• Check-in for 7-day riders.
• Pre-tour bus from Mackinaw City to Montague.
• Optional ride (no SAG support).

Welcome to Shoreline West!

Join us at Montague High School between 2 pm and 6:30 pm for packet pick-up. Right next to the check-in table will be our service desk where you can get punch cards, merchandise, maps, and sign up for one of the excursions. Once you’ve settled in, feel free to visit the White Lake area or hit the beach at Duck Lake Channel or Lake Michigan – the former will put a smile on your face, while the latter will definitely wake you up! For some local history, the White River Light Station Museum is worth a visit. There are plenty of charms to be found in downtown Montague as well, including the world’s largest weathervane.

Our first dinner will be served tonight at the high school between 5 pm and 7 pm. We want to thank the Montague Band Boosters who have served us a great meal for many years! It’s great to know that some of your registration goes to support this local school band! Once you’ve had your fill, we will convene for a mandatory orientation meeting at 7:00 pm.  Don’t forget to sign up for the Maple Bacon Pancake Challenge and the Watermelon Hill Challenge!

Note: There will be no access to the school facilities on Friday night, but you may camp at the school. School facilities will be open for use on Saturday at 10:00 am.

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• Day 1 Standard Route 60 miles.
• Hart-Montague Rail Trail 56 miles.

After enjoying a hearty catered breakfast (6:30 am – 8:00 am daily), thanks again Montague Band Boosters, get ready to sample a little bit of everything that Lake Michigan has to offer. Our road route will begin with a brief cut south and west to join with the coast. After that, it’s smooth sailing as we wind our way north towards Ludington, along pristine beaches and breathtaking views. Along the way, we’ll pass the Little Sable Point Lighthouse. Built in 1874, it is one of the oldest brick lighthouses on the Great Lakes, and an excellent spot for a quick break.

Just on the outskirts of Silver Lake, all our routes come together as we reach one of our favorite stops of the whole trip: Cherry Point Market, where you can chill out with your fellow riders and sample some of the delicious home-baked goods and relax in their gardens. Afterward, on your way around Silver Lake, feel free to explore the dunes on one of several dune rides offered there. Fun fact, Silver Lake is slowly being filled in by large sand dunes to the west and north which have slowly covered an apple orchard and several cottages on the north shore of Silver Lake.

There are plenty of lunch stops along the way today and a great one is the small but bustling town of Pentwater. A number of public parks in the town offer excellent access to Lake Michigan. As we get closer to Ludington, check out the Consumers Energy Pump Storage Facility, which offers a scenic overlook of the coastline that is sure to impress.

The fun doesn’t stop once we’ve arrived in the port town of Ludington. Our dinner tonight (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm daily) is provided by long time tour partner and supporter Dawn Fresh, for years they have provided our tour breakfast and dinner to keep us rolling. They are a local family operated business that also owns Ebels General Store. After getting your fill, make sure to sign-up for the Watermelon Hill Challenge during the nightly Rider Meeting. Then check out the Waterfront Walkway which stretches from Stearns Park to Waterfront Park, where a number of sculptures depict scenes from local maritime history. Around 7:00 pm, you can watch the docking of the SS Badger, a historic car ferry that runs daily to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. You can also choose from a number of great beaches, Big Sable Lighthouse, or grab an ice cream downtown at House of Flavors. All this and it’s just the first day!

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• Day 2 Standard Route 64 miles.

Put on your favorite jersey, it’s Watermelon Hill Day!

Ahhhh, Monday on vacation! WATERMELON HILL DAY, you registered for the challenge right? Today you’ll get a peek at some of Michigan’s more varied terrain. Dawn Fresh will fuel you up in camp at breakfast, then make your way towards Frankfort, on the way, enjoy the charming towns of Manistee and Onekama. Each has its own unique character and strong history. In Manistee, the North Pierhead Lighthouse was established in 1927 and is still in use today. Just outside of Onekama, begins the Watermelon Hill Challenge where you’ll climb three 900+ foot sand dunes called the Three Sisters. The sisters range from 6-12% grade and are a prelude to Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Just after passing through Arcadia, you’ll reach the second sister Arcadia Dune, today’s second big climb is up Watermelon Hill. These climbs can be challenging – but your mind is sure to be set on the juicy watermelon we’ll be serving at the top. As you enjoy your reward, be sure to climb the steps to the top of the scenic overlook. The view is absolutely stunning. Just a few miles before Frankfort is Green Point Dune, the last sister. There’s a peaceful little viewing point just to the west for those who want a quiet place to enjoy another great view of Lake Michigan and savor completing the Watermelon Hill Challenge.

Frankfort is an ideal town for us to stay in: easily walkable with a number of great restaurants and shops. Tonight we again work to benefit local education by having Frankfort High School provide us a catered dinner in camp. Tonight is our Bikes, BBQ, and Beers night! We do things a little wonky with the Rider Meeting first, then we’ll enjoy a lovely outdoor BBQ sponsored by Frankfort High School and afterward walk downtown to wash it all down with a special offering by Stormcloud Brewing. The glass and first beverage are on us and we’ll award the winners of the Watermelon Hill Challenge! You can finish out the evening by strolling along Betsie Lake down to Lake Michigan and watch the sunset from the public beach or just hang out at Stormcloud Brewing and enjoy an evening by the water. Remember, quiet time begins at 10 PM so please respect your neighbors in camp!

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• Early check-in for 3-day riders.
• Day 3 Standard Route 62 miles.
• M-22 Century Route 101.5 miles.

Wear your favorite event jersey, its Century City Tuesday!

Today is the day many of you have been waiting for – Tuesday, aka Century City Tuesday!! Ok, ok, AND Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a federally protected stretch of coastline that is consistently voted one of the most beautiful places in the country.

Today there is also an optional century route and we’ve set up our signature Maple Bacon Pancake breakfast to help fuel everybody on this exciting day! So carb up and then roll out past the Point Betsie Lighthouse, established in 1858 and still active today. Until 1996, the U.S. Coast Guard used the attached quarters as a residence.

Along the way, you can also stop at Riverside Canoe Trips, a popular rest stop for our riders who are looking for some light refreshments. You might even be able to sneak in a quick float in a canoe or kayak! If your up to it, take the 2.5 mile trip along the river down to the shoreline for a quick dip or just to see where the river flows into Lake Michigan.

As we enter the Leelanau peninsula and approach the small town of Empire, the terrain will begin to transform into the characteristic beauty of the Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore. The rolling hills will take us past coastal dunes and clear lakes, dense beech-maple forests, and bluffs that tower nearly 500 feet over the water. You’ll need to see it to believe it. And on Shoreline West, you get just that!

According to Ojibwe legend, the lakeshore is named after a mother bear who fled with her two cubs from a forest fire on the Wisconsin shore of Lake Michigan. The three of them swam across the lake, but upon reaching the safety of the opposite shore, the mother realized that her cubs were nowhere in sight. She decided to wait for their return. The Great Spirit, impressed with her resilience, created the North and South Manitou Islands to commemorate the cubs, and then covered the sleeping mother bear with sand. The mound that is the original ‘sleeping bear’ can still be seen today. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a national park and worth the price of admission. Climb the dunes, ride the heritage trail, and make your way along the shore towards Glen Arbor.

A few miles later, Glen Arbor provides an ideal opportunity to stop for lunch and enjoy some local cherry delights. You can find the major food groups served here – ice cream, coffee, pie, pizza, and chocolate! After fueling up, decide if your up to the M-22 Century challenge, 102 miles along Lake Michigan and the Leelanau peninsula, or the more modest 62-mile direct route to Traverse City. As you leave Glen Arbor on the direct route, the scenery will change again into rolling hills and peaceful farming communities. After a few challenging climbs, both routes come together at Solon Township Hall for the last SAG stop of the day and a quick descent into Traverse City. Tonight Dawn Fresh Catering is back to provide us a hearty meal so you have the energy to start exploring the many attractions that make this the Cherry Capital of Michigan!

Riders who opted for Early Check-in when registering may check-in at the Civic Center in Traverse City today from 3:00 – 5:00 pm and join us for dinner! You can sign up for Early Check-in during registration or add it through the online store.

