Michigan's 1st rail biking trail is open: What to know about Wheels on Rails
If you’re looking for an adventurous, outdoor activity, rail biking just might be the perfect fit. And luckily, the first-ever rail biking trail in Michigan just recently opened near Traverse City.
Macie Hefron, the owner of Wheels on Rails, said she found her passion for the rail biking industry after working for the Michigan Department of Transportation Office of Rail following high school graduation in 2019.
In college, Hefron was uncertain about her future and studying for the LSAT, but eventually found her calling.
“Every single year and every time I went out in the field, I just gained more and more passion for the rail industry and my boss at the time really did have a huge impact," she said. “I have a huge passion for rail biking because I love biking and I also love railroads, so it was meant to be for me to start this thing.”
What is rail biking?
Rail biking is a fun, popular activity suitable for people of all ages. Ridden on inactive railroad tracks, participants can sit on the bikes and pedal to operate the carts. Wheels on Rails, located near Traverse City, is the first rail biking location in the state.
What is Wheels on Rails?
Wheels on Rails, founded by Hefron, is a new business located near southern Traverse City. It offers tours for as many as 42 people at a time, including individuals, couples, families, and larger groups to experience rail biking. The rail bikes used on the track are custom-made.
Hefron said she encourages others to try rail biking and hopes others fall in love with it as much as she has. She said her business has gotten off to a good start.
“It’s actually been wonderful. We’ve been pretty much fully booked every single day since we’ve opened and we’ve had all age groups come out from little newborn babies to all the way to 96 years old," she said. "I think that one thing that obviously with any new business, you have your kinks to figure out and because we’ve only been open for three weeks, we’re figuring them out as we go.”
What are the tours like?
The tours last for a total of one hour, according to the website. Riders will travel 30 minutes down the line, and then turn back, for a total of 3.4 miles.
Both tandem bikes and quad bikes are available for use. The tandem bike, seating two, costs $89 per hour and the quad bike, seating four, costs $159 per hour.
Bikes and seats are adjusted to the proper length for guests before the tour begins.
“When we get on the tour, we go over two road crossings. After the second road crossing, we go out into the woods and it’s so quiet, there are some spring side creeks and there are wildflowers and we actually turn around under a really cool bridge that has some graffiti, paint, and things like that," she said.
Hefron said three tandem bikes and nine quad bikes are available for the tours.
Are reservations needed?
The railbike tours often sell out quickly so it's recommended to book tours ahead of time. They can be booked online or over the phone.
Hefron said walk-up options are available, as they have one tandem bike and one quad bike for use. However, it's first-come, first-served.
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When are they open?
Wheels on Rails is open five days a week, Thursday through Monday.
Guided tours are available from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., 11 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
They will be open until Sept. 10 and are located in Grawn off of US-31.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Wheels on Rails rail biking company opens near Traverse City
