Event
- Title:
- 24th Annual Shoreline West
- When:
- 08/07/10 - 08/14/10
- Category:
- LMB Event
Online Description
Our 24th Year of Exploring Lake Michigan's Coastline
3 or 7-Day Options
| Dates: | August 8-14, 2010 |
| Mileage: | 384 |
| Riders: | 500 |
|
Fees: |
$200, Adult - LMB Member |
| (7-Day) Montague to Mackinaw City |
$325, Adult - LMB Member $340, Adult - Non LMB Member $180, Non Rider $250, Youth (6-17 yrs.) 5 yrs or younger, Free |
| Late Fee: | $25 (3 day) after July 4th $40 (7 day) after July 4th |
| Bus Fee: (Optional) | $57 Pre Tour Bus - Aug. 7th $57 Post Tour Bus - Aug. 14th |
Requirements:
- Helmets are required!
- Riders must be able to ride 60+ miles a day, for 7 days. Days 3, 4, 5 & 6 have some steep climbs, otherwise the terrain is rolling!
- Riders must carry spare tubes and be able to change a flat.
- Riders must have at least one and preferably two water bottles on their bicycle.
- Riders must have a positive attitude at all times!
The Rider Information Booklet contains answers to most of your questions, please review carefully.
Bubba's Pampered Pedalers
Services include tent (set up and take down), air mattress, bath towels, baggage transportation and much more. Check out Bubba's site for more information and to sign up to be PAMPERED.
Itinerary:
| Day | Description | Mileage |
| Saturday, Aug 7 | Montague Check-In | Optional 30 |
| Sunday, Aug 8 | to Ludington | 59 |
| Monday, Aug 9 | to Frankfort | 64 |
| Tuesday, Aug 10 | to Traverse City | 62 |
| Wednesday, Aug 11 | Old Mission Peninsula | 41 |
| Thursday, Aug 12 | to Charlevoix | 60 |
| Friday, Aug 13 | to Harbor Springs | 55 |
| Saturday, Aug 14 | to Mackinaw City | 43 |
Description:
The 7-day Shoreline West Bicycle Tour takes the scenic route from Montague to the mighty Mackinac Bridge in Mackinaw City. There is so much to experience on this ride: view historic lighthouses, pristine orchards, world famous cherries, wineries, farms, swim at sugar sand beaches, climb the dunes, grab a fresh lunch and picnic along the route in "Michigan's playground" and ride through the Tunnel of Trees. The terrain is never mundane as it varies from flats, rolling hills, and many challenging climbs. With moderate mileage, this is a great bicycling vacation to either ride with someone you know or someone you meet on tour. Choose from our 3 or 7-day tours. The 3-day tour joins in Traverse City on Wednesday and ends in Mackinaw City.
Saturday, August 7th: Montague-Check In
After you're settled in and your tent is put up, feel free to goof off at the beach at Duck Lake Channel where you can swim in the warmer water of Duck Lake or take a refreshing dip in Lake Michigan. You can also visit the White River Lighthouse and Museum .You can check out the world's largest weathervane in downtown Montague. If you are interested in taking a little pre-tour ride, we will supply you with the necessary map.
We will be serving you dinner on Saturday night. Following dinner, we will be holding our Welcome Bikers Meeting, at 7:00 pm.
Sunday, August 8th: Montague to Ludington (59 mi.)
Today's route passes Little Sable Point Lighthouse, established in 1874, it is one of 
the oldest brick lighthouses in the Great Lakes System. 
Before entering Silver Lake, you will pass one of our favorite sites, The Cherry Market, where you can get a great cup of coffee and a cherry turnover.
SILVER LAKE offers you the chance to explore the dunes on one of the several dune rides that are offered in SILVER LAKE.
You will find PENTWATER a bustling town, and an excellent location for lunch. Mears State Park is at the north end of town and offers additional access to Lake Michigan. Swimming is great at Summit Township Park also. 
