Join us for the Michigan Mitten Backways Adventure Trail

The Michigan Mitten Backways Adventure Trail is a five-day GPS-guided ride that loops through the heart of Michigan’s wild and scenic Lower Peninsula. This self-led route covers approximately 600 miles of the best dual-sport and adventure bike terrain the state has to offer — a mix of dirt forest roads, sandy two-tracks, scenic back highways, and winding trails that explore both the Manistee National Forest and Huron National Forest. 

Starting and finishing near Ludington, Michigan, this full loop gives riders a complete taste of the “Mitten’s” rugged side, with plenty of hidden gems, small-town charm, and authentic Midwestern hospitality along the way.

About this ride

This is a rougher ride for intermediate to advanced riders only. No beginners.  

I have added some easy and harder options for riders that are looking for extra or just to relax.

This is a 5 day adventure around the Lower peninsula.  You will be staying in different motels each night during the week.   

You will be eating in restaurants during the week, so no need to bring cooking equipment or food. 

The riding should be scenic to rough depending on your choices.

The exciting part about this ride is that riders can choose their own level of adventure exposure each day to meet their desire and excitement.

Each day our route will take us to the next motel and many days we will have an option of lunch on the trail.  

Each morning riders will grab breakfast and team up with their riding buddies, grab their daily snacks and begin their adventure.  

The day's adventures are long with many rich options along the way. 

After the day's ride, riders perform bike maintenance and join up for happy hour and dinner.  Then it is often to bed early as the next day comes quickly.

Be prepared for any sort of weather. It can be a bit rainy in the spring. Sharp knobbies recomended! 

Riders should also carry any supplies for bike repairs and maintenance on the trail (like flat tires).

Route Highlights

Total Distance: ~920 km (570 miles)

Duration: 5 Days

Terrain Mix: ~70% dirt, 30% back pavement and connecting roads

Loop Type: Full loop returning to starting point near Lake Michigan

Scenery: Lakeshore dunes, forested corridors, inland lakes, and rolling hills

Riders will explore:

Manistee National Forest: Deep forest trails, sandy hill climbs, and lakeside sections.

Huron National Forest: Long gravel stretches, river crossings, and peaceful pine flats.

Small Towns & Lodging Stops: Each night brings a new stop in a welcoming Michigan town, complete with comfortable motels, local bars, and restaurants.

Route Options

This adventure is designed for both Dual Sport and Adventure Bike riders, with alternate GPS tracks provided for each:

🔴 Dual Sport Route:

More challenging sections including tighter trails, sand sections, and optional forest two-tracks. Perfect for riders on lighter dual-sport machines like DRZ400s, WR250Rs, or CRF300Ls.

🔵 Adventure Bike Route:

Smoother dirt and gravel backroads, less technical but equally scenic. Ideal for larger Small bikes like KTM 690 or Yamaha Tenere 700

🟢 Easy Paved Routes to bail out on

Each day’s route is clearly marked in your GPS with color-coded tracks so you can choose your adventure level daily.

Logistics & Support

Duration: 5 days of riding, 5 nights of lodging

Luggage Truck: A support truck will carry your gear each day, allowing you to ride light and enjoy the trails.

Meals: Riders will dine in local restaurants and bars along the route—no camp stoves needed!

Navigation: A gpsKevin-style self-led GPS-guided ride, allowing you to travel at your own pace with full confidence in your navigation.

Cost: $995

Includes all 5 nights of motel lodging

Includes support truck and driver GPS SD card and paper maps

Bring a Friend

Just want to illustrate here that many riders may have a friend who is in need of being talked into a completely ridiculous ride in life.  This is the time to look up and reconnect with your old friend.  Invite him to this ride!

Be Prepared

Michigan’s weather can be unpredictable — expect everything from sunshine to rain and mud. Bring appropriate rain gear and be ready for changing trail conditions. The sandy sections can turn slick when wet, adding to the challenge and fun.

Schedule for the ride

Sunday TBD The night before the ride, Riders Meetup in Washington DC

Saturday June-13-2026 Riding Starts

Friday TBD Ride ends and riders go home

Summary

The Michigan Mitten Backways Adventure Trail is the ultimate way to experience Michigan’s dual forest system and backcountry culture — a 5-day loop of scenic dirt, camaraderie, and self-guided adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned dual-sport rider or a big-bike adventurer, this ride delivers classic gpsKevin exploration at its best.

Ride Signup info: 

The cost to join this 5 day ride is $995.  This covers your lodging for the 5 nights during the ride and the cost of the support truck and driver.  Hotel rooms are double occupancy. This also covers your ride packets which include custom Garmin GPS maps on a micro SD card and printed ride maps and descriptions.

Now taking signups: You can now reserve your spot on this ride by leaving a $200 Deposit  (Ride limit is 16 riders) 

After your signup riders will receive an email from me with further ride information and instructions.

Note: 

Riders must make 50% payment by February 13th, 2026.

Riders must make full payment by April 13th, 2026.

Riders will receive ride packets in the mail one week before the ride.

Refund Policy

Your ride deposit is fully refundable until the 50% payment date above.  We encourage riders to make their deposit early in order to ensure they will get a spot on the ride and to begin working on you own ride arrangements.  After making your ride deposit, you will be connected with the other riders in order to coordinate any plans or discussions you may have.  And to just have fun developing plans with the other riders.  If your plans change, you will receive a full refund until the 50% payment due date above.

Ride Yodas

What are these Adventure Rides like? These rides are designed along the theme of exploring the world.  They include a mix of remote dirt routes, back paved roads, sometimes some very seldom ridden paths and pavement.  Rides are a mix of all these things and sometimes some surprises due to weather conditions.  These rides are for experienced, well seasoned riders that are capable of turning a washed out road experience into just part of the day's fun.  Riders should be comfortable with turning around when necessary and finding an alternative route around unexpected obstacles. These rides are not for new riders. As an experienced rider, the tough part of having a great motorcycle adventure is the routing and logistics.  What routes do I take? Where do I stay? How do I find the best routes and places?

How does the ride navigation work?

This is a self-led GPS ride; all riding is on your own.  You are responsible for your own riding.  You will be given a GPS map file and instructions on how to use your Garmin GPS unit.  People will hook up in small groups of less than 6 riders and tend to ride together.  You are not encouraged to ride alone.  You are responsible for your own riding and yourself. 

 (see my ride Navigation Video)

Are you right for this ride?

When something goes wrong on a ride, would your riding friends say that you are more likely to need help or more likely to give help?  You should be in the more likely to offer help camp.  This ride is filled with riders that are more likely to give help, so most of the time the riders never need help.  Additionally there is all the normal stuff, come prepared to maintain your bike, fix your bike on the trail, repair flat tires, deal with bad weather and rain and make a joke or two.

How do I make the GPS stuff so easy?

I develop very high quality ride maps custom for our ride. They come from much of what I and others have ridden.  I take the best from all my rides and make new ones. 

(See my Custom Ride Maps Video)

Note from me, gpsKevin

My goal for this ride is simple,  great riding, so you can count on great routes and places to ride.

But in addition: the ride is about  discovering new places, meeting new friends, seeing new parts of the Southwest.

Thanks

gpsKevin