LITZELFELNER PEDALS THROUGH MICHIGAN

Vicki Litzelfelner makes friends with "Griffin" a three-month old Bernese puppy.

Vicki Litzelfelner is located on the right waving. They are riding into Charlevoix, Mich.

Ever had the desire to ride a bike 500 miles? Ever felt the need to spend a week on bike in some other state, while spending your nights camping?

Well Vicki Litzelfelner, a physical therapist at Jackson Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, fulfilled her bike riding desires for awhile a few weeks ago on a 500-mile trek up lake Michigan's coast.

Litzelfelner's trip began Aug. 2 in St. Joseph, Mich., and ended eight days later in Mackinaw City, Mich.

"It's a beautiful state," Litzelfelner said.

Four years ago she heard about a ride across Missouri and she decided she wanted to take part in it.

While on the Missouri ride she heard about other state rides. In the following years she rode across Tennessee, Florida, Colorado and this year Michigan.

"These rides are a lot of fun. You get to see the country better than if you were in a car," she said.

There are rides in virtually every state and the meals for the riders are usually provided, she said.

This particular ride through Michigan was more like a vacation than her previous rides. The entire route was on the coast of Lake Michigan.

Litzelfelner averaged 60-75 miles a day on the trip. To prepare for it she would ride 30 miles a day three or four times a week in Jackson.

But these bike rides aren't as rigorous as they seem. Bikers of all ages and skill make the 500-mile journey.

"We usually will ride for 10-15 miles and stop to go sightseeing."

Litzelfelner made the ride with her 14-speed Trek road bike. Most people on the rides use road bikes, but some mountain bikes are used and even tandems are used.

She met some people on previous rides that have become her friends and they are now trying to decide what ride they want to go on next year.