Top of the Mitten
Lake Michigan - Mackinaw Island - Lake Huron
September 10 -14, 2023
Tour Info
Pedalstroke Tours is proud to present our Top of the Mitten Tour. Since it’s inception in 2019, The Great Lake-to-Lake Trail Tour takes advantage of Michigan’s Great Lake to Lake Trails riding over the top of the Mitten State. A portion of the profits from this tour will support MTGA and their continued work on trails and with trail organizations around the state of Michigan.
You’ll pedal the scenic coastlines of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron along The Great Lake-To-Lake Trail. You’ll pedal and relax on a unique collection of rail trails, enjoy beach towns, explore historic Mackinac Island, and take a shipwreck tour!
Experience The Great Lake-To-Lake Trail:
Enjoy traffic free riding along Lake Michigan and Lake Huron as you enjoy the rail trails from Charlevoix to Mackinaw Island and Alpena!
Relax in your private room. Or if you prefer, bring a roommate or two for significant savings.
Take a load off! Pedalstroke staff transports your luggage from room to room for the entire tour.
There is no better spice than bicycling to make food delicious! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Michigan is one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the USA. This bounty gives fudge makers, craft brewers, micro-distillers, vintners and restaurateurs an extensive palette to entertain your palate. Coney’s, pasties, blueberry beer, maple syrup, bourbon and many others will tickle your tastebuds!
Carefree riding! All tours include a mechanic, massage therapist, and SAG stewards to make your bicycling vacation a thing of wonder.
Bike at your current fitness. Ride long, ride short, ride fast, ride slow. Ride your way. Each day has options to meet your mood and condition.
Time to explore. Relax on the beach. Stroll through quaint shops. Enjoy your biking vacation your way!
Experience the Great Lakes climate. Average September high temp in the mid 70’s (F).
Mackinaw and Mackinac are pronounced the same way - (mak-kuh-naaw)!
Itinerary
Arrival - Charlevoix
We gather in Charlevoix nestled between beautiful Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan at the northern edge of Michigan wine country. Hobbits may have once lived here as evidenced by the mushroom houses that dot the landscape. Once a thriving commercial fishing village, Charlevoix now focuses on tourism and provides us the perfect place to begin. Meet your new riding buddies at our wine and cheese reception and then finish the day on the patio soaking in the sunset over Lake Michigan. Learn more about Charlevoix.
Day 1 - Charlevoix to Petoskey
After filling your tank at breakfast, enjoy our private tour of Charlevoix’s Mushroom Houses, then warm up the legs with a relaxed pedal along Lake Michigan on the Little Traverse Wheelway to Petoskey. Search for Petoskey Stones, visit the wineries, or visit a local lavender farm. Pedal down to the lakeshore for our private and delicious lunch. Then ride into Petoskey and enjoy the shops, breweries and fine coffee. Tonight we’ll walk over to Hemingway’s favorite haunt for dinner. Mileage options: 0 - 29.
Day 2 - Petoskey to Mackinaw Island
Strike inland riding the North Western State Trail! In its railroad day’s it was known as the “fishing line”. After yesterday’s ride along Lake Michigan, we follow the fishing line pedaling along several picturesque inland lakes. Welcome to paradise where we’ll enjoy a cozy lunch! After filling your soul with lake views and your tummy with classic homestyle cooking, it’s onward to the terminus of the Old Dixie Highway which ran from Florida to Mackinaw City. Here you can visit the Mackinac Point Lighthouse, the might Mac, Mackinaw Fort and enjoy some Mackinaw fudge. Then take your bike on the ferry to Mackinac Island and enjoy the exclusive no car culture. Mileage options: 0 - 36.
Day 3 - Mackinac Island Layover
Native Americans utilized Mackinac Island for almost a thousand years before Father Jaques Marquette established a mission to the Huron Indians in 1671. The island became a key hub for the French, British and then the United States. In 1875 Mackinac Island became the second US National Park after Yellowstone! A few years later in 1895, it became the first state park in the United States. Then in 1898, the island banned automobiles, which still stands today! There’s a lot to do and see on the island and the best ways to see the island is by bike! With three towns to explore just a short ferry ride or walk away, lunch and dinner are on your own.
Optional Ride: For those who want to ride today, we have a treat - The Tunnel of Trees, famous for its beauty and views of Lake Michigan. Mileage options: 0 - 54.
Day 4 - Mackinac Island to Cheboygan
Today we transition from Lake Michigan to Lake Huron. You have most of today to continue exploring the island and St. Ignace. Then after lunch we’ll pedal out of the shadow of the Mackinaw Bridge and continue our journey over the top of the mitten with a short rail trail ride to Cheboygan. Mileage options: 0 - 16.
