Dick was fond of saying, “DALMAC is not a memorial ride!” He was proud of the ride he started and wanted it to be fun, whether he was riding or not. DALMAC 2022 will honor Dick and continue his legacy.
If you haven’t heard Dick’s story about DALMAC’s start, here is a link to the short version filmed during the 2009 rider meeting in Pellston: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVcPmijgWt0
The longer explanation, the 2019 Share the Road DALMAC video, can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XktEf1kbZ8c
When we were editing the Share the Road video, Dick called me and said he was talking metaphorically, trying to paint a picture. His comments weren’t necessarily based on one legislator’s comments. Nevertheless, it’s a great story!
All of us owe Dick a big thanks for the legacy he created. Dick’s leadership has literally touched thousands of people, getting them on bicycles. Let’s honor Dick by going for a bike ride and supporting the DALMAC Fund or Michigan Trails and Greenways, which he helped start, or your local trail organization. Dick was a great proponent of sharing the road and was responsible for MDOT’s 1/2 % non-motorized expenditure requirement. He also supported trails.
Dick did not want a traditional funeral. The Allen family will have a celebration of his life at the farm this summer.
Please keep Jo Ann, Dick’s wife, and their children, Lester, Carri and Jotham in your thoughts and prayers.
DALMAC Fund donations can be made at:
https://biketcba.org/content.aspx?page_id=301&club_id=604795
Michigan Trails and Greenways donations can be made at:
https://michigantrails.org/getinvolved/join-us/donate-2/
Enjoy the ride; Dick certainly did.
Steven Leiby
DALMAC Director
Photo by Pete Derkos
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DALMAC 2022
About DALMAC
Little did then-state Rep. Dick Allen know that an upstart ride in 1971 from Michigan’s capitol to the Mackinac Bridge would evolve into one of the state’s longest-running multi-day bike tours.
2022 is the 51st Dick Allen Lansing to MACkinaw Bicycle Tour! The DALMAC is Michigan’s annual, fully supported, epic end-of-summer bicycle camping tour. Routes wind northward from Michigan State University on country roads and through quaint small towns, ending in historic and beautiful Mackinaw City.
CLICK HERE to view more DALMAC videos.
Whether you are new to cycling or an old hand, there are adventures to be had, friendships to be made, and hills to climb.
DALMAC is one of the oldest, lowest cost, all-volunteer-run bicycling tours in the country, celebrating its 51st year in 2022. DALMAC is about the fun of bicycling and sharing the roads! DALMAC originated in 1971 when former state Rep. Dick Allen challenged his friends, colleagues, and constituents to “ride all the way to the bridge” to prove that bikes and cars could share Michigan roads safely. DALMAC seeks to develop an awareness of bicyclists and their needs among the citizens of Michigan, to promote bicycling as a healthy means of transportation and recreation, and to encourage wider use of bicycles. DALMAC is organized and staffed by volunteers of the Lansing-based Tri-County Bicycle Association (TCBA).
Award Winning!
DALMAC was honored as the recipient of the Govenor’s Fitness Awards, Govenor’s Council Extraordinary Event Award.
DALMAC Fund
Established in 1975, has granted over $1.5 million to promote bicycling in Michigan. For more info visit this website.
DALMAC is an all-volunteer event staffed by members of the Tri-County Bicycle Association (TCBA) of Lansing, MI.
