Bike Benzie Tour sponsored by Benzie Sunrise Rotary

40-mile riders should depart between 8:00 and 9:00

The 40-mile route proceeds westward from Crystal Mountain along County Line Road, continuing north on Wallaker Road. At mile 7.9, participants will turn left onto Mick Road. After crossing US-31 and traveling west, a right turn is required onto Crawford, followed by a left turn onto Demerly. At the 13.3-mile point, participants encounter a demanding right turn onto Forrester Road during a steep descent. Watch for the signs. Upon reaching the junction of Forrester Road and Grace Road at mile 15, riders turn RIGHT to continue east on Grace Road. (the 62-mile participants turn left at this point.) After a lengthy descent, the route crosses US-31 onto Love Road, where cyclists encounter a steep climb followed by a brief descent. At mile 18.9, a left turn is made onto Case Road, and at mile 19.6, riders bear left onto the Betsie Valley Pathway, following it to the trailhead building in Beulah for a scheduled food stop at mile 20.

Following passage through the Village of Beulah, the course crosses US-31 onto Narrow Gauge Road. Cyclists then experience a continuous yet gentle ascent of approximately 2.7 miles, turning right onto Marshall Road, then left onto Homestead Road. At mile 26, a left turn is taken onto Zimmerman Road, and after one mile, a right turn leads onto Cinder Road. This stretch continues for 4 miles eastward to Thompsonville Road, where a right turn sends riders south for an additional 7 miles. Finally, a right turn in Thompsonville onto Lindy Road returns riders 2.5 miles to Crystal Mountain. 1,623 feet of climb total.

Maps will be provided, and the course will be marked at critical turns; in addition, “Ride with GPS”, will be available for download from the Bike Benzie website. The route will be patrolled by support vehicles in the event of an emergency or a need to return to Crystal Mountain.

62-mile riders should depart between 7:00 and 8:00

The 62-mile course proceeds westward from Crystal Mountain via County Line Road, then heads north on Wallaker Road. At mile 7.9, participants are directed to turn left onto Mick Road. After crossing US-31 and continuing west, riders must make a right turn onto Crawford followed by a left turn onto Demerly. At the 13.3-mile point, participants encounter a demanding right turn onto Forrester Road during a steep descent. Watch for the signs. Upon reaching the intersection of Forrester Road and Grace Road (mile 15), cyclists proceed LEFT to travel west on Grace Road. (the 40-mile riders turn right). Riders then descend westward on Grace Road, arriving at M22 at mile 17.4, which leads into Elberta and Penfold Park for the first scheduled food stop at 18.9 miles.

Subsequently, the route continues along the Betsie Valley trail toward Frankfort, where a sharp right turn is made onto 9th Street. Cyclists will cross both Main Street and M22 before arriving at James Street. After two blocks, James Street intersects with M22 again, and a right turn at this 20.6-mile point guides riders onto M22 for an additional 17.2 miles, paralleling Crystal Lake on route to Sleeping Bear National Park. Restroom facilities are available at the Loon Lake parking area. Following a half mile on Fowler, riders reach Indian Hill Road, where a right turn directs them south 5.5 miles to Deadstream Road. A brief ride then brings participants to the second designated food stop at Honor Park.

From there, cyclists traverse Platte Street to US-31, turning left to proceed eastbound to Goose Road, and then follow Goose Road to Pioneer Road. A right turn onto Pioneer entails a southern 2-mile ascent to Cinder Road. A subsequent left turn sends riders east for three miles to Thompsonville Road, where a right turn leads south for an additional seven miles. The final segment includes a right turn in Thompsonville onto Lindy Road, which returns participants 2.5 miles to Crystal Mountain. 1,842 feet of climb total.

Maps will be provided, and the course will be marked at critical turns; in addition, two GPS apps will be available for download on the website, 1) Ride with GPS, and 2) Strava. The route will be patrolled by support vehicles in the event of an emergency or a need to return to Crystal Mountain.

30-mile riders should depart between 8:30 and 9:00

The 30-mile cycling course starts at Crystal Mountain, heads south on Kurick Road, east through Copemish via Springdale Road, then south on Yates Road for 8.2 miles to Nine Mile Road. Cyclists continue west for 3 miles to Kaleva, turn onto Kauko Street to reach the 18-mile food stop at Bethany Lutheran Church. Following the chance for rest and refreshment the route heads north on Healy Lake Road for 9 miles, ending back at Kurick Road. A left turn and 3 miles takes cyclists back to County Line Road and Crystal Mountain. 445 feet of climb total.

Maps will be provided and the course will be marked at critical turns. Additionally, two GPS apps will be available for download from the website; 1) Ride with GPS, and 2) Strava. The route will be patrolled by support vehicles in the event of an emergency or a need to return to Crystal Mountain.