Category Uncategorized

PALM XLII Epilogue

palmbiketour Leave a comment

More new friends — more connections to our communities!

— friends that become family, found on PALM —

This year we had 438 participants, from under 1 to 87 years young! A 9 year old was the youngest rider to complete the ride on their own bike. 

Mother Nature gave us some challenges this year, but great memories were made along the route. We would love to hear from riders as they reflect on their trip across this great state and encourage them to reach out with stories, comments and ideas.

We invite any alumni who wishes to submit a route proposal to do so by email or at the annual volunteer staff picnic in September. Details will be on our Facebook Page, or contact us using the PALM email. Please include estimated daily mileage and any pertinent details (stayed there previously, swimming access, special events) to proposed routes. 

Thank you all for a great year, and I look forward to seeing new and familiar faces in September.

Jess
PALM Chair

One month to PALM XLII

palmbiketour 1 Comment

If you haven’t reviewed Packing for PALM this is a good time to do so!

Uh-oh … did registration slip your mind?
You can still join us on PALM, but optional add-ons may not be available.

Everyone who registered for bus transportation on Saturday or Friday should have received arrival and parking instructions.

Routes are available for review on Ride with GPS.
Always attend the evening meetings for any changes due to unexpected closures.

Two months to PALM XLII

palmbiketour Leave a comment

SOCIAL MEDIA TAKEOVER!

Please join us in a 24-hour promotion by changing your profile pic on your preferred social network to one of our PALM XLII graphics — grab one here! Canva users can customize the graphic here: template

► APRIL 26

This will be the last newsletter before add-ons may become unavailable (May 10) so if you want to add the cafeteria meal plan or bus transportation from the end to the start (Saturday or Friday) to your registration, visit the ADD-ONs page for details.

Check out the Downloads page for new color flyers you can save and print. Topics include:

  • Before Registration
  • After Registration
  • Preparing for PALM
  • Packing for PALM
  • Pedal Safely
  • Host Sites
  • A Day on PALM

So, what will you be riding? Tell us about your bike, trike, tandem, recumbent, e-bike or custom built ride in the comments!

Three months to PALM XLII

palmbiketour Leave a comment

A Day on PALM

The most common questions we get from those who have never been on an organized bike tour is how it all works! We’ve put together a typical day on the Pedal Across Lower Michigan family bicycle tour to help answer these questions.

What did we miss? Leave a comment on the website under this post.

Tell your PALM story

PALM memories last long after the annual tour concludes. Check out Frank‘s story. Do you have a PALM story you’d like to share? Send it to us with a photo or two.

We may select it for promotional purposes on the PALM website and social media.

OUR 2025 SITES:

• Saturday, June 21 we arrive at Stevensville for check-in.
• Sunday, June 22 we pedal to Dowagiac.
• Monday, June 23 we pedal to Sturgis.
• Tuesday, June 24 we pedal to Coldwater.
• Wednesday, June 25 we pedal to Addison.
• Thursday, June 26 we pedal to Dundee.
• Friday, June 27 we pedal to Luna Pier.

If you need the address of a site, check out Transportation under the Add-ons page.

Upcoming issues:
Two months to PALM XLII — April 21
One month to PALM XLII — May 21

Contact us!

Four months to PALM XLII

palmbiketour 3 Comments

FROM THE CHAIR: Many of you know me, some for many years. I am Jess Rasmussen; a granddaughter, daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, niece and cousin of PALM riders. It is my honor to be the volunteer ride chair again this year for the 2025 PALM. PALM is a tour that is so very dear to my heart. PALM is my favorite tour, not because it was my first multi-day traveling bicycle tour, but because it has some of the most kind and genuine people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. The volunteers and riders on PALM are what make it a truly unique ride. Newcomers who join the PALM community quickly become family. We have watched families grow together, watched generations of riders share in this wonderful tradition, mourned losses together and celebrated incredible joys together. I eagerly await seeing everyone for our yearly family reunion, and look forward to welcoming our new members to the family. 

REMEMBER: Quiet Adventures Symposium will be March 1 at the MSU Pavilion, and we will be there! Staff volunteer Shawn Towsley will be a presenter.

We have a new sticker for the first 100 visitors to our PALM booth!

