North Central Michigan is home to excellent trails and towns to be explored on the 27th Annual Michigander Bicycle Tour from July 14-21. Featured towns include Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Harbor Springs, Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, Petoskey, and all points in between stretching from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. This region is known for its scenery; sandy beaches, clear lakes, winding rivers, and expansive shorelines dotted with shipwrecks and lighthouses. The Top of Michigan Trails manages a fantastic network of trails that cover 300 miles of Northern Michigan. Cyclists will experience the following trails: North Central State Trail, North Eastern State Trail, North Western State Trail, Little Traverse Wheelway, Burt Lake Trail, Charlevoix Township Bike Path, and Petoskey City Trails, which combined make up a part of the Great Lake to Lake Trail Route #3 and the Iron Belle Trail. Because of the expanse of this trail network, there are also opportunities for cyclists who like a longer ride to easily take on more miles than the planned routes each day. Cyclists have the option to tour car-free Mackinac Island, which will give Michigander riders the ability to explore up to 70 miles of trails on the quaint Island that is a National Historic Landmark and considered “One of the Top Ten Islands in the World” by Conde Nast Traveler and National Geographic.

Presented by Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance and the Michigan Fitness Foundation, Michigan’s Classic Cycling Vacation offers three options; 2-Day Tour, 6-Day Tour, or 8-day Tour (which combines both the 2-Day and 6-Day tours). Routes are mostly paved or crushed limestone and, occasionally, a jaunt on dirt roads. The 2-Day Michigander is designed to be a casual, easy ride up to 25-35 miles daily.  The 6-Day Tour moves upwards of 50-60 miles daily and moves from town to town every two days. The 8-Day Tour combines both rides.

Camping, full SAG support, medical support, and a team of experienced volunteers, along with breakfast buffets daily and dinner on select nights, are included during the tour.

The Michigander Bicycle Tour is part of The Pure Michigan FITness Series. This series endorses local, regional, and state events consistent with the Governor’s Council mission to promote healthy choices while offering a physical activity event open to all participants, regardless of skill level or age.

Registration is open from January 31 through June 30 at www.michigander.bike.