Everyone’s Favorite Fall Weekend!
September 20-21-22, 2024
A weekend package that encompass all the best that Northern Michigan has to offer, and includes many adventurous options including the Saturday “Highlands to the Harbor” Bike Ride, Twin Zip-Line Adventure, Discounted Disc Golf, Chairlift Hiking, Mountain Top Saturday Happy Hour w/ complimentary beer, Friday & Saturday night Parties and more…
Weekend of September 20-22, 2024
The Highlands – Harbor Springs, MI
EVERYONE’S FAVORITE FALL RIDE!
Biketemberfest is a long-running annual fall bike weekend of fall frolic and fun! The “Highlands to Bay Harbor” ride along the Little Traverse Wheelway offers incredible scenery, vistas and views along the bay with options for a short or longer afternoon ride. Top off the afternoon post-ride mountain top happy hour. Chair lift to the top for acoustic music and complimentary beer!
More intimate than the spring Zoo-de-Mack ride (500 vs. 2,500) this relaxing weekend getaway offers socializing, Friday and Saturday night parties with a live band, happy hour, bonfires & more! We hope you can make this spectacular end of the summer weekend!!!
A weekend package that encompass all the best that Northern Michigan has to offer!
Your Inclusive Hotel Package Includes:
“The Highlands to the Harbor” Bike Ride
This incredible ride on Saturday is approximately 30 miles in length, starting and ending at The Highlands (Formerly Boyne Highlands). We will ride the spectacular “Little Traverse Wheelway” following along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. We start out with a few rolling forested miles as we leave The Highlands and travel to the Little Traverse Wheelway. Once we pick up the paved bike path, the terrain is level as it mostly follows a centuries old railroad grade. You will be overwhelmed by breathtaking views of Little Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan from various points along the route. Highlights include the sugar sand beach at Petoskey State Park, The historic Victorian cottages of Bayview, the Gaslight district of downtown Petoskey, the scenic Bear River trail, Magnus Park, and many other memorable sights too numerous to mention. We will stop at Bayfront Park West (right next to Downtown Petoskey) for a leisurely group lunch and swap stories and turn around at Bay Harbor where the annual Balloon Festival is taking place, then take in more of the same spectacular sights in the reverse journey back to The Highlands. This ride is not a race!!! Instead it’s a collection of outdoor enthusiasts who want to enjoy a little physical exercise together in one of the most beautiful areas in the state of Michigan.
This event is a shorter, relaxed version of our spring ride, with 500 participants vs 2,500 and requires minimal planning. The terrain is flat and encompasses about three hours of actual riding time. We will have options available to expand the mileage to 60+ miles for those that are interested in a longer ride.
Check Out the Traverse Wheelway Map
Bike Ride Details
ROUTE: The ride is self-guided with a detailed route map and marked course/path departing from The Highlands.
DEPARTING TIME: Most riders leave between 9:30am-11:00am depending on how far they ride and their pace. Advanced or ambitious riders can ride past Bay Harbor and ride the LT Wheelway to Charlevoix and back!
Join one of the wave times to meet new riders for a group ride experience at 9:30 & 10am.
DISTANCE: The official Biketemberfest ride is approximately 25 miles with a “park & ride” option near the Harbor Springs airport (marked on map and approx. 20 miles). Extending the ride to Charlevoix adds an additional 13 miles each way (26 total) to the ride. You choose what you are up for!
LUNCH: Lunch will served from 11am-1pm at Bay Park West located right on the Little Traverse Bay waterfront. Just past West Park you can ride to Bay Harbor’s downtown area for the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival with food trucks, artists, music and more. While you’re there check out Brandy’s (located in the space where Knot Just a Bar was located) right on the harbor!
Mountain Top Happy Hour
After the ride join the Zoo Crew for a happy hour to remember! Take in the views for miles around from The Highlands mountain top. Picture yourself sipping a cold brew (compliments of ZDM & The Social Connection – cash bar also available) listening to a rendition of great acoustical music, surrounded by 300 fun loving new friends!!! Would you rather be anywhere else?
Friday & Saturday Night Parties!!!
The Zoo Bar at The Highlands will be rocking with the band Remedee (long time favorite of the Zoo-de-Mackers) for our private parties on Friday Night. Same great parties the Zoo-De-Mack & Social Connection crew are know for throwing for the past 35 years.
Outdoor Pools & Hot Tubs
Relax in a variety of The Highland’s outdoor heated pools and hot tubs all weekend.
Chairlift Rides & Hiking
See Michigan’s most brilliant color changes from atop the mountain at The Highlands. Take the chairlifts up to create your own picnic, explore the hiking trails or just chill out and enjoy the view. The chairlift will be open for hiking Friday night, Saturday and Sunday morning.
Chairlift Biking
The Highlands will have their bike park open for our use. Put your bike on the chairlift and catch a ride to the top of The Highlands for spectacular views of Lake Michigan and Little Traverse Bay. There are scenic trails through the woods for inexperienced riders, and hard core trails with banked turns, heart-stopping jumps and narrow passages for the adventurous rider. A favorite newer path on the mountain from the chairlift drop off is a winding downhill path through a variety of picturesque hardwood forests and ends up back at the bottom of the chairlift so it’s easy to make the loop multiple times if you would like. The chairlift will be open for biking Friday night, Saturday and Sunday morning.
Lodging & Ride Registration Options
The Highlands is offering room packages for single occupancy and groups of 2-16 people. The Highlands base packages includes: 2 nights lodging, Saturday ride w/ lunch, Saturday afternoon happy hour and more… The Highlands offers their legendary all-you-can-eat gourmet buffet breakfasts and omelet station in the main lodge dining room for purchase.
Cost
The weekend package prices range from from $169 per person (quad occupancy), based on the type of lodging you choose and with how many people with whom you share a room. Early discounted rates are based on availability so book early for the best rates! The Highlands offers many different rooming options, locations and configurations from hotel rooms to condos and house accommodations. Call directly to choose the best room option based on availability.
Package Options
ESTIMATED 2024 HOTEL PACKAGE RATES
| OCCUPANCY | HEATHER HIGHLANDS CONDOS & SUITES Inverness Standard & Deluxe |
HEATHER HIGHLANDS CONDOS & SUITES Pleasant View Suite |
MAIN LODGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Guests (Quad) | From $167pp | From $179pp | From $158pp |
| 3 Guests (Triple) | From $202pp | From $219pp | From $190 |
| 2 Guests (Double) | From $273pp | From $297pp | From $256pp |
| 1 Guest (Single) | From $485pp | From $535pp | From $452 |
| Rates for 5+ | Call /Online for Rates | Call /Online for Rates | Call /Online for Rates |
| Thursday | Arrive Early From $175++ | Arrive Early From $195++ | Call /Online for Rates |
| Sunday | Add Sunday From $175++ | Add Sunday From $195++ | Call /Online for Rates |