“It’s a great way to keep your fitness, so when the early biking season comes you’re a little ahead of the game,” said Szubielak, who lives near Houghton in the far northwestern U.P. By JOHN FLESHER ADVERTISING Associated Press HOUGHTON,
By JOHN FLESHER
Associated Press
HOUGHTON, Mich. — You’re not much of a skier, and jouncing through the woods on a roaring snowmobile isn’t your idea of fun either. Is there any other reason to take a winter trip to Michigan’s cold, snowy Upper Peninsula?
Actually, there are many. The lightly populated U.P. is dotted with villages that cater to tourists, featuring gift shops, restaurants and B&Bs where you can curl up with coffee and a book in front of a huge stone fireplace. If you hanker for gambling and showroom entertainment, check out one of the tribal casinos in towns such as Sault Ste. Marie, Baraga and Watersmeet.
But above all, the U.P. is renowned for its vast woodlands, rivers large and small, and proximity to three of the Great Lakes — Superior to the north, Michigan and Huron to the south.
It’s hard to think of vacationing here without enjoying the outdoors, and while it may feel like spring already in many parts of the country, this region has snow, cold weather and winter activities for at least another month.
For Pat Szubielak, winter was always a time to take a reluctant break from his cherished sport of off-road bicycling.
No longer.
On a recent afternoon, he and a half-dozen buddies cruised along a snow-covered, tree-lined trail on … bicycles. With oddly plump tires and wide frames designed for a relatively new sport that’s fast gaining popularity in the North: snow biking.
“It’s a great way to keep your fitness, so when the early biking season comes you’re a little ahead of the game,” said Szubielak, who lives near Houghton in the far northwestern U.P.
