Maumee Valley Adventurers

Online registration coming soon. For information on these cycling experiences, please contact Nancy Beeman at 419-481-2000

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#1 Sub 24

Saturday-Sunday, June 7-8
Camping at Farnsworth Metropark, Waterville

Saturday 30 miles, Sunday 20 miles

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https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45588183
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45588201

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This is a beginner level trip. You should be comfortable riding a loaded bike up to 30 miles per day, for 2-3 consecutive days on mostly flat terrain. Each rider is responsible for carrying their own equipment. You should know how to fix your own flat tire, however, basic mechanical assistance will be available from others in the group. You must carry your own tube and repair equipment. You should have a phone or other device with GPS route downloaded onto it. There will be discussion and suggestions for the beginner regarding bike equipment and best ways to load your bike, as well as instruction on how to use RWGPS. Also, instruction on how to set up your camp site, use of stoves, options for foods, food storage, helpful tips, etc.  

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• The ride will begin and end in Whitehouse, OH, from the Municipal Building parking lot on 6925 Providence Street, Whitehouse.

• We will leave the starting location at 1:00 Saturday and ride approximately 30 miles to the campground

• We will return Sunday morning, approximately 20 miles.

• Vault toilets, no showers, no electric.

• You will need to bring your own dinner and breakfast meals. Optional stop for coffee and donuts Sunday, on the way back.

• There is no SAG

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Fee: $10 member/ $15 non-member
There is a limit of 10 riders

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Surface: paved and gravel (tow path)

Recommended tire size: a minimum of 32c

Registration is required.
Helmets are required.

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Farnsworth Metropark, group camping site. Farnsworth is a narrow park along the Maumee River overlooking Missionary, Butler and Indian islands, which are owned by the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

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The ruins of the Interurban Bridge, which crosses the river at Farnsworth, is a favorite subject of painters and photographers. The iconic bridge is partially built atop Roche de Bout, a large, protruding rock in the river that served as an early landmark for native people, European explorers and armies. The abandoned span, once the world's largest earth-filled, concrete reinforced bridge, was part of a commuter railway system.

Farnsworth has always been about the water. Water-based recreation has been a focus of the park since its inception when it was originally named Waterville Park.

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#2 Sub 24

Saturday-Sunday, July 12-13
Camping at Lake Hudson, MI
Saturday 40 miles, Sunday 40 miles

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https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45561838

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45561882

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This is an intermediate level trip. You should be comfortable riding a loaded bike up to 50 miles per day, for 2-3 consecutive days, on moderate terrain. All riders are expected to be self-contained and fairly self-sufficient. You should know how to fix your own flat, and do basic mechanical repairs. Basic mechanical assistance may be available from others in the group.

You should know how to navigate and create routes using RWGPS or other navigation system of your choosing. Instruction on using RWGPS provided upon request. 

• The ride will begin and end at the Sylvania Municipal Court building, 6700 Monroe St, Sylvania

• We will leave starting location at 10:00 Saturday and ride approximately 40 mi to the campground. Lunch stop in Blissfield. 

• We will return Sunday morning, approximately 40 miles

• Vault toilets, electric, no showers

• You will need to bring your own dinner and breakfast meals

• There is no SAG

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Fee: $10 members/ $15 non-members
There is a limit of 8 riders

Surface: paved and dirt/ gravel roads

Recommended tire size: minimum 32c

 

Registration is required.
Helmets are required.

 

Lake Hudson Recreation Area, MI, located near the Ohio border, surrounds the park’s namesake no-wake lake and is home to a designated dark sky preserve, a semi-modern campground, a designated swim beach, a boating access site, a 1.5-mile trail and more. The
park is also popular for fishing – and known for muskie – paddling, hunting and more. The park encompasses a lake, native grass fields that are part of a pheasant restoration project and forested areas.

The park is home to a dark sky preserve – the first in Michigan’s state park system – offering excellent night-sky viewing. The preserve, located by the park’s picnic shelter, is open 24 hours a day year-round.

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#3 Kal-Haven Trai

Two days/overnight Saturday-Sunday, Sept 6-7 

Camping at Van Buren State Park, South Haven, MI

Saturday 46 miles, Sunday 46 miles

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https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45570079

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45863412

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This is an intermediate level trip. You should be comfortable riding a loaded bike up to 50 miles per day, for 2-3 consecutive days, on moderate terrain. All riders are expected to be self-contained and fairly self-sufficient. You should know how to fix your own flat, and do basic mechanical repairs. Basic mechanical assistance may be available from others in the group. It is recommended that you know how to navigate and create routes using RWGPS or other navigation system of your choosing in case of separation from the group. Instruction on RWGPS available upon request. 

 

• The ride will begin and end in Kalamazoo, Michigan

• We will leave the Arcadia Street Festival Place, 145 E Water St, Kalamazoo, at 10:00am and ride the Kal-Haven Trail 46 miles to the campground.

• There are restrooms, showers, water, and electric at Van Buren State Park

• You will need to bring your own dinner and breakfast meals, plus 3 large water bottles

• There is no SAG

 

Fee: $10 member/ $15 non-member (Parking is additional if you choose to leave a car in the

garage). 

There is a limit of 8 riders.

Surface: Packed limestone 

Recommended tire size: 32c minimum. Bigger is better!

Registration is required. 

Helmets are required

 

You are responsible for finding parking for your own vehicle. There are 2 indoor parking garages in Kalamazoo. Cost of garage parking (2 days = about $20). We recommend carpooling to make it more affordable.

Ellis Parking Company
Arcadia District - Parking Ramp 4
306 N Rose St
Kalamazoo, MI 49007

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Central City Parking
Epic Center Ramp / Kalamazoo Mall District - Parking Ramp 2
136 E South St
Kalamazoo, MI 49007

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Van Buren State Park is set along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The park is home to high dune formations, a modern campground, 1 mile of sandy beach, woodland trails and a day-use area.

The day-use area offers picnic tables and grills, a picnic shelter and two modern restroom buildings. Lake Michigan provides a great area for swimming and a beautiful beach for sunbathing.

From the park, visitors can access the Van Buren State Park Spur Trail, which offers a scenic, 4-mile paved route into the City of South Haven. Along the way, visitors can access Van Buren Trail State Park (gravel surface) near 16th Avenue and continue on an additional 12 miles (south) to the City of Hartford. The Kal-Haven Trail State Park connects in South Haven and provides 33.5 miles of additional trail.

The charming beach town of South Haven is just minutes away and boasts unique eateries, wineries, boutiques and natural scenic surroundings. Other points of interest include the Michigan Maritime Museum, the Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum, the Flywheeler Museum, an art
center and many public golf courses.