Tour De Leelanau

IS Corp Cycling Team posts top amateur @ TdL!!!

2008-05-31T13:14:00.001-07:00

Traveling all the way from Mequon, Wisconsin, the IS Corporation Cycling Team (aka "THE WISCONSIN NATIONAL TEAM!") rolled into Michigan to contest the Memorial Day events.

They started out BIG with a win at das Tour de Frankenmuth on Saturday with Matthew Busche taking the win.

Read the teams report here:

FRANKENMUTH REPORT

Things continued rolling the teams way at the Priority Health Tour de Leelanau on Sunday, when Steve Scholzen was the only amateur racer to make the winning break and placed 20th, as the top amateur in the race.

Read about their experience at the PHTdL here:

LEELANAU REPORT

In what must surely have been each of the team members biggest block of racing EVER, the team road tripped down to Grand Rapids on Monday for the Gaslight Village Criterium, where Matthew Busche again posted a great win for the team in a field that contained pros from the Bissell Pro Cycling team as well as Karl Menzies from the HealthNet Pro Cycling team!!!!!!

Read about their experience at the Gaslight Village Criterium here:

GASLIGHT CRITERIUM REPORT

WOW!!!!

What a performance!

RESULTS:

das Tour de Frankenmuth

Priority Health Tour de Leelanau

Tour de Gaslight Village

Watch out for the team at upcoming events throughout the Midwest!!!

IS CORP TEAM BEFORE --->>>

IS CORP TEAM AFTER --->>>

2008 Priority Health Tour de Leelanau race footage

2008-05-25T17:51:00.000-07:00

The "SCENE" at the top of the Tower Road KOM

Great footage of the peloton from the perspective of a motor cycle.

2008 Priority Health Tour de Leelanau Start Lists

2008-05-24T19:36:00.000-07:00

Men's Race

Bissell
1 PELTONEN, Garrett USA
2 JACQUES-MAYNES, Ben USA
3 ENGLAND, Richard AUS
4 KING, Teddy USA
5 VENNELL, Jeremy NZL
6 HOWARD, Graham USA
7 OLSON, Aaron USA
Director - Glenn Mitchell

BMC
11 CRUZ, Tony USA
12 BOOKWALTER, Brent USA
13 TOLLESON, Taylor USA
14 STEWART, Jackson USA
15 GARCIA, Jonathon USA
16 SAYERS, Michael USA
17 LILL, Darren RSA
18 MCKISSICK, Ian USA
Director - Gavin Chilcott

Team Inferno Pro Cycling
21 APPLEGATE, Andy USA
22 COOPER, Joe CNZ
23 ENGLAND, Josh CNZ
24 GAMM, Ryan USA
25 PARRETT, Christian USA
26 SWAIN, Tim USA
27 WINSTEAD, Matt USA
Director - Chad Thompson

Successful Living
91 WHITE, Bradley USA
92 GUNN, Curtis USA
93 JENSEN, Brian DEN
94 BAZZANA, Alessandro ITA
95 GRABINGER, Michael USA
96 DIONNE, Charles CAN
97 ESCUELA, Ricardo ARG
98 O'REILLY, Cody USA
Director - Steve Hegg

Pista Elite
101 MENDOZA, Daniel USA
102 MEYER, Kevin USA
103 NIEPORT, Brian USA
104 PRYGOSKI, Matt USA
105 SABGA, Ryan USA
106 SCZECH, Adam USA
107 STEWART, John USA
108 WAITE, Matt USA
Director - Daniel Mendoza

Aquila/Racer Sportif
111 SMITH, Isaac CAN
112 AMARAL, Mike CAN
113 STEEDS, Justin CAN
114 PROSSER, Jonathon CAN
115 FOSTER, Thomas CAN
Director - Isaac Smith

Rite Aid Pro Cycling
31 RYTLEWSKI, Jake USA
32 KING, Robbie USA
33 WATSON, Miles NZL
34 GENG, Richard GER
35 BARROWS, Clayton USA
Director - Jonathon Wirsing

Team Giant-Michigan
41 KACHELMEYER, Thomas USA
42 RITTER, Terry USA
43 EHMANN, Peter USA
44 BAROLI, Matt USA
45 CHRISTIAN, Ben USA
Director - Terry Ritter

