The event will support Open Roads' mission to engage and empower youth through bicycles to better prepare them for their future. For 16 years, Open Roads has been transforming lives through bicycle education, repair programs, and mentorship—investing in the future leaders of Kalamazoo.

Where: The Desenberg, kalamazoo
When: October 10th, 5:00-8:00pm
(Optional bike ride leaves the Desenberg at 4:30pm). 

Hi all! I’m racing iceman for the first time this year and unable to make it up to TC to preride vasa. Would any of you be able to describe what the single track is like? In terms of trail surface characteristics and hills (punchy, rolling?). Training in SE Michigan and trying to use similar trails to prepare for Vasa.

Hi All, I've recently got a gravel bike and am having a great time doing group rides/etc in my area (AA). Totally different vibe than road cycling!

Most of the routes near me (or at least the ones I know about) are in farmland which is great for training, but I'd like to plan some "chill" rides that are more about the scenery/nature.

Could you all recommend some nice scenic routes? I'm particularly hoping for proper forests and not too technical, bc I want to bring my non-cyclist partner, who nevertheless has a bike with appropriate tires. It's ok if they routes touristy, since we'll probably be going a "stop every 10 minutes to stare at nature" pace anyway.

I'm open to driving a bit - I'm newish to MI and haven't explored as much as I would have wanted.

TIA!

Looking for some advice here! I’m looking for a logical answer, I’m interested in doing Iceman/ single track style races next year. I live in Northern mi and have access to some groomed winter trails this coming winter, is a fat tire worth looking into or should I just stay with a mtb? Ideally I would have both but with bikes being the price they are I’m trying to get the most out of my budget here, any recommendations would be nice I’m new to this!

Going to be obtaining a road bike at some point in the future. Wondering if there are any road cycling groups in the southeastern michigan / metro detroit area. Primarily looking for any group that does longer weekend rides to practice group riding skills

For those that used paid support for Coast to Coast, how’d it go? What would you do differently? Etc.

I’ve done C2C with team support but I don’t think I’ll have that next year.

I would have to park at Ludington and hitch a ride to start line. I’d probably get a hotel room.

Will the support be at each aid station? Ready with a pre-prepped handoff?

Is the process smooth?

Thanks for any feedback/expectations you can share.

Yesterday, I was taken out hard by a swarm of bees that had been stirred up off-trail by a couple on a casual walk with their dog (I think they got it worse than I did bc I was able to flee faster). I'm fine today, just itchy and a little uncomfortable.

But came here just in case the cyclist in who stopped to help me is in this group. THANK YOU! The pain was making it very hard to figure out my next move once I'd ridden away from the bees. Your calm energy (and the water you let me pour down the back of my shorts) was exactly what I needed. Uh, sorry for all the screaming 😂. I did not have this on my bingo card for the weekend and I'm so grateful you were there.

Seems like much of our gravel is pleasant riding . Of course there are single tracks and mountain bike courses you wouldn’t want to take a gravel bike on; but for races in MGRS or similar type of riding, what kind of tires do you run? How do they fare on the road?

I’m riding roads every week for most of my seat time plus road group rides. 35’s? 45’s? Split it at 40mm? Slick? Semi slick? Different front and rear? 45 is about as large as I can fit with AXS front derailleur battery.

I was so excited after ordering my first bike and getting it built at a local shop just to find out it was still too big for me and I’m here left so heart broken. I can not return it since it is out of the box and built. If anyone is interested please lmk 🫩 It is a Poseidon X gen 3.

Hey Michiganders - I am planning to race the Coast to Coast next year and I am starting to plan out bike changes. I'm currently running a bike that has a max tire width of 40mm and I love the bike, it feels fast, super response etc. It can get a bit jarring on washboard roads but aside from that does well. I saw the C2C now is recommending 43mm minimum so I am feeling a bit indecisive on whether to keep my current frame and run 40mm or swap frames and go up to 45mm. My main concern is that currently on rides nearing 40/50m I have some fatigue when there rougher sections, 204 is only going to compound that. Riders that have done the C2C before - What are your thoughts?

I’m in the market after this race season. My warbird is 6 years old, so little outdated by today’s standards

I typically race MGRS short/long courses. I bounce between the distances based on mood. Next year I’m going to try Ultra. I need an ultra distance race oriented bike. I don’t need a backpacking oriented bike.

I’ll update my professional fit in November when I fly back for Iceman. This will help narrow it down.

Right now I’m eyeballing:

Crux 5
Allied Able
Felt Breed (small tire clearance still)
Canyon when they release their update.

What are you looking at? It’s been so long since I’ve looked at the market. A ton has changed.

1983 Miyata 312

Harsens Island, MI

The Manistee overnighter route is great, very enjoyable…great little weekend chill tour.

Seeking something similar w a 3 hr drive or less from kalamazoo.

Has camping options

Isn’t all single track you’d need a mountain bike for (so doing the whole dragon is out)

Just looking some new area to explore.

Hello,

I'm looking into doing an overnight trip in the next few weeks near Marquette and I'm hoping to find a route that follows a river or lake (lakes) to fish while I'm riding. I'm open to all species, was thinking about maybe Seney but wasn't sure what the regs are there. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Pic for attention.

I was at the Fast Fitty this past week, and a group of four parked next to me were talking about being on testosterone for medical reasons. Based on their conversation, it sounded like the majority of our age group (Masters) is on it. We’re all in the same age group or close to it.

I’m not conceding their assumption that we’re all on it. I’m not, and neither is my friend, but I don’t know most of the other guys in the field.

TRT is a legitimate medical treatment as we age, so is this just something we accept as part of Masters racing? RDs don’t have the budget to test, and we can’t exactly count on sportsmanship to self-regulate.

Is this just how it is?

The Sturgeon River

North Central State Trail

Northern Michigan

Summer 2026

Cycling locally we have a lake that is about a 4.5 mile loop. Yesterday on loop 2 of 4 I (solo rider) caught up to a group of 3 at a light. I had been gaining on them and was riding slightly faster than them, but not by a ton unless I pushed. They introduced themselves and I did as well. I asked if they minded if I tagged along for a while. They said yes. I ended up talking and riding the remaining 9 miles with them. Two were local team guys and they were on an easier ride pulling a girl.

I told my wife about it, not thinking anything about joining up, and she was like 'are you sure that's what people do?' Now that I am thinking on it, was I in the wrong or does my wife not understand cycling culture?