Dates:	July 19-26
Mileage:	305
Riders:	175
Fees:	$310, Adult - LMB Member $325, Adult - Non LMB Member $325, Non Riders $240, Youth (6-17 yrs) 5 yrs or younger, Free
Mackinac Island Ferry Ticket:	$16 per person $6 per bike
Late Fee:	Add $35 after June 22

Requirements:

• Helmets are required!
• Riders must be able to ride 60+ miles a day, for 5 days. Terrain is rolling!
• Riders must carry spare tubes and be able to change a flat.
• Riders must have at least one and preferably two water bottles on their bicycle. The Eastern UP is very rural and stores are infrequent.
• Riders must have a positive attitude at all times!

Questions about the MUP:
Our rider info section answers most questions

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Itinerary:

Day	Description	Mileage
Saturday, July 19	St. Ignace	Check-in & camp
Sunday, July 20	St. Igance sight seeing	Check-in & camp
Monday, July 21	to De Tour Village	56
Tuesday, July 22	to Sault Ste. Marie	66
Wednesday, July 23	rest day in Sault Ste. Marie	local tour & site seeing
Thursday, July 24	to Paradise	58
Friday, July 25	to Newberry	62
Saturday, July 26	return to St. Ignace	62

Description:
Again in 2008 Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Bicycle Tour, the MUP, will be in the eastern portion of Michigan’s U.P. during the last full week of July.  Check in for the MUP is on Sat. July 19 in the U.P. town of St. Ignace located on the north bank of the Straits of Mackinac.  This year the MUP will be further refined and enhanced to provide an even greater rider experience.  Many services will be improved including meals, SAG services, toilet and shower facilities, and others. 

Check in for the MUP is on Sat. July 19 or Sun. July 20 in the U.P. town of St. Ignace located on the north bank of the Straits of Mackinac.  This year the MUP will be further refined and enhanced to provide an even greater rider experience.  Many services will be improved including meals, SAG services, toilet and shower facilities, and others.  

After checking in you will be able to enjoy the many attractions in the straits area before riding begins on Monday. Discounted round trip ferry tickets to Mackinac Island for you and your bicycle may be purchased in advance with your registration.

Among the many sites is the majestic Mackinac Bridge, “The Mighty Mac” as its known; www.mackinacbridge.org .  And of course everyone’s favorite summer retreat from motor vehicle traffic, Mackinac Island, where bicycles, horses and pedestrians are the only permitted modes of transport.  Learn and experience the history and culture of the Mackinac Straits and the northern great lakes area; including the Native Americans, the early French explorers, the British conquerors and finally American independence.  

Monday, July 21 St. Ignace to De Tour Village, 56 Miles
The first day on the MUP will be a nearly flat route from St. Ignace to De Tour Village.  From St. Ignace  the route is the Mackinac Trail heading north, which somewhat parallels nearby I-75.  Approximately 15 miles north of St. Ignace  the route heads easterly on route M-134.  Always on your right, the Lake Huron shoreline is skirted by the route in many locations.  In other locations there are roads identified which offer a short bike ride to the Lake Huron shoreline. 

Cedarville is approximately midway on the way to De Tour Village and is  a recommended stop..  Take time to explore the harbor area of Cedarville, and view the near shore islands of Les Cheneaux, La Salle and Marquette.  The remaining portion of the route into De Tour Village is quite flat and right on the shoreline for much of the remaining distance.  The De Tour School is a short distance off of the main road in the Village. 

A suggested optional would be an afternoon foray to nearby Drummond Island.  It is accessible via one mile ferry crossing of the St. Mary’s River.

Tuesday, July 22 De Tour Village to Sault Ste. Marie, 66 Miles
The route to SSM will be on rural paved roads, primarily with low traffic volume.  The route is mostly flat, however, there is a challenging hill or two leaving De Tour Village.  Access points to the shoreline and suggested stops for lunch will be posted and reviewed at the breakfast meeting.  Our approach into S.S.M. will be along the St. Mary’s River, through quiet neighborhoods before the downtown area is reached.  The final approach to the campus of Lake Superior State University, our camp site for both Tuesday and Wednesday, will be through downtown S.S.M. and up a challenging assent to the campus itself.  Prepare to enjoy an evening of entertainment by Dave & Sue, local artists and performers with a program of music celebrating the St. Mary’s River, Native American traditions, early American settlers and local culture.

Wednesday, July 23 Layover day in S.S.M.
The layover day in S.S.M. offers the opportunity to visit the many historical, maritime and cultural  attractions in the area.  The SOO Locks where up to 1000’ great lakes freighters can be observed close-up making the 21’ lift or 21’ drop through the locks connecting Lake Huron with Lake Superior. 

The River of History Museum located in the old post office in Sault Ste. Marie offers visitors a trip through history beginning with the geological formation of the Great Lakes, the earliest Native Americans, the French explorers, trappers, traders and missionaries and eventually American independency and statehood.

The Art Gallery of Algoma, across the river in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, offer exhibits of local culture and art.  The Canadian Bushplane Heritage Museum, also in SSM, Ontario offers a glimpse at the airplanes and the heritage of bush plane flying.

A local bike tour of 20-40 miles will be offered for those who wish to continue the pedaling during the late morning of the rest day.

Thursday, July 25, Sault Ste. Marie to Paradise, MI, 58 Miles
The route from S.S.M. will take you west through Brimley , around the bay to Bay Mills and the casino in Mission.   After passing Weston’s Iroquois Beach and Dollar Settlement the area becomes far less populated.  The remaining portion of Lakeshore Drive along Whitefish Bay over to M-123 is flat and lined with uninterrupted forests.  Because of the heavy forestation, access to the lakeshore is limited, and those areas will be posted and reviewed at the breakfast meeting. 

The final run into Paradise on M-123 passes over the Tahquamenon River mouth where it empties into Whitefish Bay, less than 5 miles from Paradise.  Paradise is a very small community and offers a view of the near wilderness rural life in the U.P. of Michigan. 

Friday, July 25, Paradise to Newberry, 62 Miles
Whitefish Point, home of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum and the Whitefish Point Light Station, is an easy 10 mile ride from Paradise .  The journey through the near wilderness country of the U.P. continues on M-123 from Paradise. Tahquamenon Falls State Park is only 10-12 miles from Paradise.  Both the Lower Falls and the Upper Falls are must see stops, be sure you have your camera.  The Upper Tahquamenon Falls State Park is the suggested stop for lunch.    The Newberry High School, on M-123 (Newberry Ave.) near the center of town is the overnight stop for today. 

Saturday, July 26, Newberry to St. Ignace, 62 Miles
The last day of the MUP will take you through pure U.P. territory, isolated small communities and lust forest.  You’ll travel by inland lakes  and cross the Hiawatha Trail roadway on the way to the shores of Lake Michigan.   The recommended stop for lunch is the Bayview Inn and the Cut River Inn on US-2 in the community of Epoufette The Arena showers will be open for that final shower upon completing the 2008 MUP.

Amenities: