Riders in the 2010 Sunrise Adventure Tour enjoyed wonderful weather and hospitality in Rogers City, Michigan. The traditional visit to the Wooden Boat Show after a wonderful breakfast at St. Michaels Church was again a highlight of the weekend. New this year was breakfast at Onaway State Park and a ride around Black Lake. Of course we visited Ocqueoc Falls and rode along the beautiful Lake Huron shoreline as we visited 3 different lighthouses. Hope you can join us next year.
Dates:
June 18-20, 2010
Riders
125 (54 as of 5/1)
Mileage:
Variable Distances (40 & 60 mi. daily options)
Fees:
$120, Adult - LMB Member $135, Adult - Non LMB Member $ 72, Non Riders $ 82, 17 & Under
$310, Family (IRS dependents) - LMB Member $325, Family (IRS dependents) - Non LMB Member
The Rider Information Booklet contains answers to most of your questions, please review carefully.
Itinerary
Day
Description
Mileage (Approximate)
Thursday
Check-in and explore Rogers City and surrounding area on your own
Friday
Millersburg, Ocqueoc Falls, Lake Huron Shoreline
20 or 60 mi
Saturday
Posen, Presque Isle and Wooden Boat Show
47 or 65 mi
Sunday
Black Lake Area
23 or 55 mi
Description
The Tour begins every morning at Lakeside Park Pavilion in downtown Rogers City. It is the "hub" of each day's ride and activities. There is a unique maritime culture and natural beauty in northeast Michigan. Bordered by Lake Huron, this region is abundant in state and national forest lands. Known as the "Sunrise Shore", it is likely you will be greeted each day with magnificent sunrises over Lake Huron. This region of the state invites you to return to and explore the countless outdoor opportunities. We hope you come away with an authentic experience that is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty.
Thursday, June 17th
Welcome to Rogers City! Once you've explored downtown Rogers City don't forget the Wine and Cheese Party hosted by Tour America Bike Shop of Rogers City located at 268 N. 2nd Street from 5 - 7 pm. The riders meeting starts promptly at 7:30 pm in the Pavilion. Please plan to be there as we orient everyone to the next three days.
Friday, June 18th
Today's ride explores the backroads of northeast Michigan and spectacular views of Lake Huron. You will pass farmlands and view old apple orchards, centennial farms and vistas that go on and on. And perhaps the lilacs may still be in bloom. This is a scent that permeates the country air. An added bonus of northeast Michigan roads is that they are less traveled by motorists and are all well-maintained.
Leaving downtown Rogers City, you will head North on the Huron Sunrise Bike Trail. This newly expanded trail hugs the Lake Huron shoreline and leads you to one of the first state parks established in Michigan, P.H. Hoeft State Park and its CCC built pavilion.
A couple miles ahead is the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse. Here you can climb the light tower and visit the museum with its extensive nautical history. For those who want to take in some sightseeing, there is the shipwreck remains of the old wooden schooner, the Faye that lies within walking distance on the shores of Lake Huron.
As you continue to travel north along US 23, you will see some awesome sights of Lake Huron from an elevated view. There are plenty of scenic lookouts to take pictures.
Just ahead is the Hammond Bay Biological Station and historic Life Saving Station. This is the center with the most recent advances in controlling the lamprey eel infiltration and the natural marine habitat of the area. (Visit the Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum in downtown Rogers City for historic photos and more information about the Life Saving Station). Guided tours can be scheduled at the Hammond Bay Biological Station.
A short distance further on US 23 is the mouth of the Ocqueoc River. This was once the gathering place for the Anishinabe. Ancient Indian lore prevails here.
Heading south on Ocqueoc Road, this route leads to the Ocqueoc Falls. The only falls in northern lower Michigan. This is a perfect setting to take those pictures to last a lifetime. Much of old legend lies along the riverbanks of the Ocqueoc River where ancient Anishinabe traversed the area and set up encampments.
