TRAILS, RIDES, EVENTS
Local Trails
Local Trails
KAL-HAVEN TRAIL
KAL-HAVEN TRAIL
There are a ton of things to see on the Kal-Haven Trail. The covered bridge is at about the 2-mile mark from the South Haven entrance to the Trail. (All mileage below is measured from the South Haven trailhead.)
Bumbleberry acres is at the 3-mile mark. This is a perfect place to bring the family for fun on the farm! U-pick blueberries and raspberries, fresh fruits and vegetables, wagon rides, picnics, and more!
If you feel like riding toward Kalamazoo, there is the Country Fare restaurant in Grand Junction, at the 10-mile mark. It's a breakfast and lunch spot, if you're looking for a place to eat before 2pm.
Bloomingdale is at the 15-mile mark of the trail. This small town has a beautiful park, grocery store with a deli, a local bar, and a coffee shop. This is a perfect turnaround point if you feel like doing a 30-mile ride.
VAN BUREN TRAIL
There is a paved 5 mile extension from South Haven to Van Buren State Park. A 10 mile round trip ride is perfect for people not wanting to ride all day. The Van Buren State Park has some amazing dunes and beach to check out. Along the trail is the SHARA Disc Golf Park, a new 18 hole disc golf course.
South Haven Pump Track
There is a newly created pump track by the fire department/police station's Wells Street entrance. It is still in process, but it is coming along nicely. Feel free to go ride it and check it out yourself.
Mountain Trails
Mountain Trails
Maple Hill - Kalamazoo
Maple Hill - Kalamazoo
Riders can look forward to banked turns, tabletops, jumps, and rock features. Most features are designed to be rollable at slow speeds for beginner riders, but reward intermediate and advanced riders who hit them at higher speeds. There's a surprising amount of climbing and grade for West Michigan, but long descents are the reward.
Fort Custer - Augusta
Fort Custer Recreation Area has a fun and scenic collection of purpose built singletrack mountain bike trails. The trail surface is mostly hard packed, fast, and there is little elevation change in the whole area. There are unfortunately lots of short sections of soft sand, so stay on your toes.
The Red Loop generally has a little more twisty but smooth riding. The Green loop is of the same general character, but tends to be a little more technical and has more straight and wide trail.
Andrews University Trails - Berrien Springs
Andrews University Trail is a 7.7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Berrien Springs, Michigan that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and nature trips.
RIDES
RIDES
Thursday Night Rides
The Thursday Night Ride is social and low-key. Some nights, the faster riders will pull out front for a faster ride, averaging speeds above 20 MPH. The remaining riders, who usually ride below the 20 MPH pace, stick together to ensure that all riders return home safely.
The ride-route varies each week and is usually dictated by wind direction and group consensus. Distance also varies, depending on the number of riders, time of year, and experience level of the riders.
The Thursday Night Ride departs from Rock ‘n’ Road, located on Broadway Street, at 6p.m. sharp. We recommend that riders show up about 15 minutes early to meet other riders and to learn the destination and distance of the ride. We also recommend that participants ride road bikes.
Our Routes
The road routes have been put together by riders from the shop. They all use the Rock 'n' Road shop as the starting location. So, if you are starting from somewhere else, you’ll have to modify your route choice accordingly. These routes may also be done on hybrid or mountain bicycles.
Lakeshore Harvest Routes
Every year the Friends of The Blue Star Trail
put the Lakeshore Harvest Ride. This annual ride helps raise funds for the building of a paved trail from South Haven to Saugatuck. If you can't make the supported ride but still feel like doing the routes the have been provided on their site.
EVENTS
EVENTS
Friends of the Kal-Haven/KRVT Present: Trailblazer - Every May
Enjoy one of the first bike rides of spring! This year’s TrailBlazer is being hosted by Friends of the Kal-Haven Trail as well as Friends of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail. The mission of these volunteer-led groups is to provide support for expansion and maintenance of the trails and continued programming to attract more people to take advantage of these regional resources. The ride will lead you from Kalamazoo to South Haven (or vice versa) on the Kal-Haven Trail.
Friends of the Blue Star Trail Present: Lakeshore Harvest Ride - Every September
This is a picturesque bicycle tour over rolling countryside near the shore of Lake Michigan. Visit art studios, wineries, cider mills, family farms and orchards to see, touch, smell and taste the bountiful riches of Southwest Michigan. There are four routes for riders of varying abilities and are 15 to 62 miles in length. All of the net proceeds go to support the work of Friends of the Blue Star Trail in construction of an off-road, recreational pathway connecting South Haven and Saugatuck along the shore of Lake Michigan.
Rock 'n' Road Cycle Present: - Boo On Your Bike - Every October (STARTING AGAIN IN 2022)
Boo On Your Bike is a FREE annual event held by Rock 'n' Road Cycle of South Haven usually hosted late October in spirit of Halloween. The event encourages riders of ALL ages to get out for a scenic fall bicycle ride on the Kal-Haven Trail starting at the South Haven trail head. The event features prizes, candy, apple cider, doughnuts, free helmets for children, and a bike rodeo supported by the South Haven Police Department. Volunteers and participants are encouraged to wear costumes.
Riders can ride up to six miles total (further if desired), and expect to see fairy's, witches, goblins, and ghouls along their ride!