DALMAC Brochure
Download for DALMAC Info and Routes
DALMAC Handbook
Download for DALMAC Details
DALMAC Gold
Registration opens Jan. 1, 2020!
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About DALMAC
The 49th Annual!
The Dick Allen Lansing to MACkinaw Bicycle Tour is Michigan’s annual epic end-of-summer bicycle camping tour!
Multiple routes wind northward through the countryside and quaint small towns, from East Lansing (4 and 5 day routes), Gladwin (3 East route), Grayling (2 East route), and Wolverine (2 Trail route), culminating with a fun finish in Mackinaw City. Each route varies in distance providing just the right challenge for all cyclists.
DALMAC originated in 1971 when former State Representative Dick Allen challenged his colleagues and constituents with a ride all the way to the bridge to prove that bikes and cars could share Michigan roads safely.
Award Winning!
DALMAC was honored as the recipient of the 2015 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.
DALMAC Videos
Experience farmlands, tree-lined roads, small towns, secluded streams and lakes, Great Lakes, beaches, and an epic bicycle ride in Pure Michigan!
DALMAC In-The-News
Routes
- Multiple routes to choose from with 2-5 day options
- Quad Century options on the 4 Day West
- All routes finish in Mackinaw City
CLICK PIC for an overview of the Route Map. For descriptions of all DALMAC routes you can also refer to the DALMAC Brochure
GPS Links 
DALMAC has utilized the Ride with GPS online system so that you can download the route files for use on your mobile GPS device. Links for this years routes are below.
5 West 5 East 4 Day West Quad Century
3 East 2 East 2 Day Trail
Routes and mileage are subject to change.
Route Descriptions:
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338/354 Miles
Wednesday: to Vestaburg High School - 73 MilesWednesday riders leave the MSU campus, traveling north through farmlands and small towns to reach the college city of Alma where they turn westward onto the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail, ending the day at the Vestaburg High school.
Thursday: to McBain/Northern MI Christian School - 74 MilesThursday brings more open spaces and small farming towns, including Beal City, Farwell, Lake George, and Marion before finishing amidst the many picturesque dairy farms in the McBain area.
Friday: to Elk Rapids High School - 79 MilesOn Friday, riders continue to wend their way northward through Michigan's world-famous tree fruit country for an overnight at the Elk Rapids High School.
Saturday: to Petoskey High School - 60/76 MilesSaturday features longer and shorter route alternatives that have participants riding to the city of Charlevoix, where they will turn onto the fully-paved Little Traverse Wheelway trail to Petoskey. Riders may also choose a route around Elk Lake and the beautiful Torch Lake shorelines, then on to East Jordan and The Wall, and finally, to Boyne City. A final climb takes you to your Pure Michigan finish in Petoskey.
Sunday: to Mackinaw City High School - 52 MilesThe DALMAC 5 West route culminates on Sunday with awesome scenery the entire way. Riding north on State Highway M119 through the Tunnel of Trees near Lake Michigan on roads with names such as Beach and Lakeshore. Meandering through the inviting communities of Harbor Springs, Good Hart, and Cross Village are more rider bonuses before reaching the tour's final destination in Mackinaw City.
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314/412 Miles
Riders on this route have options galore. Each day has both a long and a short route available. The longer routes are laid out to reach 100 miles or more. Choosing each day's route is part of the fun. Some riders will mix things up between the routes, some stick to the shorter routes but the strong and the daring use this opportunity to ride four days of centuries.
Thursday: to Vestaburg High School - 73/109 MilesStarting on Thursday, riders leave the MSU campus, traveling north through farmlands and small towns reaching the college city of Alma where they will turn westward onto the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail, ending the day at Vestaburg High school.
Friday: to Lake City High School - 74/100 MilesOn Friday, more open spaces and small farming towns roll by, including Beal City, Farwell and Lake George before finishing in Lake City.
Saturday: to Boyne City High School - 96/101 MilesOn Saturday, riders pass through the towns of Kalkaska and Alden along with other scenic views and a chance to climb 'The Wall' on the way to the overnight site at Boyne City. An alternate route allows riders to bypass The Wall.
Sunday: to Mackinaw City High School - 71/102 MilesOn the final Sunday ride, the DALMAC culminates with classic views of Walloon Lake, Petoskey/Bay View, Harbor Springs, the 'Tunnel of Trees,' Good Hart, and Cross Village with a finish at the tip of the Mitt in Mackinaw City.
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284/311 Miles, 167/194 Miles, 102/129 Miles
Wednesday: to Alma High School - 61 MilesThe 5 East route begins Wednesday at MSU and will carry riders north through beautiful central Michigan farmland and finish in the college town of Alma.
Thursday: to Gladwin High School - 56 MilesThursday's route will roll northeast to the forested southern uplands that help define the borders of 'Up North' Michigan, arriving in Gladwin at the end of the day.
Friday: to Grayling High School - 65 MilesFriday's ride will see the 3 East Route riders join the DALMAC in Gladwin and lead the way into White Pine Country passing by Houghton and Higgins Lakes before crossing the storied Au Sable river and ending the day in Grayling.
Saturday: to Cheboygan High School - 76 MilesSaturday will see the 2 East Route riders join the longest day of the East Routes, which continues northwest from Grayling where DALMAC riders are officially in northern Lower Michigan, filled with scenic tree-lined roads all the way across to Cheboygan and the sun rise side of Michigan by Lake Huron.