Consumer Energy Pump Storage Facility offers an impressive overlook and information on how a pumped-storage-plant works. Walk to the top for a more impressive view of Michigan's coastline.
The Waterfront Walkway in LUDINGTON extends from Waterfront Park, to Stearns Park. At Waterfront Park there is a wonderful Sculpture Park depicting local history. There is also the beautiful beach and Ludington State Park.
Monday, August 9: Ludington to Frankfort (64 mi.)
By now you are ready to experience some of our varied terrain. Today's ride offers a few strenuous climbs that reward you with awesome panoramic views. You will also pass through charming towns, such as MANISTEE and ONEKAMA, with their own unique character and strong Michigan history.
The Manistee North Pierhead Light was established in 1927, and is still active today.
Today's featured climb is Arcadia Hill (aka Watermelon Hill). You will be awarded at the top with watermelon. The hill has a 12% grade for 1/2 mile.
As your route descends into FRANKFORT, you will find a town that is easy to walk to from our overnight school, interesting stores, and a beautiful beach to watch the setting sun.
Tuesday, August 10: Frankfort to Traverse City (62 mi.)
Today you will ride through the beautiful Sleeping Bear Dunes
National Lakeshore area. The rolling hills take you past coastal dunes and clear lakes, dense beech-maple forest and bluffs as high as 480-feet above Lake Michigan. 
Point Betsie Lighthouse was established in 1858 as a round/integral brick structure with attached quarters. The light is still active and stands 37 feet tall. The Coast Guard used Point Betsie as a residence until 1996.
Native Americans say that Manitou, the Great Spirit, placed a mound of sand where Mother Bear died waiting for her cubs after fleeing a huge Wisconsin forest fire. Hike the Empire Bluffs Trail to overlook Lake Michigan. You will be beautifully rewarded for this hike. The North and South Manitou Islands just off shore are located where the cubs perished.
The views are spectacular as you glide past GLEN HAVEN on your way to GLEN ARBOR.
In GLEN ARBOR you have many choices for lunch and opportunities to enjoy more cherry delights. If you want to take a break you can rent kayaks or canoes and explore the waterways.
After you leave the Glen Lake area you will pass through the peaceful rural farming area west of TRAVERSE CITY. Climbs in and out of these farming valleys will be rewarded with a long downhill into TRAVERSE CITY.
The Traverse Bay area is one of the top vacation areas in the Midwest.
Wednesday, August 11th:
Traverse City Lay Over Day (41 mi.)
Today is your day to do as you please. We will be staying overnight in Traverse City for you to enjoy the many activities that you can do in the Traverse Bay area.
Wake-up and take a ride up the Old Mission Peninsula that separates East and West Grand Traverse bays, venture to the end to see the Old Mission Lighthouse, established in 1870 and deactivated in 1933.
The peninsula is famous for its beautiful homes, cherry orchards and wineries.
After taking your morning ride, you can take a nap, go swimming, walk downtown for shopping in TRAVERSE CITY historical downtown, go kayaking or even take a cruise on a tall-ship. All things are possible in TRAVERSE CITY. We will provide breakfast this morning, but lunch and dinner will be on your own. We encourage you to experience the fine eating establishments in TRAVERSE CITY.
Thursday, August 12th: Traverse City to Charlevoix (60 mi.)
There are many photo ops on the way today as you pass orchards and 
fields of sunflowers as you ride towards ELK RAPIDS, another charming
Northern Michigan village on Lake Michigan. 
We will follow Torch Lake out of ELK RAPIDS on our way to CHARLEVOIX. 
After Torch Lake you will enjoy the peaceful rural countryside as we head for CHARLVEOIX.
In CHARLEVOIX enjoy the beautiful summer homes and blue-green waters along Lake Charlevoix. You can watch the boats go in and out of the channel in this harbor town.
