2022 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 breweries and wineries. It is a repeat of the September 2019 Lake Michigan Ramble.

On Tuesday September 6, 2022 participants arrive in Mackinaw City where we will meet at 6 pm.   On Wednesday morning at 8 AM we 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 happy hour and orientation meeting.

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

On Thursday,  September 8, 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 Mackinac 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 an International Dark Sky Park, 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, 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 8 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 44 miles; the longest distance is 52 miles. The average ascent is 1200 feet. On most days there are options for more mileage and more climbing.

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, Onekama, Frankfort, Glen Arbor (2 nights), Leland, Traverse City (2 nights and guest laundry), Bellaire, and Petoskey (2 nights), 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. Bicycle rentals are not available in Mackinaw City. We can accommodate a limited number of tandems.  If you wish to bring an e-bike, please contact one of the ride leaders, so that we can check to see if our hotels have the infrastructure to accomodate your bike.

COST & ADMINISTRATION: Minimum number of participants is 20, maximum is 24. Estimated cost of the trip is $2950 plus the non-refundable $50 BAC fee and includes 14 nights lodging, 4 group dinners, 7 breakfasts, evening social hours, maps, cues and GPS routes, van and bus rental, ferry ride to Mackinac Island, luggage transport, tips, and organizational expenses. Five social hours are in locations where beverages must be purchased from the hotel. In these situations, participants will be responsible for purchasing their own beverages.

A deposit of $1500 plus the $50 non refundable BAC registration fee is required upon acceptance. A second installment of $1450 will be due March 15, 2022.

SOLOS AND SINGLES:  A solo supplement for singles who do not wish to share a room is available for an additional $1500. This payment is due at the same time as the second payment.   Solo supplement payments are made by check, which is sent directly to the BAC office by March 15, 2022. Checks should be made out to "BAC" with a notation of the tour name included on the check.  They should be mailed to:  Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own.   The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.  

CANCELLATION POLICY: The $50 BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled due to participation below stated minimum requirements.    

Individual Cancellation Refund:  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 resulting from 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 canceling 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.

Covid-19 Refund:  In the event the trip is cancelled due to the Covid-19 situation in Michigan at the time of the tour, participants will also be responsible for covering the cost of any non refundable deposits.  Scouting and any other expenses incurred in preparation for the ride are also NOT reimbursable per BAC policy.

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 Leaders.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leaders with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up.  Please keep the Ride Leaders informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leaders decisions.   

BAC maintains a policy that provides limited coverage for medical expenses associated with accidents incurred by US residents when on tours within the US.  The policy maintained by BAC does not cover costs associated with self-quarantines that may be government mandated.  Members should also ensure that vaccinations are up to date (i.e. Covid, annual influenza, tetanus, etc)  

COVID CONSIDERATIONS: We are requiring all participants to have documentation of full vaccination, including booster shots if applicable and be prepared to present vaccination documentation for viewing by the Ride Leaders. In addressing any COVID risk, we will follow all the necessary rules, change activities as needed to remain COVID compliant, and keep our tour as safe as possible. You may be asked to wear PPE in public, maintain social distance in public and limit social gathering according to the destination’s mandate at the time of the tour. 

Note:  90 days before the tour a video conference with your Ride Leaders Dorothy and Alex will be offered to discuss any recent Covid updates.  In addition, 30 days prior to the tour start we will communicate by email any COVID-related requirements.

SIGN-UP: To submit a request to join this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the Release of Liability (ROL) and pay the non-refundable BAC fee ($50) and tour deposit of $1500 by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. Final payment of $1450 is due no later than March 15, 2022.  BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.