Clint's DALMAC 2001

Welcome to my page devoted to my DALMAC trip north to Mackinaw City and the Mackinaw Bridge.

Click on the image to see a larger version

On August 30th, 2001, 8:00AM I'll be leaving Lansing MI for a four day bicycle tour through the state of Michigan that ends in the great north at the Mackinaw Bridge. Every year the Tri-County Bicycle Association sponsors this much anticipated ride that features five different routes from Lansing to the bridge. This ride is considered by cyclists and non-cyclists around the state as a quintessential part of Labor Day tradition. Created in 1971 by former State Representative Dick Allen, DALMAC helps develop an awareness of bicycling and its needs among the citizens of Michigan, and promotes bicycling as a healthy means of transportation and recreation.

Although I've been cycling for some time and lived in Michigan for five years I've never entertained the idea of trying the DALMAC because of the physical conditions needed to do a multi-day tour of this size, but this year was different. With the end closing on a very active cycling summer season that included 3000 miles, finishing my first 100 mile ride, and meeting some great new TCBA cycling friends (DALMAC veterans), I decided (with their encouragement) to enter the "Quad-Century" route!

Of the five routes available in DALMAC the Quad-Century is considered the tougher route with four consecutive days of century or 100 mile rides in flat, rolling and hilly terrain. Leaving Thursday morning, this route takes a Northeastern route toward Howard City which gives riders a chance to start with some flatter landscape. Friday's 100 miles takes us further North and finishes in Cadillac. Saturday's route travels north to the base of Torch Lake and the YMCA camp near Rapid City and Alden just east of Traverse City. Sunday, the final day, will encounter the toughest climb of the tour nicknamed "The Wall." After the no mercy hills surrounding Torch Lake we continue North to our rendezvous with Mackinaw City and the five mile bridge that connects the lower and upper sections of Michigan.

Four days : 400 Miles

Below you can find info on each of the four days of the tour. When I get back, I'll be filling in more detail with ride reports and pictures, but for now and during DALMAC, feel free to browse the weather, and details about each days ride. On Sunday, if you're near a computer, check out the Live Web Cam of the bridge around 3:00PM. If you see a stream of orange flags, I might be one of them.

NEW Pre-Ride Report NEW

The Day After

Ride reports are up as well as pictures, scroll to each day and you will see a link for pictures and reports

Thursday	Friday
Click on the image to see a larger version Lansing to Howard City 8:00AM - ~3:00PM ~100 Miles NexRad Radar Ride Report Pictures	Click on the image to see a larger version Howard City to Cadillac 7:00AM - ~2:30PM ~100 Miles NexRad Radar Ride Report Pictures
Saturday	Sunday
Click on the image to see a larger version Cadillac to YMCA Camp (Torch Lake) 7:00AM - ~2:30PM ~100 Miles NexRad Radar Ride Report Pictures	Click on the image to see a larger version YMAC Camp to Mackinaw City 7:00AM - ~2:30PM ~100 Miles NexRad Radar Ride Report Pictures
Bridge Crossing
Click on the image to see a larger version Mackinaw City to St. Ignace 3:00PM - 3:30PM ~5 Miles Live Web Cam Official Bridge web site