ABG/Athletic Mentors
51 KOCH, Jeff USA
52 GLICK, Dave USA
53 GILYARD, Jared USA
54 GRAHAM, Derek USA
55 WHITEHEAD, Ben USA
56 WITTE, Derek USA
57 SWAITLOWSKI, Jason USA
Director - Jeff Koch

IS Corp Cycling Team
121 ROESSINGH, Jordan USA
122 SPAUDE, Kip USA
123 SCHOLZEN, Steve USA
124 JACOBSON, Kyle USA
125 BEAN, Eric USA
126 WIESELER, Alex USA
127 BUSCHE, Matt USA
128 SHANAHAN, Joe USA
Director - Jordan Roessingh

Team RACE Pro
131 WALTERS, Mark CAN
132 ROTH, Ryan CAN
133 DION-POITRAS, Joel CAN
134 BATTY, Mark CAN
135 ROBERTSON, Eric CAN
136 PLAICE, Keir CAN
137 THUSS, Adam CAN
138 HUNT, Andrew CAN
Director - Josee Larocque

Jet Fuel Coffee
141 DEFRANCESCHI, Daniele CAN
142 MORSE, Peter CAN
143 HAZZARD, Kevin CAN
144 BOWERS, Bryson CAN
145 ST-JOHN, Derrick CAN
146 BYER, David CAN
Director - Peter Morse

Priority Health/Two Wheel Tango
61 WEIR, Andy USA
62 BATTISTA, Greg USA
63 SCOTT, Matt USA
64 HERMANN, Randy USA
65 ROSEWARNE, Brian USA
66 SCHILLING, Peter USA
67 STARK, Rich USA
68 BOWSER, Roger USA
Director - Brian Rosewarne

South Lyon Cycle
71 DEANGELIS, Gary USA
72 SIMONSON, Michael USA
73 ISER, Rob USA
74 KEOMANY, Alex USA
75 GORDON, Steve USA
76 ZACCONE, John USA
77 ATEN, Chris USA
78 HINDERAGER, Eric USA
Director - Gary Deangelis

Priority Health U 23
81 WILLIAMS, David USA
82 DOYLE, John USA
83 SMITTER, Jordan USA
84 MCBRIDE, Zach USA
85 HAYDEN, Brian USA
Director - Mark Olson

Saturn of Toldeo
151 FOSHAG, Robert USA
152 CARD, Jon USA
153 EVANS, Brent USA
154 ADAMS, Shawn USA
155 MCLAUGHLIN, William USA
156 SANTURBANE, Mark USA
157 CLARK, Steve USA
Director - Robert Foshag

Hagerty Insurance
161 PRECHTL, Derek USA
162 HOFSTRA, Dan USA
163 WEITZMAN, Myles USA
164 FEDRIGON, Donald USA
165 VIGLAND, Todd USA
166 WEBB, Craig USA
167 LICHT, Norm USA
168 BARRONS, Tim USA
Director - Derek Prechtl

Women's Race

Colavita/Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light
91 PIC, Tina USA
92 BAUSCH, Dotsie USA
93 WYNER-PARKS, Iona JAM
94 CROMWELL, Tiffany AUS
95 WOODRING, MacKenzie USA
Director - John Seehafer

Cheerwine
101 VAN GILDER, Laura USA
102 MARPLE, Stacy USA
103 HOBSON, Leigh CAN
104 SAMPLONIUS, Anne CAN
105 ASPLUND-OWENS, Marisa USA
Director - Thad Fischer

Equipe Cascades
111 BELLEROSE, Julie CAN
112 CARON, Joanie CAN
113 LABONTE, Veronique CAN
114 CYR, Johanne CAN
115 BURNS, Jessica CAN
Director - Maxime Caron

Team TIBCO
131 MILLER, Brooke USA
132 HEAL, Rachel GBR
133 KELLY, Helen AUS
134 KIESANOWSKI, Joanne NZL
Director - Linda Jackson

Priority Health
141 JOHNSON, Laura USA
142 FLYNN, Emily USA
143 LAHANN, Aimee USA
144 MITCHELL, Jen USA
145 Keely, Christy USA
Director - Dawn Lovejoy

Bissell
151 STAUFFER, Amy USA
152 MAGUIRE, Sarah USA
153 GAINES, Leslie USA
154 DINKINS, Jamie USA
155 SKAU, Beth USA
Director-Cheryl Olson

