Pedal Across Lower Michigan (PALM)

PALM is open to all bicyclists who feel able to bike up to 50 miles and can ride each day for 6 days.
PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THE REGISTRATION.

The PALM Tour is limited to 700 riders.
Note that pets are not allowed on PALM for any reason.

BACKGROUND
PALM, taking its name from the shape of the state, is an exciting six-day Tour across Michigan. We use paved scenic routes, geared to the novice and intermediate touring rider. The daily distances and terrain combine to make PALM unusually well suited to family bicycling. More experienced riders are welcome: optional longer routes are provided. The emphasis is on the social and recreational aspects of bicycling. We hope that the fun of PALM will persuade our riders to use bicycles more frequently. We also hope that the people who encounter our riders will increase their awareness of safe bicycling and perhaps become frequent, safe cyclists themselves.
ROUTING
We bike primarily along rural paved back roads, passing many points of scenic, cultural, and historic interest. We are touring Michigan by bicycle. Many attractions along the way will lure you from your bicycle; you will have plenty of time to stop and see the sights. The route generally avoids major urban areas and is the most suitable we could find through the area. Sometimes a downtown may be included for special interest. The total distance of the ride is between 250 and 300 miles. Daily distances range from 30 to 55 miles with averages of approximately 50 miles. We will also provide additional longer loops. PALM always begins along the shore of beautiful Lake Michigan and heads east along a different route from the previous year. Suggestions for future tours are welcome, and help with planning future rides is encouraged.
T-SHIRTS
Tour riders receive a complimentary T-shirt. You can order extra T-shirts on the registration.
GETTING THERE AND BACK
Week-long parking is available at the beginning and end of the tour. We try for the safest spot we can get, but we cannot assure security. You will be responsible for parking fees, if any.
We charter buses from the end site to the start site. At the beginning of the tour passengers who want to park at the End site, are picked up early Saturday morning at the End site and taken to the Start site. Or, for those leaving a vehicle at the Start site; At the end of the tour they are returned to the Start site on Friday soon after a PALM-provided lunch. Space on the bus is by reservation only (see registration) and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve your place early as buses are canceled if not enough people sign up by May 10th. Bus refunds will be made in full if we cancel. For those being bused, your bikes will be trucked to the destination at no additional cost. WE CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SCRATCHES OR OTHER DAMAGE TO BIKES. We recommend wrapping your frame if this is a concern.

PALM DATES TO REMEMBER
• RIDE LIMITED TO THE FIRST 700 RIDERS WHO REGISTER: WE HAVE FILLED QUICKLY
• REGISTRATIONS: By May 10th 2024
• REGISTRATION OR MEAL CHANGES: By May 10th 2024
• BUS RIDE OR MEAL CANCELLATION: By May 10th 2024 (no refunds for any reason after May 10th)
• TOUR CANCELLATION WITH REFUND: By May 10th 2024 (no refunds for any reason after May 10th)
Tour cancellation for each registration will be subject to a $25.00 fee.

You can make changes to your registration options once you have registered by going to the avatar to the right of "sign-up" at the top of this page, then "Sign In" in the drop down menu and log in. Then select and click on "Profile" in the drop down menu and then select and click on "Manage Registration"  in the middle right of the profile page. To change any of the optional ADD ONS (Such as Meals, Bus rides, Parking or T-Shirts) select the "ADD ONS" link near the top of the page.
To cancel your Tour registration and request a refund, go to the avatar to the right of "sign-up" at the top of this page, then "Sign In" in the drop down menu and log in. Then select and click on "Profile" in the drop down menu and then select and click on "Manage Registration" in the middle right of the profile page. Select the "Request Refund" link near the top of the "Manage Registration " page which will take you to the "Refund Registration" page. Select "Cancel Reservation" at the bottom of the page.