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• Layover in Traverse City.
• Check-in for 3-Day riders.
• Optional rides (NO SAG):
  • Old Mission Winery Route 43 miles.
  • Suttons Bay Route 51 miles.

After a few challenging days of riding, you owe it to yourself to take it easy during our layover day! The Traverse Bay area is one of the top vacation destinations in the Midwest, and you’re sure to see why as you explore all of the wonders that it has to offer – from local wineries and breweries to kayak tours to independent boutiques, you’re sure to find something that strikes your fancy.

Today starts with just coffee and tea in camp provided by our tour coffee provider. There are dozens of breakfast choices just an Uber or Lyft call away. Enjoy some of the best restaurants in northern Michigan for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

You have lots of options today, check at the info desk to see if there are any coupons for local dining and attractions.

Join LMB on one of our VIP excursions. One to Old Mission Peninsula on a tour of local wineries complete with tastings and lunch. The second is a rambling tour of downtown craft breweries and lunch at a nearby brewpub.

VIP TOUR TICKETS

For those who want to see the town on their own, there is an extensive bicycling infrastructure along with public transportation that includes bike transport, and of course rideshare options like Lyft and Uber, so get out there and enjoy!!

If your still itchy for more pedaling, feel free to cruise the 43-mile route up the Old Mission Peninsula, which is known for its beautiful homes, bright cherry orchards, and plentiful wineries. You can cut this route short at any point by crossing over the spine to the return route or ride all the way up to visit the Mission Point Lighthouse, established in 1870, and deactivated in 1933. These routes are unsupported but you’ll find plenty of places to fuel and hydrate. Didn’t take the M-22 Century Challenge yesterday? See a few miles of the route with a 52-mile ride up to Suttons Bay.

Welcome 3-Day Riders!

Check-in today is from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Please bring your confirmation letter and photo ID to check-in. Camping will be at the Civic Center. Your first included meal is breakfast on Thursday, 6:30 – 8:00 am.

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• Day 5 Standard 58 miles.

It’s Throwback Thursday!! Put on your favorite vintage jersey!

For those sunflower lovers among you, this may be your lucky day! Dawn Fresh is back to serve us a Cherry Capital breakfast. Afterward, we will strike out from Traverse City along the TART Trail before curving to the north as we head towards Elk Rapids, a small town situated right between Lake Michigan and Elk Lake. This is the best time to get your sunflower fix – the fields approaching Elk Rapids can be absolutely full of them! Once in Elk Rapids, you’ll find many food options including bakeries, coffee shops, ice cream, a cajun restaurant, Shorts Brewing Company, and Ethanology a micro-distillery.

After leaving Elk Rapids, we ride along Michigans longest inland lake, 19-mile long Torch Lake. Shortly after rejoining US Bicycle Route 35, around mile 37, we’ll pass Pine Hill Nursery, yup it’s a traditional nursery but they also have a great lunch menu where you can refuel. Between here and Eastport you’ll ride along the ridge and pass several farm-stands where you can get fresh local products until we turn onto Old Dixie Hwy.

We will continue north, hugging the coastline as we pass through tiny villages. Blink, and you’ll miss them! The terrain becomes slightly hilly as we turn inland and approach Charlevoix, but you’ll be rewarded by the most peaceful and secluded campsite of the whole ride. Tonight your in for a special treat as Dawn Fresh provides us dinner. Tonight and tomorrow’s breakfast is their last day with us, so take a moment to thank them for the great food and service supporting Shoreline West!! After dinner, during the rider meeting, we’ll pass out vote tickets to each rider, then sit outside and enjoy the stars and local entertainment.

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• Little Traverse Wheelway Route (31 miles)
• Ironton Ferry Standard (47 miles)
• Climbers Delight Route (55 miles)
• Early Check-In for 1-Day Riders

It’s Fashion Friday! Wear your most crazy, fun, goofy jersey or t-shirt!

Show up for breakfast (again provided by Dawn Fresh) wearing your Fashion Friday jersey for our penultimate day to Harbor Springs. While everyone else is looking forward to the weekend, we’ve been having fun all week.