Team Giant - Michigan
161 COLLINS, Karey USA
162 SCHUBEL, Susan USA
163 TASMA, Tara USA
164 TREVINO, Alicia USA
165 ELLIOT, Natasha CAN
Director-Karey Collins

Team Kenda Tire
171 GUZMAN, Anne DOM
172 NAKAMURA, Yukie JPN
173 DUST, Debbie USA
174 JUG, Lori USA
175 MACGREGOR, Moriah CAN
Director - Paul Forsythe

Hagerty Insurance
181 WEITZMAN, Erica USA
182 VIGLAND, Susan USA
183 MISKO, Roberta USA
184 SCHMIDT, Johanna USA
185 BROCKMILLER, Lauri USA
Director-Susan Vigland

Verducci/Breakaway Racing
191 CLIFF-RYAN, Theresa USA
192 MACLEAN, Jessie AUS
193 MURDIN, Kele USA
194 MANDERFIELD, Kacey USA
Director - Gary Ryan

Leelanau residents prepare for invasion of Bike Racers!!!!

2008-05-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

With the 2008 Priority Health Tour de Leelanau rolling (!) into the county this weekend, some local residents are "rolling out the carpet" and hosting the teams in their homes.

Read the latest edition of the Glen Arbor Sun for a great story on the fun experiences residents have had with the racers.

http://www.glenarborsun.com/archives/2008/05/house_the_biker.html#more

For more information on the race, including the race course map, go to:

http://www.tourdeleelanau.com/

Hope to see you at the race, Sunday, May 25th!!!!

South Lyon Cycle Announces their Priority Health Tour de Leelanau ROSTER!!!

2008-05-20T19:52:00.000-07:00

In what will be the teams 4th consecutive participation in the HUGEST road racing event in Michigan, the South Lyon Cycle Racing Team is proud to announce their team roster for the upcoming Priority Health Tour de Leelanau!

South Lyon Cycle Racing Team 2008 Tour de Leelanau Team Roster

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Gary DeAngelis – TEAM CAPTAIN - Age 40, USCF Category 2, Occupation – Electrical Engineer, Residence – Plymouth, MI. Gary’s cycling strength is as a time trialist, Gary has been a consistent top 10 finisher in the State TT Championships the past several years.

Mike Simonson – Age 27, USCF Category 2, Occupation – Mechanical Engineer, Residence, Oxford, MI. Better known for his exploits in the dirt, which include winning the 2006 Iceman Cometh Mtn Bike race as well as the 2006 and 2007 Ore-To-Shore Mtn Bike EPIC’s. The Tour de Leelanau will be one of few road events Mike will be competing at in 2008 The Tour de Leelanau will be one of few road events Mike will be competing at in 2008, so don't miss the chance to catch Mike in action on a set of skinny tires, so don’t miss your chance to catch Mike in action on a pair of skinny tires! Watch for in mountain bike races Mike across the Midwest, where he’s a member of the Trek Professional Mountain Bike Team.

Rob Iser – Age 44, USCF Category 2, Occupation – Engineer, Residence – South Lyon, MI. Rob is a strong time trialist and climber and excels on all types of courses. Watch for Rob to be at the front setting tempo and working to keep the teams leaders out of the wind and in good position.

John Zaccone – Age 21, USCF Category 2, Occupation – Student, Residence – Canton, MI and Blacksburg, VA – John is one of Michigan’s up and coming road racers. Already this year John capped off a HUGELY successful collegiate season by winning the Men’s Category A Road Race at the Atlantic Coast Conference cycling championships, helping to secure his Virginia Technological University cycling team the overall ACC Team Title.

Steve Gordon – Age 22, USCF Category 2, Occupation – Student, Residence – Boston, MA and Blacksburg, VA – As a team member with John Zaccone’s on the VTU Cycling team, Steve lead his team to the overall ACC Team Title, as well as winning the ACC Individual Title.

Alex Keomany – Age 21, USCF Category 2, Occupation – Student, Residence – Ypsilanti, MI – As a Junior and U23 racer, Alex has won multiple Michigan State Road Race Championships. 2008 will be Alex’s third time competing in the Tour de Leelanau.

Chris Aten – Age 21, Occupation – Student, Residence – Ann Arbor, MI – Chris is also a collegiate racer, competing in 2008 for the University of Michigan Cycling Team. Possessing the build of a try climber, watch for Chris to be near the front as the race tackles the 25% gradient of Tower Road!

