Little Traverse Wheelway

Hello:

We will be traveling to Traverse City and Mackinac Island the last weekend in May. We would like to ride bikes on part of the Little Traverse Wheelway. We need to rent bikes. What is the best part of the trail to bike for scenery and viewing the lake?

I will appreciate any other information that you would offer about the trail.

Thanks

Little Traverse Wheelway

The ';bike path';, as it%26#39;s simply called here, is very nice and, for viewing the lake, I like the stretch midway between Charlevoix and Petoskey. I often stop at the rest area south of 9 mile point - leave the car there, it%26#39;s right on the lake - and bike south towards Charlevoix and north to Petoskey, past Bay Harbor. I%26#39;ve not biked the newer stretch near Harbor Springs. For bike rentals in TC, try Brick Wheels or McLains. I%26#39;m going to Petosksey today and if I see a ';bike rental'; location, I post again. Try lunch at Cormacks Deli near the south end of Petoskey.

Little Traverse Wheelway

You can rent bikes at Revolution Bikes in Charlevoix.

http://www.revbike.com/

You can also rent in Petoskey.

http://latitude45.com/

or

http://highgearsports.com/

Call for rates and details.

I am thinking of biking this path this summer having never done it before. Please let all of us know how you liked it! Thanks, Moms

Good info so far...

I%26#39;d recommend renting at Bahnhof Sport in Petoskey (800-253-7078 or bahnhof.com) Bahnhof%26#39;s the most reputable sports shop around and rent very good bikes for the wheelway...21 speed hybrid cruisers...very comfortable with front suspension, etc. Rates are 3 hour (minimum rental) $18...full day $25. They%26#39;re right on the wheelway, so convenience is great.

Which way to go is a little tougher decision. Harbor Springs is about 6-7 miles one way from Bahnhof, Charlevoix is more like 15. I like the ride towards Charlevoix, going through Bay Harbor and 9 mile point area, but other portions of the ride can be boring. I like the Harbor Springs ride, especially with a stop off at Petoskey State Park for a swim (well...maybe not in May). The wheelway%26#39;s not yet finished all the way into Harbor Springs which means a short jaunt on the highway. You can avoid this by swinging off at Menonaqua Beach Rd. (possibly just called Beach Rd) for a couple mile ride on a lazy beach road...great views of the bay and very nice homes.

I guess if it were me, I%26#39;d ride to Harbor, mess around town in the shops, have lunch and make the ride back...would make for a nice day%26#39;s trip.

For info on this and lots of other great Northern Michigan trails, check out the Top of Michigan Trails Council website at: http://www.trailscouncil.org/

Have a great trip!!

skin cream