Five months to PALM XLII

palmbiketour Leave a comment

Questions coming in to the PALM email and phone can mostly be answered here: PALM 2025

Tour cost is the same as last year — $195 for adults, plus processing fees. As always, lower rates for youths 17 and under.

Our cafeteria meal plan may be added to your registration for $108. This is breakfast and dinner only, starting with Sunday breakfast and ending with Friday breakfast.

Transportation from the last site to the first site can be added to your registration for $70. Be sure to choose only the Saturday bus or the Friday bus! Your bike(s) will travel on a truck.

Comfy Campers will be returning to provide optional tent service. This is separate from PALM registration. Follow instructions on their website to book services.

We will be at Quiet Adventures Symposium on March 1. Hope to see you there!

Everything you ever wanted to know about PALM can be found here:
https://palmbiketour.org/all-about-palm/

PALM XLI Epilogue

palmbiketour 2 Comments

This is not goodbye, but “See you next year!”

This year, we welcomed participants from less than one year old to 85 years young! About three-quarters of our riders were 50+ and almost 10% were under 18. Almost a quarter of our participants traveled from outside Michigan to join us, with 25 other states and Canada represented.

Hope to see you in June 2025! We start planning in September at the annual volunteer staff picnic. Details are on our Facebook Page.

One month to PALM XLI!

palmbiketour 2 Comments

If you are not registered, you can still do so at Runsignup.com/PALM.

Tick tock! Late registration is open until check-in Saturday, June 22 — BUT the ability to add the meal package or the bus transportation is limited!

Meals will be available to purchase until May 31. Be sure you stick with your choice of meat or vegetarian on the tour — we order what you request.

Bus transportation will be available until June 20 or the remaining seats on the buses are filled.

Hope you are among the hundreds we will meet (or see again) in Norton Shores!

If you are not riding PALM this year, feel free to share a comment with the reason(s) why you did not register. Staff volunteers meet in September to begin planning for 2025, and all input will be reviewed.

Registered participants —

We sent important information to registered participants via RunSignup earlier this month, so check your spam folder if you did not see it.

Please review the waiver policy — we recommend you print and sign your waivers and bring them to check-in to streamline the process, but blank printed forms will be available. You can find your Bib Number at Runsignup or in your confirmation email.

Remember, each duffel bag must be no heavier than 40 pounds (about 18 kilograms) and easily handled by a single person. You load and stack your own duffels in the mornings, but volunteers unload the trucks each day and appreciate your consideration. Put bedding and clothing in waterproof bags, as tent bags are often damp.

On our website:

Two Months to PALM XLI

palmbiketour 1 Comment

Are you getting excited? We have registered riders from 23 other states, plus Canada. We have lots of first-time riders, and participants in all age divisions from trailer tots to cyclists over 80.

Are you one of them? Not sure if you are up to the challenge? You won’t be the only who hasn’t started training, but it’s not too late. You may find 38 to 54 mile rides easier than you think after you master those local 10-20 mile rides. To help keep PALM accessible we are e-bike friendly There is optional tent service available from Cozy Campers (until June 1 or full).

Last chance for add-ons: optional transportation from end of route to beginning, and the cafeteria meals package, must be added to your registration by May 10. (After this date, we cannot ensure there will be sufficient time to modify arrangements. Meals package and bus transportation options will remain on the registration page until they are no longer available.)

May’s newsletter will include packing tips and transportation details. If you have a question that needs answered before then, please comment below.

Three months to PALM XLI

palmbiketour 4 Comments

Hope you’ve started training! Try to ride 2-3 times a week, for 5-10 miles. After 2 weeks, add 5-10 miles. Gradually build up to at least a 30-40 mile ride. While not required, this preparation will help ensure your tour is a pleasant experience.

► More tips at Preparing for PALM.

This is a good time to have your bike looked at by a local bicycle mechanic and be sure it is adjusted to fit you, tires are ready for miles, and all moving parts are clean and lubricated.

► Are you registered for 2024?

Comment with the year you first rode (or will ride) PALM!

Upcoming issues:

Two months to PALM XLI
April 22: Last chance for add-ons: transportation, meals by May 10.

One month to PALM XLI
May 22: Packing tips. Check-in and Waivers. Adding routes to devices.