Local Cycling Information

Michigan Bike Frame Painters, Repair & Builders

For those of you looking to get your ride painted or repaired there are a couple excellent options in Michigan that easily fit budgets at both ends of the spectrum. (Note that other nationally recognized bike restoration/ repainters often charge in excess of $500 for their work, so we're blessed with very affordable prices in Michigan for such quality work) We also have a newer but very excellent frame builder not far from campus.

- Assenmacher Cycling Center, Swartz Creek, MI: Matt Assenmacher is one of America's legendary lugged-steel frame builders with decades of experience going back to the 70's, and he's only 45 min. from E. Lansing (towards Flint - here's location info). Tim had a custom frame restored by Matt a couple years ago and was very happy with the results and the price. His frame was quite nasty, rusty and even had a stem that was seized in the fork tube which Matt removed and didn't even charge for. One word of advice: Matt runs 2 bike shops, so if you want your repair/ repaint done and ready to ride in the spring, take it to his shop in late fall/ early winter; don't wait for Feb/Mar or it'll be a long wait.

- Magnum Powder Coating, Inc, Comstock Park, MI 49321 - Ph: 616-785-3155, email: Nancy-magpc@att.net (owner): these guys offer very affordable power coat painting services. One of our shop customers had a very lovely paint job done by Magnum which led me to contact them to confirm that they offer 1-color for $70, or 2-color for $90, incl. sand-blasting or chemical stripping.

- Quiring Cycles: The closest custom frame builder to campus. From their web site: "An avid cyclist since 1987, Scott Quiring has added to his bicycling skill by crafting custom-built, high-quality mountain bikes, road bikes, and cyclo-cross frames from the finest materials in carbon fiber, aluminum, and steel for the serious individual and the demanding industry alike. From custom fit, to computer CAD/CNC design work, to machining, to special fixturing, to frame alignment, to welding, and to custom painting of the bicycle, with passion Scott can build a frame of your dreams, regardless if you are a rock star celebrity or if you consider yourself the average person who just wants to get in a good weekend ride. "


- Doug Fattic Bicycles: Niles, Michigan; an old-school steel-lugged frame builder in the classic style that'll knock your socks off. Doug's frames are truly stunning works of art. He also offers classes in frame building where you leave with your own frame! Here's a link to someone's extensive blog on taking his class that'll give you a great idea of what you can expect.

Architect, author looks at improving Michigan trails

10/22/09, by Katherine Noren, Phys. Plant newsletter

Dennis Hansen, construction landscape architect and author of "The Trail Atlas of Michigan" (first published in 1977), works with other trail enthusiasts to support funding for the trails in Michigan. Hansen is a charter member of the Department of Natural Resource’s Trail Advisory Committee. The committee reviews and recommends funding request proposals submitted to the DNR that are funded with state and federal dollars. The funds are used for trail maintenance, law enforcement, new construction, design and signage of trails in Michigan.

On MSU’s campus, where there is traffic from cars, bikers and walkers alike, it is important that each group of travelers arrive to their destination safely. According to Hansen, this goal can be accomplished with the proper trail design.

Hansen said the biking and walking trail behind Owen Hall is a great multi-use trail design. Like trails found all over Michigan, this trail can offer a scenic view while providing an opportunity for biking, walking, running and other means of non-motorized trail recreation. “The ideal trail across campus should have the design features of that trail,” said Hansen. “It has separate biking and walking lanes.”

Read full story.... |
Note: We have a copy of the Trail Atlas in the Center for people to check out.

New Interactive Map of MTB Trails of Michigan

Local Community/ Advocacy Info.

For you off-road bikers you should check out a pretty comprehensive online map of trails of Michigan created by someone who goes by "cmensing76". Way to go!

Smart Commute Program

The Lansing-area Smart Commute series of events and programs are about to start up for the 2009 year making it the 5th year in a row. Check out the schedule and other details on their web site here. MSU Bikes staff will be assisting with some of the lunch-hour workshops and other events.

CATA's Clean Commute Program

For those of you looking to reduce your commuting expenses, improve your health, meet your neighbors, etc. check out CATA's Clean Commute program options here. Note that if you car-pool, bus or van-pool at least 3x a week you can take advantage of their Emergency Ride Home Program. CATA is in the process of upgrading their buses to 3-bike position racks on their entire fleet. Check this page to learn more about using the CATA bike racks. Read past issues of the Clean Commute Newsletter here; subscribe by sending a request here.

