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 Fifth Annual White Pine Ride on Saturday, September 16, 2023. The ride attracts more than 100 riders each 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. Registration cost of $40 includes a t-shirt and picnic lunch with entertainment.

“People can ride independently or in groups 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. One important detail for this year's ride: we expect there will be a 3.5 milre gravel-road detour just south of Tustin because of work on a culvert replacement. Riders planning to go to Tustin or beyond should ride a bike on which they are comfortable on gravel. ”

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 backTustin 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.

“Having the northern trailhead of this nationally ranked trail right in Cadillac has been a great benefit for people from all around Michigan. It's an amazingly beautiful trail,” 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, September 15, from 7-9 p.m. or the day of the ride September 16 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