DALMAC 2002
It's that time of year again to pull out the camping gear as well as ramp up the training for those longer rides. With a pretty successful summer on the bike and a few more miles under the wheels there is little left to do but to look forward to the sights and sounds of this years 4 days and 400 miles through Michigan.
For those new to DALMAC, it's a well known bike tour originated in 1971 by former State Representative Dick Allen and titled The Dick Allen Lansing to Mackinaw Bicycle Tour. The objectives of DALMAC are to develop an awareness of bicycling and its needs among the citizens of Michigan, to promote bicycling as a healthy means of transportation and recreation, and to encourage wider participation in bicycle use. How could you not like those goals?!?! With 4 and 5 routes of varying lengths all routes will begin at the MSU Pavilion in East Lansing and follow country roads whenever possible to attempt to provide the safest, most scenic routes between campgrounds.
This years Quad Century route (4 days, ~400 miles) is pretty similar to last years, leaving Lansing on the 29th of August and heading north, north-west toward the city of Mackinaw City, MI. The route splits from other routes at Dewitt, MI and travels 108 to Morley-Stanwood High school. On Friday, the 99 mile route will head north through Big Rapids, Chippewa Lake, Evart, and Cadillac on the way to Manton High School. The third day's 103 miles will include the infamous "Wall" on its way to the traditional last night at the YMCA Camp on the east side of Torch Lake. While the fourth day's 103 miles will connect again with other 4 and 5 day routes and follow the western shore line filled with sand dunes, small town oasis, tunnels made from tall trees, and occasional distant sites of the Mackinaw bridge until it drops out of the wooded area and into the city of Mackinaw City.
Other changes planned for this years trip north on the bike is the inclusion of a bit of technology (could see this coming right!?). With the help of a few gadgets I'm hoping to maintain this page as well as each nights ride reports while on the ride itself. Keep updated daily on everything DALMAC! How cool is that! Of course, if things don't work out on the technology front, the summaries will be posted when we arrive back at home on September 7th after a week vacation in the upper peninsula of Michigan.
| Day |
Destination |
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Thursday Aug 29 |
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Friday Aug 30 |
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Saturday Aug 31 |
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Sunday Sept 1 |
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