Biking

Home of the Subaru Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic and the growing Superior Bike Fest and with thousands of miles of back roads, marked trails, logging roads, cross-country ski tracts, national and state forest trails and paved biking paths, Marquette County has more hiking and biking opportunities than anywhere else in the Upper Peninsula. It's no wonder Bike magazine declared Marquette the number two city in America for Biking and Living in its June 2001 issue.

Some of the mountain bike trails spotlighted include the Range Mountain Bike System that meanders through Ishpeming and Negaunee. The system uses cross-country ski trails that wind through forested areas, featuring a variety of terrain, elevation and plant and animal life. Another popular trail is the Harlow Lake Area just north of Marquette that includes panoramic views of Lake Superior. For road bikers, the city of Marquette offers a 10-mile paved system that takes bikers out to Presque Isle along the Superior shoreline.

Tour DA UP " Mining Heritage Tour" a bike tour through Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula will treat the participants to a backwoods view of the Central Upper Peninsula's rich mining heritage. Bikers will begin and end in Marquette, on the shores of Lake Superior, traveling a remote backroads route with paved and unpaved options, thus providing opportunities for all types of cyclists. Daily routes will include stops at the Michigan Iron Ore Museum, views of iron ore cars headed for shipping with options for mine tours, river rafting as well as antiquing along the way. We'll travel through the historical villages of Negaunee, Ishpeming, Republic, Iron Mountain and Gwinn relaxing on the beaches of Lake Antoine, and Norway Lake. Check out www.teachingfamilyhomes.com/tourdaup/ for complete details.

For information on trails, maps and trail conditions check out www.noquetrails.org.

Hiking and biking maps are available at the Lake Superior Community Partnership (501 S. Front Street, Mqt and 610 Palms Ave, Ish-inside the Ski Hall of Fame) and Visitor Bureau offices (2552 US 41 West, Mqt).

Hiking

Hikers will want to check out the portion of the North Country Trail that cross Marquette County on its way from New York to North Dakota. Beautiful overlooks from Hogback Mountain and scenic shoreline along Wetmore's Landing are two of the highlights. Another popular spot includes the McCormick Wilderness north of Michigamme.

The Noquemanon Trail Network (www.noquetrails.org) provides an interconnected trail system through Marquette County. Two of the trails for hikers and bikers include the Noquemanon Trail and the Harlow Lake Pathway extending from Tourist Park in Marquete north to the Harlow Lake recreation area.

Hiking and biking equipment sales and rentals, as well as guided adventures are available.

BIKE RENTALS

Big Bay Outfitters/Red Town Rentals
308 Bensinger, Big Bay
906-345-9399
Visa and MasterCard Accepted
www.bigbayoutfitters.com/rentals
Rental fees vary, call or check website.

Maple Lane Sports
124 Krieger Drive, Skandia
906-942-7662
Visa, MasterCard and AMEX Accepted
www.exploringthenorth.com
Rental fees vary, call or check website.
Open Monday - Friday 10 am to 6 pm, Saturdays 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday 12 noon to 4 pm

Lakeshore Bike
505 Lakeshore Blvd, Marquette
906-228-7547
Rental fees vary, call for prices.
Visa and MasterCard Accepted

BIKE RACES

Subaru Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic
48 mile Hard Rock, 28 mile Soft Rock and Kids Races
Race Date: August 20, 2005
Contacts: Sue Syrjala
P.O Box 864
Marquette, MI 49855
(866) 370-RACE
Fax (906) 226-2099
www.oretoshore.com
Mountain Bikes, Single Speed Bikes or Tandems

Superior Bike Fest
25, 50 & 80 mile Races
Race Date: June 24-26, 2005
PO Box 40
Marquette, MI 49855
1-888-578-6489
www.superiorbikefest.com
Email:superiorbikefest@chartermi.net

BIKE TOURS

Great Northern Adventures
PO Box 361
Marquette, MI 49855
906-225-TOUR
www.greatnorthernadventures.com
One to seven day mountain bike tours across the U.P. Hundreds of miles of beautiful trails along the shores of Lake Superior and in the heart of the Hiawatha National Forest. Best mountain biking in the Midwest. Offers single day to multi-day adventures. Call for packages and pricing.