Trail Towns Tour—An Easy Ride Into History

SOUTH LYON, Mich. - Sept. 16, 2015 - PRLog -- Travel 30-35 miles back in time on the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance’s (MTGA) Trail Towns Bicycle Tour in South Lyon, Wixom and Milford on Sunday, Oct. 4, where physical activity and family fun meet for a day of biking.

Miles of interconnected trails have linked these trail towns for centuries. From footpaths to horses and then wagons to railroads, the trails have changed over the years, and now play host to bicycles. In the Trail Towns of South Lyon, Wixom and Milford, trails are viewed as tremendous community assets showcasing the towns’ placemaking efforts—capitalizing on the community’s history and potential with the intention of creating public spaces promoting health, happiness and well-being.

“There’s been a lot of changes to South Lyon since it was established as a village in 1873,” says Linda Ross, President of the South Lyon Area Historical Society. “It was a simple farming community with three railroads running through it. One of those railroads has been replaced by the Huron Valley Trail, and our town now offers enough for people to shop, travel and get active.”

According to Images of America South Lyon, by 1883 the Grand Trunk Railroad, Pere Marquette Railroad and Ann Arbor & Toledo Railroad (AA&T) all ran through South Lyon. In 1908, the original train depot was destroyed in a fire, leaving the nearby grain elevator, which still stands today next to the Huron Valley Trail.

AA&T was the first railroad to leave town, after threatening to reroute through Whitmore Lake, which led to aggravated residents uprooting the tracks. Construction of the trail started in 2000, and is included on the Tour, along with the Michigan Airline Railway Trail, Ford Dam, Hubbel Pond and Kensington Metropark’s Kent Lake to Island Lake Pathway.

With these deep-rooted ties to the railroad, it’s only fitting to end the Trail Towns Tour at the historic South Lyon Hotel, with light refreshments provided by MTGA—coffee, tea, soda or a pint of Witch’s Hat Train Hopper Lager.

“South Lyon may be a smaller town, but when there is an event like this, the whole community turns out to show support,” says Ross. “That makes me proud to be a part of this community.”

On the Tour, riders can experience four different trails, including:

·        Huron Valley Trail
The 12.5-mile trail follows along the former Airline Railway and connects the Island Lake Pathway and Kensington Metropark Hike-Bike Trail.

·        Island Lake Pathway
This trail offers 4 miles of smooth asphalt trail connecting the Huron Valley Trail to the Kensington Hike-Bike Trail, passing under Interstate 96 to Kent Lake.

·        Kensington Metropark Hike-Bike Trail
This 8.5-mile trail encircles Kent Lake and is nicely maintained, with curves and inclines that may require some extra pedal power.

        Milford Trail
Completed in 2009, this 5-mile trail travels from Kensington Metropark Hike-Bike Trail to Commerce Road in Milford. At the end of the trail, follow Commerce Road into downtown Milford to visit downtown with its boutiques, shops, bike rentals and restaurants.

The planned route is an easy ride—catering to bicyclists of all ages and abilities.

The Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance is an affiliate of the Michigan Fitness Foundation, and is the only statewide organization dedicated solely to trails—helping to plan, fund, advocate and promote trail initiatives throughout Michigan.

“The best way to help us in our work maintaining and promoting trails, is to join in on one of the most beautiful and enjoyable rides in Michigan—like the Trail Towns Tour and the Michigander,” says Nancy Krupiarz, Executive Director of MTGA.

The Trail Towns Tour serves as a fundraiser for MTGA, with all proceeds going toward the organization’s efforts in advocating and promoting trails, including providing technical assistance to trail groups and communities on their trail projects. Register before Sept. 27 and pay $30 for adults, $15 for ages 11-17, with ages 10 and under free.

To register or find more information on the Tour, visit michigantrails.org/trail-towns-tour.