South Haven, MI, Trail Help

"Jason Settles" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Does anyone have info on bicycling around the South Haven,

MI, area?

Quoted message said:

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
*Jason. in Indy
http://www.espindy.com/cycling.htm

What do you want to know?
There's lot of info on the Kal-Haven trail, which is a rail
to trail conversion that runs to just west of Kalamazoo. This
is good gravel and easily negotiable with a bike with 1.25
inch tires or wider.

The Van Buren trail ... well, the DNR ran out of money before
they did much with this. Mountain bikes with knobbies only.
And you can't get to Hartford because there's no bridge over
the Paw Paw River. Starts near Van Buren State Park. I don't
really recommend it.

Blue Star Highway: Rideable. A good way to go to Saugatuck
(although I'd take backroads closer to the lake north of
Glenn).
Get the Universal map of southwest Michigan and you can see
that the roads are all laid out on a grid. Follow the pavement
and you will be on lightly travelled rural roads. Lots are
unpaved (which is why you need this particular map)! Side
roads are more pleasant than Blue Star, but it's often the
shortest distance north or south. To get to St. Joseph, hug
the side roads near the lake for about 4 miles, then take the
Blue Star the rest of the way south.

The ride to Fennville is nice -- Crane's Orchard is a great
place for pie. Fenn Valley Winery used to have a nice tasting
room (haven't been back in a few years).

Best local ice cream bet is Sherman's. Sherman's itself is on
Phoenix Street (main east-west street) just east of I-196
(just past Wal-mart). Downtown, Captain Nemo's on Phoenix is a
good sandwich and ice cream place.

The best spot for a nice meal is Clementine's, downtown.
Expect to wait lots at peak times.

If you are into weird architecture, I can give you directions
to a house and barn in octagon shapes (or is it hexagon? I'll
have to check the pictures). It's near Covert.

So let's see: east to Kzoo, northeast to Fennville, north to
Saugatuck, south to St. Joseph, southeast to Covert (then east
to Bangor and back to South Haven on 43, ducking a bit north
to catch Sherman's). That's a few choices to start with.

For more routes, mostly a bit farther east, check the
Kalamazoo Bike Club site.

Bad biking west of South Haven. Don't ride west.

Mike Kruger said:

"Jason Settles" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Does anyone have info on bicycling around the South Haven,

MI, area?

Quoted message said:

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
*Jason. in Indy
http://www.espindy.com/cycling.htm

What do you want to know?
There's lot of info on the Kal-Haven trail, which is a rail
to trail conversion that runs to just west of Kalamazoo. This
is good gravel and easily negotiable with a bike with 1.25
inch tires or wider.

I've found that the conti TT 28mm tires on a hybrid work best for me,
with the miles I've logged on the trail over the year. I do most of my
riding here. Also, unless you go out after a rain, prepare to get quite
dirty.

Quoted message said:

The Van Buren trail ... well, the DNR ran out of money before
they did much with this. Mountain bikes with knobbies only.
And you can't get to Hartford because there's no bridge over
the Paw Paw River. Starts near Van Buren State Park. I don't
really recommend it.

Most of this can be ridden with 35mm tires, but at least a 1.95 is best.
Also knowing the rough spots and where to get on/off the road help too.
The best parts of this trail are where there's still the coal cinder
rail bed.

Actually, the trail now starts at Lovejoy St. in South Haven next to the
Clarion plastics plant.

Quoted message said:

Blue Star Highway: Rideable. A good way to go to Saugatuck
(although I'd take backroads closer to the lake north of
Glenn).
Get the Universal map of southwest Michigan and you can see
that the roads are all laid out on a grid. Follow the pavement
and you will be on lightly travelled rural roads. Lots are
unpaved (which is why you need this particular map)! Side
roads are more pleasant than Blue Star, but it's often the
shortest distance north or south. To get to St. Joseph, hug
the side roads near the lake for about 4 miles, then take the
Blue Star the rest of the way south.

