Riding around Sleeping Bear Dunes, part 4

 

Follow up--using public transportation

Wednesday September 11, 2024, 4 miles (6 km) - Total so far: 103 miles (166 km)

1) using Indian Trails motor coach to get to Traverse City:
I experienced NO problems, The first driver who picked me up in East Lansing was a curmudgeon. He complained that my bike took up half his bin. Not true. I had ridden the ten minutes to get to the bus stop with a bbq grill cover rolled up and bungeed to the back of my bike. Load in was easy. There was no baggage put on top of the bike--though it had to lay down in the bin (not upright). I made sure the gear-side was up. In Grand Rapids we changed drivers, but I did not have to transfer.

All in all, it was a longish trip, but I could sit back and relax and read a book. Once in Traverse City, I did the reverse, rolled up the cover and was on my way in less than 5 minutes to my host's house.
On Indian Trails you do not have to pay extra for the bike nor check a box when ordering tickets indicating you are bringing a bike. They do offer a senior discount of 10% off.

2) using BATA buses in Traverse City. For my two planned touring days I utilized the BATA system. Funny, I was the only person on the bus. At first I was worried because there was only three spaces for bicycles and a small group could hog them all, but there was no one. I asked one of my drivers--in the summer is the bus crowded, he answered no, not really. My driver to and from SBD (Route 11) said in the summer there is a 10 o'clock departure which would let you see the stars come out. Because of the lack of light pollution star gazing is supposed to be phenomenal. Route 10 tp Sutton's Bay was also easy--there's room for 10 bikes. The fare is only $1.50 for a senior. This is an important regional link for many residents that is currently being under utilized. Hopefully, it will catch on with residents and tourists as it saves on bringing an automobile, environmental impact etc. And, it's CHEAP.

The biking in Traverse City and the area is GREAT. Signage was easy to follow, road traffic was courteous, and there are so many designated bike paths as well as byways along the bay that you could spend a week and still not do it all. In the 2 days I spent cycling I got to hit the highlights--sky and water, sand dunes and wildflowers, pastoral meadows and forested paths. I even got to buy a single apple from a self-select stand beside the Leelanau Trail.

Because it was so easy to get up there and do the things I wanted to do--I will be planning a return trip next year.