DAY 3: Today we head east to explore some of the gently rolling farmland in the area. We’ll bike through the villages of New Troy and Berrien Springs and along the St. Joseph River.

You can choose to end your bicycling at Fernwood Botanical Gardens. Here, you can choose to enjoy the arboretum, conservatory, and gardens that make up the more than 100 acres of nature preserve. The center does an excellent job of demonstrating its goal of a world in harmony with nature.

If you have the energy, you can continue on bicycling instead. You’ll pass through the villages of Buchanan and Three Oaks before arriving back to Union Pier for our last well-earned dinner together. 34 or 61 miles.

DAY 4: After a hearty breakfast, we’ll bike the Buffalo Loop, named for a bison ranch we’ll pass along the way. We’ll end our tour at the Dewey Cannon Park in Three Oaks with a picnic lunch.

The Dewey Cannon, captured in the Spanish-American War by Admiral Dewey, was presented to Three Oaks when its citizens raised $1400 for a memorial to the men of the battleship Maine. This was the largest per capita contribution of any community in the nation. “Three Oaks Against the World,” a local paper proudly boasted at the time.

After viewing the cannon, we’ll say our good-byes and shuttle back to our starting inn and to Michigan City, arriving by 1:15pm for the bus to the airport. If you’re flying home, your flight should leave Chicago later than 5:00pm. 17 miles.

If you’re looking to get out of the summer heat, then join us on the shores of Great Lake Michigan. Its huge expanse, gentle waves and cool evening breezes will make you feel as if you’re bicycling along a freshwater ocean. This short 4-day trip is a wonderful sampler of our tours or a chance for a long weekend getaway.

DAY 1: Meet in Union Pier at 1:00pm for our orientation. Come dressed to ride. Then we’ll have a bike fitting followed by our first bike ride. Union Pier rose from the area’s timber industry, which helped fuel the growth of Chicago in the mid-1800s. Today, the area’s leveled forests are now apple orchards, vineyards and pastoral farmland — perfect bicycling territory.

The leisurely bike ride will take us by the village of Three Oaks, the host of the largest Flag Day celebration in the nation. It will be a quiet, mostly flat ride and the perfect warm-up to our tour.

After a quick shower, we’ll have dinner together in town. We’ll be staying at the comfortable and quaint Inn at Union Pier. Dating from the early 1900s, many of the inn’s individually appointed rooms feature kakelugns -- Swedish tile stoves. If you’re so inclined, play us a tune on the inn’s baby grand piano in the inn’s parlor after dinner. 18 miles.

DAY 2: Today, we’ll head north to the Warren Dunes State Park for a picnic lunch. The park is named for E.K. Warren, who was once the second largest landowner in the country. He donated these lands for public use and they were made into a public park in 1930.

Along the way, we’ll pass through the quiet town of New Buffalo where you may want to stop for a second cup of cappuccino. Once at the park, take the time to explore some of the short walking trails and climb Tower Hill, the 260’ sand dune along the shore of Lake Michigan. It’s a workout, but the view will make it all worthwhile.

After lunch, you’ll bike on quiet, gently curving back roads with views of vineyard-covered hillsides. We’ll end our trek at the Round Barn Winery where you can taste wine, beer and vodka before shuttling back to our inn. 42 miles.