1. TREK & TRAIL
The Fat Tire Club meets at a different place every week. Nearby there are 35 ride locations; everything from logging roads to technical game trails. The biggest ride last year had 116 people. Town: Ironwood. Contact: (906) 932-5858; www.trekandtrail.net.
2. PEDALS & POLES
Twenty-five riders meet 6 p.m. Wednesday at the shop. There are various 10 to 20 mile, single and doubletrack routes across rustic land. The Sunday road ride meets 12:30 p.m. at the shop. Town: Iron Mountain. Contact: (906) 774-8262; www.pedalsandpoles.com.
3. LAKESHORE BIKE
"There is a tremendous amount of singletrack that we ride all the time. You can hit dirt in less than a mile from the shop. Every day there is at least a road ride leaving the shop at 7:30 a.m." Town: Marquette. Contact: (906) 228-7547.
4. SINGLE-SPEED THURSDAY
It starts 6:30 p.m. from Lakeshore Bike. The Lake Superior ride in the north part has rocky, rooty, craggy singletrack. On the south side is the smoother dirt and rolling hills. Town: Marquette. Contact: (906) 228-7547.
5. FREERIDE FRIDAY
These sessions start 6 p.m. at Lakeshore Bike. They know the best elevated stunt and cliff drop spots in the north and south. "This is for advanced riders; we do a fair amount of serious hucking." Town: Marquette. Contact: (906) 228-7547.
6. MR. BIKE SKI & FITNESS
Call to confirm the Days River Trail meet for this new full moon ride. Lights required. The trail is mostly singletrack and the terrain is rolling. Expect a recreational pace. Town: Escanaba. Contact: (906) 786-1200.
7. OUTSIDE EDGE
Thursday, 5:30 p.m. is the big ride with 20 to 30 people. Call for the meet spot at the Glens. Every week the group rides a different section of the North Country Trail. The scenery is outrageous. Town: Boyne City. Contact: (231) 582-4648; www.outsideedge.ws.
8. LATITUDE 45 CYCLE AND SPORT
Tuesday, 6 p.m. at the shop. Ride the hard climbs at Boyne, moderate terrain at Hanson Hills or the tougher, 612 Bridge section of the North Country trail. Up to three hours with a group of five to ten. Town: Gaylord. Contact: (989) 731-4540; www.lat45sport.com.
9. BRICK WHEELS
Vasa Trailhead at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. The combo of single and doubletrack is both open and with some real tight, technical areas. A 2.0" to 2.1", deep knob works best on the sandy-clay dirt. Town: Traverse City. Contact: (231) 947-4274; www.brickwheels.com.
10. THURSDAY NIGHT FREERIDE CLUB
Enjoy everything from urban, local DH courses, obstacles to secret North Shore-style session spots. Everyone welcome on this fun ride with 4 to 15 people. There's even a guy with a mountain unicycle. Town: Traverse City. Contact: (231) 947-4274; www.brickwheels.com.
11. MCLAIN CYCLE & FITNESS
Rides start 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Meet at the trailhead. Possible spots include Vasa, Sand Lakes, Lake Dubonnet or for the hard climbing on the North Country Trail. Ten to 15 riders. Town: Traverse City. Contact: (231) 941-7161; www.mclaincycle.com.
12. MCLAIN CYCLE & FITNESS II
The Garfield location hooks up with the group from the 8th St. store. Get on McLain's e-mail list so they can update you on the weekend ride schedule. Hardtails rule the local singletrack. Town: Traverse City. Contact: (231) 941-8855; www.mclaincycle.com.
13. CRYSTAL LAKE ADVENTURE SPORTS
Call for the current schedule. Both weekday evening and weekend rides. This is an advanced group of 5 to 15 that goes for up to four hours. Come race the Ice Crystal Challenge in the spring. Town: Beulah. Contact: (231) 882-2527; www.getsomeclas.com.
14. BICYCLE SHOP
The Tuesday group meets 6 p.m. at the shop or 6:30 at the trailhead. There is a good mix of fast and technical singletrack. North Shore obstacles are being built as you read this. Town: Grayling. Contact: (989) 348-6868; www.the-bicycle-shop.com.
15. WOMEN ONLY BICYCLE SHOP
On Wednesday the women's only fast group starts a 5 p.m. and the easy ride at 6:00. The easy group takes lots of breaks and concentrates on socializing. Numerous trail options. Town: Grayling. Contact: (989) 348-6868; www.the-bicycle-shop.com.
