Great Lake-to-Lake Trail Tour 2023

Tour Info

Pedalstroke Tours is proud to partner with Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA) to present The Great Lake-to-Lake Trail Tour. Since it’s inception in 2019, The Great Lake-to-Lake Trail Tour takes advantage of one of Michigan’s five Great Lake to Lake Trails. Ride with wonder and joy while supporting Michigan’s premier trail advocacy and development organization! 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.

In 2023 you’ll pedal coast to coast along The Great Lake-To-Lake Trail #3 from Charlevoix on Lake Michigan to Alpena on Lake Huron. This unique collection of trails allow you to relax and pedal on rail trails over the top of the peninsula, enjoy beach towns, explore historic forts, roll under the Mighty Mac, pedal Mackinac Island, and visit the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center.

Please review the pricing table prior to registering.

What is included:

• Five days of bicycling 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.
• Long term parking at the finish in Alpena.

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.

The $500 entry fee deposit and completed registration form only reserves your space. Please see the Pricing Table on our website for details. You will receive a fee schedule and balance reminders until the registration deadline of August 10, 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.