During the day, give your vote ticket to the person with the shirt or jersey you like the most. That night at dinner, we’ll tally up the votes, and award the winner a prize!

For today, riders have THREE options:

Little Travers Wheelway – The photo-op route with awesome views of Lake Michigan and gentle grades.  Ride the Little Traverse Wheelway route on a more-or-less direct path from Charlevoix through the town of Petoskey and into Harbor Springs. This beautiful trail includes a waterfall and passes multiple locations where you can stop, enjoy Lake Michigan and visit many local businesses.

Ironton Ferry – The GC route using the Ironton Ferry, a little bit of everything with few more miles and a few more hills. Enjoy the Ironton Ferry route, which features a four-car cable ferry that crosses a narrow point on the South Arm of Lake Charlevoix. After getting off the ferry, continue along Lake Charlevoix into East Jordan and Boyne City where you can refuel at many of the local restaurants and cafes. From there you’ll continue on wooded roads that head north to join the Little Traverse Wheelway just outside of Petosky.

KOM – Miles and miles of hills including “The Wall”.  A wooded route that follows the south arm of Lake Charlevoix, through the quaint ski towns of East Jordan, Boyne City, and Walloon Lake. As you prepare to leave East Jordan you’ll turn onto Division Street and start climbing towards your date with destiny to test your mettle against the infamous Wall –  a half-mile that hits 18% plus grades and has many a rider pushing their bikes. The reward is an easy ride into Boyne City where you can refuel at the many local restaurants and cafes. From there you’ll continue on the wooded roads of the GC route that head north to join the Little Traverse Wheelway just outside of Petosky.

Regardless of how you get there, Harbor Springs offers much to the touring cyclist. The ride into town along Beach Drive takes us past some beautiful summer homes, while Harbor Springs itself hosts gift shops, great restaurants, tasteful art galleries, a large marina, ice cream, coffee and fudge shops galore! It’s fitting that we share our last meals tonight and tomorrow morning supporting local schools. Harbor Springs Schools always does a fantastic job feeding our hungry group and we’re grateful for their help!

After dinner, join us at the VFW for the Shoreline West Farewell Party. There will there be music, and adult beverages available. We’ll be announcing the winners of Fashion Friday and awarding prizes, badges, patches, and commemorative t-shirts.

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Welcome 1-Day Riders!

Check-in today is from 3:00 – 5:00 pm (recommended), and tomorrow morning, Saturday, 6:30 – 8:00 am.  Please bring your confirmation letter and photo ID to check-in.

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• Check-in for 1-Day Riders.
• Post-tour bus returns to Montague and Traverse City.
• Day 7 Standard Route 44 miles.
• Day 7 More Hills Please! 47 miles.

It’s Shoretastic day! Wear your old or new Shoreline West jersey!

We awake today a little sad and a little happy. Alas, all good things must come to an end. After 7 days of exploring and enjoying Lake Michigan, Shoreline West ends with a scenic smorgasbord!! To help folks who need an early start today, a continental breakfast of fruits, granola, cereals, assorted breads, juice, and coffee will be served 6 am – 8 am.

Pedal through the historic and endlessly scenic Tunnel of Trees, along the shores of Lake Michigan and sneak a peek of the Mighty Mac on your way to our final destination of Mackinaw City. Your mind is sure to be overflowing with all of the memories made over the past 7 days. This final day is a beautiful sendoff and sure to fill your feed with awesome pics. It starts with our first SAG stop at Trillium Woods (aka Broken Buddhas Teahouse) for a little espresso or tea.

Passing through the town of Cross Village, be sure to stop and check out the Legs Inn where we’ll have our second SAG stop, a Super SAG stop complete with an enhanced selection of snacks. The historic building is built on a bluff overlooking the lake, so it’s a great place to fuel up while looking out on the lighthouses and islands visible from the backyard. As we cycle past Sturgeon Bay and reach Cecil Bay, make sure to stop by the Cecil Bay Trading Post and grab yourself an ice cream cone! If you’re riding the bus back, make sure to get to Cecil Bay by noon so you’ll have pleeeenty of time to enjoy pictures at the Mackinac Bridge!

