FAQ’s
Biketemberfest is a weekend of parties with a great band, a lot of sunshine, one of the most scenic bicycle rides in the country, a mountaintop Happy Hour Party, a chairlift ride to the top of the Boyne Highlands ski area (with your bike) for spectacular views and a thrilling downhill ride through the woods. Biketemberfest is NOT A RACE but 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. In addition, there are inexpensive add-on options for Zipline Adventures, Rafting, and Golfing.
The weekend of September 20-21-22, 2019
The weekend revolves around Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs, Michigan with the ride starting from the ski area parking lot, and pre-ride and post-ride parties taking place at the Slopeside Bar.
Anyone who is interested in some physical exercise, having a great time, and enjoying one of the most beautiful areas in the state of Michigan. Even if you don’t ride, we encourage you to join the fun. This event draws 300-600 annual participants vs. the 3-4,000 that attend our spring Zoo-de-Mack ride.
There is not an organized group start. Riders may start at their leisure, but no later than 10:30 am. We suggest starting early (9:00 am to 10:00 am) if you’ve never ridden the course before or if you aren’t in as good of shape as you’d like to be in. It takes the average rider about 4 hours of riding time, not including stops.
Yes! Those who don’t ride have as much fun (if not more) as those who do! However, you still need to register even if you are not participating in the ride.
Yes, if you are not riding you still have to pay the entry fee. We would love to offer different price options for riders and non-riders, full course riders and partial course riders, children and seniors, people who just want to do the ride and those that just want to come to party, lunch included or without lunch, and every other option under the sun. However, at this time in order to keep things as simple as possible for the participants as well as the event organizers, every participant, riding or not riding, pays the same entry fee. We are a very small company who puts a great deal of our spare time into organizing this great event after our regular careers, kids, and typical modern day obligations. We are passionate about our work because we not only enjoy the weekend ourselves but we truly take pleasure in seeing our participants have such a fantastic time that they return year after year. We thank you for your understanding on this matter.
The ride starts and ends at Boyne Highlands.
30 Glorious Miles, with options to add 30 to 40 additional miles if you’re up for it. There is also a shorter route to park & ride near the airport entrance to the Little Traverse Wheelway Trail located by the Harbor Springs Airport. This will be clearly marked on the map you will receive for the ride.
ROUTE: The ride is self-guided with a detailed route map and marked course/path departing from Boyne Highlands. The ride time for the trip is approximately 4-5 Hours.
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!
DISTANCE: The official Biketemberfest ride is 30 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: The lunch is served from 11am-1pm at The East Park just southwest of downtown Petoskey (marked on your map). Knot Just a Bar at Harbor Springs will host the annual “69 Beer Challenge Club” throughout the afternoon.
TOURIST STOPS: There are certainly some other options for things to do along the way! Downtown Petoskey has some great shops, Beard’s Brewery, the Petoskey Brewery is also along the way between Petoskey and Harbor Springs so feel free to take your own side trips and excursions along the way!
Anybody who is in average physical condition should have no trouble going the distance. The first three miles of the ride have a few small hills, and the remainder is on very flat terrain most of which is a former railroad grade. The distance makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something but will leave you with plenty of energy to continue on until late in the evening.
If you want to participate in Biketemberfest but can’t ride 30 miles, there are various options to shorten the ride. This all new incredible ride on Saturday is approximately 30 miles in length, starting and ending at Boyne Highlands Resort. 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 Boyne 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, Tunnels of Trees, and many other memorable sights too numerous to mention. We will stop for a lunch at our turnaround point in the Village of Bay Harbor to have a leisurely group lunch and swap stories, and then take in more of the same spectacular sights in the reverse journey back to Boyne Highlands. This 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.
Latitude 45 Bicycles and Fitness in Petoskey, home to the largest bike rental fleet in Northern Michigan, is offering hybrid, E-Bikes, road, or gravel bikes for rent (regular pricing) with a convenient delivery and pick-up of the bikes at The Highlands for just $10!
All rentals include a helmet. Bikes will be dropped off at The Highlands ski area parking lot at 9:30am. Pickup will be between 4:00pm and 4:30pm. Quantities are limited, especially for road and gravel bikes, so reserve yours right away by going to www.latitude45.com and clicking on the Bike Rentals menu. Select “Biketemberfest Rental Reservations”. If you have questions, please call 231.348.5342 or email sales@latitude45.com.