Eric Hinderager – Age 26, USCF Category 2, Occupation – Attorney, Residence – Ann Arbor, MI – Eric is a true all-a rounder who can sprint, time trial and climb. The short, steep climbs of the Tour de Leelanau should favor his racing style. Eric will be looking to join an early breakaway and notching Sprint Competition Points in Glen Arbor and Maple City.

The South Lyon Cycle Racing Team is based in South Lyon, MI, and is a racing team comprised of Category 1/2/3 and Junior Men. The team is sponsored by South Lyon Cycle ( http://www.southlyoncycle.com/ ). Other sponsors of the team include Jittery Joe’s Coffee Roasting Company ( http://www.thebeanteam.com/ ), Ritchey Bicycle Components ( http://www.ritcheylogic.com/ ), BLUE Competition Cycles ( http://www.rideblue.com/ ), and Maxxis tires ( http://www.maxxis.com/ ).

For full information on the team check out the teams website at http://www.southlyoncycleracingteam.com/ and watch for the team at the upcoming Tour de Leelanau on Sunday, May 25th, 2008!!!

Setting fire to bicycle races in Michigan and throughout the Midwest!!!

Priority Health Tour de Leelanau - Featured Racer - Graham Howard of the Bissell Pro Cycling Team

2008-05-20T19:26:00.000-07:00

Anyone who's been around Michigan racing the past couple of years will be familiar with the dynamic duo out of Grand Rapids, the Howard Brothers of Graham and Sven Howard.

After making big splashes in Michigan racing, both have moved upwards and now race together on Michigans ONLY UCI Registered Pro Cycling Team, the Bissell Pro Cycling Team.

At this years 2008 Priority Health Tour de Leelanau, the Bissell team is coming into the race with a STACKED roster, which includes Graham Howard.

After spending some time racing in Colorado, as well as lots of other states so far this season, Graham returns to Michigan looking to support his Bissell team as the shoot to retain the TdL title.

Graham was kind enough to take some time to answer some quick questions for us as he prepares for the Priority Health Tour de Leelanau:

1.How long have you been racing?

about 7 years now

2. What was your first team/club and what other teams have you raced for?

I started with the Ada Bike team and since then have raced with the Advantage Benefits Group team and now the Bissell team.

3. When did you turn pro?

2007

4. What was your first race and how did you do?

Grattan was my first race. I got lapped a number of times.

5. Whatʼs your favorite Michigan race?

The Rockford Criterium (NOTE: This race is June 28th, DON'T MISS IT!)

6. Whatʼs your favorite Professional race?

Tour of Virginia

7. Whatʼs are your cycling strength / weakness?

I time trial fairly well and fair OK all around. Sprinting though is probably my weak point.

8. What was your first bike?

An old pink brute. It's still in pieces in my basement.

9. What is the funniest cycling moment you have had?

A buddy of mine raced an entire crit with a GU in his shoe without realizing it. It only dawned on him afterward when he took his shoe off to find a sticky mess.

10. Do you follow specific training programs?

yes I follow a training program.

11. Do you coach yourself or have coach?

A little bit of both, I put things together myself and then run them by a couple of guys who know their stuff.

12. What other interest or hobbies do you have?

I play a little racquetball, like movies and drink a lot of coffee

13. Whatʼs your favorite place to ride?

Northern Michigan is hard to beat. Actually Leelanau and Benzie Counties have some of the best roads and most FANTASTIC SCENERY, which is why I love this race!!! .

Priority Health Tour de Leelanau - Featured Racer - Mike Simonson of Trek Midwest Pro Mtn Bike Team

2008-05-19T19:03:00.000-07:00

Mike Simonson winning the 2006 Iceman Cometh

Making a brief foray into the world of road racing at the Tour de Leelanau will be a well known face in Michigan mountain biking, Mike Simonson. As a former member of the powerhouse Bell's Mountain Bike Team, Mike notched up BIG wins at the 2006 Iceman Cometh and the 2006 & 2007 Ore-To-Shore mtn bike races.

In 2008 Mike is racing in the dirt for the Trek Midwest Pro Mtn bike team. However, for the Tour de Leelanau, he has joined up with the South Lyon Cycle Racing Team for one event to bang elbows with some of the best professional road race teams in the US. Mike's attendance at the TdL promises to be very exciting.

We were able to catch up with Mike at the Tour of Kensington Valley where he was giving his road racing legs a little stretch and racing the 100 mile Pro 1/2 event on his 29er with road tires and a flat bar!!!! (the true ROADIES were STUNNED!!!!!)

