lake. With a time of 1:09:37, Jonathan Kuck, from Champaign, IL, was the overall men's winner.  Mark Durno, of Fairview Park, OH and Stephen John Andriese, of Traverse City, followed closely behind respective times of 1:10:06 and 1:11:09.   Keri Pawielski, of St Joesph, MI, was the top woman, with 1:15:48 time. Stephanie Frye, of Traverse City, was the 2nd best woman with a 1:26:42:58 tim.  Leland's own, Sue Burns, took 3rd overall in the woman's division. with a time of 1:28:25.  Full results available on the M-22 Challenge website.

The M-22 Challenge is a multi-discipline event based in beautiful Leelanau County in Northern Michigan designed to challenge athletes against the natural terrain and environmental elements of the area. The event organizers were thrilled with the number of participants, spectators, and volunteers. Next year, they are hoping that next year the event will draw 500 participants.

The above photo is by Jason Hamelin.  More photos of the M-22 Challenge are availble on his website  www.hamelinphoto.com or via the M-22 Challenge site.