16. MCLAIN CYCLE & FITNESS III
Saturday, 8 a.m. at the Pathways trailhead. There's a nice mix of technical singletrack and open two track. Up to 20 riders and a lax pace. Ask about the epic Sunday rides. Twice-a-week road rides at 6 p.m. Town: Cadillac. Contact: (231) 775-6161.
17. TRAILHEAD BIKE SHOP
Five to 20 riders separate into different groups and mostly attack the North Country Trail and surrounding area. This is some of the best singletrack in the U.S. The ride leaves the shop 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Town: Ludington. Contact: (231) 845-0545.
18. MOTORLESS MOTION
Ride Deerfield Park, Jailhouse Trail, Midland or Pine Haven. The group of ten-plus will match the pace of the slowest rider. This is a college town so plan on more riders joining as the ride goes along. Town: Mt. Pleasant. Contact: 989) 772-2008; www.motorlessmotion.com.
19. RAY'S BIKE SHOP
This ride starts 5:30 p.m. at the Stubway trailhead. The 20 riders split into numerous groups of varying intensity. The shop does multi loops on the trail for two to three hours. Ride duration is Town: Midland. Contact: (989) 835-1691.
20. BREAKAWAY BICYCLES
Ride the great trails at Yankee Springs, Cannonsburg, Ft. Custer, Owassippie and other various west side hot spots. Hook up with five others at the shop, 4 p.m. Thursday. All paces welcome. Town: Grand Haven. Contact: (616) 844-1199.
21. TRAILER RIDE
Gather 7 p.m. at Cross Country Cycle. This is the shop's recovery day. Take an easy spin up to Captain Sundaes for a treat. Those with children haul the youngsters along in trailers. A one hour ride. Town: Holland. Contact: (616) 396-7491; www.crosscountrycycle.com.
22. CROSS COUNTRY CYCLE
This shop is full of MMBA champions. Hard outings on the race courses at Cannonsburg or Yankee Springs. Can you make it up the Kitty Litter Trail or stay on the pedals on the sandy downhill? Meet 4 p.m. Tuesday. Town: Holland. Contact: (616) 396-7491; www.crosscountrycycle.com.
23. PRE-RACE RIDE
"Everybody here races," says Cross Country Cycle. Saturday morning we do a 70 mile road ride into the hills. If there's a race on Sunday we'll flush our legs in a flat, 30 miler. Up to 100 riders. Town: Holland. Contact: (616) 396-7491; www.crosscountrycycle.com.
24. VELO CITY CYCLES
Every other Wednesday night Velo City alternates road and off-road rides. Meet 8 p.m. Bass River has tight singletrack. Group size is from 5 to 10. Recreational pace. Loaner lights available. Town: Holland. Contact: (616) 355-2000; www.velo-citycycles.com.
25. VILLAGE BIKE SHOP
Mountain bikes are welcome on the 7 a.m. Saturday bagel ride. Call during the week to get the lowdown on the duration and the pace of the Sunday road ride. Five to ten riders and usually a 17 mph pace. Town: Jenison. Contact: (616) 457-1670; www.villagebikeshop.com.
26. VILLAGE BIKE SHOP II
This is the anchor shops for the Village Bike Shop's off-road rides. The four locations schedule together so they can meet for a good hammer. Call to confirm the 5:30 p.m. Saturday meet. Town: Grand Rapids. Contact: (616) 455-4870; www.villagebikeshop.com.
27. VILLAGE BIKE SHOP NORTH
Rides usually meet at the Yankee Springs trailhead. The 11 mile loop has a halfway cutoff option. The intermediate to advanced singletrack runs through heavy foliage. Expect a semi-aggressive pace. Town: Grand Rapids. Contact: (616) 361-3661; www.villagebikeshop.com.
28. ELGER SCHWINN
Elger Racing says they are one of the more successful teams in the state. The race team usually hits the road on the 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday meets. The others will go off-road at Cannonsburg. Town: Grand Rapids. Contact: (616) 243-9753; www.elger-cyclery.com.
29. DEVIL'S SOUP BOWL
Says Elger Schwinn, "The Deep Lake Trail is one of the best. If we're not going you will find someone to ride with out there. It goes into the Devil's Soup Bowl, a deep glacier hole with 40 mph drops." Town: Grand Rapids. Contact: (616) 243-9753; www.elger-cyclery.
30. URBAN TUESDAY
An urban assault with 30 downhillers and freeriders the first Tuesday of each month. Head downtown for jumps, ramps, steps and more. After, enjoy peanuts and beer at Founders Brewery, the ride sponsor. Town: Grand Rapids. Contact: (616) 243-9753; www.elger-cyclery.
