• 38 – Mile route

It’s MUPday! Wear your old or new MUP jersey!

We awake today a little sad and a little happy. Alas, all good things must come to an end. After 7 days of exploring and enjoying the Michigan Upper Peninsula, enjoy the final miles of riding in the UP. A few miles past Chatham is an old railway junction, Eben Junction, home of the Eben Ice Caves where the winter ice creates some amazing formations. Luckily today, we won’t have to worry about ice!

Tailwinds, headwinds, and crosswinds won’t matter as the route takes you west and north into Marquette. It’s a short ride back to the bustle of the city and the Superior Dome, so take the time to enjoy the miles and reflect on your MUP friends new and old. When you arrive back at the Superior Dome, we’ll have hot showers and fond farewells waiting for you.

All of us at LMB want to extend a heartfelt thank you for riding with us this week and letting us share with you the amazing beauty of Michigan while supporting our advocacy work to enhance bicycle infrastructure, safety, and commerce in THE Great Lakes State!

You can ride any human-powered cycle in good mechanical condition on MUP. This includes trikes, recumbents, tandems, unicycles, and of course e-bikes. The standard route is designed to accommodate road bikes. Mountain, hybrid, cyclocross, and gravel bikes will have a blast on both the standard route and the optional gravel sections.

LMB provides a professional mechanic for the entire tour. Minor adjustments are free. Any repairs, parts, assembly, disassembly, and shipping will incur a fee. Each SAG Stop and SAG wagon carry basic tools and a floor pump. They also carry spare tubes for sale. Our daily Super SAG Stop will have a generator available to provide charging for E-bikes. Our SAG service is designed to transport all the above-named cycles!

To create a safe and scenic tour, MUP will at times travel along crushed limestone trails and unpaved country roads. This year the standard route includes almost 10 miles of such surfaces. To best traverse the standard route on a road bike or touring bike, consider fitting the widest possible tires. Any optional routes or loops labeled “Gravel” can have long sandy sections and are best attempted with a 37c or wider tire that has a tread or knobby surface.

Bike transport is included as part of your charter bus transportation. Click here for details on how to prepare your bike for truck transport. We try to be as careful as possible, but we are not responsible for damage during transport by our trucks or SAG.

Click here for details on shipping your bike to and from the tour.

LMB thinks of SAG as the “Support Assistance Group.” SAG service includes mobile SAG wagons, stationary SAG stops, SAG shuttles, and Sweep. SAG vehicles are marked with LMB flags and magnetic LMB signs

SAG stops are stationed along the primary route. During the Riders Meeting as we review the next day’s route, we’ll provide the approximate location of these SAG stops. They are spaced on an average about 15 miles apart, but this will vary depending on route conditions. SAG Stops are rest stops located on route and identified with LMB signage. They are stocked with water, electrolytes, light snacks, basic tools, floor pumps, and close to restrooms or porta-potties. Our daily Super SAG Stop will also have a generator to provide e-bike charging.

SAG wagons will provide assistance to riders experiencing physical or mechanical issues along the primary route and gravel route. SAG wagons will transport riders and their bikes to a SAG stop or to seek medical treatment. Please be aware that SAG wagons do not go to camp, they stay on the route to provide the fastest possible service in emergency situations.

SAG shuttles will periodically travel along the route picking up riders at SAG stops and transport them to camp.

Each SAG Stop and SAG wagon carry basic tools and a floor pump. They also carry spare tubes for sale. Our SAG service is designed to transport all supported cycles! Please note, SAG support is not available off route or after hours.

LMB provides a professional mechanic for the entire tour. Minor adjustments are free. Any repairs, parts, assembly, disassembly, and shipping will incur a fee. The mechanic will be posted on the route each day and also in camp each afternoon. If your bike requires repair beyond the capacity of our mechanic, you will be referred to the nearest bike shop.

Private SAG’s are allowed.  A private SAG is a person or group of people who are on the tour to provide support to their rider. We simply ask for vehicle and rider information, and for drivers to use alternate routes that intersect with the tour route to help keep riders safe. If a private SAG wants to use overnight facilities, meals, and tour resources then we ask that they register as Private SAG/Non-Riders.