Friday, August 13th: Charlevoix to Harbor Springs (55 mi.)
From CHARLEVOIX we have four different route options.
You can take the Little Traverse Wheelway into PETOSKEY then on up to HARBOR SPRINGS. This route provides spectacular views of Lake Michigan.
Or you can take the Ironton Ferry and follow the south shore of Lake Charlevoix through BOYNE CITY and on to HARBOR SPRINGS. The short ride on the ferry is an experience you will want to have if you have never been on a ferry before.
Or for those wanting the most miles you can go through East Jordan and up through BOYNE CITY and on to HARBOR SPRINGS. For those really wanting to test themselves you there is an additional option to ride the famous "Wall" just outside of EAST JORDAN.
BOYNE CITY is a wonderful community nestled between Lake Charlevoix and the rolling hills to follow. It is worth exploring and enjoying a lunch break.
The ride along Beach Drive to HARBOR SPRINGS will take you past some wonderful summer homes. HARBOR SPRINGS hosts a wonderful combination of good restaurants, tasteful art galleries, interesting architecture, a large marina and a bike shop.
Saturday, August 14th: Harbor Springs to Mackinaw City (43 mi.)
You will ride through one of Michigan's most scenic drives, the historic and protected
"Tunnel of the Trees." CROSS VILLAGE has the historic Leggs Inn. Look at the gardens and view of lighthouses and islands in back.
Sturgeon Bay offers many scenic vistas of Lake Michigan. Stop along the way for your last chance to swim in Lake Michigan.
When you see the towers of the Mackinac Bridge peeking above the trees you know you are close to your destination. 
Enjoy the last few miles as you complete your 384 mile journey from MONTAGUE to MACKINAW CITY.
If you want to experience Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island we would suggest that you ride the Pre Tour Bus down from Mackinaw City. That way your car will be there when you finish and this will allow you all the time you want to explore. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND TRYING TO EXPLORE THE ISLAND IF YOU ARE TAKING THE POST TOUR BUS.
Amenities:
- Great sugar sand beaches
- Scenic orchards and farms
- Historic Lake Michigan lighthouses
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- Ride Old Mission Peninsula
- Tunnel of Trees
- Marked Routes w/ Maps
- SAG & Mechanic Support
- Showers
- Gear Transport
- T-shirt
- Breakfast and Dinner
- Optional Massage Service
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Comments
Quoting Rose:
Our SAGs are reserved for emergencies only. We manage our tours with the expectation that our riders are able to bicycle the the full length each day. As excerpted from our Rider Information PDF above:
SAG's "will transport bikes to the repair shop or bring injured/sick bicyclists back to the next night’s stop. If you need to be transported more than 2 times, you will be requested to make alternative travel plans."
As you stated, it is not a race, so the hills typically are not an issue as long as you use your gears and have pre trained for the event.
And yes, we have still space available.
Quoting Betsy Walton:
The 3 day ride has the steeper climbs. I am not a very strong climber, is there the option of riding in a sag vehicle if I just can't get up, even walking (tho I expect I can since it is not a race!). I'm probably going to use Bubba's services
www.facebook.com/.../
lmb.org/.../...
Quoting Betsy Steel-Walton:
As of this morning, we have 80 riders registered.
Quoting Merc:
Can you give an update how many registrants you have as of 02/21/10?
Yes, the Shoreline West Tour typically fills up. Our max is 500. We don't fill up over night, however as do some other tours. As of 1/25 we have 43 registered riders.
I see you made your post before we updated the site. All of your questions should now be answered above on this page. Max # of riders is 500. We typically fill that and do so in a first come first serve basis. Make sure to click the "Rider Information" button above for answers to most questions. If you don't find your answer there, feel free to call the LMB office at 1-888-642-4537.
3 day riders can indeed sign up for a bus option ($57) that will take them back to Traverse City.
What the costs for the ride and what does that include?
Thanks,
Don
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