Rites of Spring

Kickoff the Riding Season with the Rites of Spring !!!

DATE:

May 3rd & 4th, 2025

Click Here to view the FACEBOOK event page.

LOCATION / STAGING:

The ride will be staged out of the Whiskey Creek Campground located approximately 20 miles west of Baldwin, MI.

Whiskey Creek Campground

5080 Sippy Rd

Custer, MI 49405

Click Here for a Google map of the Whiskey Creek Campground and staging area.

TRAIL:

Big O & Little O

- 100+ miles of Motorcycle Trail with cutoff options
- Private property kids' loop for dirtbikes and ATVs
- Food and gas available at campground and along trail

CAMPING:

There will be plenty of field camping for this event, with access to bathrooms, showers, and the indoor pool! Register for field camping upon arrival.

Limited modern camping is available.  Reservations can be made online or by phone.

Reservations by Phone: (231) 898-2030

Reservations Online: www.whiskeycreekcamp.com/rates--reservations.html

There is also a camp store on site that sells pizza and other food.

Click Here for more information about Whiskey Creek Campground and their amenities.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Motels and cabins can be found nearby in Branch.

Lazy Days Motel & Cabins - (231) 898-2252 

Alpine Motel & Cabins - (517) 291-0029

  Additional lodging is available in Baldwin and Ludington.

SIGN-UP / SOUND CHECK:

Sign-up and sound check will take place at the staging area.

Friday:  7:00 PM — 9:00 PM     NEW - Sign up Friday night and skip the line on Saturday!

Saturday:  8:00 AM — 11:00 AM

Sunday:  9:00 AM — 11:00 AM

RIDE FEES:

Saturday & Sunday:  $30 individual / $50 family

Sunday Only:  $20 individual / $30 family

PRIZE DRAWING:

Plenty of prizes will be awarded to participants during the Saturday prize drawing at the staging area.

RIDER EDUCATION:

Riders under age 16 are required to have a safety training certificate.

Click Here to visit the DNR website for more information and online rider education classes.

REQUIREMENTS:

All attendees, spectators, and participants must sign the CCC waiver at the staging area. Riders must be current CCC members. Memberships are available at sign-up but please renew early by mail. ORV stickers are required and are available at the staging area. Vehicles must be equipped with a USFS-approved spark arrestor and pass a 94 db sound check.

We have special permission for participants with unplated motorcycles to ride the Big O Trail, which normally requires a Secretary of State license plate. Only motorcycles can be ridden from Whiskey Creek Campground, due to road and trail restrictions.  Headlights and taillights are required.  A limited number of lighting kits will be available for purchase at signup.

Motorcycles without lights and quads (under 50" wide) can be trailered to the Little O parking log.  Click Here for a map of the east trailhead parking lot. 

The private property kids' loops at the staging area are intended for youth and beginning riders.  They can be ridden by event participants on motorcycles and quads.

Per Michigan state law, all riders 16 years of age and younger must be under direct adult supervision (on private or public land).  Quad riders must be 12 years of age or older (on private or public land).

CCC ANNUAL MEETING:

The Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan's Annual Membership Meeting will be held Saturday evening. The meeting will take place indoors at the Whiskey Creek lodge, following the prize drawing.

Contact the CCC office at (517) 599-0300 for more information about the annual meeting.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

For more details about the Rites of Spring, please contact...

Lynnette Eding  (Ride Coordinator)

Phone:  (616) 262-1839

Email:  lynnetteu2003@yahoo.com

Click Here for event information from the Cycle Conservation Club.

The Rites of Spring Trail Tour is the official kick-off to the riding season. Don't miss this great annual tradition!