Climate Ride Michigan U.P. — Upper Peninsula, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Accommodations

Hotels

Total Mileage

226 Miles

Group Size

15 Maximum (Small trip departure)

Range of Daily Mileage

30-54 Miles

Fundraising Commitment

$2,500

Trip Length

6 Days

On Climate Ride’s first adventure in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, we’ll spend 6 days exploring some of the best this picturesque area has to offer. The ride starts and ends in the town of Manistique on Lake Michigan’s northern shore. From there, we’ll spend a couple of days riding to reach Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where we’ll spend a layover day hiking and taking a pontoon boat for an up-close look at these unique rock formations. We’ll also stay in a Civil War-era hotel with its own bar and restaurant with outdoor seating – definitely a highlight of the trip. If you live in the Midwest, this is a dream vacation that is close to home with great road cycling, nice hotels, and the epic scenic beauty that is Pure Michigan.

Riding on quiet back roads and remote byways, this Climate Ride will challenge, inspire, and surprise as you pedal and connect with like-minded people dedicated to advancing sustainability. Climate Ride charitable events bring together bright minds, breathtaking routes for all cycling abilities, and an unforgettable combination of passion and purpose. On this trip, we’ll get a first-hand look at the environmental issues affecting the Wolverine State.

Our Climate Ride outfitter’s staff takes care of all the details, so you can focus on riding the 30-54 miles per day of carefully-planned routes on scenic roads. It’s challenging yet achievable, and you have all day to make it to the next rest stop. Most meals, snacks, bike support, luggage transport, and all of the logistics are included when you reach the fundraising commitment. On the road, the Climate Ride support team is always nearby to assist you, keep you happy and healthy, and make your ride worry-free and memorable. Bike rental options are not available on this ride, so you’ll need to bring a bike!

If you’re ready to sign up and ride, click above to register! Space is limited.

Read Full Story

Event Itinerary Overview

(Your Ride Guide will include full details)

Day 1

Manistique Loop - 30 Miles.
We begin our tour in the small lovely town of Manistique in the early afternoon. After gathering, we’ll begin with a 30-mile loop to Kitch-Iti-Kipi Springs. The “Big Spring” is the largest in Michigan – forty feet deep and over 10,000 gallons of clear freshwater gush per minute from fissures in the underlying limestone. This ride is a great warm-up and introduces us to the Upper Peninsula’s undulating verdant landscape. After today’s ride, we’ll gather at our hotel in Manistique for a welcome dinner on the beach (weather permitting) before we rest up for an exciting week.

Day 2

Manistique to Munising - 52 Miles.
Today we’ll head out on a gorgeous ride on forested roads across the Upper Peninsula and through Hiawatha National Forest to the tiny town of Shingleton. We’ll be on our own for lunch today and there are some great options including the Bear Trap – a fun restaurant/bar. Eventually, we’ll reach the village of Munising on the shores of Lake Superior – our home for two nights. Tonight, we’re also on our own for dinner with many great local pubs to choose from.

Day 3

Layover Day - Pictured Rocks/Hikes
This morning, we’ll shuttle out to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore to enjoy a pontoon boat ride to get a close-up view of the unique rock formations along the lakeshore. After lunch, you’ll have options to choose from including hiking to waterfalls, a bike ride along Au Train Bay, or checking out the town on your own. Tonight we’ll gather for a lively group dinner in nearby Christmas, MI.

Day 4

Munising to Grand Marais - 54 Miles.
This is a great day of riding, and our local guide’s favorite ride! After a hearty Midwestern breakfast, we’ll pedal 54 miles on and off the shores of Lake Superior to picturesque Grand Marais. We’ll enjoy a roadside lunch at Hurricane Beach and continue on to the sandy Log Slide Overlook, Au Sable Visitor Center, Au Sable Falls, and into Grand Marais – a gem of the Upper Peninsula. We’re on our own for dinner again this evening, with several options to choose from.

Day 5

Grand Marais to Curtis - 50 Miles.
We start off the day today with a rousing climb from the shores of Lake Superior to the highlands! From there we’ll cruise along and then enjoy a lunch at the Tee Pee – an historic WPA roadside rest stop built in the 1930s. The afternoon brings more excellent cycling on 10-Curves Road with a possible stop for ice cream at Moose du Nord. We’ll spend our last night at the famous Chamberlin's Ole Forest Inn, a wonderful old inn built just after the Civil War and overlooking Manistique Lake. Before our final dinner of the week, we can choose to relax on the veranda with a celebratory beverage, listen to live music, or enjoy a kayak ride on the lake.

Day 6

Curtis to Manistique - 40 Miles.
It’s our last day of cycling, but it’s not over yet! Today, we’ll head out through rolling hills for the 40 miles back to Manistique. Along the way, we’ll enjoy a famous box lunch from Chamberlain’s before arriving back in Manistique. Here, we’ll pack up our gear, and say our goodbyes until the next Climate Ride.

Ready to get started?

Join the Interest List!

FAQs and More Info

Meals

This is a hotel trip. Most meals and snacks are included once the trip begins (excluding alcohol and additional beverages). Breakfasts and dinners will be handled by local establishments with social distancing in place. Lunches and healthy snacks will be handled by our local guides. Because we’re limited to local offerings, we can offer only omnivore and vegetarian meal selections, just let us know when you register. There are not many vegan or gluten-free options on this trip. If your diet is restricted, we recommend bringing substantial snacks and supplements from home. We do not provide alcoholic beverages but feel free to bring your own. We do provide lots of snacks and plenty of water.

