Why We Ride! – Le Tour de Shore

Le Tour de Shore – History

It all started back in 2004 when, after a decade of traveling by car on family vacations in Union Pier, Michigan, close friends and average cyclists, Lois and Ernie Baumann, and Kay and Steve Coughlin, challenged each other to ditch their vehicles and ride their bicycles from Chicago to Union Pier. So, with scant maps and no cue sheet, in June of 2004, this baby boomer foursome embarked on an 80-mile, 2-day scenic adventure. Once done, they had added a thrilling accomplishment to the notch on their belts (as well as a permanent case of saddle-sore amnesia), and the Le Tour de Shore was born!

Since that inaugural ride in 2005, thousands of cyclists have enjoyed pedaling along the lakefront of Chicago, the Duneland trails of Indiana Dunes National Park, and biking through Michigan Harbor Country. In 2024 alone, over 600 cyclists participated in Le Tour de Shore. 

So what are you waiting for?! Get those tires pumped and let’s go for it! Let’s ride for Maywood Fine Arts!

Le Tour de Shore Ride Date June 13-14th, 2025

Get all the ride details from the Official Le Tour De Shore Website