Something about riding a bicycle on a warm but not-too-warm afternoon clears my mind in the most wonderful way. I enjoy bicycling because it is so versatile. It is equally fit for bar-hopping across town, lazily cruising to the beach, or taking a seriously heart-pumping ride across a county. Whether you enjoy biking a few miles or spending  the entire day exploring via bike, northern Michigan has a scenic route for you to ride.

Personally, I skip roadside biking (though I appreciate and advocate for the Share the Road movement, dedicated to making us all safer bicyclists and safer drivers). Instead, I tend toward paved bike paths where I can fully relax without contending with traffic. If you have a day or a half day, grab a few friends and try one of these picturesque and approachable paved-path rides around the north: 

Take the Leelanau Trail from Traverse City to Suttons Bay

14-mile ride through Leelanau County’s rolling hills of forests, meadows, and orchards  

This ride can be scaled up or down depending on what you want from your ride. The trail runs 14 miles from the Cherry Bend Trailhead to the trailhead at First and Cedar Streets in Suttons Bay. In the warm months, Bay Area Transportation Authority’s Bike and Ride Program brings bikers from Suttons Bay to Traverse City for $3.00/person (bikes ride free). The bike ride can be shortened by starting at different trailheads, including the DeYoung Natural Area Trail Head (about 13 miles from Sutton’s Bay) and the Fouch Road Trailhead (About 11 miles from Sutton’s Bay). If you’re feeling ambitious, you can log a 28-mile ride from TC to Sutton’s Bay and back. The 28-mile there-and-back route with a stop at Hop Lot is a spring tradition of mine! 

When you arrive in Sutton’s Bay, I highly recommend you reward yourself with one of these treats:  

Post-Bike-Ride Sutton’s Bay Favorites 

·       Gelato at Little Bee’s Italian Ice 

·       Tacos and Beer at Hop Lot Brewing

·       A Swim at Sutton’s Bay Beach

Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail: Ride from Empire to Glen Arbor (Or Vice Versa)

20-mile ride through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore 

The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail runs from Empire to Bohemia Road (Near Good Harbor Beach) and has multiple trailheads that can be viewed here. My favorite route is to start in Empire and ride to Glen Arbor and back (or vice versa). Along the way you catch glimpses of the dune climb, Glen Lake, beautiful vintage barns, and enchanting forests. My favorite celebratory after-ride stops include: 

Post-Bike-Ride Glen Arbor Favorites:

·       An Olive Burger and Sweet Potato Fries at Art’s Tavern

·       A Swim at Glen Haven Beach  

Post-Bike-Ride Empire Favorites:

·       Pizza at Empire Village Inn

·       A Swim at Empire Village Park Beach 

Little Traverse Wheelway: Take a Ride Along Little Traverse Bay

26-mile paved path along Little Traverse Bay running between Charlevoix and Harbor Springs 

You can’t go wrong on this pathway. Choose to do an out-and-back ride from Charlevoix, Bay Harbor, Petoskey, or Harbor Springs and you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of bright-blue Little Traverse Bay. The ride from Charlevoix to Petoskey is 17 miles and the distance from Petoskey to Harbor Springs is 9 miles. Checkout all the trailheads here. My favorite stretch runs from West Park Trailhead to Tannery Creek Trailhead, but the entire trip is stunning. Whether you’re riding to, from, or past Petoskey, I recommend a pit stop or at these local watering holes: 

Post-Bike-Ride or Pitstop Petoskey Favorites:

·       Food Truck food Favorites at The Back Lot

·       Excellent Cocktails at Pour Kitchen & Bar 

·       Craft Beer and Food at Tap30 Pourhouse  

·       Picnic with a View at East Park

 Betsie Valley Trail: Take an Out-and-Back Ride Between Beulah and Frankfort

20-mile ride with coastal views of Lake Michigan, Betsie Lake, and Crystal Lake  

One of my favorite regions to visit up north is the Elberta/Frankfort area. Frankfort is an adorable Lake Michigan town with picturesque, in-town beach. Downtown Frankfort is located just south of Crystal Lake, which is an 8-mile-long, 2.5-mile wide sparkling freshwater lake. Frankfort is a beautiful place to take in a view of Sleeping Bear Dunes from the south and gorgeous sunsets to the west. Just south of Frankfort is Elberta Beach, a more untouched beach than the in-town Frankfort beach. Enjoy the region’s northern-Michigan-summer-vacation vibe on a bike ride and don’t miss these attractions after your ride:

Post-Bike-Ride Frankfort/Elberta Area Favorites: 

·       A swim at Elberta Beach or Frankfort Beach

·       Sunset at Point Betsie Lighthouse   

·       Beer, Garlic Parm Popcorn, and Pizzas at Storm Cloud Brewing Company