Registration includes meals EVERY RIDING DAY! You’ll enjoy professionally catered breakfasts and dinners with options for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free lifestyles. Breakfast is 6:30 – 8:00 am, dinner is 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Meals vary and you’ll always find a few staples offered each day. For breakfast you’ll always be able to find oatmeal, yogurt, granola, fresh fruit and cereal in addition to various hot dishes. During dinner you’ll always be able to find fresh salads, fruit, bread, peanut and almond butter, along with hot entrees, side dishes and dessert. All meals are served in camp except where noted in the itinerary. You’re on your own for lunch every day except the last day into Marquette.

On Wednesday, the layover day in Munising, we’ll provide hot coffee from our tour coffee provider Velodrome Coffee. You’re on your own for the rest of the day. Those individuals who signed up for the VIP Pictured Rocks Boat Tour will enjoy an onboard reception with hors d’oeuvres and beverages followed by dinner onshore.

On the final day, Saturday, we’ll provide lunch. We’ve made arrangements with Northern Michigan University to provide you a light lunch between 11 am – 1 pm on campus. We don’t want you to leave on an empty stomach!

A hungry biker is an unhappy biker.  So, keep an eye out in camp for the pop-up food truck or vendor. You never know who will drop in during the afternoon selling carnival food, pizza slices, hotdogs, and other treats! LMB punch cards make getting a snack in camp easy and economical. The punch card is available for purchase during registration,  in the e-store, and on tour at the service desk. Each card provides 12 punches for $10 and all profits go to our community grant programs. Each punch is worth $1 and can be used at the service desk to purchase snacks, beverages, t-shirts, jerseys, and swag. Each day you can find sweet and salty snacks along with ice-cold beverages at the service desk between 2 pm and 9 pm.

MUP is a bicycle tour with options, for those who love to camp, registration includes luggage transportation and a campsite at each overnight location.  Please refer to the route map for each day, located in the itinerary for the exact location of each overnight camp. You’ll also receive a list of overnight camp addresses as part of your orientation e-mail which comes in late June. Camp includes LMB staff and services including the mechanic, charging stations for electronic devices, separate charging stations for e-bikes, SAG drop off, breakfast and dinner service, showers, toilets, green space, shade, and storm shelters. We also offer a few upgrades for those who don’t want to bring a tent. You can choose one of these optional services now or add it later by going to the LMB Store.

VIP Tent Services

Love to tour but hate setting up the tent, or just don’t own one? This year we’ve again partnered with Comfy Campers to offer VIP tent service on MUP! Imagine after a great day on the bike, you stroll up to your ready and waiting, private tent and comfy mattress. Then imagine each morning, heading out without having to deal with your tent. No more spending time each afternoon searching for a spot to pitch your tent, hassling with setting it up, wrestling a wet tent into your bags each morning, drying out your towel and other joy suckers. Nope, just ride, rest and repeat!

You can choose single or double occupancy if you have a riding partner, and their friendly staff will have a tent waiting each day. If this sounds good to you, make sure to select the VIP Tent Service during registration. Click the button for details. Don’t worry, you don’t have to decide now, you can add it later by going to the LMB Store or visiting the Comfy Camper website.

VIP TENT SERVICE

Hotel Services

Love riding your bike? Hate sleeping on the ground? Well, GREAT NEWS! You have options this year. Participants who prefer to sleep in a bed can choose one of the following:

LMB VIP Hotel Service – If camping is not your thing, you want a private bathroom, and your gear with you at night, then this is the right choice.  We’ll reserve a block of rooms with a designated hotel near the camp and arrange to securely store your luggage until you check-in. Each morning, you bring your luggage to the lobby where it will be securely stored. LMB volunteers will pick up your luggage from the lobby and drop it off at the next hotel by 2 pm.

Please note we do not make reservations for you and room rates are not included in our registration fee. We only provide daily luggage transportation to the designated hotels. A list of designated hotels will be provided upon request.

LMB Bike Commute Service – Don’t want to stay at the designated hotel and don’t need ALL your gear with you each night? Then the Bike Commute Service is the right choice. Your bags stay at camp locked in the gear truck. You stop by to pick up the things you want and then bike commute to your chosen overnight lodging. The next morning, commute back into camp and reunite with your gear before heading out for the day.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to decide now, you can add VIP Tent or Hotel Services later by going to the LMB Store. Hotel availability is limited. For more choices that are not part of the LMB’s VIP Hotel Services, check with the local visitor’s bureau in Marquette, Munising, and Manistique for other lodging options. Unfortunately at this time, we can only provide luggage drop-off as part of the VIP Hotel Service.