Day 5 - Cheboygan to Rogers City
Today we awake on the sunrise side of Michigan and transition from quaint lakeshore towns to the quiet rural setting of the North Eastern State Trail (NEST). After a pedal on the historic railroad trestle bridge you’ll roll through miles of remote woodlands and wetlands. Lunch is a fun roadside BBQ created just for us! After all that peace and quiet, you’ll be ready to celebrate our final evening together in Rogers City. Tonight we’ll have a few laughs, pass out some awards, and enjoy dinner on the shores of Lake Huron. Mileage options: 0 - 35
Day 6 - Rogers City to Alpena
We continue on the NEST to the shores of Thunder Bay and Lake Huron. These rocky shoals are famous for the hundreds of shipwrecks that lie just off the coast. We finish at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center where we’ll enjoy a cookout on the deck and say our farewells to riding buddies old and new. The adventurous can take an optional glass bottom boat tour! Mileage options: 0 - 38
Departure -
From the finish of the Top of the Mitten Tour in Alpena you’ll return via shuttle to either Charlevoix or Cherry Capital Airport.
Please note, registered participants will receive detailed itineraries and timelines each day during the Rider Meeting.
Charlevoix South Pier Channel
East Park on the Little Traverse Wheelway
Mackinac Island Main Street
The Mighty Mac
Pricing
Single
Double
Triple
Quadruple
Pricing is per person based on number of people sharing a room.
Registration Deadline is August 10 or capacity whichever comes first.
Before May 30
$2,399
$1,899
$1,699
$1,499
After Aug 9
$2,999
$2,499
$2,299
$1,999
May 31 - Aug 9
$2,699
$2,199
$1,999
$1,799
What is included:
Five days of bicycling the five trails of the Great Lake-to-Lake Trail Route 3.
Five days of good food and fun people, 4 nights of lodging, 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners.
Transportation from Alpena to the start in Charlevoix.
Wine and cheese reception and orientation in Charlevoix to meet your new riding buddies.
Optional riding distances that let you choose the one that fits your plans for the day.
A bicycle mechanic to keep you riding.
Transport of your luggage from room to room each day.
A guided tour of Charlevoix’s Mushroom Houses, ferry to Mackinac Island and Mackinac State Park. Admission to the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Museum.
The great crew of volunteers providing full SAG support.
SAG Stops with snacks and ice cold drinks.
Charging station for e-bikes at the SAG Stop.
SAG wagons patrol the route to care for you and your bike as needed.
Paper turn-by-turn directions and downloadable GPS navigation.
Daily rider meeting to review tomorrow’s route, stops, schedule, meals, and any changes.
Flat Repair Kit - Everything you need to fix your flats on the tour. Includes Park Tools Super Patch Repair Kit, a tire boot, CO2 inflator and 2 cartridges.
Free Long Term Parking, Transfers and Return Transportation - Long term parking in Charlevoix, transfers on tour and transportation returning you from Alpena to the long term parking lot.
Airport Shuttle - transportation from Cherry Capital Airport at the start, and to Cherry Capital Airport or surrounding hotels at the finish.
Tour Options:
You can also add the following options:
Bike Rental - A great option if you don’t want to transport your bike. Pedalstroke Tours manages the delivery and return of bike rentals with a local bike shop. We don’t rent bikes, but we do partner with a bike shop to provide the best possible price and keep it easy for you. Make sure to check the rental option at registration so we can contact you and plan accordingly.
Bike Boxing and Shipping - Post tour boxing and shipping by our tour mechanic or qualified bike shop. Due to market fluctuations pricing may vary.
Garmin Edge GPS device with pre-loaded routes are included for everyone who does not have a GPS device. Folks who prefer to bring their own GPS device including their phone for turn by turn directions will be sent RideWithGPS files prior to the tour. A short tutorial on how to use the Garmin Edge and RideWithGPS will be conducted at the end of orientation.
Bikes on Tour:
All bikes in good mechanical condition are welcome at PST including e-bikes, unicycles, trikes, tandems, recumbents, mountain, road, hybrid, gravel, touring and fat bikes.
The route consists of asphalt, fine crushed compacted limestone, and gravel roads. Past participants recommend using a bicycle with wider non-racing tires of at least 35c for maximum comfort and minimum effort. Hybrid, mountain, gravel bikes, and road bikes with wider tires will easily traverse the route.
Adjustments by our tour mechanic are included with registration. Parts, major repairs, and shipping will incur a fee from the tour mechanic. If you would like the tour mechanic to assemble your bike prior to the tour, or box and shipped home to you after the tour, please make arrangements prior to your arrival.
Pedalstroke Tours will transport your bike and box for the duration of the Great Lake to Lake Trail Tour. Please contact us for bike rental options.
SAG on Tour:
PST provides SAG support for all participants. The route is patrolled by SAG and SAG stops are provided. Support includes transport of riders and their bikes as necessary to make sure they are safe. Bicycles are transported on a hitch style bike rack. If your bike requires special handling, please review those needs with us prior to arrival on the tour so we can respect your wishes. SAG stop locations are reviewed during the evening Rider Meeting. SAG wagons also provide transportation to riders who have chosen a custom riding distance.
Tour Pricing
Standard pricing is based on single occupancy. Those who wish, can take advantage of discounts for double, triple and quad occupancy by indicating their roommates who are or will be registered participants including non-riding participants. Please sign up for our newsletter for notifications of upcoming tours and discounts.
Reserve your space by registering and placing a $500 deposit. You will receive balance reminders until the registration deadline which is the last day to submit your balance. For cancellation and refund information click here.
Arriving and Departing the Tour:
Detailed itinerary including arrival and departure information is provided prior to arrival.
