PALM 101

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PALM 101

New to Pedal Across Lower Michigan? Maybe it’s your first bike tour. Here are some tips and tricks from the veterans, and important rules to follow.

What is a SAG?

Our “Support and Gear” volunteers are a valued part of our bike tour! Standard SAG service is part of your paid registration.
Mobile SAG staff monitor the route and watch for participants who need emergency assistance. Drivers carry a basic first aid kit.
DO flag down a SAG by TAPPING your helmet if you have a medical issue.
Don’t hail a SAG for a ride up the next hill. SAG is not a taxi service. (If a minor requires a SAG, their sponsor MUST accompany them.)
DO flag down a SAG if your bike is disabled beyond roadside repair, and you require a ride to the next site.
Don’t stop a SAG for a flat tire. Another participant will often help you if needed.
SAG Stops provide water to refill your bottles at set points along the route. About midway you’ll find the “fruit stop” SAG which offers watermelon as a special treat!
ALWAYS hand signal “slowing/stopping” to riders behind you, and move yourself and your bike completely off the roadway when stopping for any reason.

How does all my stuff get from place to place?

No need to pack your tent on your bike! Standard luggage transport is part of your paid PALM registration.
You should have your ID, basic tools to fix a flat, and anything you may need before you reach the site at the route’s end. Everything else is transported from one site to the next in rented trucks.
You MUST load your own bags on the truck in the morning. Bring multiple bags if needed, but none over 40 lb. and none that require more than one person to handle.
Once you load your bags, you will NOT have access to them again until they are unloaded at the next site, so plan accordingly! Bags will be unloaded at the discretion of the site coordinator once there are enough riders to help unload.
Packing each day’s clothing in a resealable bag keeps it dry until you need it, and gives you storage for dirty laundry. When touring with kids, write the day of the week on the bag for easier mornings!
Duffel bags make for easier loading and unloading. Wheeled bags are discouraged.
A strip of colorful fabric or patterned duct tape can help you find your bags among the hundreds of others.
Put your sleeping bag and pillow in a waterproof bag to protect from damp tent bags.
Use a mesh shower bag and quick‑drying towel.

What is a Private SAG?

Friend or family, your own private SAG can haul a small camper or drive a small motorhome, if tent camping is not feasible for you. There is limited overnight parking and no electric hookup.
If you ride with more than one young child, consider arranging a private SAG, as you must stay with all of your sponsored minors if any of them have an issue on the road.
A private SAG can also be a small car. Sometimes a couple or group will take turns being the daily driver or riding the route. Participants can even split a day by meeting at lunch, and trading wheels.
All private SAGs register as participants, and may purchase the meal plan add‑on. Driving directions from site to site will be provided.

What is it like camping at a school?

There are few facilities that can support a large group of campers like a public school.
We utilize their large open spaces for camping. Be sure to set up your tents ONLY in the areas marked – you don’t want to wake to sprinklers on timers that come on overnight!
An area will be designated for those who need a CPAP. This is the only camping area with access to electricity. (There will be a phone/device charging station inside the school.)
Look for the water horse for bottle refills, and the e‑bike charging station. Overnight parking area will be marked for any Private SAGs.
Information (usually set up just inside the main entrance) can help you locate the gym, cafeteria, showers and restrooms.
We use the gymnasium for our daily meeting. Send at least one member of your group to each meeting – this is the best way to get necessary tour updates.
We use the cafeteria for our breakfast and dinner – see optional meal plan add‑on, highly recommended.
We use a classroom for Bike Ed and for most Children’s Activities.
Schools cannot guarantee the shower water temperature will be pleasant for hours and hundreds of visitors. Plan for a quick, cool shower.
We cannot have a PALM without the cooperation and participation of the cafeteria and maintenance staff. Thank them daily!

If I park at the start, how do I get back to my vehicle?

That’s where the optional bus transportation comes in! You can park at the last site, and get a bus ride to the first site on Saturday; OR, you can park at the first site, and get a bus ride back to the first site on Friday.
Whichever option you choose, park in the designated long‑term parking areas. Load your bags and bikes on the truck or bus at the time specified for your departure, and unload at the other end of the trip.
Additional details will be provided to all participants who select the optional bus transportation at registration.

Do I need to buy a fancy new bike to ride PALM?

Ride what you have – many participants have ridden inexpensive, older, or borrowed bicycles. You will see bikes of all shapes and sizes on PALM!
The most important thing is that the bike fits YOU, and is in good working order. Have your local bike shop inspect your bike, and check fit.
After a few rides on PALM, you may choose to upgrade. Strike up a conversation with another participant – we’re sure they’d like to talk about their bike!
Along the same lines – no need to go out and buy a week’s worth of cycling jerseys for your first PALM! Breathable layers like t‑shirts and light jackets in bright colors will do for our shorter, slower routes.
However, all riders will need proper padding, unless you want a sore posterior.

Will my kids get bored?

Not likely! During the day, many families make their own adventures by stopping at roadside stands, parks, historic markers and other attractions. Get tips for the next day at the evening meetings.
Once in camp, there are daily volunteer‑led Children’s Activities where kids can meet others on the ride and make new friends! Older kids often travel with a soccer ball or basketball, and have the energy after the ride to use it.

Are e-bikes allowed?

Human-powered e-bikes are allowed. PALM will have charging stations at sites specifically for e-bike batteries. You may wish to carry a spare battery/charger on the route.
NOTE: E-bike users may have a longer wait for an appropriate SAG. Mechanics on tour may not be equipped to handle some repairs.

Our low cost includes:

SAG (support and gear) service, overnight facility use for tent camping with showers and bathrooms, transport of luggage between sites, road markings and GPS cues for routes, daily watermelon stop, bicycle education, and children’s activities!

*Optional add‑ons include: transportation (for yourself and your bike) from the last site to the first site on Saturday or Friday, cafeteria meal plans, and a third‑party tent set‑up service.