Sunday: to Mackinaw City High School - 26/53 MilesSunday, the final day for the 5 East, 3 East and 2 East routes, provides riders with a choice. Choose to take the direct route to the finish in Mackinaw City, a short 17 miles away (once there an optional ferry ride to Mackinac Island with their bikes is available, where they can enjoy a leisurely ride around the island before completing the tour) or follow a 65-mile route across the Tip of the Mitt to beautiful Good Hart, where a fabulous lunch stop awaits. Riders can then join the rest of the DALMAC riders to finish the Tunnel of Trees to Cross Village, then on to Mackinaw City.
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53.4 Miles
Saturday: to Cheboygan - 28.2 MilesTrail riders will begin their adventure in Wolverine on Saturday morning riding quiet roads until they pick up Michigan's North Central State Trail with many picturesque small towns along the way. Indian River and Topinabee are right off the trail with lots of options for refreshments and relaxing. The trail is a rail trail so the grades are easy and relatively flat to ride, only 28.2 miles to Cheboygen. Riders will overnight at the Cheboygan High School with ample opportunities for evening enjoyment in town.
Sunday: to Mackinaw City High School - 20 MilesSunday morning riders will hop on the North Central State Trail for the 20-mile ride to Mackinaw City and the completion of the DALMAC. Trail surfaces are described as 'well-maintained crushed stone' so wider tires will be a must for enjoying the ride!
DALMAC Gold Rates:
Registration opens Jan. 1, 2020
- 5 Day West - $325
- 4 Day West - $280
- Quint Century - $325
- 5 Day East - $325
- 3 East - $225
- 2 East - $180
DALMAC Gear
Commemorate your DALMAC experience
We're preparing Epic gear for DALMAC Gold...our 50th anniversary tour.
Please check back later for yours!
Third Party Services
Additional fees apply
You are responsible for ensuring that you have contracted for the applicable service on your chosen route.
- Bubba's Pampered Pedalers - tent, chair, and towel services for 5 East, 3 East, 2 East, 2 Trail, & 4 Day West routes
- Michigan Cycling Charters - hotel shuttle service; luggage transport, tent setup, cooler, chair services for 5 West route
- Creative Wellness - sports massage therapy services at overnight sites on all routes
- Bikeflights.com - bicycle shipping service
Cancellation Insurance
Riders are encouraged to purchase cancellation insurance offered by TicketGuardian at registration time through Race Roster.
See the DALMAC Handbook for more details.
F.A.Q
Answers to common questions.
For full details see the DALMAC Handbook
Still have questions? Contact Us
Ride FAQ's
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What and how should I pack?
A tent would be a good idea since it’s a bicycle camping tour! Seriously though, here’s a recommended Packing List (pdf). Duffel bags or large sports bags work best for packing (no plastic bags, storage totes, or cardboard boxes). There is a limit of two (2) bags per person, and no bag may exceed 45lbs. Tip: create a water barrier for anything in your bags that needs to stay dry, either by using ziploc bags or garbage bags, as even dew soaked tents make for very wet piles of baggage in the trucks. -
How are the routes marked?
With a DALMAC arrow, a yellow D with a directional arrow, like D>. -
How will I charge my cell phone?
One of our volunteers designed and built some awesome standup boards with multiple pockets and outlets that will be setup at each overnight site. -
What does SAG stand for?
"SAG" (most commonly written in all uppercase) may derive from a rider "sagging" off the back of the group, or it may be an acronym (or a backronym) for "Support And Gear" or "Support Aid Group." In any case just know that our SAG drivers are out driving the routes to assist riders in need. Tap your hand on top of your head to signal them to stop, or give them a thumbs-up to tell them all is well.
Registration FAQ's
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Can I register just for meals? Or just for the ride with no meals?
No, neither. There is no provision for riders to pay a partial fee. For Private Support Vehicle and occupant options see the DALMAC Handbook. -
If a route is full can I add my name to a waitlist?
Sorry, but once a route is full it is closed and no spaces 'open up' due to cancellations, so there is no waitlist. -
I'm not riding, can I just buy merchandise?
Items are only availabe for pre-purchase during the registraton process. There will be a limited number of these items for sale during rider check-in times at MSU. -
Can I have someone else pick up my registration packet ?
No, all riders must be present at check-in to receive wrist-bands, their packet, and sign a liability waiver. Pictured ID required. -
I can't ride the first day(s), can I join in elsewhere on the route ?
Sure, just find the Route Coordinator at an overnight site (look for canopy) and check-in there as they will have your registration packet. -
How do I (sigh) cancel ?
Things come up, plans change. Contact Us to arrange for cancellation. Also, please see the DALMAC Handbook for complete details.
Contact Us
SUBSCRIBE to our email list for news and updates
Or find us on Facebook
Online Registration
Online registration is through Race Roster. For registration questions please contact us as listed in this section.
Registration
Registration for DALMAC Gold opens Jan. 1, 2020! We'll also announce exciting changes to the 2 Day Trail.
Please keep checking the DALMAC website and Facebook page for occasional updates.
For complete DALMAC details please refer to the
DALMAC Handbook
Cancellations and Refunds
After registering you will receive a Confirmation Email. Changes or cancellations can be processed by Contacting Us. Missing your confirmation? Let us know and we will resend it.
Refer to the DALMAC Handbook for complete details.
DALMAC donates 1$ of each registration to the League of Michigan Bicyclists toward their mission of promoting bicycling and safety of bicyclists on the roadway in Michigan.
- Online Registration Provider