Pedal for Pride 2026

Pedal for Pride rolled out from Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City around 7 a.m., following introductions, a short rider meeting and final bike checks. The route wasted no time, beginning with a climb out of town before turning south along Lake Michigan. Cool, humid air and a steady tailwind made for an encouraging start.

Lightly traveled roads gave the group room to settle into a comfortable rhythm, practice rotations and enjoy the first miles together. A short rest near Interlochen broke up the morning before the route returned to woods, lake views and small northern Michigan communities.

By the end of Day 1, the group had found its riding rhythm.

From there, the ride continued south through quiet country roads and changing lakeshore scenery. A lunch stop before Manistee provided time to refuel for the second half of a very long opening day.

One of the day's best views came in Manistee, where the channel and harbor opened up beside the route. Ludington arrived after 94.5 miles, 2,470 feet of climbing and 6 hours 24 minutes of moving time. A 14.7 mph average made it a strong opening stage.

Kibby Creek Campground was a welcome place to land. Several pools, a restaurant, well-kept bathrooms and room for the tents beside the motorhome made camp comfortable and easy after nearly 95 miles.

By the end of Day 1, the group had found its riding rhythm, the support routine was taking shape and the first of two back-to-back 94-mile stages was complete.

Day 3 brought a welcome change: a shorter stage after two consecutive 94-mile days. The riders left Camp 89 around 8 a.m. and headed east on farm roads. A tailwind, smooth pavement and gentler hills helped the 74.5-mile route feel noticeably lighter.

People along the route occasionally asked about the cross-state ride. Those conversations created natural opportunities to share Pedal for Pride's support for Affirmations, and the response was consistently warm and encouraging.

Grand Rapids brought the route from farm roads to trails, skyline views and the Blue Bridge.

Approaching Grand Rapids, farm roads gave way to regional trails beside the Grand River. The route passed the skyline and Blue Bridge, crossed downtown and continued into East Grand Rapids. After days of small towns and open farmland, the city offered a lively change of pace.

Grand Rapids stops included a quick photo at Yesterdog and lunch at Northeast Park. An Affirmations representative joined the lunch stop, bringing the purpose of the fundraiser directly into the middle of the route. It was a relaxed pause before the afternoon miles toward Ionia.

After lunch, the route continued through East Grand Rapids and Ada, followed the Grand River and eventually returned to country roads toward Ionia. Smooth pavement and gentle hills kept the afternoon moving. Day 3 finished at 74.5 miles, 1,621 feet of climbing and 5 hours 24 minutes of moving time.

Lakeside RV Resort offered a peaceful overnight stop with the campsite set close to the lake. At camp, the team marked the halfway point to Ferndale with a photo. Rain arrived overnight, while the surrounding fields and open air made it clear that the route had moved fully into central Michigan farm country.

By Day 5, packing camp and preparing the bikes had become a familiar routine. The group rolled out around 7:45 a.m. for the final 66.2 miles from Howell to Affirmations in Ferndale, and the destination gave the morning a different kind of energy.

The route began on the same dirt road that closed Day 4, then moved into busier roads as it approached Metro Detroit. School buses and commuter traffic filled the early miles, but conditions eased after Brighton and the ride began to open up again.

Additional riders joined the final stage and shared the same finish in Ferndale.

After the first rest stop, a bike trail provided a long, traffic-free stretch toward West Bloomfield. It was an ideal place for steady miles and relaxed conversation before the final urban section.

The final day included two planned rest stops, with the second at a 7-Eleven near Crosswinds Shopping Plaza. From there, the route passed through Bloomfield Hills and Beverly Hills before the last approach to Ferndale. Each familiar community brought the finish a little closer.

Additional one-day riders joined for part of the final stage, making room for people to participate at different distances while sharing the same finish and fundraising purpose.

The group stayed together for the final approach along 9 Mile Road and rolled into Affirmations in Ferndale. A welcome reception and building tour brought riders and support volunteers inside the organization they had spent five days supporting. After so many miles focused on the road ahead, it was a meaningful place to stop.

Affirmations serves thousands of people each month and answers hundreds of calls. Its work includes youth programs, mental health care, support groups, HIV testing and other forms of community support. Finishing at its front door gave every mile a clear connection to the LGBTQ+ community the ride set out to support.

The 2026 ride covered about 412 miles across Michigan in five days and raised $20,465, well above the original $15,000 goal. Riders, support volunteers, donors, family members and community supporters all helped bring it together. It was a lot of Michigan, a lot of pedaling and a very good reason to keep riding.