Thumbs Up!
We’re kicking off the 2026 season with the ride that started it all – Petoskey to Wilderness State Park.
From Bayshore Park, we’ll roll onto the rail trail, cruising a mostly flat route of pavement and crushed limestone, with plenty of tree cover along the way. We’ll stop for lunch in Pellston before continuing north.
Wilderness State Park is something special – sandy beaches stretching along Lake Michigan, big skies, and a group campsite we can confidently say is the nicest we’ve ever experienced.
Friday night, we’ll settle in with dinner at camp. Saturday is all about exploration – time in the park, a relaxed cookout, or, if the mood strikes, a ride up to Mackinaw City.
Sunday, we head back to Petoskey.
We’ve also secured camping at Petoskey State Park on Thursday night so we can hit the trail first thing Friday morning.
With a group of 10 riders, the cost is $130 per person, which includes campsites, meals, snacks, support vehicle, and all the little amenities that make the experience easy and memorable.
June 11–14, $130 per rider
Holland and South Haven are two of Michigan’s most beloved beach towns so we figured, why not connect them?
We’re partnering with the fine folks at Velo City Cycles in Holland for an overnight wander along the west side of our beautiful state. And for this trip, we’re leaning into a couple of our favorite Bs: bikes and BBQ. Saturday night, after our ride into South Haven, we’ll settle in and enjoy some seriously good BBQ.
We’ll be staying at Kal-Haven Outpost – 50 acres of peaceful nature right along the Kal-Haven Trail.
Sunday starts with a pancake breakfast, followed by some time to explore before we roll back toward Holland.
This route is packed with everything we love – scenic trails, quiet dirt roads, and glimpses of Lake Michigan woven between our favorite beach towns. We’ll stop for lunch in Saugatuck on Saturday, then switch things up on Sunday as we head inland, riding through the Allegan State Game Area.
The Westside Wander is the perfect way to get your fix of Michigan’s summer beauty.
July 11–12, $130 per rider
Looking for an overnighter close to home? We’ve got you covered. Along with Lake Orion Bike & Adventure, we’ve designed the perfect intro to bikepacking – low stress, high reward, and plenty of support along the way.
Saturday, we’ll meet at the shop and roll out on a mix of trails and quiet back roads en route to Seven Lakes State Park. With over 230 acres of water, it’s the perfect setting to unwind, whether that means paddling, swimming, fishing, or just kicking back by the shoreline.
Along the way we’ll stop at Cook’s Farm Dairy to get ice cream, see the cows, pet a calf, and then onward to camp
We’ll take care of dinner with a camp cookout, followed by a classic campfire, and a few sweet treats to round out the night.
Sunday starts slow and easy with fresh coffee and light snacks. Once we roll out we’ll drop by Crust Coffee and Bakery in Fenton. And later visit downtown Clarkston for some famous mac and cheese from the Union. Then it’s an easy ride along the safety pathway from Clarkston to Lake Orion.
It’s the perfect way to make your first (or next) bikepacking trip a great one.
August 8–9, $55 per rider
Part art tour, part foodie experience, all fun – this wander has it all.
We stumbled across the 53 North Barn Art Project and thought, let’s build a ride around this. Then we realized the Caseville Cheeseburger Festival happens in the same corner of Michigan…and just like that, Thumbs Up! was born.
Join us for a laid-back weekend exploring Michigan's beautiful Thumb region by bike. We'll kick things off at Sleeper State Park before riding into Caseville to experience the famous Cheeseburger Festival. From there, we'll wander quiet backroads through the colorful 53North Barn Art Project, discover scenic farmland and Lake Huron shoreline, and spend a night camping at Lighthouse County Park.
Along the way, we'll enjoy great food, campfires, lakeside views, and the easygoing camaraderie that makes every J.P. Wanderwheels adventure special. We take care of the route planning, campsites, meals, snacks, and all the little details so you can simply enjoy the ride.
Expect scenic roads, memorable side quests, comfortable daily mileage, and plenty of time to soak in the experience. Whether you're new to bikepacking or a seasoned adventurer, Thumbs Up! is a fun, fully guided weekend designed to help you discover one of Michigan's most unique regions—one mile, one cheeseburger, and one barn at a time.
August 14-16, $95 per rider