If you need to reach us or ask a question, you may write us at PALM Box 7161
Ann Arbor, MI 48107, call PALM at 734-669-0172 or email us at palmbiketour@yahoo.com

VEHICLES
If you intend to have your vehicle or camper accompany you from site to site, you must indicate this in the registration Add Ons. A PALM Vehicle ID will be issued at packet pick up and must be displayed on the vehicle at all times. The vehicle driver must register and pay the registration fee even if they are not riding. Private vehicles/campers must park in the designated areas at each site. For the safety of all riders these vehicles must not accompany riders on the route. Alternate routes to the next site, places to meet up with the bike route, and the location of the next site’s designated parking area will be provided daily.
Setting up tents and parking vehicles/campers at sites is not permitted before 12:00 noon.
GEAR
Any HUMAN POWERED bicycle (MCL 257.4) in good working condition can be used on PALM. YOUR condition is more important than how many gears your bike has. No roller-blades, skateboards, mopeds or scooters are allowed on PALM. Clothing is left to your needs and wants. But keep in mind: not every site has laundry facilities and you will be packing and unpacking, loading and unloading your luggage every day. It should be kept to a reasonable amount. All bags must weigh less than 40 lbs.(18 kg) You can use more bags if necessary.
REPAIRS — ARRIVE WITH A BIKE IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION
Each cyclist is expected to carry the basic minimum tools, at least enough to repair a flat tire. Bike shops accompanying the tour can make repairs in the evening. They charge for their parts and services. If you ride a special human powered non-standard bike, such as a Class 1, 2, or 3 ebike, come prepared with replacement parts that the bike shops will not carry in their stock.
SAFETY AND EDUCATION
Our paramount concern is that people are safe while they are enjoying themselves. To this end, each cyclist must wear a properly fitted, certified bike helmet (including children being pulled in trailers). Failure to wear a helmet could result in your removal from the tour. Since it is important that you can hear, headphones for any use are forbidden while riding. The use of a mirror is highly recommended. Do all your riding during daylight hours and wear bright colors.
We highly recommend that first time and beginning riders complete the online version of the League of American Bicyclists 'Traffic Skills 101' course. You may complete individual course modules and return at a later time and continue where you left off. This course can be found at :  http://bikeed.org
Our aim is to educate while helping people enjoy a cycling vacation. Therefore, we have a League Certified safety instructor with us. There will be an hour of instruction, "Dealing with your first long day(s) of biking," after the orientation meeting that kicks off the ride on Saturday night. There are optional classes every evening on topics ranging from bicycle maintenance to efficient cycling to self-contained touring.
All this is not enough: we must watch out for each other. All participants are asked to bike with caution, to give guidance to less experienced riders, and to demonstrate courtesy to motorists and other bikes, on and off the road. Obey all traffic laws. Violators will be removed from the tour and may be eligible for traffic tickets. This is not a race. There are no mass starts. Bike sensibly and have fun.
VOLUNTEERS
PALM is only possible due to the efforts of many volunteers. No one is paid to work. Hundreds of hours are put in by the PALM staff, but we still need the help of each participant to make this event work. Pitch in! If you would like to volunteer, contact us at 734-669-0172 or palmbiketour@yahoo.com
START AND END
The tour gathers Saturday afternoon. There is an optional Saturday ride. Registration is open 3-6 p.m. PALM wristbands will be given out at registration and must be worn by all PALM participants. All participants need to be present at registration to receive their wristbands. Everyone should plan to attend the orientation meeting Saturday evening. Then the riders take off Sunday morning. We end our ride on Friday, with a PALM-provided group lunch. The charter buses leave that afternoon. PALM will not provide camping before the Saturday packet pick up or at the end of the tour.
AGES
People of all ages are welcome, and families are especially encouraged to participate. Everyone traveling with the tour, whether riding or not, must register. By state law, riders under the age of 18 must have an adult on the tour who will be responsible for them, and must have the signature of a parent/guardian consenting to their participation and accepting the terms of the release. Adults sponsoring minors must be a registered rider and must sign the statement accepting responsibility on the REGISTRATION Waiver/Release. One adult can sponsor no more than 8 minors.
MEALS
Food is not included in the price of the PALM tour. However, we make PALM meals arrangements with the site host schools whenever possible. The Friday end-of-Tour lunch is normally provided by a commercial vendor and occasionally when a school cannot provide meals, local groups such as athletic boosters, service clubs or similar non-profit groups are recruited to furnish PALM meals. PALM does its best to ensure that participants are served quality meals. We will try to have a vegetarian menu available whenever possible, in addition to the regular fare. If you wish to take advantage of these group meals you must purchase them in advance. Many of our overnight stops have few restaurants or food sources available. Riders are responsible for obtaining their own lunches. There are usually places to buy lunch or snacks on the route.
OVERNIGHT STAYS
We have reserved space each night in open fields, such as school athletic fields, with toilet and shower facilities. This is a camping trip. Be prepared to camp in the rain. Sleeping inside school buildings is not permitted except in case of weather emergency. This group camping is included in the cost of the tour.
BAGGAGE TRANSPORT
EACH BAG MUST NOT WEIGH MORE THAN 40 POUNDS (18kg)
Baggage will be trucked between campsites. Cyclists must carry everything they need during the day (bathing suits, jackets, snacks, first aid, spare tires, money). The trucks will carry everything else (tents, sleeping bags, clothing). Do not bring valuables or things that could be easily damaged by water. Bags must not weigh more than 40 lbs. (18 kg) and be able to be carried, loaded, and unloaded by one individual. Use more bags if necessary. Don’t tie bags together. Don’t tie anything to the outside of the bag. The luggage for all participants must fit in 3 trucks. This is a camping trip: limit what you bring. Coolers, plastic trash bags, and large folding chairs are not appropriate luggage. Army duffel bags are OK; hockey duffel bags are not. Put luggage tags with your name and cell phone number on each bag to help us return misplaced bags.
SAG SERVICE
These are vehicles that drive the route to help riders who are injured, ill or have disabled bikes. Riders of ebikes or other non-standard bicycles such as Trikes or Tandems that require transport of their bicycle may experience longer wait times.  SAG services are included in the basic cost. SAGs are not baby-sitters, and are not for those who simply tire after a few miles. If a rider is unable to finish the route on two separate days and requires a SAG, the rider will be asked to arrange for transportation back to their car or to their home. Official SAG service ends at 5:00 PM every day. 
If a rider under the age of 18 requires transportation in a SAG vehicle, the rider must be accompanied by a parent or the designated responsible adult.
Please note that there are NO EXCEPTIONS to this policy.