I avoid Blue Star June-August..too many idiots out there.

Quoted message said:

The ride to Fennville is nice -- Crane's Orchard is a great
place for pie. Fenn Valley Winery used to have a nice tasting
room (haven't been back in a few years).

That's the direction I'd suggest...the Allegan State Forest area. Also
there are decent MTB areas in the woods.

Quoted message said:

Best local ice cream bet is Sherman's. Sherman's itself is on
Phoenix Street (main east-west street) just east of I-196
(just past Wal-mart). Downtown, Captain Nemo's on Phoenix is a
good sandwich and ice cream place.

The best spot for a nice meal is Clementine's, downtown.
Expect to wait lots at peak times.

If you are into weird architecture, I can give you directions
to a house and barn in octagon shapes (or is it hexagon? I'll
have to check the pictures). It's near Covert.

So let's see: east to Kzoo, northeast to Fennville, north to
Saugatuck, south to St. Joseph, southeast to Covert (then east
to Bangor and back to South Haven on 43, ducking a bit north
to catch Sherman's). That's a few choices to start with.

For more routes, mostly a bit farther east, check the
Kalamazoo Bike Club site.

Bad biking west of South Haven. Don't ride west.

I recommend the Kal - Haven Trail. I have ridden it many times. I is well
maintained, mostly shaded by trees, level.
http://www.traillink.com/TL_Active_Pages/TrailSearch/default.asp?Action=DisplayDetails&ID=414&Trail=Kal%2DHaven+Trail+Sesquicentennial+State+Park&SearchQueryString=Action%3DStateSearch%26Keyword%3D%26State%3DMI+%2D%2D+Southwest%26Activity%3D%26UseOther%3D%26AS%5FState%3D%26AS%5FCounties%3D%26AS%5FActivities%3D%26AS%5FSurfaces%3D%26AS%5FLength%3D

"Jason Settles" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Does anyone have info on bicycling around the South Haven, MI, area?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
*Jason. in Indy
http://www.espindy.com/cycling.htm

Naaman G. Landers said:

Quoted message said:

Does anyone have info on bicycling around the South Haven, MI,
area? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Quoted message said:

I recommend the Kal - Haven Trail. I have ridden it many times. I is
well maintained, mostly shaded by trees, level.

That URL you posted doesn't cut qnd paste well from non windows newsreaders:

http://tinyurl.com/b2fc2

Jobst Brandt

Naaman G. Landers said:

I recommend the Kal - Haven Trail. I have ridden it many times. I is well
maintained, mostly shaded by trees, level.
http://www.traillink.com/TL_Active_Pages/TrailSearch/default.asp?Action=DisplayDetails&ID=414&Trail=Kal%2DHaven+Trail+Sesquicentennial+State+Park&SearchQueryString=Action%3DStateSearch%26Keyword%3D%26State%3DMI+%2D%2D+Southwest%26Activity%3D%26UseOther%3D%26AS%5FState%3D%26AS%5FCounties%3D%26AS%5FActivities%3D%26AS%5FSurfaces%3D%26AS%5FLength%3D

Also keep in mind that the only LBS *near* the trail is in South Haven
about a mile from the trailhead.

Quoted message said:

"Jason Settles" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Does anyone have info on bicycling around the South Haven, MI, area?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
*Jason. in Indy
http://www.espindy.com/cycling.htm

Naaman G. Landers said:

I recommend the Kal - Haven Trail. I have ridden it many times. I is well
maintained, mostly shaded by trees, level.
http://www.traillink.com/TL_Active_Pages/TrailSearch/default.asp?Action=DisplayDetails&ID=414&Trail=Kal%2DHaven+Trail+Sesquicentennial+State+Park&SearchQueryString=Action%3DStateSearch%26Keyword%3D%26State%3DMI+%2D%2D+Southwest%26Activity%3D%26UseOther%3D%26AS%5FState%3D%26AS%5FCounties%3D%26AS%5FActivities%3D%26AS%5FSurfaces%3D%26AS%5FLength%3D

Are there any campgrounds located very nearby (1/2-mile or less) or
adjacent to the Kal-Haven Trail? TIA.

