Earlier this summer, I went back to my hometown in rural Manitoba for the first time since before the pandemic. It was great to catch up with friends and family — and to ride around my old neighborhood again with a buddy from high school. That ride brought back some of my best summertime memories. Memories made on two wheels, pedaling through the woods for hours with friends. Those rides weren’t about exercise. They were about exploring, freedom, fun, and feeling connected to the place I grew up.

I’ve felt that same spirit here in Traverse City. The Vasa, Hickory Hills, the Commons, Miller Creek, Ottaway River Trail — I’ve ridden them for years and watched how they shape our young people. These mountain bike trails are where our kids grow up, friendships deepen, and the outdoors become ho

See Full Page