Once you see the unmistakable towers of the Mackinac Bridge, you’ll know that you’re nearing our conclusion. Enjoy these last few miles, visit Fort Michilimackinac which began in 1715 as a French outpost, then head back to the Mackinaw City Rec Center. Here we bid our new and old friends goodbye, rest our legs and start planning for next year!

The Post-Tour Bus back to Traverse City and Montague departs Mackinaw City Recreation Center at 2:30 pm. If you are riding the post-tour bus, you will not have time to visit Mackinac Island.

You can ride any bicycle in good mechanical condition on Shoreline West. This includes trikes, recumbents, tandems, unicycles, and e-bikes. The standard route is designed to accommodate road bikes. Mountain, hybrid, cyclocross, and gravel bikes will have a blast on the routes. If you are using a standard road bike or touring bike, consider fitting wider tires for comfort. All main routes on Shoreline West this year are paved.

LMB provides a professional mechanic for the entire tour. Minor adjustments are free. Any repairs, parts, assembly, disassembly, and shipping will incur a fee. Each SAG Stop and SAG wagon carry basic tools and a floor pump. SAG and the mechanic also carry spare tubes for sale. Our daily Super SAG Stop will have a generator available to provide charging for E-bikes. Our SAG service is designed to transport all the above-named cycles!

To create a safe and scenic tour, Shoreline West will at times travel along crushed limestone trails and unpaved country roads. This year optional routes include over 10 miles of such surfaces. Any optional routes or loops labeled “Gravel” can have long sandy sections and are best attempted with a 37c or wider tire that has a tread or knobby surface.

Bike transport is included as part of your charter bus transportation. Click here for details on how to prepare your bike for truck transport. We try to be as careful as possible, but we are not responsible for damage during transport by our trucks or SAG.

Click here for details on shipping your bike to and from the tour.

 

LMB thinks of SAG as the “Support Assistance Group.” SAG service includes mobile SAG wagons, stationary SAG stops, SAG shuttles, and Sweep. SAG vehicles are marked with LMB flags and magnetic LMB signs

SAG stops are stationed along the primary route. During the Riders Meeting as we review the next day’s route, we’ll provide the approximate location of these SAG stops. They are spaced on an average about 15 miles apart, but this will vary depending on route conditions. SAG Stops are rest stops located on route and identified with LMB signage. They are stocked with water, electrolytes, light snacks, basic tools, floor pumps, and close to restrooms or porta-potties. Our daily Super SAG Stop will also have a generator to provide e-bike charging

SAG wagons will provide assistance to riders experiencing physical or mechanical issues along the primary route and gravel route. SAG wagons will transport riders and their bikes to a SAG stop or to seek medical treatment. Please be aware that SAG wagons do not go to camp, they stay on the route to provide the fastest possible service in emergency situations.

SAG shuttles will periodically travel along the route picking up riders at SAG stops and transport them to camp.

Each SAG Stop and SAG wagon carry basic tools and a floor pump. They also carry spare tubes for sale. Our SAG service is designed to transport all supported cycles! Please note, SAG support is not available off route or after hours.

LMB provides a professional mechanic for the entire tour. Minor adjustments are free. Any repairs, parts, assembly, disassembly, and shipping will incur a fee. The mechanic will be posted on the route each day and also in camp each afternoon. If your bike requires repair beyond the capacity of our mechanic, you will be referred to the nearest bike shop.

Private SAG’s are allowed.  A private SAG is a person or group of people who are on the tour to provide support to their rider. We simply ask for vehicle and rider information, and to use alternate routes to intersect with the tour route which helps keep riders safe. If private SAG wants to use overnight facilities, meals and tour resources then we ask that they register as Private SAG/Non-Riders.

Registration includes meals EVERY RIDING DAY! You’ll enjoy professionally catered breakfasts and dinners with options for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free lifestyles. Unless noted differently, breakfast is 6:30 – 8:00 am, dinner is 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Meals vary and you’ll always find a few staples offered each day. For breakfast you’ll always be able to find oatmeal, yogurt, granola, fresh fruit and cereal in addition to various hot dishes. During dinner you’ll always be able to find fresh salads, fruit, bread, peanut and almond butter, along with hot entrees, side dishes and dessert. All meals are served in camp except where noted in the itinerary. You’re on your own for lunch every day so you can explore and enjoy the many options along the route.