1.How long have you been racing?

I started racing BMX back when I was 12 years old. I got into the BMX dirt jumping scene when I was in high school, then when I started going to college I got into MTB'ing. I think I was 19 when I started getting really serious about racing.

2. What was your first team/club and what other teams have you raced for?

I got involved with Flying Rhino club out of Clarkston MI back when Robert Linden was racing MTB's. I used to ride MTB's in the winter at PLRA with him every Saturday in my early teens. Then I got invlolved with Bart Wellesly and his Cannondale team for a while. From there I started racing on the Bells team with Trek bikes, then Quiring bikes later on. Currently I'm with the Trek Factory MTB team. I

3. When did you turn pro?

I guess the term Pro in MTB racing is a subjective term. Not sure I'm really even a Pro yet. However, I recieved my UCI pro card in 2006, and have been racing elite in the Midwest since 2000.

4. What was your first race and how did you do?

My first race was a Paul Bunyon race when I was 14 years old. Robert Linden talked me into the sport class. It was an absolute muddy mess. I dropped out aboout halfway through. I thought those guys were crazy fast.

5. What’s your favorite Michigan race?

Favorite MI race is Iceman. It just doesn't get any better then that. All my best friends get together for a huge bike race, then we party the night away afterwords. It's almost TOO much fun. Steve Brown does a great job with it every year. And the Bells party never lets ya down. If you haven't made a trip out to the party bus, you haven't lived.

6. What’s your favorite Professional race?

Favorite professional race is a tough call. Sea Otter is very cool. It's a real circus. Shenandoah100 is another great one.

7. What’s are your cycling strength / weakness?

Well if I announce that, then everyone will know... seriously though, I think my strengths are on flat rough and rolling courses. Weaknesses are on insane climber courses. I've got a "Belgian Classics" kind of style. I guess that comes from riding the hilly dirt roads around my house so much.

8. What was your first bike?

First MTB bike was a Trek 900. It had a rigid fork.

9. What is the funniest cycling moment you have had?

I guess just all of the hilarious commentary we have on some of our training rides. When you're out there with the same guys for 5hrs a day every weekend, you tend to run out of things to talk about, so the conversation can go in silly directions.

10. Do you follow specific training programs?

I usually set up a schedule of the big races I want to do well at. Then train for each one specifically in between. If the next race is 100 miles with a lot of climbing, then I'll work specifically at that distance and try to mach the elevation as best I can. It's best to give yourself at least 6 weeks in between major races, but sometimes the schedule doesn't always work out like that.

11. Do you coach yourself or have coach?

I coach myself mostly. I read a lot of books and articles. Lately I've been consulting with Art Flemming. He's pretty knowledgable about the sport and specific training.

12. What other interest or hobbies do you have?

I play a little golf here and there, and I have also been known to play the drums from time to time.

13. What’s your favorite place to ride?

The dirt roads by my house up in Oxford and Metamora. Miles and miles of road with lots of hills and barely any traffic. If you've ever done the Kinentic Systems Back 40, then you've ridden on same the roads.

Priority Health Tour de Leelanau - Featured Racer - Brent Bookwalter of BMC Pro Cycling Team

2008-05-15T18:41:00.000-07:00

Brent Bookwalter is a died-in-the-wool Michigander, being born and raised in the Grand Rapids area. From his first days as a mountain biker to his phenomenal young career as a pro road racer, Brent has always shown up here and there at Michigan races.

The first time I saw Brent race was in 2002 at the Stoney Creek Tailwind CX Michigan CX Championships where he raced the A's and was STICKING it to Jeff Weinert and Russ Tiles by bunny hopping the barriers. He must have been 18 and his bike handling skills were EXCEPTIONAL. Brent took third, but it was a close race right up till the final corner.

2007 was a year that saw Brent recovering from a broken leg after colliding with a road sign at an early season race in France. Now racing with BMC, Brent is making is FIRST EVER appearance at the Priority Health Tour de Leelanau with one of the strongest teams in the US peloten, the BMC Pro Cycling Team. If you were able to watch any of this years Tour of California, you'll recognize the understated white jerseys of the BMC team as the guys who were CONSTANTLY on the attack, winning the MOST AGGRESSIVE RACER and KOM jerseys for Jackson Stewart on Stage 1 and KOM on Stage 2, as well as the overal KOM for Scott Nydam.

