City Escape: Cadillac, Michigan

Anywhere you ride in the Great Lakes Region, you’re bound to have a great time. This ride out of Cadillac, MI, showcases the waterfront beauty of the northwestern Lower Peninsula.

The journey to Lake Michigan begins on small, straight rural backroads that carry you past smaller bodies of water and forested areas of the Manistee National Forest. Despite the straightness of the roads, don’t rush and immerse yourself in the trees and small towns. You should reserve some extra time for this route, as there are also many smaller beauty spots along the way, like the scenic overlook at Hodenpyl Dam.

You’ll reach the great lake at Frankfort, where I recommend popping off the saddle and walking over to the Frankfort North Pier Lighthouse for an uninterrupted view of the vast lake. After admiring the waterscape, a northward course on SR 22 will take you past glimpses of both Lake Michigan to your left and smaller lakes to your right until you reach the Sleeping Bear Dunes.