† 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.
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 2022 Lake Michigan Ramble with a few changes that make it even better – and probably worth riding again.
On Sunday, September 7, 2025 participants arrive in Mackinaw City where we will meet at 6 p.m. for a welcome Happy Hour. On Monday morning at 9 a.m. we load bicycles, riders and luggage into the bus. Around lunchtime, we arrive in Ludington, a ferry port, with fine restaurants, state parks and bicycle trails nearby. Routes for Monday afternoon and Tuesday will be provided. Late Monday afternoon, we will have happy hour and orientation meeting followed by our first group dinner. On Wednesday, September 10 we leave Ludington and over the next 9 days we follow the shore of Lake Michigan as closely as possible. The routes take us through wooded areas, past orchards and inland lakes, through the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore (voted the most beautiful place in the U.S.), and along the shores of Lakes Michigan and Huron. The roads are lightly traveled but can be somewhat busy on weekends. The trip concludes with two overnights on historic Mackinac Island, Friday and Saturday, September 19 and 20. On September 21 participants are free to explore Mackinac Island, returning by ferry to Mackinaw City at a time of their choosing to begin their journey home. Highlights include an International Dark Sky Park, a happy hour catamaran cruise in West Grand Traverse Bay, the Tunnel of Trees along Lake Michigan, a stay at the Stafford’s historic Bayview Inn in Petoskey, magnificent 1890’s summer “cottages” in Harbor Springs, the spectacular Mackinac Straits Bridge, and finally, the quaint and car-free Mackinac Island with its horse drawn carriages.
Health and Safety: Vaccinations for Covid are recommended, but not required. Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. Should someone's health become compromised and the group’s health and safety placed in jeopardy, a plan will be developed by the ride leader(s) and communicated to all individuals. The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness as a means of ensuring the tour can continue as planned.
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.
Cue sheets and GPS files: Ride with GPS (RWGPS) files will be provided. Participants who want printed cue sheets can print them from the RWGPS files.
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 Holiday Inn Express, 364 Louvigny St, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, and overnight stops in Ludington (two nights), Manistee, Frankfort, Glen Arbor (two nights), Traverse City (two nights and guest laundry), Bellaire, Charlevoix, Petoskey, 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. Vehicles and bike boxes will remain in Mackinaw City. Bicycle rentals are not available in Mackinaw City. If flying into the Traverse City airport (TVC) you can rent bikes and e-bikes at Brick Wheels. There are no other bike rentals between Traverse City and Mackinaw City. We can accommodate a limited number of tandems, please contact the ride leader if you want to bring a tandem. E-bikes are welcome but e-bikes are not allowed on Mackinac Island (last 2 days of the tour) so e-bikes will have to remain in Mackinaw City before we board the ferry for the island. Riders may be able to rent a non-ebike on Mackinac Island.
Cost and Administration: Estimated cost of the trip is $3345 plus the non-refundable $85 BAC fee and includes 14 nights lodging, four group dinners, 10 breakfasts, evening social hours, GPS routes, van and bus rental, ferry ride to and from Mackinac Island, catamaran cruise, luggage transport, tips and organizational expenses. There are several locations where beverages must be purchased at the hotel. In these situations participants will be responsible for purchasing their own beverages. A deposit of $1700 plus the $85 non-refundable BAC registration fee is required upon acceptance. A second installment of $1645 will be due March 15, 2025.
Solos and Singles: A solo supplement for singles who do not wish to share a room is available for an additional $1702. This payment is due at the same time as the second payment. Solo supplement payments are made by check or by Zelle. Details for making solo supplement payments by check or Zelle will be shared with solo riders as needed. It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single rider without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until March 15th to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fee) or pay the Solo Supplement and stay on the ride. If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.
Cancelation policy: The $85 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 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 bour. 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 cleanup. 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 might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions
Insurance Statement: Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses related to accidents. This coverage applies when touring inside the US, regardless of your nationality. It’s assumed that members’ personal insurance will cover medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, so these have not been included in the BAC policy. Coverage is subject to a $1000 deductible. You may want to consider personal coverage for emergency evacuation, as this is not included. The costs of treatment or quarantine for Covid and other unexpected illnesses are not covered. You should ensure that your vaccinations are up to date.
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 ($85) and tour deposit of $1700 by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. Final payment of $1645 is due no later than March 15, 2025. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by “clicking” the name at the top of this Ride Description.
Bicycle Adventure Club
PO BOX 23998 San Diego, CA 92193
Telephone (858) 715-9510 office@bicycleadventureclub.org