Through the wonder of the internet and Blackberry's, we were able to catch Brent for a moment as he recovered from racing the Tour of Romandie in Switzerland last week and before racing the Tour de Picardie in France (May 16-18). Brent was nice enough to take the time to answer some quick questions about cycling, how he started and what's next...

1.How long have you been racing?

Started racing about 9 years ago on the mountain bike. My first race was at pando ski area and then cannonsberg ski area. I never would have thought then I'd be where I am today, but I was really blessed to have so much support from the mich. Scene along the way.

2. What was your first team/club and what other teams have you raced for?

My first teams were bike shop teams. North Kent cyclery and Alger Schwinn got me started when I was just a young guy. Those teams and everyone involved showed how much fun mountain biking could be, but also planted the seed of how hard work in this sport pays off.

3. When did you turn pro?

Turned pro on the road in 2005 w advantage benefits/endeavor. This was the beginning for the team that turned into priority health and then bissell.

4. What was your first race and how did you do?

EDITORS NOTE - missed this one....

5. What’s your favorite Michigan race?

Fav mi. Race?? Maybe the tdl after next weekend :)

6. What’s your favorite Professional race?

7. What’s are your cycling strength / weakness?

Kind of all a-rounder on the bike. Usually like the time trials. (EDITORS NOTE: Brent won the U23 National TT Championship in 2006!)

8. What was your first bike?

First bike was a schwinn predator. It was total coincidence but I got my pic in the paper the day I learned to ride that bike w no training wheels.

9. What is the funniest cycling moment you have had?

10. Do you follow specific training programs?

Fairly specific training but I keep it fun too!!

11. Do you coach yourself or have coach?
Coached by Rick Crawford.

12. What other interest or hobbies do you have?

Love to ride the mountain bike, and ski in the winter.

13. What’s your favorite place to ride?

Fav place to ride... Blue ridge mountains of north carolina.

Garrett Peltonen, 2007 Priority Health Tour de Leelanau Champ, is READY TO RACE!!!

2008-05-08T20:11:00.001-07:00

The defending champion from last years Priority Health Tour de Leelanau, Garrett Peltonen of the Bissell Pro Cycling Team is READY TO RACE!!!!

Here's a short interview with Garrett from the recent Tour of Georgia, where Richard England of the Bissell team one Stage 5. In the same stage Teddie King also took over leadership of the King Of the Mountains jersey

To see if Garrett can repeat his 2007 victory, make plans to be in Leelanau County, Sunday, May 25th for the Priority Health Tour de Leelanau!!!

2008 Priority Health Tour de Leelanau Featured City - Empire, Michigan

2008-04-30T18:29:00.000-07:00

The southernmost town in Leelanau County is Empire. With its soaring bluffs and breathtaking views, it's like no other! Before heading down to the Beach to enjoy the surf or volleyball, basketball and the great playground treat yourself to an ice cream cone at Tiffany's. At the headquarters of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (located in the Village of Empire, right off M-22) you'll find helpful rangers who can help you find out all there is to know about the formation of the dunes as well as point you in the right direction for hiking trails, beaches and scenic drives.

The Empire Historical Society is a fantastic spot to spend a rainy day, be sure to check out the one room schoolhouse! Situated approximately 25 miles due west of Traverse City, Empire is nestled in the center of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. With the Empire Bluffs to the south and the widely recognizable sand dunes of the National Lakeshore to the north, the area possesses breathtaking vistas of the dunes, North Manitou and South Manitou islands, and Lake Michigan. Most Sleeping Bear Dunes panoramas portrayed on postcards are taken from a walking trail which runs to the top of the Empire Bluffs. A wide beach separates Lake Michigan from its close neighbor, South Bar Lake. The much smaller South Bar Lake stays considerably warmer than the big lake during the summer months, and is good for young children.

The Empire beach boasts the Robert H. Manning Memorial Lighthouse, which was built in 1991 as a memorial to Robert H. Manning, a life-long resident of Empire and avid fisherman. Additionally, the beach offers a famous antique anchor which was discovered by Douglas Manning, son of Robert H. Manning, and Michelle Stryker in 1977. Every year, the village of Empire celebrates the raising of the anchor on the third Saturday in July.

