Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
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You must register online through the event registration widgets available at the bottom of each event page.
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We change the routes for the annual event depending on the situation. They are usually set about a month before the ride, at which point we email them to registrants.
For the self-supported rides, you’ll get a link to the routes in your confirmation email after registration. -
Annual event riders that register before April will probably have it mailed. Others will get it when the night before the day’s ride.
Self-supported event riders will have it mailed to them immediately upon registering stock is available. -
You will receive a confirmation email from BikeReg
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We’d like to do that for you because we want the jersey to be worn. But seriously, if you haven’t referenced the sizing chart after all the warnings we give that they run small… follow the jersey fitting guide on the website to ensure proper fitting.
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Yes, Tour Da Yoop, Eh swag and other goodies will be available to purchase at each registration.
The Plaid Finisher’s Jersey is NOT available for purchase unless you qualify. Only riders who complete all 10 sections (over any course of the time, 1, 2, 5 or even 10 years), can purchase/wear the Plaid Jersey.
Annual Event
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In 2022, the routes take place as follows:
Day 1: Manistique to Escanaba (July 29th)
Day 2: Escanaba to Iron Mountain (July 30th)
Day 3: Iron Mountain to Ironwood (July 31th)
Day 4: Ironwood to Houghton (August 1st)
Day 5: Around the Keeweenaw (August 2nd)
Day 6: Houghton to Marquette (August 3rd)
Day 7: Marquette to Grand Marais (August 4th)
Day 8: Grand Marais to Sault Ste. Marie (August 5th)
Day 9: Sault Ste. Marie to St. Ignace (August 6th)
Day 10: St. Ignace to Manistique (August 7th)
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They look very cool, so of course we love to see you sporting TDY. We are huge advocates for bike safety and improving bike conditions throughout the state. TDY brand has become know in the non-motorized and road planning people as synonymous with safety. The jerseys are our loudest voice to keep pushing awareness and safety. We highly encourage people to wear the TDY jerseys as often as possible.
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The annual event starts on July 29th, 2022. We encourage riders to arrive a day early to be ready for our 8 A.M. ride start time.
Plaidurday is on Saturday, August 6th.
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If you are picky about what you eat, bring enough with you for as many days as you plan to ride. We stay close enough to stores for you to restock if necessary.
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All riders should check in the night before their first day of riding.
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Rider check-in and packet pickup is the night before your first day of riding. An exact time and location will be sent in the final confirmation email sent to you in advance
Other important information will be sent in emails prior to the event. Check our Facebook and Instagram for updates as well!
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A valid photo ID. License, State ID, and Passport are all acceptable. Just bring us anything with your beautiful face and a birth date on it.
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Maybe, if we know them.
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This ride is a challenge and will probably be one of the more challenging accomplishments of your life. Be prepared to work hard, see some beautiful sites and have a great time. We expect you to be in good physical shape and great mental shape. You are not riding this to see if you can go 120 miles. You will make it.
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Approximately 120 miles per day. This is not place for a bike with a basket. There are only about 40 miles out of 1,200 that are gravel. This is a road bike ride.
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Physical condition — Fitness is key to riding 120 miles per day. We recommend that you speak to a physician to make sure you are fit to ride. There are great websites that can help give you good daily routines to help you prepare.
Mechanical condition — It sounds silly to say, but make sure you have ridden your bike and that it is in working condition. Check your tire pressure before each daily ride. Having a spare tube and/or patch kit handy is a smart precaution. -
Riders will depart at 8:00 A.M. every day. Morning meet-ups will be announced the night before. They are almost always at the host hotel.
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Yes. This phenomenal course is mainly paved roads with very little traffic. Along some sections, you’ll see more wildlife than cars.
A few sections have gravel, but it is ride-able and a road bike can be used for all of the sections. It is road bike recommended.
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We will have hydration stations set up approximately every 30 miles along each section; they will be marked on the Ride with GPS Route. We will provide jugs of water at each station and you can refill your water bottles.
Before each ride there will be an area for you to drop off anything you want us to put at a hydration station for when you get there. We ask that you label anything you want dropped off, please put your name and what station # you want it left at.
Any items you need before each station, you will need to carry it with you.
We will have SAG support that can carry items for you, but we can’t guarantee they will be with you when you need it. (i.e., if you are ahead of SAG it might take time for them to catch up to you. If SAG is ahead of you it might take time to get back to you.)
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We are targeting 60 per day.
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This is Michigan, be prepared for everything. Even in the middle of Summer. It could be 80 degrees during the day and 30 degrees at night. Rain or shine, the event will be held.
The one thing we can guarantee is that the snow will be gone. Probably.
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Route info can be found here. Course elevation is listed under each section. Exact routes will be sent out in the weeks before the event.
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Yes, by all means! You can stay wherever you want. We recommend that you stay within riding distance from the host hotels.
Luggage will be transported up to 5 miles away from the section finish point.
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Most likely not. Your car will probably be in the city you started at. If you have another form of transportation to get to the start line, feel free.
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TDY staff members will bring riders’ luggage from city to city. We provide luggage pick up and drop off to hotels and campsites within 5 miles of the host hotel.
At the end of each days ride, riders will pick up their luggage from the hotel lobby or U-Haul. In the morning riders will bring to the U-Haul. Luggage must be clearly marked
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Each rider may bring two soft-sided bags weighing no more than 25 pounds each. Each bag weighing over 25 pounds will be charged a $10 per day fee. Anyone who brings more than two bags will be charged a $10 per day fee. No exceptions.
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You may bring extra bike supplies to put in a SAG car. Typically, our SAG cars are pretty close to all riders. We will have a SAG car for every 30 to 40 riders.
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Yes. There will be a designated pickup location every morning for you to leave your water bottles and/or feed bags. Our crew will get it to the hydration station for you.
You must have all the items clearly labeled with your name and what station # you want your product at.
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Every rider is responsible for their own bike and all other personal belongings. We highly recommend locking bikes at all times, bringing them into your rooms at night or putting in vehicles if possible.
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No, but there are spots along the route to stop in a store, restaurant or gas station. There are also a lot of woods and privacy.
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No. Our initial registration fee takes care of the routes, jersey, and participation fees. The daily fees take care of SAG support and group activity fees. Accommodations must be made by you. Check out our host hotels page for a convenient list of quality locations to book.
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In most cities, you can park for free at the hotels that TDY staff is staying at. Details on where to park for each city will be sent in the final confirmation email.
We have special accommodations for people parking in Manistique.
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Yes. What kind of question is that?
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Yes, challenge riders must be 19 to ride.
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Most hotels have laundry machines. We recommend bringing 10 pods or small bag of detergent. I hear some bikers wear their bike clothes in the shower and wash them that way.
Got an unanswered question?
Send us a message. We’d love to answer it.