The 11th annual Salsa Fargo Sub-48 Bike Packing Adventure will take place September 27, 2024 through September 29, 2024 in Benzie County on the western side of Michigan. You can expect a great weekend of exploring by bike with great company and great meals.  This ride will explore some adventurous and remote areas including a combination of gravel, seasonal, paved and singletrack sections.      

Participants will adventure by bike, riding approximately 46 miles on day one and 26 miles on day two, carry their camping gear, water, energy food, tools, tubes, etc... The routes will include some convenience stores, bars, restaurants so you 'll be able to pick up provisions and snacks along the way.

As with our usual Fargo Sub 48 weekends, we'll provide plenty of Blackrocks Brewery beverages, water and Infinit nutrition for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Riders should have the knowledge required to work on their bike in the event of flats, broken chains, etc.  We expect all riders to navigate the routes with a GPS device ( we'll provide GPX files) or by following the provided printed maps. The route will not be signed. 
All bikes are allowed but we highly recommend 2" and wider tires due to the sandy nature of Michigan and the rugged nature of seasonal roads and singletrack.
There is no drop bag service, no car shuttles or family moving gear for you. Our team will NOT be hauling camp chairs from site to site so please plan accordingly. Tent or hammock camping only, no motor homes allowed. This event is NOT meant to be an introduction to bike packing and riders should be seasoned cyclists and capable of riding up to 60 miles with a loaded bike, in a variety of road conditions. This isn't a ride for beginner cyclists.

Included with your event registration:

• Camping fees for 2 nights (Friday and Saturday)
  Friday = Betsie River Canoes and Campground (13598 Lindy Rd, Thompsonville, MI 49683)
  Saturday = Turtle Lake Campground (854 Miller Rd, Beulah, MI 49617)

• Commemorative Salsa Fargo Sub-48 t-shirt

• Blackrocks beer (assorted selection will be offered in cans)

• Friday evening: Rider check-in, beverages and bonfires

• Saturday ride: ~46 mile all-terrain route, c-store and bar/restaurant on route

• Saturday post-ride: Cans of Blackrocks beer, sodas and waters. We'll have multiple bonfires and plenty of fire wood

• Sunday morning: ~26 mile shorter ride back to original campsite and cars

• Course maps and GPS downloadable route files for each day

• Porta Johns

• SAG driver wandering the course just in-case. We plan to only have 1-2 vehicles max so this should be a last resort!

Weekend Itinerary "quick glance": (More details will be provided closer to the event weekend)

• Friday afternoon: 4 pm rider check-in, social evening with bonfire and Blackrocks beer

• Saturday morning: 7-9 am breakfast and you prepare your gear and bikes. Ride departure 9am or thereabouts

• Saturday ride: Approx. 46 miles

• Saturday afternoon: optional ride stop at local establishment at riders own expense

• Saturday late afternoon: arrive at campsite, dinner and enjoy beverages & bonfires

• Sunday morning: 7-9am breakfast. Riders are welcome to depart on their own schedule,

• Sunday ride: 26 or so miles back to the cars

Route Info:

The course is rolling, mainly dirt roads, some two-tracks and seasonal roads with sections of pavement. Depending on the weather, some seasonal roads may be dry and sandy with rutted out sections or muddy.  We recommend bikes with 2" tires or larger. The course is on roads open to auto traffic so please use caution at intersections and follow the rules of the road. 

Day 1 = 46 mile route with 2,500 feet of climbing (approx.)         

Day 2 =  26 miles with 800 feet of climbing ( approx.)