You can see Pictured Rocks from shore or soak it in by boat. VIP Boat Tour participants will see this incredible natural wonder in the best possible way! Get ready for an amazing tour of more than 30 miles of colorful sandstone cliffs, sometimes towering over 200 feet and dropping straight into Lake Superior.

Join us on Wednesday, as we cruise along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, voted the most beautiful place in Michigan by Condé Nast Traveler!

What makes this a VIP tour? Well, glad you asked! As you enter the boat you’ll be given a lovely gift bag filled with all kinds of goodies, then enjoy hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages as you tour the mineral-rich rock formations and waterfalls, followed onshore with a relaxing dinner. A great value at $75 per person. Tickets are limited.

Order VIP Cruise!

During our layover in Munising you’ll find lots to do, below are a few examples.

Kayak Rental – Munising Layover Day – $160. Get close enough to reach out and touch the towering cliffs and rock formations of Pictured Rocks.

Ferry to Grand Island – Munising Layover Day – $20 per person and $8 per bike.

Glass Bottom Shipwreck Tour – Munising Layover Day – $35

Please note, you’ll need to contact these businesses to arrange for any purchases.

7-Day Riders

Since MUP starts and ends at the Superior Dome in Marquette, you only have to get yourself, gear and bike to the start/finish line.

Option 1 – Fly into Sawyer International Airport, located about 20 miles south of Marquette. Many airlines have reduced the bike fee to that of an additional bag, so do a little research if you choose to do this. Otherwise, you can ship your bike directly to the LMB office and we’ll transport your boxed bike to the start. Click here for details on shipping your bike to and from the tour. our mechanic can have the bike ready for a fee. Also, you can ship your bike directly to Quick Stop Bike Shop ( 1100 N 3rd St, Marquette, MI 49855) about 4 blocks from the Superior Dome. If you’d like it assembled, either the shop or our mechanic can have the bike ready for a fee.

Option 2 – Drive, meet us on Saturday after 2 pm at the Superior Dome, 1401 Presque Isle Ave, Marquette, MI 49855. Park your vehicle in the provided long term parking area and bicycle your way back the next Saturday! Please note, we can only provide parking for one motor vehicle per rider. Please contact us with any questions.

3-Day Riders

3-Day MUP is a linear tour that starts at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Saturday, July 10, and ends in Munising on July 13. If you don’t have the convenience of someone dropping you off or picking you up, we’ve set up two options.

Option 1 – Charter Bus transportation to Marquette for yourself, gear, and bike. Park your vehicle at the designated parking lot in Munising, ride LMB’s shuttle to Marquette, enjoy the 3-Day tour back to your vehicle. Bike loading is from 11 am to 1:30 PM on Saturday, July 10, and the charter bus leaves Munising at 2 PM. You, Gear, & Bike – $75.

Bike transport is included as part of your charter bus transportation. Click here for details on how to prepare your bike for truck transport. We try to be as careful as possible, but we are not responsible for damage during transport by our trucks or SAG. Please contact us with any questions.

Option 2 – Drop off or ship your gear to the LMB office. Make sure it arrives by 9:00 am Wednesday, July 7, 2021. We’ll haul it to Marquette so it’s waiting for you on Saturday, July 10. Park your car at the designated long-term parking lot in Munising. Ride your bike to Marquette (44 miles, no SAG support). Meet up with us and your gear on Saturday at the Superior Dome.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to decide now, you can add either option later by going to the LMB Store.

PURCHASE BUS OPTION

 

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Luggage Transport

CLICK HERE FOR INFO

Personal luggage – 2 duffle bags weighing less than 35 pounds each are included with your registration fee. Participants are politely reminded that their luggage should be limited to two soft-sided bags each weighing thirty pounds or less. Can’t fit it all in two? Add an extra bag for a small fee. For more information please review the LMB Packing List and the MUP Participant Guide.

ADD a third bag

PACKING LIST

A list of required and recommended items can be found at the LMB website. Follow this link.

