Rotary Club of Cadillac planning White Pine Ride

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CADILLAC — Rotary Club of Cadillac is planning the Second Annual White Pine Ride on Saturday, September 12, 2020. The ride attracted more than 100 riders in its inaugural year in 2019 and is expected to register even more riders this 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.

“Many other riding events have been canceled this year due to Covid19, but this one will allow people to ride completely independently 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.”

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. With the exception of a couple very short gravel sections, 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 back
  • Tustin 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, they will be served bagged lunches at the downtown market.

Proceeds from the ride will support continued White Pine Trail development and Rotary charities.

“Having the northern trailhead of this nationally ranked trail right in Cadillac has been a great benefit for people from all around Michigan, particularly during this time when people need a place to walk and ride safely outside,” Lagerwey said. “Our hope is to raise enough funds to build a picnic shelter at the E 44 Road trailhead location.”

Rider registrants will get a free t-shirt and lunch. Shirts and ride registration packets will be available for pickup at the downtown market Friday evening, September 11 from 7-9 p.m. or the day of the ride September 12 after 7 a.m. White Pine Ride hats will be available for purchase. Packets and shirts can also be mailed to people who wish to support the cause but prefer to ride independently at a different time or date.

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: https://whitepineride.com/.

To learn more about the White Pine Trail recognition by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, visit their web site: https://www.traillink.com/top-trails/