The weather is warming up and parents are faced with a familiar dilemma: how do I get my kids outdoors for a fun family activity without breaking the bank?
Look no further than Country Dairy. While you could certainly book a tour of the farm or enjoy delicious food at the farm store, if you want to get those kids burning off some energy consider renting bikes.
You probably didn’t know that Country Dairy is situated next to a beautiful and accessible bike trail and has bikes of various sizes to accommodate your whole family.
Rent bikes for your family
Country Dairy owns and maintains dozens of bicycles that they purchased from West Michigan company Breakaway Bicycles. There are three sizes available: adult (26-inch), medium (24-inch), and children’s (20-inch). If you have an especially little member of your family or a four-legged friend, you can also rent pull-behind trailers so everyone can participate.
No need to haul your biking accessories up to the farm; Country Dairy provides helmets as small as toddler-sized and as big as extra-large adult. They also provide bike locks and offer the option to rent baskets so you don’t have to worry about theft or storage.
Before June 15th, you must call 231-259-0515 at least one day ahead to reserve your bike rental. After June 15th, you can simply show up and rent bikes without a reservation.
In addition, you can rent bikes on countrydairy.com. Click the “book now” button in the bottom right corner of the screen, choose “book a date” and then click “bike rentals.” You will be able to select the bike size and the number of hours you wish to rent: two hours for $20 per bike, four hours for $35 per bike, or eight hours for $50 per bike.
Please note that if you are renting bicycles of varying size, you will have to click through all the screens almost to the end of the rental process before you are able to add a different-sized bike to your cart. Simply start with one size you need and you can add the other sizes at the end.
Ride the Hart-Montague Trail
You might be wondering where you can bike on a dairy farm. Among the cows? Through the fields of crops? Definitely not. Luckily, Country Dairy happens to be situated adjacent to the beautiful Hart-Montague Trail.
Previously a dismantled railroad, the trail was converted into a beautiful 22-mile bike path in the 1980s by William Field. As you follow the flat, straight trail, you will bike through forests, campgrounds, orchards, and small towns.
Country Dairy is about halfway along the trail, so you can choose how far in either direction you want to go. There are covered areas for picnicking and plenty of restrooms along the way. At each end of the trail you’ll find a campground; staying at one might be a fun addition to your summer schedule.
Return your bikes and get some ice cream
When your bike ride comes to an end, you’ll return your bikes to Country Dairy and have access to the farm store for restrooms and cooling off. If you need a meal, the farm store offers delicious sandwiches, salads, burgers and wraps. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, try a scoop of house-made ice cream instead!
Sure, you could haul your own bikes to a nearby trail or visit some small towns in your car. But if you want to get your kids moving and outside this spring or summer without breaking the bank, rent bikes at Country Dairy for the whole family for a day packed with fun.