On Wednesday, the layover day in Traverse City, we’ll provide hot coffee, and tea from our tour coffee provider from 7 am to 9 am. You’re on your own for meals today. Those individuals who signed up for the VIP Winery Tour or Brewery tour will enjoy lunch during the tour.

On the final day, Saturday, we’ll serve a continental breakfast in camp to help those riders who want to get out of camp early. At the Leggs Inn in Cross Village, we’ll be providing a Super SAG stop with extended food options to help people get to the finish and spend time in Mackinaw City. There will also be a pop-up food vendor at the Mackinaw City Rec Complex. Please note, the charter bus back to Traverse City and Montague departs at 2:30 pm.

A hungry biker is an unhappy biker.  So, keep an eye out in camp for the pop-up food truck or vendor. You never know who will drop in during the afternoon selling carnival food, pizza slices, hotdogs, and other treats! LMB punch cards make getting a snack in camp easy and economical. The punch card is available for purchase during registration,  in the e-store, and on tour at the service desk. Each card provides 12 punches for $10 and all profits go to our community grant programs. Each punch is worth $1 and can be used at the service desk to purchase snacks, beverages, t-shirts, jerseys, and swag. Each day you can find sweet and salty snacks along with ice-cold beverages at the service desk between 2 pm and 9 pm. For additional information, please consult the Shoreline West Participant Guide.

Shoreline West is a bicycle tour with options, for those who love to camp, registration includes luggage transportation and a campsite at each overnight location.  Please refer to the route map for each day, located in the itinerary for the exact location of each overnight camp. You’ll also receive a list of overnight camp addresses as part of your orientation e-mail which comes in late June. Camp includes LMB staff and services including the mechanic, charging stations for electronic devices, separate charging stations for e-bikes, SAG drop off, breakfast and dinner service, showers, toilets, green space, shade, and storm shelters. We also offer a few upgrades for those who don’t want to bring a tent. You can choose one of these optional services now or add it later by going to the LMB Store.

VIP Tent Services

For years Bubba’s Pampered Pedlers provided LMB tent service, recently Bubba decided to retire his offering to tours. All our thanks to Bubba and his team for some great years and we hope to see Bubba on a future tour as a rider!!

Love to tour but hate setting up the tent and lugging your bags? This year we’ve partnered with Padre’s Cycle Inn to offer VIP tent service on Shoreline West! Imagine after a great day on the bike, you stroll up to your ready and waiting, private tent with your bags inside. Then imagine each morning, heading out without having to deal with your tent or bags. No more spending time each afternoon searching for your bags, lugging (that’s why they call it luggage) your bags from the truck, finding a spot to pitch your tent, hassling with setting it up, wrestling a wet tent into your bags each morning, lugging your bags back to the truck. Nope, just ride, rest and repeat!

You can choose single or double occupancy if you have a riding partner, and their friendly staff will have a tent with your gear inside waiting each day. If this sounds good to you, make sure to select the VIP Tent Service during registration. Click the button for details. Don’t worry, you don’t have to decide now, you can add it later by going to the LMB Store or visiting Padre’s website.

Padre’s Cycle Inn

Hotel Services

Love riding your bike? Hate sleeping on the ground? Well, GREAT NEWS! You have options this year. Participants who prefer to sleep in a bed can choose one of the following:

LMB VIP Hotel Service – Camping is not your thing? You want a private bathroom, and your gear with you at night? Then this is the right choice.  We reserve a block of rooms with a designated hotel near the camp and arrange to securely store your luggage until you check-in. Each morning, you bring your luggage to the lobby where it will be securely stored. LMB volunteers will pick up your luggage from the lobby and shuttle it to the next hotel by 2 pm.

Please note we do not make reservations for you and room rates are not included in our registration fee. We only provide daily luggage transportation to the designated hotels. A list of designated hotels will be provided upon request.

