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Cycling in Michigan Beyond our Cities
Earlier this week Michigan became the 14th state to pass Complete Streets legislation thanks the Michigan Complete Streets Coalition and the followers of this campaign that signed our petition. With Complete Streets policies in place Michigan’s roadways will now be designed with all users in mind, not just motorists.
While the Complete Streets legislation is a major step forward for making our cities more cyclist-friendly, let’s not forget about the biking opportunities Michigan offers that go beyond our roads and still contribute to our quality of life.
Michigan is home to 1,300 miles of bicycle and walking trails allowing riders to wind through mountains, experience the crystal blue waters of the Great Lakes and challenge rough terrain. No matter your age, your skill level or your preference, the mitten has a trail for you.
Make a weekend vacation out of your biking excursion and venture to Island Lake Recreation in Livingston County. This 4,000-acre park offers cyclists the feel of being up north without leaving southeast Michigan. The park offers camp sites and several outdoor activities that provide for a great weekend getaway including three bike trails with varying levels of difficulty.
Bike Magazine spotlighted Marquette as the ideal adventure-sports destination because of the city's diverse terrain. The site points out several different trails Marquette has to offer along with tips on where to grab some post-ride food and the best time of the year to ride the many trails.
For all you Lance Armstrong's looking for a challenge, the Potawatomi Trail in Livingston County offers a 19 mile off-road experience equipped with a mix of smooth and rocky trails.
If you only have a few hours but still want a scenic experience try Paint Creek Trail, an 8.9 mile stretch that winds through all of northeastern Oakland County. For a scenic lakeside ride, try the Lakeshore Trail, a 12-mile trail in Muskegon designed to give riders views of Lake Michigan, Muskegon Lake and dunes.
To find a trail near you, visit Map My Ride, a site that enables you to search for trails by location. To check out bicycling maps, trail guides or learn about bike tours throughout the state visit Pure Michigan or Trail Link.
So, experience your state's natural beauty, grab your helmet and enjoy some of Michigan's unique trails.
Photo courtesy of Cletch @ Flickr Creative Commons license
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