Easy Access Around Farm Lane Construction

April 2008 ~ Aug. 2009:
If you’re a bicyclist (or pedestrian) parking at the Commuter Parking Lot the closure of Farm Ln. is a major inconvenience (unless you're taking the bus).  Well,  a temporary pathway/ shortcut for pedestrians/ bicyclists from Commuter Lot 89 thru the Ag Expo fields to Crescent Rd. (near the MSUFCU office) is now open which provides a shorter and safer route to campus than walking/ riding Mt. Hope to Harrison/ Hagadorn Rds.  Click here to see a rough map of where this pathway is located as well as a cut-thru to the sidewalk on the east side of Harrison Rd via the parking lot on the west side of the Manly Miles Bldg. Being a temporary pathway it is NOT paved; it's a gravel road that is pretty messy right now; it's also NOT lighted, so beware if you have plans to use it at night.

 

MSU's Final Bike Master Plan. Click image to view low-res PDF (2.5 mb); click here for high-res. file (9 mb).

2nd ride on the newly (Nov. 07) paved Inter-urban pathway. Click photo for more...

Location of the new Inter-urban path; click to enlarge.

The first ever bike resource map of the MSU campus & brochure of MSU Bikes services. Cover, page 2, back/ map. New official MSU mapping resource that is searchable and very interactive

Final Bicycle Master Plan for MSU Campus

This just in from our Campus Planner, Steve Troost: a PDF of the final bicycle master plan for the MSU campus.  It's meant to be a solid framework from which detailed design can occur in the future.  Keep in mind though, planning never stops, so this isn't set in stone. Steve is always happy to receive input or questions.   Click here to view low-res PDF (2.5 mb); click here for high-res. file (9 mb).

 

Good News Re: Area Non-motorizied Pathways

Nov. 13, 2007 - Updated news on the non-motorized/bike/ ped. pathway front in the area:

• The Inter-Urban pathway (between Park Lk. Rd./ Burcham Rd./ Water Authority area east about 3/4 mi. to Okemos Rd., which some of you might remember arguing for about 3-4 yrs. ago) is finally constructed!  You may not know that this pathway was first conceived by a township engineer back in the early 70's who tragically died before he could get it constructed. John Veenstra, Meridian Twp. resident and now Twp. trustee, was on the Ingh. Co. Road Commission at the time and was (is) an avid bicyclist and had heard about the proposed pathway and has since worked tirelessly over the decades to see it finally constructed. He's delighted to see it finally going in and current/ future generations of Inter-urban pathway users owe him a huge thank-you. Way to go John!

I stopped by on my way home on 11/12 and found that they have completed paving the rest of the path!  I stopped by over the weekend to get some photos; check them out here. If you have the time pls. drop a note of thanks to the Meridian Twp. Board/ engineering dept. and gently encourage them to continue this pathway eastward on along the old inter-urban rail bed to Marsh Rd. which would make a wonderful connection up to very close to Lake Lansing and be a nice off-road alternative & connector to get back and forth from EL/ MSU/ Lansing via nice, calm Burcham Rd. with bike lanes to Haslett and further east. Click here for enlarged map of the pathway.

• The City of E. Lansing held a press conference Nov. 7, 2007, to announce the plan to construct a new 1.84-mile stretch of pathway parallel to Saginaw Hwy. bordered by Coolidge Road, Patriarche Park on East State Road, Stonegate Lane and Alton Road.  Details can be read in this article that appeared in the LSJ. The MDOT spokesman said that the intent is to connect the new pathway with the N. Tier Trail that heads up past fast-growing housing areas to the north of EL

First Ever MSU Bike Resource Map is Out!

Sept. 04, 2007 - The first ever bike resource map of the MSU campus & brochure of MSU Bikes services is out and available for your reference and viewing pleasure! Stop by the Center and get a copy. Click the following links to view the brochure & map online: cover, page 2, back/ map. Another exciting new official MSU mapping resource that is searchable and very interactive using Google Map technology is here; check it out! Tip: as you type in the search box you'll see a list of matches; use "bike" to locate our Center. Finally, in other mapping news, the main detailed MSU campus map has been recently updated and expanded to include our Center and the entire MSU campus (ALL of the MSU property). Check that out here.

