Description:
Each morning, rides will start at the Lakeside Park Pavilion in downtown Rogers City.  It will be the “hub” of each day’s ride and activities.

On Friday, June 19th
Start out the day meeting at the pavilion in Lakeside Park where you will get the day’s itinerary. Then you will embark on an 11 mile warm up ride from the Pavilion to St. Dominic’s Church in Metz. There you will be treated to a home-cooked hearty breakfast in the historic parish hall. Continuing your ride due West, explore the backroads of northeast Michigan passing through farmlands and old apple orchards, centennial farms and vistas that go on and on.  And perhaps the lilacs may still be in bloom. This is a scent that permeates the country air. The beauty of northeast Michigan roads is that they are less traveled by motorists and are all well-maintained.  The route leads to the town of Posen. Posen is famous for the first REC light pole in the US and for its annual potato festival. From Posen you will again explore the beautiful countryside of rural northeast Michigan as you head back to Rogers City.
 
Friday night’s dinner is a feast of local cuisine from Plath’s Meats (known nationally) and Whitefish from our local shores. The Summer Concert Series at Lakeside Park will host a special musical act later in the evening at the band shell

Saturday, June 20th 
Once again the day will start out meeting at the pavilion in Lakeside Park where you will get the day’s itinerary.  Just a few miles from the pavilion, you will be treated to a home-cooked hearty breakfast at the historic St. Michael’s in Bellknap.  Once you’re fueled up and ready to go, you will be heading south to several destinations of interest. The ride will take you through Presque Isle Harbor where you can stop and see the Antique Wooden Boat Show with dozens of authentic vintage wooden boats on display along with an arts and crafts show.  Further along the route you will ride to the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse and have an opportunity to tour the lightkeeper’s cabin and climb the old light tower.  It has a reputation of being haunted…so they say.  Down the road is the New Presque Isle Lighthouse, keeper’s house and gift shop.  There is plenty of maritime history to keep those afficionados interested.  The picnic area is an ideal setting to stop and have a snack.  
 
Upon your return to the pavilion, there is plenty of après cycling opportunities.  You may choose to hike along and explore the shores looking for Petoskey stones and “puddin” stones. The evening will host a down home dinner in the pavilion with evening entertainment.

Sunday, June 21st
The route leads to the Ocqueoc Falls. The only falls in northern lower Michigan.  This is perfect setting to take those pictures to last a lifetime.  Much of old legend lies along the riverbanks of the Ocqueoc River where ancient Anishinabe traversed the area and set up encampments.  
 
From here you will travel along to Black Lake and past Black Mountain a popular mountain biking and cross country skiing destination.
 
A short distance after heading south on US 23 you will come to the mouth of the Ocqueoc River.  This was once the gathering place for the Anishinabe. Ancient Indian lore prevails here along the ancient burial grounds of the Anishinabe.  
 
A short ride from here is the Hammond Bay Biological Station and historic Life Saving Station.  This is the center with the most recent advances in controlling the lamprey eel infiltration and the natural marine habitat of the area.
 
As you continue to travel along US 23, you will see some awesome sights of Lake Huron from an elevated view.  There are plenty of scenic lookouts to take pictures.

Continuing south you will come to the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse. Here you can climb the light tower and visit the museum with its extensive nautical history.  For those who want to take in some sightseeing, there is the shipwreck remains of the old schooner, the Faye that lies within walking distance on the shores of Lake Huron.   
 
There is a unique maritime culture and natural beauty here in northeast Michigan that we hope you will take some time in the future to return to and explore the many historical sites and natural settings.  We hope you come away with an authentic experience that is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty of the environs that surround you.  See why so many people call Rogers City, going back in time to a Norman Rockwell town.

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