13th Annual Lakeshore Harvest Ride
Saturday, September 14, 2024
“It’s a Harvest for your senses.”
ABOUT
Welcome to the one Michigan bike tour that lets you see, touch, smell and taste the riches of this breathtaking region. The Lakeshore Harvest Ride glides you through the rolling countryside of Southwest Michigan. You can visit wineries, cider mills, family farms, orchards and art studios along the way. And there are individual bike routes for every rider, ranging from 15 to 62 miles in length.
CAUSE
The Blue Star Trail will be a 20-mile paved, non-motorized recreational trail that connects people and communities from Saugatuck to South Haven, Michigan. The Trail improves safety, wellness, economic health, and our environment. Friends of the Blue Star Trail is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promote and fund construction of the Trail. We act as a catalyst to promote and fund the Trail, in partnership with our local communities. Friends raises money for engineering, local match funding required for state/federal matching construction grants, and ongoing maintenance. Local communities prepare and submit applications for state/federal matching grants and own those sections of the Trail.
CLIMATE
This is the best time for a Michigan bike tour. September graces Southwest Michigan with dryer, cooler weather. The summer crowds have ebbed, but our harbor towns of Saugatuck/Douglas and South Haven are still bustling with fun activities and cultural events.
IMPORTANT DATES
Early Bird Registration Discounts End August 20, 2023Last day to save $15 each off the Day of Ride Registration fee. And groups of 3 to 10 Riders save $20 per person.
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Regular Registration Discounts End September 10, 2023Last day to save $5 each off the Day of Ride Registration fee. And groups of 3 to 10 Riders save $10 per person.
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Online Registration Ends
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*We are offering early check-in and registration on Friday night before the Ride. Locations to be determined.
HIGHLIGHTS
Shopping: Unlike other Michigan bike tours, you don’t just pass by scenic farms and vineyards, you can stop to shop. Better yet, we deliver your purchases to you at the end of your ride. We recommend bringing some cash for purchases, not all tour stops except credit cards.
Destinations: Visit art studios, wineries, cider mills, family farms and orchards along the way. Learn more about these tour stops.
Routes: Choose to begin the ride in Douglas or in South Haven, Michigan. Each starting point has four routes for varying abilities ranging from 15 to 62 miles in length. Learn more about our bike routes.
Terrain: Most of the routes are on flat to rolling terrain. The 60 and 62-mile routes have some hilly sections. All routes are on paved roads and paths except for a small section of hard packed trail near the Kal-Haven Trailhead and some driveways to our tour stops.
Refreshments: The tour includes lunch, snacks, water and Gatorade.
Fees: To save up to $20, register by August 20, 2023.
T-shirts: The 12th Annual Lakeshore Harvest Ride T-shirt is available in both long and short sleeve styles. Choose either Royal or True Red in sizes S through XXL. New for 2023, Ladies style short sleeve T-shirts in Royal or True Red. All T-shirts can be ordered at bikereg.com/lhride and must be purchased by September 5th, for event day pick-up. A limited number of T-shirts will be available for purchase on Ride day.
Jerseys: The Lakeshore Harvest Ride Cycling Jersey is back. Featuring sport cut styling, front full zip and 3 rear cargo pockets. Available in both short and long sleeves in XS through 5XL. Jerseys run small, we recommend ordering one size up. Please purchase by July 6, for event day pick up. Go to bikereg.com/lhride to order. A limited number of Jerseys will be available for purchase on Ride day.
Destinations: Visit art studios, wineries, cider mills, family farms and orchards along the way. Learn more about these tour stops.
Routes: Choose to begin the ride in Douglas or in South Haven, Michigan. Each starting point has four routes for varying abilities ranging from 15 to 62 miles in length. Learn more about our bike routes.
Terrain: Most of the routes are on flat to rolling terrain. The 60 and 62-mile routes have some hilly sections. All routes are on paved roads and paths except for a small section of hard packed trail near the Kal-Haven Trailhead and some driveways to our tour stops.
Refreshments: The tour includes lunch, snacks, water and Gatorade.
Fees: To save up to $20, register by August 20, 2023.
T-shirts: The 12th Annual Lakeshore Harvest Ride T-shirt is available in both long and short sleeve styles. Choose either Royal or True Red in sizes S through XXL. New for 2023, Ladies style short sleeve T-shirts in Royal or True Red. All T-shirts can be ordered at bikereg.com/lhride and must be purchased by September 5th, for event day pick-up. A limited number of T-shirts will be available for purchase on Ride day.
Jerseys: The Lakeshore Harvest Ride Cycling Jersey is back. Featuring sport cut styling, front full zip and 3 rear cargo pockets. Available in both short and long sleeves in XS through 5XL. Jerseys run small, we recommend ordering one size up. Please purchase by July 6, for event day pick up. Go to bikereg.com/lhride to order. A limited number of Jerseys will be available for purchase on Ride day.
Here’s another reason to love the Ride: Download our GPS app to guide you along your route.
Track every turn, know your mileage and even see the grade of your route from your phone.
Track every turn, know your mileage and even see the grade of your route from your phone.
LODGING
Come for the Ride and stay for the weekend. For information about lodging, restaurants and other events during the weekend of the Ride, click on the links below. Some B&B’s and hotels are offering discounts to our Riders.
STARTING POINTS
South Haven, MI 49090
The South Haven starting point has been changed due to construction on the Kal-Haven Trail. The relocated starting point is the North Shore Elementary School - it is located north of South Haven, the parking lot entrance is off of the Blue Star Hwy.
The South Haven starting point has been changed due to construction on the Kal-Haven Trail. The relocated starting point is the North Shore Elementary School - it is located north of South Haven, the parking lot entrance is off of the Blue Star Hwy.
Schultz Park | Schultz Park Dr | Douglas, MI 49406.
The Friends of the Blue Star Trail coordinate the Lakeshore Harvest Ride in cooperation with the Saugatuck-Douglas Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the South Haven Visitor Bureau, and the Lakeshore Harvest Country.
©2023 FRIENDS OF THE BLUE STAR TRAIL |
LAKESHORE HARVEST RIDE
PO BOX 464 DOUGLAS, MI 49406 FOTBST@gmail.com
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