Skyhooks
h m a r d i s "aahtt" u i u c "ddoott" e d u

Skyhooks said:

Naaman G. Landers said:

I recommend the Kal - Haven Trail. I have ridden it many times. I is well
maintained, mostly shaded by trees, level.
http://www.traillink.com/TL_Active_Pages/TrailSearch/default.asp?Action=DisplayDetails&ID=414&Trail=Kal%2DHaven+Trail+Sesquicentennial+State+Park&SearchQueryString=Action%3DStateSearch%26Keyword%3D%26State%3DMI+%2D%2D+Southwest%26Activity%3D%26UseOther%3D%26AS%5FState%3D%26AS%5FCounties%3D%26AS%5FActivities%3D%26AS%5FSurfaces%3D%26AS%5FLength%3D

Are there any campgrounds located very nearby (1/2-mile or less) or
adjacent to the Kal-Haven Trail? TIA.

Skyhooks
h m a r d i s "aahtt" u i u c "ddoott" e d u

There aren't that I know. The Van Buren State Park is 5 miles north of
the trail by South Haven. I don't know the other end of the trail as
well, but I haven't seen any signs for one. I have to go to the LBS in a
few minutes. I'll ask there and if I hear of one, I'll post again.

Skyhooks said:

Naaman G. Landers said:

I recommend the Kal - Haven Trail. I have ridden it many times. I is well
maintained, mostly shaded by trees, level.
http://www.traillink.com/TL_Active_Pages/TrailSearch/default.asp?Action=DisplayDetails&ID=414&Trail=Kal%2DHaven+Trail+Sesquicentennial+State+Park&SearchQueryString=Action%3DStateSearch%26Keyword%3D%26State%3DMI+%2D%2D+Southwest%26Activity%3D%26UseOther%3D%26AS%5FState%3D%26AS%5FCounties%3D%26AS%5FActivities%3D%26AS%5FSurfaces%3D%26AS%5FLength%3D

Are there any campgrounds located very nearby (1/2-mile or less) or
adjacent to the Kal-Haven Trail? TIA.

Skyhooks
h m a r d i s "aahtt" u i u c "ddoott" e d u

I just asked at the LBS and they know of none nearby. They're from Kzoo
and commute to S. Haven so I'd think they know that end of the trail.

If you're camping in an RV there are 2 RV parks within a mile of the
trailhead. Those are named Jensens and the other is Cousins.

Jensen's 269-637-3544
Cousins 269-637-1499

Jensen's may let you use a tent...I'm not sure. If you had an RV and
didn't have a fire, I doubt anyone would bother you at the trailhead.
Just park in the corner and you're not visible from the road.

Chuck said:

Skyhooks said:

Naaman G. Landers said:

I recommend the Kal - Haven Trail. I have ridden it many times. I is well
maintained, mostly shaded by trees, level.

http://www.traillink.com/TL_Active_Pages/TrailSearch/default.asp?Action=DisplayDetails&ID=414&Trail=Kal%2DHaven+Trail+Sesquicentennial+State+Park&SearchQueryString=Action%3DStateSearch%26Keyword%3D%26State%3DMI+%2D%2D+Southwest%26Activity%3D%26UseOther%3D%26AS%5FState%3D%26AS%5FCounties%3D%26AS%5FActivities%3D%26AS%5FSurfaces%3D%26AS%5FLength

Quoted message said:

Are there any campgrounds located very nearby (1/2-mile or less) or
adjacent to the Kal-Haven Trail? TIA.

Skyhooks
h m a r d i s "aahtt" u i u c "ddoott" e d u

I just asked at the LBS and they know of none nearby. They're from Kzoo
and commute to S. Haven so I'd think they know that end of the trail.

