DALMAC FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
ACCEPTANCE:
Q - I recently submitted an application to participate in DALMAC. How do I know
if I am "officially" registered for my desired route?
A - Approx. processing time is 3 weeks. After that you can check our rider list on the
DALMAC page of the web site <www.dalmac.org> or <www.biketcba.org> and your name should be
listed. If we have your email address you may receive a message of
acceptance via email when the application is processed. Everyone will receive
an official rider packet with a printed acceptance letter that you will need to
bring to registration w/you. These rider packets are usually mailed in late
April or early May.
CAMPING:
Q - I will have a camper to be used at the campsites. Will this be a
problem?
A – Not usually, but you will be instructed to park it in a certain
area. These are not really "camp sites" most of the places we
stay are school parking lots. Note: There are no electric or water/sewer
hookups available. You must also
obtain a private sag packet for the vehicle pulling the camper.
Q – I did not register for camping at the MSU Pavilion the night prior to
registration. Is it to late?
A – You may register and pay for the camping at the MSU Pavilion at
registration.
CANCELLATIONS
Q – How to I cancel a registration?
A – Please refer to the General Items for Your Attention document that
came in your acceptance packet and can also be found on our web site or in the
application itself.
CHANGES/ADDITIONS TO REGISTRATION:
Q - Can clothing be added to a registration at a later date?
A – Yes, if itÕs before the cut-off date for ordering clothing. Send a note to the DALMAC mailing address, indicating the items and sizes you want and a check or credit card number for payment, or email the information to dalmac@biketcba.org.
LUGGAGE:
Q - I am trying to find out if a Rubbermaid tote (polyethylene box) is
permitted to pack my camping stuff and bike repair equipment.
A - Note that it may get broken if it ends up on the bottom with several
thousand pounds of luggage on top of it. Large duffle bags work best and
are lighter to carry. Or, the large duffle bags w/wheels are
wonderful!
Q – I see that there is a 2 bag limit for luggage. Does everything I take
have to fit in 2 bags?
A – Yes, except what you carry on your bike.
PERSONAL SAG VEHICLES:
Q- I may have a sag vehicle but don't know yet. May I register it later?
A - Yes, you can register your personal sag vehicle at the "rider service table" at registration or with the route/campground coordinator at any of the overnight locations. Please note that this will not include meals. Meals are only available for private sag registrations purchased in advance and before the route has reached capacity.
Q- I am a registered rider but will be bringing my vehicle and moving it
myself?
A – You are required to register your vehicle to be allowed in the camping area and can do so at the "rider service" table at registration. You will receive a Private Sag Packet which will give you the Private Sag map to keep you off the bicycle route but will allow you to intersect with the riders at various meeting points during the day. If all occupants w/the vehicle are registered riders there is no additional charge for this.
REGISTRATION:
Q – I plan on riding, but cannot register in East Lansing. Can I register
somewhere on the route?
A - All unclaimed registration packets and purchased clothing items are
sent up the route with the route coordinator. You can claim yours from
the route coordinator at any of the overnight locations when you get there. We
do ask that you observe the quiet time hours between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. and not
disturb anyone while they are sleeping.
Q – I'm supposed to ride with my friend. Can you tell me which route he/she signed up for?
A – It is our policy to not to release such information. You should
contact the rider to find out. Or check the rider list on our web site.
Q - I am a registered rider. There is a possibility that I won't be able
to ride. If this is the case, I would still like to go along with my
friends and camp and eat with them. Is this possible?
A - Yes, the only difference between a rider and Private Sag w/Meals is a
Private Sag packet which contains alternate maps to keep Private Sags off the
bicycle route but still allows them to meet their riders at a couple
of locations each day. See question #2 under Personal Sag Vehicles above.
Q – It's the day before the tour and I cannot locate my acceptance letter. What should I do?
A – Be sure you bring your pictured ID with you to registration. You will
be required to show it to claim your registration packet.
RETURN TRANSPORTATION:
Q - Can you tell me about the arrangements for the transportation of the bikes
in the trucks?
A – For traditional bikes (singles and tandems) the back wheel of the
bikes rest on the floor of the truck and the front wheel is lifted up towards
the ceiling. Both wheels are attached with large nylon tie wraps to the
boards that run along the sides of the truck. The spacing provided by the
handlebars keeps the bikes far enough apart so that they don't rub against each
other, and there is no breakdown required. Recumbents are handled a little
different and usually transported in a truck of their own.
Q – I am a registered rider, but did not sign up for the return bus
transportation. Can I still do so?
A – Yes, if itÕs before the cut-off for additions or changes. Forward your check to DALMAC, P.O. Box 24216, Lansing, MI 48909-4216, and include a note indicating what the payment is for, whether you want to return from Mackinaw City or De Tour Village and which rider it should be applied to. If you pay via credit card you can email this information to dalmac@biketcba.org, or FAX to (800) 480-1146.
Q – I purchased return bus transportation but have now discovered I don't need it. Can I get a refund?
A – Yes, if it's before the cut-off for additions or changes. Send a note to DALMAC, P.O. Box 24216, Lansing, MI 48909-4216, or email dalmac@biketcba.org. Be sure to include the name that you registered under. Note: it is NOT transferable to another rider.
ROUTE:
Q - I was wondering if you could send me a map of the route that we are
going to take.
A - Maps are not available or released until the day of registration.
Q - How frequent are food/water stops on the routes, and what's provided?
Just water? Gatorade or other drinks? Fruit? Muffins and
such?
A - You should plan to be on your own for food and beverages for the
entire day. There will be towns that you go through where you can
purchase those items, but we do not have scheduled stops every day. A good
practice is to checkout your map the day before and plan accordingly.
There will be mileages between food stops printed in the map book. In some
cases if the mileage between towns is deemed to be excessive we will put in a
DALMAC fruit stop. In those cases we will usually provide fruit, cookies and
water. In addition the DALMAC SAG vehicles always carry water with them.
Q - Can I assume that I should carry a spare tube and patch kit but not a full
tool kit, and that sag wagons run frequently enough along the route so I won't
be stranded for many hours with a mechanical problem?
A - Although we do have SAG vehicles on the route if they get tied up with
a rider that has a serious problem you could be left on your own for sometime,
especially since those SAG vehicles have several miles of road to cover each
day. There will be repair trucks along the route and those locations will
be posted in your map book. But, carrying a spare tube and a few tools is
always a good idea.
WHAT TO BRING/PACKING:
Q - Do I need to bring my own tent?
A – Yes, DALMAC is a camping tour and you are required to bring your own
tent, as well as sleeping bags etc. You will be sleeping outdoors.
Q - What other items should we bring?
A – Click here
for our suggested Packing List (20k PDF). In order to open any PDF files,
you will need to have version 5.0 or above of the Adobe Acrobat Reader plug-in for your Web browser.
To get a free copy, click Get Adobe Reader 
Q – How many bags are allowed and what weight?
A – Two bags per person, no more than 40 lbs. each.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Q – Is it possible to get clothing items before the ride.
A - Clothing items will not be available until the day of registration (the day
you leave on DALMAC).
If you do not find the answer to your question here please review our full application information, and the General Items For Your Attention document that is posted on the web site and also sent in your acceptance packet. If you still have questions send an email to dalmac@biketcba.org.
