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Friday, June 22, 2012

Biking West Michigan

Biking is a favorite past time for many people all different ages. Here in West Michigan, residents and travelers to this region are lucky to encounter the incredible trails we have to offer. West Michigan’s vast trail systems are perfect for any type of biker. Whether you are looking for a quick short trip or are in it for the long haul, make sure to cycle these notable trails during your visit:

This 22 mile asphalt trail from Hart to Montague was Michigan’s first paved rail trail. Located mostly in Oceana County, this linear park travels through cherry and apple orchards, picture-postcard farms, woodlands and beautiful waterways. It connects Hart with the twin cities of Montague and Whitehall.
Kal-Havel Trail

This 34.5 mile compacted slag/limestone trail from Kalamazoo to South Haven first opened in 1991 and is one of Michigan’s first converted rail beds. Cyclists can enjoy a relaxing journey past blueberry fields, cool canopies of trees, wildflowers, quaint villages, and over six bridges including a covered bridge near South Haven!
Van Buren Trail

This 14 mile unimproved gravel/sod trail from Van Buren State Park to South Haven is well suited for mountain bikes or bicycles with wide tires. It is also used for Equestrian purposes so you may see a horse or two along the full length of the trail. .Enjoy the quiet solitude of nature as you travel through blueberry fields, woodlands and meadows, and cross a bridge over the Paw Paw River just west of Hartford.
Fred Meijer White Pine Trail

This 92 mile compacted cinder trail from Cadillac to Comstock Park mammoth of a trail has been an ongoing project since the 1990s. The number and miles of paved trails have significantly increased with numerous options for hopping on a trail and enjoying the scenery along the Grand River and several lakes, creeks, and natural areas throughout the region. Through many combined efforts, this trail has been extended to travel all the way from Grand Rapids to Cadillac by combing many different trails.

Looking for some great family biking events for the rest of this year? Let us help!

June
21-23 | Beaver Island Bike Festival | Start: Beaver Island | Distance: 20-40 Miles
23-29 | Pedal Across Lower Michigan (PALM) | Start: St. Joseph |Distance: 45-60 Miles/day
July
4 | Fourth of July Canadian Century | Start: Grand Haven | Distance 100 Kilometers
7-8 | the White Pine Bike Trail Tour | Start: Grand Rapids | Distance: 95 Miles
8 | 18th Annual covered Bridge Bike Tour | Start: Lowell | Distance: 12-100 Miles
8 | Kalamazoo Scenic Bicycle Tour | Start: Kalamazoo | Distance: 13-100 Miles
14-15 | 2 Day Michigander Bicycle Tour | Start: Indian River | Distance: 36 Miles/day
15-20 | Michigander 6 Day | Start: Mackinaw City | Distance: 30-60 Miles

August
4 | Ride the Charx | Starts: Boyne City | Distance: 20-105 Miles
5-11 | 26th Anniversary Shoreline West Bicycle Tour | Start: Montague | Distance: 345 Miles
11 | Cherry-Roubaix Old Town Criterium | Start: Traverse City | Distance: Laps on 1 Mile Crit
17-18 | 2bcontinued | Start: Zeeland | Distance: TBD
18 | One Day Ride Across Michigan | Start: Montague | Distance: 149 miles
19 | Bike Benzie Tour 2012 | Start: Thompsonville | Distance: 15-100 Miles
19 | Most Tour (Muskegon Oceana Scenic Tour) | Start: Montague | Distance: 25-75 Miles
25-26 | Michigan’s Wine and Cheese Weekend | Start: Paw Paw | Distance: 40-50 Miles
29 | 42nd Annual Dalmac| Start: East Lansing | Distance: Varies

September
3 | Labor Day Canadian Century | Start: Grand Haven | Distance: 100 Kilometers
8 | Michigan Recumbent Rally | Start: Kalamazoo | Distance: N/A
9 | The Vineyard Classic | Start: Paw Paw | Distance: 20-60 Miles
15 | Harbor Springs Cycling Classic | Start: Harbor Springs | Distance: 20-60 Miles
15-16 | Big Mac Shoreline Fall Scenic Bike Tour | Start: Mackinaw City| Distance: 25-100 Miles
21-23 | Fall Frenzy/Biketemberfest | Start: Harbor Springs | Distance: 30+ Miles
22 | Tour De Donut | Start: Klackle Orchards (Greenville) | Distance: 10-30 Miles

October
4-7 | Fall Color Tour | Start: Lansing | Distance: 30-40 Miles/day
6 | Iron Horse Ride to Defeat ALS | Start: Lowell | Distance: 3-100 Miles
13 | Colorburst Bicycle Tour | Start: Lowell | Distance: 17-100 Miles

Trails Source: West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition- www.westmichigantrails.com
Ride Calendar Source: League of Michigan Bicyclists- www.LMB.org

Friday, June 8, 2012

Hoppy Goodness




Breweries. What’s there not to like about a nice cold brew with good friends? West Michigan is no stranger to good beer, and in all honesty, is pretty spoiled with hoppy goodness.

Grand Rapids, West Michigan’s largest city has just been named Beer City USA. Grand Rapids is home to
Founders Brewing Company, a brewery that started out as a local favorite, but as since taken the nation by storm. Since 2011, Ratebeer.com has ranked this local favorite as the 2nd best brewery in the world (they were 4th best in 2010), and they have several beers listed in the top one hundred beers of the world on Beeradvocate.com. They were the winner of four medals at the 2010 World Beer Cup, two medals at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival, and one medal at the 2012 World Beer Cup. Needless to say, Founders is a local hotspot in which people from near and far come to enjoy.

However Grand Rapids is not the only city in this region that can boast for having great beer. Over on the Lake Michigan shoreline sit two fantastically unique, each in their own way, communities; Holland and Saugatuck. Most people know Holland for tulips, wooden shoes, and Dutch dancing, but when you visit the city you will realize that this community also has a very particular taste for beer.
New Holland Brewing Company was established in 1997, and has since grown from a scrappy two-man start-up to a thriving regional microbrewery, recognized for its creativity and artistry. They are very proud of their accomplishments thus far, and believe in earning their place in the brewing industry and in their customer’s hearts and minds every day.

Only a few miles south of Holland sits the artsy community of Saugatuck. This incredibly art focused community with a knack for anything creative is a favorite among most West Michigan travelers. However, when you peel back all the paint you will find this this is yet another community with a unique sense for beer.
Saugatuck Brewing Company is a traditional Irish style pub that features quality beer, wine, food, and service. It has twelve unique brews made by the Brewmaster that are served in the Pub and bottled and distributed throughout the mid-west. 
The best part? It features the only brew-on-site facility in West Michigan. With five copper kettles, an array of natural ingredients, and over 100 recipes, you and your friends are invited to be the Brewmaster for a day. Create your own unique ale and return in two weeks to bottle 5 cases of fresh beer with a custom label of your choice.

There are way more breweries than just these three in West Michigan and the
Michigan Brewers Guild represents all of them. The guild exists to unify the community of brewers, to increase the sale of Michigan Craft Beer, to contribute culturally and economically throughout the state, and to monitor and assure a healthy brewing industry. The guild is also celebrating it's 15th year in 2012! To find out more about all the breweries in West Michigan and when you can visit one of the famous Michigan Brewers Guild Beer Festivals, make sure to check out their website.

Thirsty yet? Go ahead, crack a beer with your buddies!