There are a few ways to register. To register for OPTION #1 you can call Boyne directly at 1-800-GO-BOYNE. To register for OPTION #2 please visit the “Book Now”. Page and you can register online. You can also register at Boyne Highlands at the Zoo Bar Welcome Party and Saturday Morning on Saturday morning. Visit the Weekend Schedule Page for the full details for registration times. Register early to ensure you get the early savings rate of $50! .
Registration will be open on Friday September 21st from 8:00 pm until midnight at the Zoo Bar at Boyne Highlands. Saturday morning registration will be open from 8:00 am to 10:30 am in the skier’s parking lot at Boyne Highlands. We will accept cash, credit cards and personal checks.
No, you cannot register for another person at Friday night or Saturday morning registration. However, you can pick up a registration packet for someone who has pre-registered. You must have a signed note or text from then with a copy of their driver’s license.
Your registration packet includes your Biketemberfest wristband that will get you into the party on Friday night, lunch on Saturday, and entry into the parties. Also included in your registration packet is your ticket for lunch on Saturday and your detailed course map for Saturday’s ride.
We do not offer refunds for cancellations. However, you may transfer your paid registration to another person. Have the person to whom your registration is being transferred to bring a photocopy of your license or text from you with a picture of your ID stating the name, address, phone, email to whom you are transferring your registration. We can transfer the registration at the registration tables on Friday night or Saturday morning.
Yes, however we do suggest you bring a Camelback, hydration pack, or water bottle with you anyway. There are stores along the route where you can pick up snacks and beverages, so don’t forget to bring your cash!
Yes. You will receive a lunch ticket in your registration packet. You must present this to receive your lunch. If you lose your lunch ticket, you will have to pay for your lunch.
If past dictates the future, the temperature this time of year should be in the mid to upper 60’s. Perfect for biking! Click here to check the weather conditions in Harbor Springs, MI.
Most people bring a road bike and/or a mountain bike. The 30 miles will be easier to ride with a road bike but many people still choose to ride their mountain bike and do just fine. The chairlift biking requires a mountain bike for the downhill trails. If you can, bring both!
Here are some items that come in very handy for Biketemberfest: 1). Drivers License or State ID- to pick up registration packet 2) Bike helmet 3) Padded bicycle shorts 4) Bike lock 5) Camelbak, Hydration pack, or water bottles 6) Cash for the ride- massages at lunch, snacks, drinks & other necessities along the way 7) Clothes for ALL types of weather. Including rain gear! 8). Walkie-Talkies- cellular service is limited 9) Backpack for the ride 10) Sunblock/Sunscreen
Boyne Highlands: Sorry, online registration for the hotel portion at Boyne Highlands not available for this event. Please call 1-800-GO-BOYNE for reservations.
Trout Creek: Offering condo accommodations just across the road from Boyne Highlands you can book by phone or visit TroutCreek.com
Boyne Highlands: Sorry, online registration for the hotel portion at Boyne Highlands not available for this event. Please call 1-800-GO-BOYNE for reservations.
Trout Creek: Offering condo accommodations just across the road from Boyne Highlands you can book by phone or visit TroutCreek.com
OPTION #1 Hotel: If you are staying at Boyne Highlands or Trout creek you will receive your packet from the front desk when you register. will pick them up at the registration table we will have set up that weekend.
OPTION #2 Non Hotel: Friday night registration is from 9:00 pm to midnight and is located in the lobby at Boyne Highlands. Saturday registration is from 8:00 am to 10:30 am and is located under the tent in the skier’s parking lot at Boyne Highlands. You must pick up your registration packet by 10:30 am on Saturday. You must present a driver’s license or state ID to receive your packet.
Yes. We will give a registration packet to someone other than the registrant during registration on Friday night or Saturday morning. You must have a signed letter from registrant saying who it is that is picking up the packet as well as photocopy of the registrant’s driver’s license.
This is a lot of info… we may have even confused you! If have read ALL of the information and you still have questions, feel free to call our friendly event staff at 248-543-1000!