Touring - Is DALMAC still huge?

I cut my teeth riding that event back in about 1987 (I was 15). It was great fun and people were on waiting lists to get a spot. Has anyone done it recently?

We crossed the bridge my first time doing it but not the next time. I think that the lady went off the bridge in the Yugo somewhere in between the times I rode it and they feared a group of cyclists could get blown off. Do they cross the bridge now?

I've ridden DALMAC twice. The last time was in 2001. It was huge. There were waiting lists. We crossed the bridge (though the bridge authority reserves the right to refuse bicycles if conditions are deemed unsafe). It is one of the most incredibly well-organized rides I've ever done. They run four or five different routes simultaneously. Just amazing! In fact, everything about DALMAC was great.

:thumbup:

Hey there Easyride, oh yeah DALMAC is still HUGE, they only have one 5 day route now, along with the 2 4 day routes and the quad century route, but it's still great and big...Sign up early if you want to get in this year, my buddy does it every year,and they are taking applications right now...I did it in 2001, and did the 5 day route and had a great time, but now I can't do it, cause I go to the midwest tandem rally, which is always held on the same weekend/time period, but I hope to get back to it some year..The club I ride with does it every year..

Here's the website for it, www.dalmac.org

Benjamin

I've done the quad route the last two years with a group of TCBA friends from Lansing. Great group of riders for a great 4 days on the bike. Did the last two years on singles but the wife and I got a new tandem this winter so we will be doing the quad on the tandem.

Great ride and the meals are pretty good.

-Clint

I remember that I hammered down the provided meals and then wandered into the towns to eat even more (more dinner, ice cream...). I think that I must have gained weight on that trip the first time.

Do any of the routes still climb the dreaded "East Jordan Wall'? Not real long but STEEP as I have ever seen a piece of road.

I did the wall in the 2002 quad but it was not on the 2001 route. Some friends went regardless.

Good hill, but the 3 days leading up to it was pretty flat.

If you feel like reading my 2002 DALMAC ride journal go here (http://www.thayernet.com/DALMAC2002/index.htm)

Nice website!

Photos were loading pretty fast. There is at least one event you were riding in the rain. I avoid that at all costs. I'm afraid I'll melt.

no... each day was sunny and great... the day that looks wet was just the first 30 minutes or so. It was just lots of fog and mist. It was pretty cool cause we were in a pack of about 40 to 50 rides with 9 tandem train pulling at 25ish mph... great fun!

Originally posted by easyrider

Do any of the routes still climb the dreaded "East Jordan Wall'? Not real long but STEEP as I have ever seen a piece of road.

I did the wall in '01. Someone told me it's a 15% grade. Road triples are great!

I did it without a triple and really had to work. I mean, I was rocking that bike so slowly, just leaning back and forth and dropping my body weight onto the pedal, and trying to keep from tipping over. OUCH.

I would love to try to again, now fifteen years more experienced. But I do prefer the climbing out here in Colorado.