travel
Electricity Options for Van Campers
Learn about electricity options for van campers for part-time and full-time van life explained in simple, easy to understand terms. When traveling or camping in your minivan, you will almost certainly need some sort of electricity supply. Cell phones, cameras,…
The Best Minivan Camper Toilet Options
When traveling in a minivan camper, one of your biggest challenges is where to go when you don’t have a convenient place to go. Sometimes public restrooms simply aren’t available or convenient. So what are your best minivan camper toilet…
A Easy and Simple Honda Odyssey Camper Van Conversion
Minivan Camper Conversion This is the story of how I built a Honda Odyssey camper van conversion. For some time now, I've wanted to travel out west. However, I also wanted something for long-weekend trips. For this, I wanted a…
Cycling
Castelli Lightness 2 Glove Review
The Castelli Lightness 2 Glove is ideal for those transitional days when you need a Goldilocks solution-It's just right! The Castelli Lightness 2 glove is a lightweight glove intended for those days when winter gloves are too warm and half-finger…
Your Guide to the Bicycling the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
About the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is a 27-mile bicycle and multi-use trail that connects the small towns of Empire, Glen Arbor and ends at Bohemian Road (CR-669). and M-22. It roughly parallels the…
The Huron Sunrise Trail: A Guide for Exploring the Best of Michigan
About the Huron Sunrise Trail The Huron Sunrise Trail is a bicycling and multi-use trail that runs from Rogers City to the 40 Mile Point Light in Presque Isle County. It's about 11 miles long and it follows an old…
Bianchi C.U.S.S.
All original (minus pedals), plus dealer installed Rock Shox Sid XC suspension fork. Used 2001 Bianchi C.U.S.S. = Celeste Ultimate Single Speed. This was the only one from this time period which was made in the classic Bianchi Celeste color.…
Otso Waheela C – The Best All Around Gravel Bike?
Introducing the Otso Waheela C The Otso Waheela C is extremely versatile. It’s a bike that can easily handle gravel rides as well as single track and is equally adept as a road bike. While it is a billed as…
Stages Dash L50 Long Term Review
The Stages Dash L50 is a Feature Rich Cycling Computer The Stages Dash L50 offers GPS mapping, turn-by-turn navigation, heart rate, power, and of course all of the expected speed, distance, and cadence functions. It also features a bright…
Searching For the Perfect Mountain Bike Grip
Handlebar grips serve two main functions: comfort and control. Both functions are closely related to each other. A well-designed handlebar grip provides sufficient friction to prevent your hand from slipping. The surface should also allow for easy changes in…
Three Foot Passing Laws and Mutual Respect
Recently a Facebook group member posted an angry response to how bike clothing manufacturer, VOmax Apparel responded to a comment on one of their Facebook ads. This particular group is a private group for former cycling industry members. The member…
Tom Ritchey Road Logic Review
Tom Ritchey is best known for building mountain bikes and mountain bike components. He was at the birth of mountain biking way back in the 70's. Tom however also has a lengthy history in road bikes. After all,…
Riding the Potawatomi Trail, After Dark, During Deer Season
Firearm deer hunting season begins today in Michigan. On average, around 50,000 hunters will descend upon Michigan looking to bag a deer. A few of the hunters may be on the twitchy side - Not an ideal time to go…
Ritchey Ultra Mountain Bike Review
Tom Ritchey builds good bikes. Seriously. The Ritchey Ultra is however beyond good. It should be, as Tom has building mountain bikes since the dawn of mountain biking. The Ultra is the newest distillation of Ritchey’s more than 40…
2013 Parx Casino Philly Classic Road Race
My long time cycling friend Joe Holmes called me one day and asked me if I wanted to do a ride along in the Firefighters Cycling team car. Having regrettably declined Joe and his offer to me to be the…
Backpacking
Bottle Bright Natural Cleaning Tablets Review – Safe and Effective?
If you want to keep your bicycle water bottles and hydration bladders sanitary, and tasting and smelling fresh, then you need to clean them regularly. This article shows you how to remove that funky smell from your favorite water bottle using…
Piers Gorge Hiking Trail
Piers Gorge Hiking Trail The Piers Gorge hiking trail is short, only about a mile and a half, making for a 3 mile out and back hike. Piers Gorge, located on the Michigan-Wisconsin border, is formed by the Menominee…
Klean Kanteen 40 oz. Wide Mouth Stainless Steel Water Bottle Review
I've had my Klean Kanteen 40 oz. wide mouth stainless steel water bottle since 2008. It's not sexy, it's not expensive, and it's not the item that most gear heads would ever brag about. But it is reliable, durable, and…
Kayaking
Everything You Need To Know About Kayaking to Power Island
Power Island is located six miles north of Traverse City, Michigan in West Grand Traverse Bay. While it lies only one mile offshore from the Old Mission peninsula, kayaking to Power Island is a three-mile paddle from the DNR boat…
Upcoming Michigan Kayak Symposiums
Symposiums are a great way to learn kayaking skills. Taught by experienced paddlers, typically, ACA or BCU certified coaches; one can learn an incredible amount of useful information in a fun, safe, hands-on environment. 32st Annual WMCKA Symposium Montague,…
Kayaking Under the Mackinac Bridge and Through the Straits of Mackinaw
Paddling under the Mackinac bridge and through the Straits of Mackinac in general can present several dangers. Currents in the straits can be very treacherous!Do not attempt this without an appropriate sea kayak, proper safety equipment, and training! A few…