The Mitten Pedaler - for my Michigan TE'er friends

[Bike Writer]

The Mitten Pedaler is written by a friend of mine who helped to introduce me back into bicycling. Listening to Jim's bicycling adventures and trips stirred something in me that brought me back to the bike.

He is touring the perimiter of our "mitten" state, Michigan, and has been posting updates on his travels and bicycling experience on a blog that can be found here http://mitten-pedaler.posterous.com/. The photos are great as is the writing of the journey.

Michiganders enjoy! Pure Michigan!

[murielalex]

Cool! I'll definitely check it out. I grew up in Michigan and am going back for a visit in a couple weeks. Hoping to find a place to rent a road bike and get in a couple long rides.

[mzone]

Thank you! We spent several days in the Leelanau Peninsula camping and cycling 3 weeks ago. I wholeheartedly agree with his statement, "Cycling Mecca up here. Grand views from mostly wide, smooth shoulders of M-22 following the coast. About as close to Heaven on Earth as you can get, I imagine. Too bad for the cars."

[beccaB]

Try that "tunnel of trees " between Cross village and Harbor Springs. Rivals anything I've done in the Appalachian mountains!

[Bike Writer]

Try that "tunnel of trees " between Cross village and Harbor Springs. Rivals anything I've done in the Appalachian mountains!

Jim the Mitten Pedaler and I have another mutual friend George who always does the Shoreline West Michigan Tour from south to north and that route goes through the "tunnel of trees" I've heard it's amazing and hope to ride through it some day.

There are just so many great places in Michigan to ride and not enough time!

[beccaB]

Anyone doing HOLLAND HUNDRED , speaking of nice rides?

[ak2outside]

oh, I havent been on the Kal-Haven Trail since I left the Mitten in 1992.
Loved that trail, one of my favorite in the whole wide world.

[beccaB]

oh, I havent been on the Kal-Haven Trail since I left the Mitten in 1992.
Loved that trail, one of my favorite in the whole wide world.

I've been camping near there. Guess I'll have to get on that trail now that I have a mountain bike!

[zoom-zoom]

Anyone doing HOLLAND HUNDRED , speaking of nice rides?

Never again. For years our JDRF team has had members who have worked the event, in exchange for a portion of the proceeds. The Macatawa Cycling Club had verbally guaranteed the local JDRF chapter a certain $$ amount for our fundraising accounts.

AFTER we all worked it in sweltering heat, last year, they ended up throwing what amounted to pocket change at us and totally going back on their monetary support promise. Someone at MCC also suggested that the JDRF isn't even a real charity.

HH is not a nice ride, IMO--it was my first century 2 years ago, but I have no plans to do it again (even if there weren't bad blood). The Allegrina 100 is in the same general area, a prettier route, friendlier event, and supports a great cause (a scholarship fund at GVSU for non-traditional students). It also has a big party at the finish and starts and ends at the Felt Mansion in Saugatuck.