2023 Rotary Club of Cadillac White Pine Ride

Rotary Club of Cadillac planning White Pine Ride

August 18, 2021

CADILLAC — Rotary Club of Cadillac is planning the Third Annual White Pine Ride on Saturday, October 2, 2021. The ride attracted more than 100 riders in its inaugural years in 2019 and 2020 and is expected to register even more riders this year. The ride will raise funds for a trail so recognized for its beauty that it was recently ranked among the top 100 Rails-to-Trails in the nation by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

“Many other riding events have been canceled the last couple of years due to COVID19, but this one will allow people to ride completely independently and safely while still enjoying this amazing resource right in our community,” said Rotarian Mark Lagerwey. “This is a ride, not a race. Start times are completely voluntary any time all morning on the ride day.”

Bikers of all ages and skill levels are invited to take part in a 12-, 24-, 58- or 83-mile roundtrip starting from the downtown Cadillac city parking lot located south of the Rotary Performing Arts pavilion. The trail is completely paved and well-maintained by the DNR and Friends of the White Pine Trail.

• Turtle Pond Family Cruise — 12-mile ride to 48 Road and back
• Tustin Pleasure Peddler – 24-mile ride to Tustin and back (One gravel culvert crossing)
• Reed City Ride – 58-mile ride to Reed City and back (one 200-yard gravel section)
• Tough Enough Tour – 83-mile ride to Big Rapids and back

Riders will be welcomed along the paved trail at rest stops in Hobart, Tustin, Reed City, and Big Rapids. As riders return to Cadillac, a picnic lunch will be provided.

Proceeds from the ride support continued White Pine Trail development and Rotary charities. With proceeds from the first two years, the Rotary Club is currently in the process of building a picnic shelter at the E 44 Road trailhead. The hope is it will be completed by ride day.

This year’s White Pine Ride date, initially scheduled for the Saturday after Labor Day, was changed to Saturday, October 2, 2021 because a 3-10ths of one-mile portion of the trail just south of Ashton is closed for several months while a culvert is being replaced and the gravel is paved.

“We are excited about this new date, as it coincides with the beginning of the fall color season in northern Michigan,” Lagerwey said. “The White Pine Trail typically bursts fourth in color about this time, particularly in low-lying areas. We are adjusting the ride times to make this more of an afternoon ride, followed by a late afternoon picnic.

“Having the northern trailhead of this nationally ranked trail right in Cadillac has been a great benefit for people from all around Michigan, particularly during this time when people need a place to walk and ride safely outside,” Lagerwey added.

Rider registrants will get a free t-shirt and afternoon picnic. Shirts and ride registration packets will be available for pickup at the downtown market Friday evening, October 1, from 7-9 p.m. or the day of the ride October 2 after 8 a.m. White Pine Ride hats will be available for purchase.

Ride sponsors will have their logos placed on ride shirts and on the White Pine Ride Web site.

For more information and to register for the Rotary Club of Cadillac White Pine Ride, visit: whitepineride.com.

For additional information: Mark Lagerwey, 231 357-0851; mwlagerwey@gmail.com