Rides
Kal-Haven Trail
Most families who rent bikes from us will ride from the shop to the Kal-Haven Trail that starts just under a mile from the store. The rental bikes are ideal for trail and city biking to make the rental experience the best in town.
From the Kal-Haven Trail website:
Enjoyed by more than 90,000 outdoor enthusiasts annually, the 33.5 mile linear Kal-Haven Trail State Park extends from South Haven, on the shores of Lake Michigan, to the northwest suburbs of the City of Kalamazoo. The trail is built on the abandoned Kalamazoo & South Haven Railroad which existed from 1870 to 1970. The right-of-way was purchased by the DNR in 1987, and the trail opened in 1991. Trail passes are required for use of the trail. For more information, visit the Van Buren County website.
The trail passes through the towns of Grand Junction, Bloomingdale, Gobles and Kendall where restaurants and other amenities are available for trail users.
A wide range of activities are available to trail users: biking, hiking, birding and horseback riding (on an adjacent trail between Bloomingdale and Kibbie); winter activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Snowmobiling is permitted when the snow depth is greater than four inches.
Ten feet wide, the trail is surfaced with crushed slag and limestone. Parking is available at the 10th Street trailhead, about two miles north of West Main Street (look for the red caboose); in Bloomingdale at the trailhead in South Haven at Wells Street and Bailey Avenue.
Thursday Night Group Ride
The Thursday night ride is generally social. Some nights the faster riders will pull off the front for a faster paced ride averaging speeds above 20 MPH. The remaining riders who usually ride below the 20 MPH pace will stick together to ensure that all riders return home safely and are not left behind somewhere they may not know how to get home.
The ride route varies each week and is usually dictated by the wind direction and group consensus. Distance also varies depending on the number of riders, time of year, and experience level of the riders.
It is recommended that participants are riding road bikes.
The Thursday Night Ride departs from the South Haven Wellness Center located on M-43 just south of downtown at 6pm sharp. It is always recommended to show up about 15 minutes early to meet the riders, gain an idea of where the ride will be going, and about what diestnace the ride will be.
To get to the wellness center from downtown, head south on Broadway about a half mile. You will see the State Police Station on the right and a Quick Stop convenience store on the left. At this point merge left onto M-43 (soft left). The wellness center will be about a third of a mile down on the right.
Coming from the highway north or south, use exit 20. From the exit ramp turn west (towards the lake) to the second stop light. At the second light turn left and follow the directions above for heading south of town.
Full Crank BMX
In the past year a bmx race track has been built locally. Full Crank BMX track will offer sactioned events for all racers. The track will also be available during the week for riders to practice racing or just have fun riding the track. The track is located just outside of Bangor (12 miles from South Haven). Click here for more information.