Northern Michigan is absolutely gorgeous in the summertime!  Join us for a stunning tour, as we bike excellent trails through majestic scenery.  This is a trip with water views every single day – streams, bays, rivers, ponds, and of course, the Great Lakes Michigan and Huron.  We will meet in Traverse City and explore several trails in the area: the Leelanau Trail and the Heritage Trail in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park.  Then we head north and bike the North Central Trail from Indian River to Mackinaw City, where we'll spend 2 nights, with views of Lake Huron.  One of the tour's highlights is our day on Mackinac Island, where you'll be free to bike the 8-mile loop around the island, look for the best fudge or take in the historical sites on the island.  To finish it all off, we'll ride the Little Traverse Wheelway, all the way from Harbor Springs to Charlevoix, yet another amazing cycling experience.  All trails are paved except the North Central State Trail, which is crushed limestone. 

 THIS IS A LEGAL DOCUMENT. Release of Liability and Waiver: In consideration of being permitted to participate in any way in any Senior Cycling event (“Event”) I, for myself, my personal representatives, assigns, heirs, and next of kin: 

1) Acknowledge that I understand the nature of the Event, that I am in good health, in proper physical condition and qualified to participate in the Event; and, if I am not sure what “proper physical condition” means, then I will consult with a physician or other appropriate medical professional to discuss and confirm the same. 

2) Acknowledge that the Event will be conducted over public roads, trails and facilities open to the public and upon which the hazards of traveling are to be expected. 

3) Acknowledge that I fully understand that (a) Bicycling Events involve risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death (together “Risks”); (b) these Risks may be caused by my own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others participating in the Event, the condition in which the Event takes place or the negligence of the “Releasees” names below; (c) there may be other risks and social and economic losses and I fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages I incur as a result of my participation.

4) Declare that I hereby release, discharge, and covenant not to sue, now or in the future, Senior Cycling LLC, their directors, agents, officers, members volunteers and employees and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises on which the Event takes place (each considered to be one of the “Releasees” herein) from all liability, claims, demands, losses or damages, including negligent rescue operations; and I further agree that if, despite this release and waiver of liability, assumption of risk, and indemnity agreement I, or anyone on my behalf, makes a claim against any of the Releasees, I will indemnify, save and hold harmless each of the Releasees from any litigation expenses, attorney fees, loss, liability, damage or cost which any may incur as the result of such claim. This is a legal document.  I have read this agreement, fully understand its terms, understand that I have given up substantial rights by signing it and have signed it freely and without any inducement or assurance of any nature and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect. 

Meet riders at our starting hotel - the Hotel Indigo, across Grandview Parkway from the lake - in Traverse City for our introductory meeting and dinner.

16.5 or 33 miles – Today we will bike right from our hotel on the Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART) and connect with the Leelanau Trail, biking north to Suttons Bay, where you'll find plenty of lunch options. Either bike back or hop in the van for a lift back to the hotel.

 25 miles – We van to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to spend the day. Bike the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail and/or take a van sightseeing tour of the dunes on stunning Lake Michigan. Lunch in Glen Arbor on your own, then we'll regroup and take the short van ride back to our hotel. 

35 miles – Today we'll take a van ride up to Indian River and bike the northern section of the North Central Trail. You'll have gorgeous views as the trail winds along the banks of Mullet Lake heading toward Cheboygan. We’ll have a picnic lunch at the Cheboygan trailhead. The ride northwest from there to Mackinaw City is through pine woods with occasional brief glimpses of Lake Huron. We bike to our night’s lodging which is on the waterfront of Lake Huron. 

Optional mileage – We bike and take the ferry for the scenic ride to Mackinac Island. It’s 8.5 miles on the road that circles the island, plus there are other routes that go inland, up and over the island's hilly center. The traffic here is horse drawn, foot traffic, and cyclists. Bicycle Heaven. NO CARS!

27 miles – We'll get an early start to van over to Harbor Springs and ride the Little Traverse Wheelway along the Lake Michigan shore down to Petoskey, which has a variety of eateries and at least one chocolate shop.  We'll stop here for an early lunch and then continue down the trail to Charlevoix. We will load bikes at the trailhead, then we hop in the van for the 1 hour ride back to our opening hotel in Traverse City where we'll say our farewells. It's been a fun tour!