The Cycling Eight: A Bit More than Overnight, But Too Fun to Pass Up

Posted by Winona Bateman | Tags: Cheap , Historic , Michigan

When Norma was a teenager — long before bike touring was common practice — she and seven girlfriends took a multi-day bike trip on heavy cruiser bikes. Starting from their hometown of Mancelona, Michigan, over the course of five days they traveled to Traverse City and on to towns along the scenic shore of Lake Michigan.

Get more information about bike overnights.

October 01, 2011

3 responses so far ↓

Mark Gardner - Nov 20, 2011 at 7:16 AM

Great story, Norma! You girls really did something unique in 1940. Incidentally I was born in Flint, grew up in Grand Blanc and Birmingham. My neighbor and I rode around most of the lower peninsula when I was 16, in 1970. Bike touring was unusual even then, but we did meet several other groups on multi-day tours.

Joshua Duggan - Feb 18, 2012 at 7:33 AM

This is so fantastic! What a great adventure. I've driven through Mancelona many times on the way to Bellaire. Now I've got a new story to associate with that town.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go wash my bicycle. :)

lucas - Apr 30, 2012 at 11:19 PM

People are dreaming about trip to Europe, and don't see beauty of their own state/country. Cycling It's easy, cheap, interesting and healthy....

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