While many people enjoy the Upper Peninsula for the beauty and recreation of the lakes, from boating at Pictured Rocks from Munising to spending a day at the beach on Lake Michigan, anyone who has lived in or visited the area knows that the interior has as much to offer, from waterfalls to small lakes to quiet roads covered by a canopy of trees.
Last weekend, a group of friends from as far away as Florida and New York, with lifelong Yoopers in the mix, took the opportunity to enjoy this less visited area when they biked from Lake Superior in Munising to Lake Michigan in Manistique to raise money for American Childhood Cancer Organization, a charity founded in 1970 dedicated to shaping policy, expanding research, raising awareness, and providing educational resources and innovative comfort programs for children with cancer, survivors, and their families.
After loading up trucks and trailers with 24 bikes and a four wheeler, the group headed to Bayshore Park on Lake Superior for a group picture and 10:30am start.
Before climbing nearly six miles on 94, the group stopped to walk to Wagner Falls, one of the many amazing waterfalls in the U.P. On 16 Mile Lake Road they met up with some participants who decided to drive to the top of the hill.
After a short ride they enjoyed lunch (and electricity for the ebikes) at Buckhorn Resort before heading back out towards Pete’s Lake and Bruno’s Run, where participants did a short mountain biking trail and relaxed by the lake.
Using Little Indian Road, the roughest stretch of the trip, they made their way to Thunder Lake Road, stopping at Thunderbowl for hot dogs and a stretch.
As the group continued south on Thunder Lake they were met by an officer from the Sault Tribe Police Department who rode along with them for the rest of the trip as they traveled the busier roads near Manistique. Upon entering town, the group was joined by some younger riders to complete the final two miles, ending at Lake Michigan with a view of the Manistique Lighthouse at 6:30 P.M before enjoying dinner at Flat Iron Brewing.
Eighteen bikes along with a support ATV completed the entire ride, with the youngest only 11 and 12 years old, as well as several teens, some on e-bikes and others on traditional bikes. An additional 10 riders completed between two and 30 miles, in total representing 12 families. They raised $4,284 from 50 supporters to help children with cancer and had the privilege of spending the day enjoying the more secluded parts of the Upper Peninsula.
To learn more and see pictures and videos of the 2023 trip as well as the inaugural 2022 ride, visit the Bike Across Michigan Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bikeacrossmich igan. If you would like to help the riders meet their $5000 goal you can donate https://tinyurl.com/2vz4dty9