E. Lansing's Northern Tier Trail System

For bicyclists looking to bypass the rush-hour traffic mess or just to enjoy the off-road peace and quiet along the North-south corridor thru E.Lansing here’s a page of info. if you’re not familiar with it. Here’s a direct link to a PDF map of the Northern Tier Trail system.

Greater Lansing Area maps

Here's a new web collection of Greater Lansing area maps that are handy for bicyclists assembled by LeRoy Harvey for some local mapping initiatives.

League of Mich. Bicyclists' "BikeLansing" Listserv

BikeLansing is an email list serve that is a forum for general bike commuting & advocacy questions (best routes, clothing, ride partners...) for the Greater Lansing Area. A number of local bicycle commuting experts are on board and ready to help mentor new commuters and answer questions. To join email jlindenmayer@LMB.org and write SUBSRIBE in the subject line and make sure to include your name in the body of the email.

Lansing Rivertrail Map & Information

Help Needed: Lansing Kids Repair Program

 

Other Local Cycling Organizations/ Info.

• Getting Around:
If you're new to bicycling in Ingham County (Greater Lansing) then the Crosstown bike route maps published by the TCBA are a great resource, both online and the print version, for Lansing-area cyclists). Pick up a hard-copy in the MSU Bikes Service Center, or use the online version and save a tree!

• Local bike shops & other sources for used bikes

• CATA (bus) Bike Racks & Locker rental program info.

• Tri-County Bicycle Association of Lansing: one of the largest bike clubs in the USA and it's right here! Runs the DALMAC tour proceeds of which is used for lots of other good things in the state to promote bicycling.

• League of Michigan Bicyclists: our state association for promoting and protecting bicyclist rights to the road. Become a member today and do your part to help out.

• Michigan Mountain Biking Association

• Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (started by former director of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

• The Red Cedar Greenway Master Plan: MSU's plan developed approx. in the year 2000 for continuing a trail along the Red Cedar Riverway to eventually connect up to destinations further east.

• Lansing area roads w/ bike lanes map

• Critical Mass: Lansing, Michigan

• Share-A-Bike Program, a community bike project, operating out of red trailers behind the East Lansing Fire Station No. 1, 1700 Abbott Road. The Program was started in 1994 and has given away hundreds of bikes to needy folks over the years. During the warm months of the year they are open for "business" every Saturday morning from 9 til 11 a.m. During the winter they're open every 2nd Saturday of the month, same time. Here's an old article with some more info. about the program. Email Ron Sprinkel, founder and treasurer for more information, or call him @ 517/351-4848 or June Grabemeyer at: 517/372-6895.

• Local Off-Road Riding Info:
The Mich. Mtn. Biking Assn. has an extensive trail guide section which is very good; the nearest really challenging park is Burchfield about 15 mi. from E. Lansing to the south-west.  For those of you without cars or wishing to conserve $ hook up with the MSU Cycling Club as they have members going down there all the time.  Subscribe to their listserv; they announce rides regularly thru the listserv.

The best & closest off-road trails would have to be N. Lake Lansing Park, but that's also marked as "no bikes"; Rose Lake is OK for bikes but not especially designed for them & is about 10 mi. to the NE. Note: Rose Lake is open to hunting, so wear bright clothing! It's also a great, expansive area for hiking and XC skiing, birding, etc. You can also get easily lost as the trails are not marked.

There are other local community parks that do allow bikes on their trails. One local favorite is the Meridian Township's Riverfront Park which includes some 5-6 miles of trails thru Legg Park/ Eastgate Park which straddles Van Atta Rd. on the east-side of Okemos, south of Grand River Ave. Lots of beautiful views and elevation changes along the Red Cedar River's edge. If you've got young kids there's often events and activites for kids at the Harris Nature Center where you might be able to drop them off while you ride or ski the trails!

• Michigan Cycling Podcasting - great source for Michigan cycling news both local and throughout the state. Darryl Wattenberg started up the Michigan Cycling Podcast service which is a great service for Michigan cyclists. The May 30th podcast is a great plug for the BP and our Farm Daze Tour in May, 2005.