You will proceed to a small rural town of Millersburg, which was probably the last Michigan village deliberately planned in the forest in 1901. There are over 17 inland lakes here and an old railroad depot which is being transformed into a historical museum. The Old Depot is also a designated rest area for the Alpena-Cheboygan Rails to Trails non-motorized trail system.
Continuing on your bike adventure, leads you through many miles of rolling picturesque sites. Take your time to enjoy the experience of a simpler pace of life, breathe the great northern fresh air...and at the end of the day, a place where you can unwind and listen to the sounds of nature.
Saturday, June 19th
Just a few miles from the pavilion, you will be treated to a home-cooked hearty breakfast at historic St. Michael's in Belknap. Once you're fueled up and are ready to go, you head south to several destinations of interest.
Passing through the historical site of the Metz Fire, you will come to St. Dominic's Church and be treated with refreshments. The route then heads to the town of Posen. Posen is famous for the first REA light pole in the US and for its annual potato festival.
The ride will take you to Presque Isle Harbor where you can stop and see the Antique Wooden Boat Show with dozens of authentic vintage wooden boats on display along with an arts and crafts show.
Just a short ride from the Harbor you will find the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse and have an opportunity to tour the light keeper's cabin and climb the old light tower. It has a reputation of being haunted...so they say. Down the road is the New Presque Isle Lighthouse, keeper's house and gift shop. There is plenty of maritime history to keep those aficionados interested. The picnic area is an ideal setting to stop and have a snack.
Sunday, June 20th
We will be offering a new experience on Sunday. Put your bike on your car and drive to Onaway State Park at Black Lake.
After breakfast in the Park you will have the option of circling Black Lake on your bike or you can combine that with the Ocqueoc River area for a longer ride. Black Mountain is a popular mountain biking and cross skiing destination.So, if you are inclined to bring your mountain bike, please do...and explore over 39 miles of wooded single track trails in the Black Mountain State Forest.
As you pack up your gear and head home you will understand why the Sunrise Coast is a wonderful place to visit and experience year after year.
Amenities:
Three loop tours
Marked routes w/ maps
SAGs
T-shirt
Rider gift
Breakfast on Friday, Saturday and Sunday included
Dinner on Friday and Saturday included
Bike shop in Rogers City
Discounts for children and family
Things to Do...and Places to Explore while you're here...
Quarry View and Harbor View (The world's largest open pit limestone quarry.)
Presque Isle County Historical Museum
Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum
Hammond Bay Biological Station
Lighthouse Tours: 40 Mile Point Lighthouse, Old Presque Isle Lighthouse, New Presque Isle Lighthouse
(Seasonal) Available boat charter of the area shipwrecks and shoreline cruise (not included in price of package)
Herman Vogler Park (hiking and mountain bike trails)
Ocqueoc Falls
Thompson Harbor State Park (hiking and mountain bike trails)
Antique Wooden Boat Show (Presque Isle Harbor) Saturday
Overall Sunrise Adventure 2010, was a superior experience which I would do again and again if offered; I also strongly recommend this less crowded and equally beautiful (to most of the rest of the state) Rogers City area option for your Michigan vacation.
Had the privilege of participating in this ride for 2010; I felt it to be a superior opportunity to use my bicycle and also to see a very beautiful yet relatively little known part of our state. As all LMB rides I've been involved with, this ride was very well organized, with plenty of events to keep riders occupied and interested. The Cris Craft boat show and breakfast at St. Michaels were among the very notable events! I much liked the duration of this ride (Fri - Sun) since only a limited amount of time off from work is required to participate. Wish LMB had more opportunities like this! The West coast ride has a 3 day option though still requires 4 days off work to participate (since 1 travel day is necessary); might as well take 5 days and do the whole ride! Negatives were few, though the requirement on the final day to transport your bike to the starting location 20 miles from the camp site is a minor issue that I expect is more significant to some than others.
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