LMB Bike Commute Service – Don’t want to stay at the designated hotel and don’t need ALL your gear with you each night? Then LMB Bike Commute Service is the right choice. Your bags stay at camp locked in the gear truck. You stop by in the afternoon to pick up the things you want, and then bike commute to your chosen overnight lodging. The next morning, commute back into camp and reunite with your gear before heading out for the day.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to decide now, you can add VIP Tent or Hotel Services later by going to the LMB Store. Hotel availability is limited and we recommend making reservations early. For more choices that are not part of the LMB’s VIP Hotel Services, check with the local visitor’s bureau in each overnight town for other lodging options. Unfortunately at this time, we can only provide luggage drop-off as part of the VIP Hotel Service. 

During our layover in Traverse City you’ll find lots to do, below are a few examples.

LMB VIP Wine and Dine Tour – No riding, a little walking, and lots of wine. We’ll board our private VIP charter at 11 A.M. and spend the next 4 hours tasting the offerings of several local vineyards and enjoy a hearty late lunch along the way. Transportation, tasting fees and lunch included. $95 per person. Participants must be 21 or older.

LMB VIP Flights and Pints Tour – Michigan is 4th in the nation with over 350 craft breweries and Traverse City boasts some great choices. Our brew tour offers an opportunity to hydrate and carbo-load in a relaxed and fun setting with your fellow tour mates. Enjoy LMB’s private charter as we take several hours to sample flights and pints along with tasty treats from several different local breweries. Transportation, lunch, and 2 beverages included. $80 per person. Participants must be 21 or older.

Area Museums – Give your cycling legs a rest and grab a little low-intensity arts and culture.

Kayak, Bike & Brew is a brewery pub crawl! Pedal and paddle on Traverse City’s beautiful Boardman Lake & River and West Grand Traverse Bay. Participants meet for check-in and then bike to Right Brain Brewery and The Filling Station Microbrewery. You then launch at Hull Park directly behind the brewery for an urban kayaking tour through downtown Traverse City. You will stop at Rare Bird Brewpub, then paddle to Clinch Park Beach. It’s a short walk back to the starting location, then enjoy a beer on the patio of The Workshop Brewing Company. All tours are guided and full of adventure and fun!

Golf Courses – Northern Michigan’s championship golf courses include work by some of the country’s leading architects — two Arnold Palmer designs (Manitou Passage and The Legend), Jack Nicklaus’s groundbreaking layout at The Bear, the Jerry Matthews designs at Antrim Dells and A-Ga-Ming, Tom Weiskopf’s award-winning course at Cedar River and Gary Player’s challenging The Wolverine.

Fishing Charters – Want to  get your line wet? Check them out here.

Free Bayline Bus – Free transportation from our campsite to many Traverse City locations. Shopping, restaurants, breweries, groceries all at your own pace. Check out the Bayline Bus. FYI on their route map we are located at the baseball icon on the corner of Front and Garfield.

Other Free Things To Do – Check out the list.

Please note, you’ll need to contact these businesses to arrange for any purchases and transportation.

Shoreline West is a linear tour, that starts this year at Montague High School and ends at the Mackinaw City Recreational Complex. The 3-Day option joins the tour in Traverse City. To help you enjoy the tour, we’ve set up a few charter bus transportation options.

How can you get to the tour?

You can fly. Many airlines have reduced the bike fee to that of an additional bag, so do a little research if you choose to do this. Otherwise, you can ship your bike directly to the LMB office and we’ll transport your boxed bike to the start. Click here for details on shipping your bike to and from the tour. If you’d like it assembled, our mechanic can have the bike ready for a fee. Charter bus transportation is available back to the overnight locations in Montague and Traverse City. You are responsible for transportation to and from the airport.

• Gerald R Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, located about 60 miles southeast of Montague.
• Muskegon County Airport in Muskegon, located about 25 miles south of Montague.
• Cherry Capital International Airport in Traverse City, located about 5 miles from our charter bus departure located at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center.

You can drive. Charter bus transportation is available to pick-up or return you, your gear, and your bike, to the following long term parking locations.

