It's UP Bike Week! (Check out all the stuff happening at Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan University.) As a part of Bike Week, Bike Initiative Keweenaw is sponsoring a casual group ride on Saturday, September 14.

• 6:00 PM, September 14
• Husky Plaza (by the husky dog statue on Michigan Tech's campus)
• Bring a bike and a helmet

Campus and local communities are invited to come meet our members, learn a few smart cycling skills, and enjoy a casual 8-10 mile ride on local roads and paths. The ride is no-drop, meaning nobody will be left behind, and there will be an option for a shortcut to the end. A helmet is required.

Bike Initiative Keweenaw (BIKE!) is looking for a volunteer to help act as a point person for Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 18th 2018. This is a great way to get involved with other folks in the Keweenaw who like bike to bike commute, and the event usually draws involvement from local law enforcement, bike shops, and area businesses. The time commitment is probably around 5-10 hours, mainly spread between acting as a contact for the volunteers who run rest stops on Bike to Work Day, helping to advertise the event, and making sure any supplies or giveaways are ordered. This year, BIKE! would like to only have rest stops open during the morning of Bike to Work Day (approx 7:30-9:30 AM), so this should simplify planning. 

Please let know if you are interested or if you have any questions! Email info@bikeinitiativekeweenaw.org or use the Contact page.

In addition, BIKE! would love to help advertise and promote other biking-related events that are taking place during Bike to Work Week, May 14-18th. If you know of an event or you'd like to suggest or plan one, please let us know - this could include anything from a screening of a bike-related movie, to a group ride, to a special tuneup event at a local bike shop.

​See you out there!

As the days quickly get shorter, we’d like to remind everyone to stay aware of others who may be using the road with you while on your way to work, school, or fun. Vehicle accidents with adults and children who are walking or biking tend to increase around this time of year. There are things that we can all do to prevent any injuries in our community.

Read some tips on safe biking and walking below, courtesy of the Hancock Bike and Pedestrian Committee.

• Bicycle Safety
• Pedestrian Safety

Have you ever thought about the possibility of a non-motorized route connecting communities and historic places around the Keweenaw?

In 2011, the Western UP Health Department (WUPHD) partnered with the Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region (WUPPDR) to develop a conceptual plan to support initial efforts to develop such a route. This plan is intended to be used as a guide for the development of the Copper Heritage Trail, a 40 mile non-motorized trail route from Chassell to Calumet.

The development of the planning document was funded by grants to WUPHD from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, aimed at promoting healthy, physically active living.

For the trail to become a reality, the support of numerous stakeholders, local governments, state government, Keweenaw National Historic Park and additional partners will be needed. Let us know what you think of this idea!

Bike Initiative Keweenaw is proud to be a sponsor of the Keweenaw Co-Op's 2017 Farm Tour of the Keweenaw! It's the peak of the season, and a perfect time to head out by bike (or car) and visit our local farmers.

There are multiple route options available, as well as information below on farms, produce availability, and hours in case you want to plan your own farm adventure.

For more information, check out the Keweenaw Co-Op Facebook page.

See you out there!

This summer we're featuring some of our local National Bike Challenge riders. Together, riders from Houghton and Keweenaw counties completed over 127,000 miles in 2016!

Q: Why do you participate in the National Bike Challenge?
A: Once I started riding, folks at Cross Country Sports who were already participating in the Challenge suggested I join in and help the local Keweenaw challenge. I figured it would be a good motivational tool for me while at the same time helping to rack up local miles. Little did I know the Challenge would help me to become completely addicted to riding, since I had more of an incentive to get out there and ride every day.

Q: Has the National Bike Challenge changed when and where you ride your bike?
A: Yes it has! Before I joined the Challenge, if I were out of town I wouldn't ride; but once I got into the challenge I HAD to ride every day so I could get my miles and points to be competitive in the rankings. That made me take my bike along when I'd go out of town and ride wherever we were. I'd take off early on my bike and my husband would leave an hour or two later and pick me up on the way. Riding in different cities and states made it more fun, too.

Q: What do you like about bike riding in the area?
A: I live in Lake Linden, so my favorite ride in the area is from Lake Linden to Chassell and back. I love that the bike lane on M26 is wide on both sides of the road. The trail from the Lift Bridge in Houghton out to the old Onigaming, just past the Nara Nature Trails, is a favorite of mine too. After that, the trail is gravel and I prefer the paved trails, so I get back up on the road. Having less traffic than the big cities is a plus.

Q: What would you say to others who are thinking of joining the National Bike Challenge?
A: Just do it...even if you only ride once a week, those miles and points add up and they help our local challenge to get to the top. You're getting fresh air and exercise, while breathing good Copper Country air...it doesn't get much better than that!

Q: Can you share a story from one of your rides during the Challenge?
A: I think my favorite ride from the Challenge period this year was in August. My husband and I took our two grandsons with us to the Soo Locks, Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island and we brought our bikes. It was so much fun to be riding around Mackinac Island with my grandsons. We rode to Arch Rock and then cut across the middle of the Island, past the airport and down to British Landing. The three of them took a break there, while I made a complete loop of the Island on my own. Riding with my grandsons, hopefully giving them a love for riding, was my very favorite. Afterwards, I asked the boys what their favorite part of the 3 day trip was and the 14-year-old said "riding our bikes around the Island". Maybe one of these days he'll be racking up miles for the Challenge, too!

Ben Weaver is coming to town for a show at the Orpheum this Thursday. He’s pedaling his way on back roads and two-tracks with his banjo and guitar strapped on his bike. BIKE! and friends are riding out to meet Ben on his way into town.

Ben's estimated arrival in Houghton is between 1:30 and 3:15 PM  on Thursday. We’ll meet up under the lift bridge on the Houghton side between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM (earlier if you so desire), depending on how long you’d like to ride and when you can pull yourself away from the daily grind.

Folks can head out in waves depending on their speed and the desired length of ride. In other words, if you get there and you’re ready to go, go! The "group" will form as folks meet Ben along the route and turn back.

The route

A GPX file in case you find it handy: ridewithgps.com/routes/23035695.gpx?sub_format=track

Notes about the route

As of 11 Jul 2017, Covered Dr (mile 6.3 to 9.4) is freshly graded with some loose gravel. Freda Crosscut aka Beacon Hill Toivola Rd (12.6 to 20.7) will have some sandy sections and short wet sections requiring hike-a-bike. Road bikes may want to wait at Beacon Hill (12.6).

If you'd like to ride further out or have questions about the route, email info@bikeinitiativekeweenaw.org. Others may be working their way out there via alternate routes, we'll see them on the way back.

And if you can't make the ride, we'd love to see you at 7:00 PM at the Orpheum! The theater bar is not currently open, so BYOB if you wish.

Ben Weaver is rolling in to the Orpheum Theater on Thursday, July 13! Join in a night of music, film, and adventure. Find more about Ben's music, poetry, adventure, and advocacy at http://www.benweaver.net/​. ​No advance tickets, just show up!