With late fall 2004 hookup with the TART/Leelanau connector there is a lot of blacktop to ride. A new section from the end of the TART trail to where the Leelanau trail began is now open providing a safe transition between the trails. This also ads about another mile or so of asphalt for bladers and townie riders. The real upside is you can ride from Acme on the TART trail to about 11k up the Lee trail a round trip is a little over 30 miles. Start in the middle in Traverse City And go either way. You can get Sport drinks and food bars at a number of places along the Tart trail and the Holiday store heading out the Leelanau trail. Have a good time.

"I like this trail because it goes through Traverse City and you are never far from water or help as I ride a wheelchair bike/handcycle. There are a couple of dangerous problems where the trail runs right along the road over on the East Bay side near Bunker Hill road. The second is on the Leelanu Trail section where the trail crosses several roads.

One of the crossings is probably Michigan's most dangerous trail crossing where the trail goes over Cherry Bend Road through an S curse area. I have aired my complaints several times to the area's highest athorities but I think they are waiting for someone to be killed there before it gets fixed. Don't let your kids ride the Leelanu section!

***REPLY FROM TART Trails, Inc.***

Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails, Inc. (TART Trails, Inc.) is working with the Leelanau County Road Commission to make the sight distance better at the aforementioned crossings. TART Trails, Inc. is concerned with safety on our trails and we are willing to work with the appropriate entities to improve trail hazards to ensure a safe trail experience for all trail users.

If anyone has any questions or concerns about the trails managed by TART Trails, Inc., please contact Missy Luyk, Trail Program Specialist with TART Trails, Inc., at missy@traversetrails.org or 231-941-4300. The TART Trails, Inc. Web site can be found at www.traversetrails.org."

"I rode the trail during the July 4th 2004 weekend with a crossbike. The southern trailhead is in Greilickville. The five miles north of Greilickville is paved and smooth. The gravel section (about 9 miles) is sandy gravel, with a lot of rr ballast mixed in.

I recommend nothing less than a mountain bike. This section is very scenic however, with several old railroad bridges, cherry orchards, apple orchards, vineyards, and wildlife. The northern mile of the trail in Suttons Bay is paved."

"Starting out from Traverse City, the first five miles or so are paved. This portion is wonderful -- woods, streams, lake views, etc. The next nine miles go through fields, orchards, meadows and the like, not quite as nice as the first part. However, this section is not paved and is really only suited for mountain bikes. Parts of the trail were gravel, dirt, sand, and mud. I did manage to get through on a road bike, but not easily. The last mile into Sutton Bay is paved."

"This trail is a good mix of pavement and dirt. It is an excellent way to visit either end, as it has only one somewhat strenuous hill (into TC). There are no bathrooms/food stops on the trail itself."

I rode this trail in August 2002 on hybrid bike pulling my two kids in a trailer. The trail is paved for about five miles then it's basically two dirt ruts. I had two turn around since the trailer bounced everywhere.

I rode a roundtrip in July 2002. A couple of miles at each end are paved but the remainder was fine for my cross bike. I would do it again.

This trail is a great three seasons ride. The trail is six kilometers of paving from Traverse City then gravel and dirt that are for the most part hard packed. Lots of nice views ending in a small town of small shops.