If you're camping in an RV there are 2 RV parks within a mile of the
trailhead. Those are named Jensens and the other is Cousins.

Jensen's 269-637-3544
Cousins 269-637-1499

Jensen's may let you use a tent...I'm not sure. If you had an RV and
didn't have a fire, I doubt anyone would bother you at the trailhead.
Just park in the corner and you're not visible from the road.

Thanks for checking with your LBS. Spouse and I would prefer not to
"boondock" our RV and use a formal RV site at a campground of some sort
with bathroom/showers and electricity (as long as it wasn't pricey

Quoted message said:

$25/night).

Sky

Skyhooks said:

Chuck said:

Skyhooks said:

Naaman G. Landers wrote:
>
> I recommend the Kal - Haven Trail. I have ridden it many times. I is well
> maintained, mostly shaded by trees, level.

http://www.traillink.com/TL_Active_Pages/TrailSearch/default.asp?Action=DisplayDetails&ID=414&Trail=Kal%2DHaven+Trail+Sesquicentennial+State+Park&SearchQueryString=Action%3DStateSearch%26Keyword%3D%26State%3DMI+%2D%2D+Southwest%26Activity%3D%26UseOther%3D%26AS%5FState%3D%26AS%5FCounties%3D%26AS%5FActivities%3D%26AS%5FSurfaces%3D%26AS%5FLength

Quoted message said:

Are there any campgrounds located very nearby (1/2-mile or less) or
adjacent to the Kal-Haven Trail? TIA.

Skyhooks
h m a r d i s "aahtt" u i u c "ddoott" e d u

I just asked at the LBS and they know of none nearby. They're from Kzoo
and commute to S. Haven so I'd think they know that end of the trail.

If you're camping in an RV there are 2 RV parks within a mile of the
trailhead. Those are named Jensens and the other is Cousins.

Jensen's 269-637-3544
Cousins 269-637-1499

Jensen's may let you use a tent...I'm not sure. If you had an RV and
didn't have a fire, I doubt anyone would bother you at the trailhead.
Just park in the corner and you're not visible from the road.

Thanks for checking with your LBS. Spouse and I would prefer not to
"boondock" our RV and use a formal RV site at a campground of some sort
with bathroom/showers and electricity (as long as it wasn't pricey

Quoted message said:

$25/night).

Sky

Either of those places should be fine. Within a mile of the trail and
within a mile of a public beach o Lake Michigan. If you plan of coming
before Labor Day, be sure to call in advance.

Skyhooks said:

Are there any campgrounds located very nearby (1/2-mile or less) or
adjacent to the Kal-Haven Trail? TIA.

I have a buddy in Portage who puts up anyone. You could park at her
place.

HTH

--Karen D.

Jason Settles said:

Does anyone have info on bicycling around the South Haven, MI, area?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
*Jason. in Indy
http://www.espindy.com/cycling.htm

Hey, I was going through my bookshelf and found a ride guide for
West Mich. And I purchased it some ten years before moving here!

Karen Gentry is the author. Based on reading about the trail rides I
do every week, her info is accurate. I don't recall the publisher but
they are a small outfit in Mich.

HTH

--Karen

Veloise said:

Skyhooks said:

Are there any campgrounds located very nearby (1/2-mile or less) or
adjacent to the Kal-Haven Trail? TIA.

I have a buddy in Portage who puts up anyone. You could park at her
place.

HTH

--Karen D.

Thanks for the offer. Should we ever get back to that area of the
country, I'll keep this in mind.

Sky

Veloise said:

Skyhooks said:

Are there any campgrounds located very nearby (1/2-mile or less) or
adjacent to the Kal-Haven Trail? TIA.

I have a buddy in Portage who puts up anyone. You could park at her
place.

HTH

--Karen D.

I usually ride the other end of the trail and turn around at 131. I'm
wondering if they've done any work east of 131 since spring?