For more information on the Village of Empire, visit the Empire Chamber of Commerce website at:

http://www.empirechamber.com/

For more information on the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Visitor Center (located in the Village of Empire), visit the National Park Service website at:

http://www.nps.gov/slbe

2008-04-13T09:21:00.000-07:00

2008 Priority Health Tour de Leelanau
Featured City - Leland, Michigan

The start of the Men’s Tour De Leelanau race is held in the picturesque village of Leland, Michigan. Leland is located on a sliver of land between Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau, on beautiful Leelanau Peninsula. This uncommon and charming village will mesmerize you with its beauty and amenities.

Guests arrive by car, boat, and bicycle. Once here, Leland is a great "walking around" town. All of the shops, restaurants, galleries, and museums are located within a short distance. There is easy access to public beaches, boat launches on each lake, and a river connecting the two.

Leland's historical district, known as Fishtown, features rustic shanties and docks reminiscent of life and commercial fishing one hundred years ago.

Today, galleries and unique shops fill their walls, and charter fishing trips and the only public ferry to the popular Manitou Islands depart from those same docks. The adjacent full service marina is the perfect place for launching and mooring boats on Lake Michigan. Besides hosting the start of the Tour De Leelanau, one of Leland's signature events is the annual L eland W ine and Food Festival which will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2008. This festival features many of our region’s exquisite award winning wines as well as outstanding food and hors d'oeuvres from local restaurants.Come visit Leland any time. Discover the reason why residents and area guests alike value this place called Leland, Michigan!

For more information on Leland, please visit the cities website at:

http://www.lelandmi.com/

2008-03-27T17:13:00.000-07:00

2008 Priority Health Tour de Leelanau
Featured Locale - Leelanau County, Michigan

According to legend the word “Leelanau” is rumored to be a Native American word meaning “delight of life”. Whether this is true or not, a visit to Leelanau County is definitely delightful. Located in the upper Northwest of Michigan’s lower peninsula, the county is a treasure of scenic beauty. Boasting hundreds of miles of coastline on Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay, as well as many inland lakes, the splendor of blue sky, green, rolling hills and sandy beaches are what makes the County truly delightful.

With the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore along the Counties Western boundary and more than 20 wineries throughout, visitors to Leelanau County have numerous opportunities to explore.

Leelanau County is also the home and namesake of the Tour de Leelanau professional bicycle race. Starting in the city of Leland and winding through nearly every corner of the County before finishing in the Native American fishing village of Peshawbestown, both the race and the County are not to be MISSED!!!

So, plan your trip to Leelanau County now for the Tour de Leelanau on Sunday, May 25th.

For more information on Leelanau County, please visit the following websites:

Tour de Leelanau:
http://www.tourdeleelanau.com/

Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce:
http://www.leelanauchamber.com/

Leelanau Sands Casino:
http://www.casino2win.com/

The Leelanau Enterprise newspaper:
http://www.leelanaunews.com/

Leelanau County & Government Center:
http://www.leelanaucounty.com/

Leelanau Historical Society & Museum:
http://www.leelanauhistory.org/

Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association:
http://www.lpwines.com/

Tunnel of TREES!!!

2007-09-15T21:59:00.000-07:00

The race leaders at the 2007 Priority Health Tour De Leelanau navigate through the "Tunnel of Trees" up the Inspiration Point KOM Climb.

2007 Priority Health Tour De Leelanau - Hermann Rd KOM

2007-09-15T21:58:00.000-07:00

While more climbs remain in the race, the climb up Hermann Road is the last King and Queen of the Mountain points sprint (KOM/QOM).

The slog up Herman Road is a "BEAST" of a climb and comes at the 77 mile mark and is nearly 2 miles long, twisting as an "S" curve as it approaches the top.

In this video you can see the leaders gritting their teeth as the crest the top.

After summitting the racers plunge down through several well known vineyards towards the village of Suttons Bay.

Start of the Men's 2007 Priority Health Tour De Leelanau

2007-09-15T21:56:00.000-07:00

The Men's field rolls out of the Village of Leland to the cheers of several hundred spectators on a sunny day in Leelanau County, Michigan.

The race would end 4 hour and 21 minutes later with Garrett Peltonen of the Priority Health Pro Cycling team taking the win in front of the Leelanau Sands Casino in Peshawbestown!

Tina Pic wins women's 2007 Priority Health Tour De Leelanau!!!

2007-09-15T16:46:00.000-07:00

Tina Pic wins the women's 2007 Priority Health Tour De Leelanau!!!