Category: Top of Michigan Trails Council

Little Traverse Wheelway: Petoskey to Charlevoix Route a Steady Favorite Throughout Seasons

by Eric Cox, posted in bikepacking, Community, Commuting, cycling, Cycling Day Trips, Cycling Tips, family fun, Fitness, Gravel Bikes, Lifestyle, Little Traverse Wheelway, Michigan, Michigan, North Western State Trail, Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan Nature Preserves, Northern Michigan Outdoors, Petoskey, Michigan, Photography, Pure Michigan, Recreation, Top of Michigan Trails Council, Training, Uncategorized, Wildlife

For me, however, the Petoskey-Charlevoix leg has been a steady favorite. Not only is the distance preferable (about 34 miles roundtrip), the scenery is, too. From beautiful, multi-level East Park, across the top of stately Bay Harbor and on to woodsy West Park and beyond, this section offers more - for me - than the Harbor Springs segment (about 20 miles roundtrip).

FRESH EYEZ: Three Months of Cycling Photos (March-June ’21)

by Eric Cox, posted in Bear River Valley Recreation Area, bikepacking, Community, Commuting, cycling, Cycling Day Trips, Cycling Technology, Cycling Tips, family fun, Fitness, Gravel Bikes, Gravel Riding, Hiking, Lifestyle, Little Traverse Conservancy, Little Traverse Wheelway, Michigan, Michigan, North Western State Trail, Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan Nature Preserves, Northern Michigan Outdoors, Petoskey, Michigan, Photography, Pure Michigan, Recreation, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, Top of Michigan Trails Council, Training, Uncategorized, Volunteerism, watershed, Wildlife

All Photos by Eric Cox Locations include spots along the Little Traverse Wheelway near Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Bay View and Charlevoix; Bear River Valley Recreation Area; Petoskey State Park; and other area locations.

Encouraging Others to Ride Bikes Sometimes a Slippery Slope

by Eric Cox, posted in Commuting, cycling, Cycling Day Trips, Cycling Technology, Cycling Tips, family fun, Fitness, Gravel Riding, Lifestyle, Little Traverse Wheelway, North Western State Trail, Northern Michigan, Recreation, Top of Michigan Trails Council, Training, Uncategorized

For Angus, it was a childhood bicycle crash that gave him anxiety about getting back in the saddle as an adult. But, Margie had watched too many Tour de France stages and was sure she couldn't ride a bike without a full kit and a team car. Old Earl had his reasons, too. He was … Continue reading Encouraging Others to Ride Bikes Sometimes a Slippery Slope

Late-Season Rides Often Chilly, But Also Fun and Exhilarating

by Eric Cox, posted in bikepacking, Commuting, cycling, Cycling Day Trips, Cycling Technology, Cycling Tips, family fun, Gravel Riding, Lifestyle, Little Traverse Conservancy, Little Traverse Wheelway, North Western State Trail, Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan Outdoors, Photography, Recreation, Top of Michigan Trails Council, Training

For those of us who don't often ride bikes in harsh winter conditions, late-season rides - made possible by relatively mild temperatures - can inject fun and fitness into months when there ordinarily aren't many opportunities to enjoy bicycling. The last few weeks, for example, have been peppered with some really chilly, uninviting conditions. Yet, … Continue reading Late-Season Rides Often Chilly, But Also Fun and Exhilarating

Stress and Anxiety Got You Down? A Bike Ride Can Be Good Medicine

by Eric Cox, posted in Bike Racing, bikepacking, Commuting, cycling, Cycling Day Trips, Cycling Technology, Cycling Tips, family fun, Lifestyle, Little Traverse Wheelway, Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan Nature Preserves, Northern Michigan Outdoors, Photography, Recreation, Top of Michigan Trails Council, Training, Uncategorized

Bike rides have a way of helping clear out mental cobwebs, bringing enhanced clarity. Cardiovascular exercise increases blood flow to the brain, and that fluctuation often helps me think. It also helps me not think. Lately, I can’t decide which one is better. With everything going on – and not all of it positive – … Continue reading Stress and Anxiety Got You Down? A Bike Ride Can Be Good Medicine

FRESH EYEZ: Summer/Fall 2020 Cycling and Hiking Shots

by Eric Cox, posted in bikepacking, Bois Blanc Island, Michigan, Commuting, cycling, Cycling Day Trips, Cycling Technology, Cycling Tips, family fun, Gravel Bikes, Gravel Riding, Lifestyle, Little Traverse Conservancy, Little Traverse Wheelway, North Western State Trail, Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan Nature Preserves, Northern Michigan Outdoors, Oden State Fish Hatchery & Visitors Center, Photography, Recreation, Top of Michigan Trails Council, Training, Uncategorized, Wildlife

FRESH EYEZ: Spring/Early Summer Cycling Shots

by Eric Cox, posted in Commuting, COVID19 PANDEMIC, cycling, Cycling Technology, Cycling Tips, family fun, Hiking, Lifestyle, Little Traverse Conservancy, Little Traverse Wheelway, North Western State Trail, Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan Nature Preserves, Northern Michigan Outdoors, Photography, Recreation, Top of Michigan Trails Council, Uncategorized, Wildlife

All photos by Eric M. Cox 2020 All Rights Reserved

Ohio Native Brent Bolin Named New Trails Council Executive Director

by Eric Cox, posted in Commuting, cycling, Cycling Day Trips, Cycling Technology, Cycling Tips, family fun, Hiking, Lifestyle, Little Traverse Conservancy, Little Traverse Wheelway, North Western State Trail, Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan Nature Preserves, Northern Michigan Outdoors, Recreation, Top of Michigan Trails Council, Uncategorized, Wildlife

   Sometimes seemingly small things can have a big impact on one’s life.    New Top of Michigan Trails Council Executive Director Brent Bolin grew up playing in the creeks around his childhood home in Cleveland, Ohio. As a high schooler there, his appreciation for the water nurtured a keen interest in environmental issues.    … Continue reading Ohio Native Brent Bolin Named New Trails Council Executive Director