We are recruiting SAG drivers from family and friends of our tour participants. PALM SAGs do not pay a tour fee but must register, sign the release on the REGISTRATION and have a standard driver’s license. They receive three meals a day, gas allowance, a T-shirt and a patch. Vehicles must be able to carry bicycles and people (small cars with bike racks are fine).

PRIVATE VEHICLES accompanying the tour MUST NOT drive the PALM Tour route.

TRUCK DRIVERS
We are recruiting drivers to drive trucks from site to site on a daily basis. Truck drivers do not pay a tour fee but must be at least 21 years old, register, sign the release on the REGISTRATION, and have a standard driver’s license. They receive two meals a day, a T-shirt and a patch. Arrangements will be made for those truck drivers who wish to bike.
COST
Per participant: $195.00 (ages 18 and over), $80.00 (ages 11–17), $70.00 (ages 10 and under). (PALM SAG and truck drivers do not pay for PALM registration or Meals.) The PALM registration covers overnight camping (Saturday - Thursday) including free Private SAG registration, limited SAG service (not repairs), baggage transport, an optional bike education class, maps, T-shirt, all administrative fees, and a box lunch after the tour. The Meals package and Bus rides are extra and can be ordered as Add-On's on the registration, as can additional T-shirts.

ALCOHOL State law prohibits alcoholic beverages on school grounds.

SMOKING State law prohibits smoking on school grounds.

PALM Mailing Address:
PALM Box 7161
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
PALM email address:
palmbiketour@yahoo.com
PALM Telephone Number:
734-669-0172