Well, it’s been one very strange spring, hasn’t it? The weather has been predictably unpredictable, but the conditions we’ve all faced at home, work, and school are completely new!
First off, we want to thank all of our trail users for their responsible use of the Cadillac Pathway over the past few months. We’ve been so proud to see mountain bikers, hikers, runners, and all outdoor enthusiasts happily co-existing. Everyone has been exceptionally committed to maintaining the social distancing guidelines we practice everywhere else and understanding that the same risks follow us into the woods, too.
We’ve been working with Northern Michigan Mountain Biking Association and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to follow all instructions on safe trail use. We’re hoping to offer you plenty of more updates as we transition into June in just a few weeks’ time. Until then, we hope you’ll keep up your efforts to keep everyone safe.
One of the biggest concerns for trail networks during the pandemic has been parking lots. It’s worth remembering that congregating by your vehicle with pals after a ride is just as risky as meeting up in any other social situation. Riding alone or only with members of your own family is encouraged and meets the recommendations made by USA Cycling and the League of Michigan Bicyclists. It also supports instructions from the Michigan DNR on our end, too, which instructs that we pause all trail work in groups until further notice.
That direction does mean that our planned work on eleven miles of new singletrack will be dependent to a large degree on when these guidelines change. To that end, make sure you stay in the loop for mid-to-late summer trail work opportunities that will allow us to clean up and prepare for construction, hopefully by the end of the season.
We really appreciate your support, your enthusiasm, and your admirably responsible use of the Cadillac Pathway at all times, but especially right now!