7-Day Registration Fee Schedule

• Members Only Access – January 1 – January 14
  • LMB Ambassador: $399 + $500 Fundraising Commitment
  • LMB Members $575
  • Child (12 & under) accompanying a Member $300
  • Non-Riders/Private SAG accompanying a Member $350
• Early-Bird Registration – January 15 thru February 28, 2021
  • LMB Ambassador: $399 + $500 Fundraising Commitment
  • LMB Members $575
  • Non-Members $599
  • Child (12 & under) $300
  • Non-Riders/Private SAG accompanying a Rider $350

• Regular Registration – March 1 thru June 30, 2021
  • LMB Ambassador: $399 + $500 Fundraising Commitment
  • LMB Members $575
  • Non-Members $625
  • Child (12 & under) $300
  • Non-Riders/Private SAG accompanying a Rider $399

• Late Registration – July 1 – July 11, 2021
  • LMB Ambassador: $399 + $500 Fundraising Commitment
  • LMB Members $995
  • Non-Members $995
  • Child (12 & under) $300
  • Non-Riders/Private SAG accompanying a Rider $399

3-Day Registration Fee Schedule

Marquette, Big Bay, Munising, Grand Marais

Designed for those who just want a few days of adventure! Your 3-Day MUP adventure includes a Saturday night reception, catered meals from Sunday thru Tuesday, SAG stops, e-bike and mobile device charging, mobile SAG wagons, beautiful campsites, live entertainment, luggage transportation, hot private showers, turn by turn directions, access to GPS routing, event t-shirt, rider swag, and an amazing U.P. adventure that ends on Tuesday after a day cycling along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore!

Members, please make sure to log in when you register to access member rates. Need to Join or Renew? Do it before you register and save!

Non-Members, please make sure to log in when you register to access Early Registration rates. Want to save more? Become a Member!

• Early-Bird Registration – December 1 thru February 28, 2021
  • LMB Ambassador: $199 + $500 Fundraising Commitment
  • LMB Members $399
  • Non-Members $425
  • Child (12 & under) $250
  • Non-Riders/Private SAG accompanying a Rider $275

• Regular Registration – March 1 thru June 30, 2021
  • LMB Ambassador: $199 + $500 Fundraising Commitment
  • LMB Members $399
  • Non-Members $450
  • Child (12 & under) $250
  • Non-Riders/Private SAG accompanying a Rider $299

• Late Registration – July 1 – July 11, 2021
  • LMB Ambassador: $199 + $500 Fundraising Commitment
  • LMB Members $595
  • Non-Members $595
  • Child (12 & under) $250
  • Non-Riders/Private SAG accompanying a Rider $450

 

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1-Day Century Ride Registration

Munising Century Ride

A beautiful relaxed ride, not a race! Designed for those who want to ride along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in a relaxed fully supported ride. Your registration includes our signature Maple Bacon Pancake breakfast on Tuesday morning, Pig Roast BBQ that evening, SAG stops with hydration and light snacks, mobile SAG wagons, free parking, as many miles as you can ride from 7 am to 5 pm, turn by turn directions, access to GPS routing, event t-shirt, and an amazing U.P. adventure!

Ride 20 to 100 miles with full SAG support along the entire length of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Along the scenic Au Sable Point Trail you’ll get a chance to explore some of the most iconic places in the central UP including Log Slide Overlook, Grand Sable Banks, Grand Sable Falls, and the Au Sable Lighthouse. If you choose to go the full distance to Grand Marais, you can stop in this little village to pick up your MUP Century patch before going to see the locally famous Pickle Barrel house, swim in Lake Superior, fuel and hydrate at the local establishments and then head back to home base in Munising. Once back in camp, you’ll be ready to relax to the live music and our locally catered Pig Roast BBQ before heading out into town and sampling some of Munisings micro-breweries.

• Early-Bird Registration – December 1 thru February 28, 2021
  • LMB Members $65
  • Non-Members $75
  • Child (12 & under) $20

• Regular Registration – March 1 thru June 30, 2021
  • LMB Members $75
  • Non-Members $75
  • Child (12 & under) $20

• Late Registration – July 1 – July 11, 2021
  • LMB Members $99
  • Non-Members $99
  • Child (12 & under) $25