Biking Drummond

Three friends seek extreme on the two-wheel trails that Lace Drummond island’s backcountry (options for milder rides, too).

- Erik Olsen

I met Tyler Keuning as the ink was still drying on his driver’s license. As soon as he could, he started road-tripping from his home base in Grand Rapids to bike anywhere and everywhere. I rode with Tyler a lot. Around the time we began riding together there was a group racing 150 miles through the night on bikes, on a secluded island in the Great Lakes. This race was tough! We had no idea, and I can’t say we would have cared if we had known, but of all the people I know who bike, I know Tyler sure would care now.

Tyler is now hooked on mountain bike endurance racing. He commonly seeks out 100+ mile races. For him, the only thing better than a 100-mile race, is a 100-mile race in the desert! The more challenging the conditions, the better. He isn’t really interested in any ride unless it is an adventure. This is where our paths crossed again. I have been working on developing my love for type-two fun, mostly off a bike these days—kayaking, climbing ... Tyler knew how he could get me back in the saddle again.

A simple call in March is all it took. Tyler suggested an end-of-winter bikepacking trip on fat bikes. As soon as he offered up his spare fat bike, all I had to say was “yes!” We set off into the woods with huge flakes falling and headlamps lighting our way. The bikes were laden with camping gear, the snow was heavy and wet, the temps just warm enough to make winter camping miserable. We emerged from the woods with smiles. Here we go—I’ve found a new hobby.

In the early spring I began to dream up the perfect Michigan bike-packing adventure. I had no specific location in mind, but scribbled down some criteria:

Must be scenic. Must be near a big lake. Must be a foolish epic.