North Bank Trail December Update

We received this update on Dec. 17:

As you may be aware, Spring Lake Township and Crockery Township are in the process of developing a new regional non-motorized pathway with other municipalities called the North Bank Trail (NBT). The NBT is an 18-mile pathway primarily along the old Grand Trunk Railroad stretching from Spring Lake, MI to Coopersville, MI providing a link between the Grand Rapids area and the Lake Michigan shoreline as well as offering a connection to other established regional trails. Phase 1 of the NBT is a 3.25 mile section from Fruitport Road to 130th Avenue that is scheduled to commence construction in July of 2011 and be completed in October. Once completed, the NBT will provide an alternative mode of transportation to residents of northern Ottawa County, an excellent venue for exercise, safe routes to school, and attract new tourists.

Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail Ressurected

The on-again off-again Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail seems to have come alive again. This trail would serve as an important link between Muskegon and the Hart-Montague Trail. The plan seemed to have died prematurely as matching funds dried up before work could be started. However, they seem to have now secured the Fred Meijer matching funds and construction may start early in 2011. More news here.

Love Inc. Bicycle ministry donates helmets too!

There was a very nice article in yesterday's Grand Haven Tribune about Love Inc's bicycle ministry. In addition to giving away reconditioned bikes to those in need, they are also giving away bicycle helmets along with the bikes. Surprisingly, not all recipients want the helmets. Here is the link.

US Bicycle Route 35 through Ferrysburg

Shown above is the route of US Bicycle Route 35 through Ferrysburg. It comes from the south along Lakeshore Ave. and Sheldon Dr. in Grand Haven, eventually crossing the Grand River next to US 31 on the bike/pedestrian walkway, through Wm. Ferry Park, along Pine St., then left on 3rd St., round the turn onto 174th Ave., then left on Dogwood Dr. just before Leppinks Grocery Store. Dogwood Dr. goes North and eventually merges with 180th Ave., then left on Hickory and past Black Lake towards Muskegon.

Ferrysburg City Council supports Bike Route 35

The Grand Haven newspaper today had a nice story about how the Ferrysburg City Council supports the interstate bicycle route that goes along the Michigan shoreline, commonly known as Route 35. This route goes only a few blocks from my house. Nifty! For more details on Route 35, follow this link: http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/nbrn/usbikewaysystem.cfm

Colorburst 2010 - Nice!

Colorburst 2010 was nearly perfect. Temperatures in the mid to upper 50's, no winds, clear skies, great food, good friends. What else could you ask for? They put on a fantastic feed. Breakfast was pancakes, blueberry or strawberry syrup, and hot cocoa, OJ or coffee. Joe, Jan and I rode the shorter 17 mile route today. There were a few hills, but the downhill ride was a good reward for the work going up each of them. The trees were nearly at their peak, with lots of reds and yellows. What else can I say?

Mackinac Island - Part 3

Bikes are all over Mackinac Island. The tour guide told us that there was a fudge shop in almost every shopping area. I think that there is a bike rental shop in EVERY shopping area - right next to the fudge shop. ;-) There are signs everywhere warning bikes to slow down. The tour guide also told us that the local police had speed traps for cyclists. My guess is that the horses and horse-drawn carriages don' t speed much on the island. Guess what! The police ride bikes too.