Breakfasts: Provided from local hotels and restaurants. Coffee, juice, and tea available.

Lunches: Prepared by local establishments to order or as picnic lunches prepared by our guides and served at designated stops along the cycling route.

Dinners: Dinner, Ordered from menus at local restaurants and hotels as identified in the itinerary.

Provided snacks: Healthy snack choices provided in van transfers and at sag stops on the route.

Beverages: Water and rehydrating drinks provided throughout the trip, available in during van transfers.

Soft drinks, Alcohol: Not included; available for purchase throughout.

Travel Information & Accommodations

For this trip, you’ll need to sign up with a roommate as rooms are double occupancy and we won’t be pairing up riders who didn’t come together. Alternatively, you can pay a single supplement fee of $350 for the week if you are coming solo.

This trip will meet up at 1 PM EDT on Saturday, August 8, 2020, at our first night’s hotel – Gray Wolf Lodge in Manistique, MI.

The cycling event will end in Manistique on Day 6 at around 4 pm.

Cell Phone Service & WiFi

There is limited cell phone access during the day, but there should be service in town. We recommend you enjoy this digital detox!

What do I need to bring on the ride?

All riders need to have their own bike or a rental bike, helmet, gear, and a suitcase or duffle containing clothes, toiletries, and anything else necessary for several days on the road. The Ride Guide will contain a more detailed suggested packing list. The Ride Guide will be distributed to participants before the event. If you have a non-perishable personal favorite snack or electrolyte brand please feel free to bring some along!

Road bikes are required for this trip as we’ll be riding on paved roads. Our outfitter does not offer bike rentals, however we hope to have a recommended bike rental outfitter in place before the ride. We highly recommend renting a bike near your home or bringing your own bicycle. If you have any special parts that fit only your bike, be sure to bring them.

IF BRINGING YOUR OWN BIKE: Have your bike tuned up before the tour and have any worn-out parts replaced.

What kind of support can I expect on the ride?

Climate Ride has partnered with an outfitter to provide the most experienced and friendliest professional guides. We have rest stops each day with snacks and water, and on-route we have vehicle support that carries luggage, and also functions as a mobile mechanic. You can also expect an unlimited supply of camaraderie and encouragement from the Climate Ride staff, the guides, and your fellow riders!

What does my fundraising support and why is it so important?

This is a special Climate Ride Funders Trip and the proceeds directly support Climate Ride’s work. Your fundraising on Climate Ride will benefit the programs and efforts of Climate Ride. You are helping us grow the organization to become an advocacy powerhouse that engages people in the world of active environmental philanthropy and sustainable solutions. Because of this, you cannot select from the beneficiary list. All donations are tax-deductible.

Fundraising and Transfer Deadlines | Important Dates

Fundraising Deadlines:

TBD

Transfer Deadline: No transfers are available for this ride. Because of the preparation that is undertaken to create this trip, if you cancel for any reason, your fundraising cannot be transferred to another event but will go directly to support Climate Ride’s work.

Learn more about deadlines and transfers on our Policies page.

Note: If you’d like to register after or near a fundraising deadline, don’t worry, we’re here to help you get up to speed!

What precautions are being taken for Coronavirus?

Please visit our Covid-19 Policies and Procedures Page.

What safety protocols and procedures are our hotels on this trip putting in place?

We want to keep everyone as safe as possible during this trip, so we recommend being very cautious and following the recommended protocols for coronavirus during the two weeks before this trip. We recommend getting a COVID0-19 test, self-isolating as much as possible, and taking extra care when traveling to the Ride start. We’ve been in contact with our Michigan-based outfitter, who has been in touch with our local hotels and restaurants. For hotels, all four of the hotels have upgraded their cleaning policies and are following the Michigan rules for re-opening. You can read more about two of the specific hotels at these links: Terrace Motel and Gray Wolf Lodge.

How will meals be handled on this trip?

For restaurants, there are three group meals and two on-you-own nights. For the group meals, we expect to eat outdoors (weather permitting) including a pizza night on the beach on Night 1. For lunches, there are several roadside picnics and box lunches we’ll have available, as well as a couple of on-your-own options where you can make your own decisions. If these plans change because of weather or unavailability, we’ll have options to eat in your room or have take-out delivered. We have been assured by our outfitter that we will work with your level of comfort to ensure you get the nutrition and dietary requirements you need to keep pedaling!

Michigan U.P. Ride

Upper Peninsula, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Photo Gallery

Event Itinerary Overview

(Your Ride Guide will include full details)

Ready to get started?

FAQs and More Info

climate_ride

What our participants have to say

Our Supporters

Climate Ride is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Michigan U.P. Ride

Upper Peninsula, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Photo Gallery

Event Itinerary Overview

(Your Ride Guide will include full details)

Ready to get started?

FAQs and More Info

Related Trips

Bhutan Ride & Hike – Exploring the Himalayan Kingdom

Bears Ears National Monument MTB/Gravel

climate_ride

What our participants have to say

Our Supporters

Newsletter

Get the latest news!

Climate Ride is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Sign up for our newsletter!