• Montague High School
• Grand Traverse County Civic Center
• Mackinaw City Recreational Complex

You can ferry. Looking for a unique way to start and finish your Shoreline West tour? Try a ferry! Both the Lake Express and S.S. Badger provide for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

• The Lake Express Ferry runs from Milwaukee, WI to Muskegon, MI. From there, it is 22 miles by car or 28 miles by bike to the start in Montague. Check lake-express.com for more information.
• The S.S. Badger runs from Manitowoc, WI to Ludington, MI. From there it’s 1.7 miles by car or bike to our Sunday campsite at Ludington High School. Check out ssbadger.com for more information.

7-Day Rider Charter Bus Options

All charter bus options include transportation for you, your bike and luggage. Please note, we can only provide parking for one motor vehicle per rider in long term parking.

• Bus Option 1 – Ride your bike back to your vehicle. Start with charter bus transportation from the finish line in Mackinaw City to the start at Montague High School on Saturday morning August 7. Bicycle loading begins at 8 a.m. at the Mackinaw City Rec Complex. Long term parking in Mackinaw City included. Price $90.
• Bus Option 2 – Ride a charter bus back to your vehicle. Finish with charter bus transportation from the finish line in Mackinaw City back to your car in Montague. Drive to the start at Montague High School on August 7. Ride your bike to Mackinaw City. Ride the charter bus back to Montague High School on Saturday afternoon August 14. Long term parking in Montague included. Price $90
• Bus Option 3 – Charter bus transportation from Traverse City to the start at Montague High School on August 7. Ride your bike to Mackinaw City on Shoreline West. Take the charter bus from Mackinaw City to Traverse City on August 14. Long Term Parking in Traverse City included. Price $150

Bike transport is included as part of your charter bus transportation. Click here for details on how to prepare your bike for truck transport. We try to be as careful as possible, but we are not responsible for damage during transport by our trucks or SAG. Please contact us with any questions.

3-Day Rider Charter Bus Options

3-Day Shoreline West is a linear tour that starts at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center on Wednesday, August 11, and ends in Mackinaw City on Saturday, August 14. If you don’t have the convenience of someone dropping you off or picking you up, don’t worry, we have an option for you.

• Bus Option – Park your vehicle at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center on August 11. Enjoy the 3-Day Shoreline West. Ride the charter bus back from the finish line in Mackinaw City to Traverse City on August 14.   Price – $75.

Bike transport is included as part of your charter bus transportation. Click here for details on how to prepare your bike for truck transport. We try to be as careful as possible, but we are not responsible for damage during transport by our trucks or SAG.

Charter Bus Departure Details

August 7 Departure from Mackinaw City. Mackinaw Recreational Complex.

• 7 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. bike loading, bike truck departs at 9:00 a.m.
• 9:45 a.m. – luggage loading and boarding
• 10:00 a.m. – bus departs for Traverse City

August 7 Departure from Traverse City. Grand Traverse Civic Center.

• 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 bike loading, bike truck departs at 12:30 p.m.
• 12:15 p.m. – Bus arrives from Mackinaw City
• 12:45 p.m. – luggage loading
• 1:00 p.m. – bus departs for Montague High School.
• 3:30 p.m. – Arrive at Montague High School.

August 14 Departure from Mackinaw City. Mackinaw Recreational Complex.

• Noon – 2:00 p.m. bike loading, bike truck departs at 2:30 p.m.
• 2:15 p.m. – luggage loading and passenger boarding
• 2:30 p.m. – bus departs for Traverse City

August 14 Departure from Traverse City. Grand Traverse Civic Center.

• 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. bike offloading
• 5:00 p.m. – Bus arrives from Mackinaw City
• 6:00 p.m. – Bus departs for Montague High School.
• 9:00 p.m. – Arrive at Montague High School.
• 9:00 p.m. – bike offloading

Bike transport is included as part of your charter bus transportation. Click here for details on how to prepare your bike for truck transport.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to decide now, you can add either option later by going to the LMB Store.

PURCHASE BUS OPTION

Personal luggage – 2 duffle bags weighing less than 35 pounds each are included with your registration fee. Participants are politely reminded that their luggage should be limited to two soft-sided bags each weighing thirty pounds or less. Can’t fit it all in two? Add an extra bag for a small fee. For additional information, please consult the LMB Packing List and Shoreline West Participant Guide.

ADD a third bag