31. ADA BIKE SHOP
Tuesday 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. Saturday rides meet at the Cannonsburg State Game area. It's all rolling singletrack through heavy foliage. The group of 6 to 12 keep it fun and recreational. Town: Ada. Contact: (616) 682-2453; www.adabike.com.
32. VILLAGE BIKE SHOP III
Don't think that these guys don't train just because this shop is a hangout for commuters. See if you can beat the 36 minute record around the 11 mile Yankee Springs loop. Ride size is usually ten strong. Town: Cascade. Contact: (616) 285-1670; www.villagebikeshop.com.
33. BREAKAWAY BICYCLES & FITNESS
Twenty to 30 riders take part on this MMBA-sponsored ride at Ft. Custer. Meet at the trailhead 6 p.m. Thursday. The rolling singletrack is mostly tight with short, steep climbs. Town: Portage. Contact: (616) 324-5555.
34. BILLY'S BIKE
Rides meet 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, either at the Ft. Custer, T.K. Lawless or shop. The shop has an energetic race team so the rides can become a no mercy hammer session. Town: Galesburg. Contact: (616) 665-5202.
35. TEAM ACTIVE
A 6:30 p.m., Thursday meet at the Ft. Custer trailhead. Ride with ten others on one of the better trails in the state. The rolling singletrack varies from tight and twisty to open and fast. Town: Battle Creek. Contact: (616) 962-7688; teamactive.com.
36. RIVERFRONT CYCLE
A recreational ride with five others. Meet 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The ride goes to Burchfield. It's tight and technical with short, steep climbs. More and more North Shore obstacles are being built. Town: Lansing. Contact: (517) 482-8585; www.riverfrontcycle.com.
37. VELOCIPEDE PEDDLER
This shop takes part in many of the MSU team training rides. They mostly ride the road in the spring and mountain in the fall. On non-race weekends special singletrack epics are planned. Town: East Lansing. Contact: (517) 351-7240; www.veloped.com.
38. MSU TRAINING RIDES
Get on the e-mail list server for info on the daily ride postings. The MSU team meets on Monday and sets up their weekly schedule. It's generally off road on Tuesday and urban on Thursday. Town: East Lansing. Contact: ~~~~~~(517) 351-7240; www.veloped.com.
39. EAST SIDE URBAN
The Wednesday urban assault meets 7 p.m. at the shop. Scour the east side of town for the legendary stairways and concrete obstacles. Five to 10 riders and a recreational pace. Town: East Lansing. Contact: (517) 351-7240; www.veloped.com.
40. CENTRAL PARK BICYCLES
Be ready to ride 6 p.m. sharp. Hit the singletrack and North Shore stuff at Burchfield or the hills at Rose Lake. This is a recreational ride with eight others. More of an XC ride than a freeride. Town: Okemos. Contact: (517) 349-8880.
41. ASSENMACHERS LIGHTWEIGHT CYCLES
Call for the once-a-week ride schedule. There will be a trailhead meet either at Holdridge Lakes, Island Lake or Pontiac Lake. Five to 20 riders. There's a road ride 6 p.m. Wednesday in Lennon. Town: Swartz Creek. Contact: (810) 635-7844; www.assenmachers.com.
42. ASSENMACHERS HILL ROAD CYCLERY
Everyone is welcome on these 5:30 p.m. Wednesday rides. Ten to 20 off-roaders take to the medium to hard difficulty trail options at Holdridge lakes. The tight and twisty singletrack has some hard climbs. Town: Flint. Contact: (810) 232-2994; www.assenmachers.com.
43. ADVENTURE CYCLE & SPORT
Bald Mtn., Holdridge Lakes, Pontiac Lake and the State Game Area are all within half an hour of the store. Meet Saturday, 6:15 a.m. at the shop or 7 a.m. at the trail. Six riders and a medium pace. Town: Lapeer. Contact: (810) 664-1313; www.adventurecycle.com.
44. BICYCLE & FITNESS BARN
Starts at 6 p.m. from Ruby Campground. The mostly singletrack trail has open and tight sections with good climbs and cool downhills. Ten to 15 riders and fast and cruising groups. with Town: Port Huron. Contact: (810) 987-2523.
45. KINETIC SYSTEMS
Casual, backroad rides at Depot Park 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. Saturday. The more advanced ride takes place 6 p.m. Thursday at Pontiac Lake. The weekend ride has up to 25 people. Town: Clarkston. Contact: (248) 625- 7000; www.flyingrhinocc.com.
