Lake Michigan Ramble

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW: This tour of Michigan's northwestern lower peninsula encompasses some of the state's most beautiful scenery and best cycling. The ride follows the shoreline of Lake Michigan, where you will find beautiful beaches, massive sand dunes, million dollar sunsets, lighthouses, charming resort villages and towns, and local wineries. It is a repeat of the September 2015 Lake Michigan Ramble.

Participants arrive in Mackinaw City, MI on Wednesday, September 6, 2017. Wednesday night we provide an optional happy hour. On Thursday morning we meet at 8 AM, load bicycles, riders, and luggage into the bus, and head for Ludington. Vehicles and bike boxes remain in Mackinaw City.

We arrive in Ludington around lunch time. We will have a late afternoon orientation meeting and our first group dinner.

Ludington is a ferry port, with fine restaurants, state parks and bicycle trails nearby. Optional routes are provided for Thursday afternoon and Friday.

On Saturday, September 9, we leave Ludington and follow the shore of Lake Michigan as closely as possible. The trip concludes with two overnights on historic Mackinac Island, (Sept. 18 and 19). On Sept 20 participants are free to explore Mackinaw Island, returning by ferry to Mackinaw City at a time of their choosing to begin their journey home.

The route takes us through wooded areas, past orchards and inland lakes, through the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore, Grand Traverse Bay, and along the shores of Lakes Michigan and Huron. Note that while the roads in this area are lightly traveled, this is a popular vacation area. Roads can be somewhat busy, especially on weekends.

Highlights include the Grand Traverse Bay, the Tunnel of Trees along Lake Michigan, the funky Leg's Inn restaurant in Cross Village, a stay at the Stafford's historic Bayview Inn in Petoskey, Manistee’s Ramsdell Theater, where James Earl Jones started his acting career, Earl Young’s Mushroom Houses of Charlevoix, magnificent 1890's summer “cottages” in Harbor Springs, the spectacular Mackinac Straits Bridge, and finally, the quaint and car free Mackinac Island with its iconic Grand Hotel, where you can view the straits of Mackinac while sitting on the world’s longest porch.

RIDE RATING: This is a 2B ride with 9 required riding days. Even though the average daily elevation gain is 1200 feet, the 2 rating reflects that there are some long and steep hills not normally encountered on a 1B ride. The terrain in this part of Michigan is mostly rolling, although it runs the gamut from flat to hilly. Average distance is 42 miles, average ascent is 1200 feet. On most days there are options for more mileage.

WEATHER: Average daily temperatures in northern Michigan in September are ideal for cycling. The daily high is 70 and nightly low is 45. However, Michigan weather can be quite variable. Participants should be prepared to ride in cold and rainy weather.  

LODGING: Lodging includes the first night in Mackinaw City and overnight stops in Ludington (2 nights), Onekama, Frankfort, Glen Arbor, Leland, Traverse City (2 nights and guest laundry), Bellaire, Charlevoix, Petoskey, and finishing with a 20 minute ferry ride and two nights on Mackinac Island.

LOGISTICS: The nearest airport to Mackinaw City is Pellston (airport code PLN). Shuttle service is available from the airport. Private vehicles and bicycle boxes will stay in Mackinaw City for the duration of the tour.

COST & ADMINISTRATION: Minimum number of participants is 20, maximum is 24. Estimated cost of the trip is $2225 and includes 14 nights lodging, 4 group dinners, 8 breakfasts, evening social hours (for 3 social hours, participants will purchase their own beverages), van and bus rental, ferry ride to Mackinac Island, and organizational expenses. A deposit of $1000 is required upon acceptance. A second installment of $1225.00 will be due May 16, 2017.

SINGLES: Singles are encouraged to find their own roommates. We will make every effort to connect singles. A solo supplement for singles who do not wish to share a room is available for an additional $1100.00

CANCELLATION POLICY: The $50 BAC ride registration fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled.  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY: Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.   All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour.  We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from THE Ride Leader.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up.  Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

SIGN-UP: To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description.  When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List.  At this time you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable $50 BAC ride registration fee online.  Once those steps have been completed, the initial deposit of $1000 will be due.  To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.