46. TOWN & COUNTRY CYCLERY
Five to 15 riders meet mid-afternoon on Sunday at Pontiac or Highland. Highland has 200 to 300 foot gains while the former has quick, short climbs and descents. Pack size gets up to 15. Town: Waterford. Contact: (248) 681-8600.
47. MOUNTAINS OF BIKES
Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to Bald Mtn. North Unit and 6:15 p.m. Wednesday to Bald Mtn. or Holdridge Lakes. Holdridge's 17 mile west loop is aptly coined as Gruber's Grinder. Bald Mtn. is rolling. Town: Lake Orion. Contact: (248) 693-3333; www.mountainsofbikes.com.
48. KLM BIKES & FITNESS
Gather Wednesday night at Stoney Creek High School. Five to ten riders then hammer the rolly, technical and smooth Stoney Creek singletrack. A recreational pace. Town: Rochester Hills. Contact: (248) 299-0456; www.klmfitness.com.
49. WAHU! BICYCLE COMPANY
Ride Stoney Creek, Bloomer or carpool to Pontiac Lake. Bloomer has a network of trails that head up, down and along the big hill running through the park. All rides are on singletrack. Town: Rochester. Contact: (248) 652-6376.
50. CONTINENTAL BIKE
Monday, 7 p.m., 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 12:00 p.m. Sunday. Ride Bloomer Park, Highland, Stoney Creek, Ft. Custer or Pontiac Lake. They ride to midnight during the week -- bring lights. Town: Madison Heights. Contact: (248) 545-1225.
51. ANTOONS BIKES & BOARDS
This ride take places 9 a.m. Sunday at Stoney Creek. The group of up to ten rides a mix of full-suspension and hardtails. The shop says that faster rolling semi-slicks and -knobs are the way to go. Town: Sterling Heights. Contact: (586) 247-9240; www.antoonsbicyles.com.
52. FRASER BICYCLE
"We work too hard to ride when it's light outside." Trailhead meets are 10 p.m. Monday. Within an hour's drive their are numerous singletracks. Five riders and a recreational pace. Lights required. Town: Fraser. Contact: (586) 294-4070; www.frasherbicycle.com.
53. BIKES BLADES & BOARDS
Head to downtown Detroit, Royal Oak and Ann Arbor in search of chronic stairs, gaps, drops and trials stuff. Meet 7:30 p.m. in the parking lot on Monday and Thursday. Six inches of travel a must. Town: St. Claire Shores. Contact: (810) 772-3258; www.bikesbladesandboards.com.
54. GROSSE EVENING RIDES
Call for info on the weekday evening and special holiday rides. The Pickney Trail system, Mt. Brighton and Pontiac Recreation Area have advanced riding with hard climbs. Easy rides available. Town: Grosse Point Park. Contact: (313) 885-1300; www.bikesbladesandboards.com.
55. BIKES BLADES & BOARDS
"We're IT in the area," boasts the shop. Show 7 a.m., carpool to the local trails and ride 'till noon and when the shop opens up." Ride size can range up to 25 people. Town: Grosse Point Park. Contact: (313) 885-1300; www.bikesbladesandboards.com.
56. TOWN & COUNTRY CYCLERY
Call about the week night ride schedule. It can either be a recovery ride or a hardcore breakthrough session. Mayberry Park has a busy, 4-1/2 mile stretch of singletrack that they do loops on. Town: Northville. Contact: (248) 349-7140.
57. ROLL MODELS
Non-race weekends and 6 p.m. Friday rides. "There's a road ride almost every evening and MTBs are welcome if they can hang." Expect up to 20 riders and everything from an easy to a hard pace. Town: Allen Park. Contact: (313) 382-1990.
58. BUFFALO BOBS BICYCLE REPAIR
A friendly ride from the Buff's house 7 a.m. Monday and Thursday. Park your vehicle at the city building. Then head to the Nature Center, Willow park or lower Huron Park. "Come out and ride with the reverend." Town: Flat Rock. Contact: (734) 782-1790.
59. TOWN & COUNTRY CYCLERY
A 5 p.m. Thursday ride meets at the Silverlake trailhead. The singletrack is more for experienced riders. There are a few tough, 200 foot climbs. "We're all racers, so be prepared for a hard pace." Town: Saline. Contact: (734) 429-1159.
60. ADRIAN LOCKSMITH & CYCLERY
Show 6 p.m. Wednesday at Heritage Park. Group intensity varies depending on whether the shop is training for a race or not. Moderate-difficult singletrack. Do intervals up Big Bertha. Town: Adrian. Contact: (517) 263-1415.
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