thartless

We are going to Mackinac Island in May. Does anyone have any advice on shipping bikes from Florida to Mackinac. We are staying at the Grand Hotel.

bobwysiwyg

Just take them on the ferry. Folks do it all the time.

Oldsledz

I assume you are flying to Michigan? I may be cheaper to rent bikes once you get to the island.

bobwysiwyg

I would agree, unless you're planning other riding off the island. Not sure where/why one post mentions shipping from Florida but the other does not.

Oldsledz

They edited their original post to add the part about florida after your first post.

bobwysiwyg

Yes, initially puzzled, but figured, on quotes, the software copies literally rather than using pointers.

oddjob2

Mackinac Island is pretty tiny, with a loop around the entire island about 7 miles, IIRC. As others have mentioned, Rentals are the way to go, as it is about $20 or so a day.

beachball42

I probably would rent as well. We did Mackinac Island a few years ago and took our bikes but we were driving. The crowds on the main strip can be a bit of a hassle because of all the shops and day visitors but the rest of the loop is nice riding. The other thing we found is most people stick to the outside loop but the inside roads were nice to ride and hardly anyone was on them Just remember, lots of horses also on the main loop so that water you may be ridding through probably isn't water, nor is that mud.

We stayed at the Island House Hotel when we went and loved the location, across from the marina so sitting out by the fire watching the people was pretty cool. The days were hot but once that sun goes down, it cools off quite a bit even in the summer.

ironnerd

You'll love it.
We used to go there for the day when I was a kid (our big family vacation).

Try to ride all over the island, not just around. It's basically a dome, so it has some nice climbs (nothing remotely difficult - they are not very long). It seems like 90% of the visitors are in the town (as beachball42 said) and there is also normally a gaggle around Grand Hotel, so getting off the main roads makes for a really nice ride - it also lets you see the really nice parts of the island.
I always used to ride up to the airport to take a break and watch the planes (my other passion).

JLDickmon

I can't really add much, except to say that once you're off the docks, the main street is going to be full of idiots live tweeting their walk around the shopping district. Especially on the weekends.

bobwysiwyg

And you'll quickly realize why tourists are called "Fudgies."

BlazingPedals

If on the island is the only riding you plan to do, just bite the bullet and use the 50-lb rental bikes.

Road Fan

Yes, fenders with good coverage and mudflaps are highly recommended! Rain is not uncommon, and with high wind, can blow sand over the ring road. On our first trip there I took my Masi, and it needed a COMPLETE overhaul after the ride. Our ride was in October. Between the rain, horse stuff, and sand, everything needed washing.

But I did that ride two more times, once in the sun and once in summer rain with mudguards, and both were beautiful rides. The hill from the Ring Road up to the Grand Hotel is a challenge! There is significant bicycle parking, but bring decent locks and use them.

ironnerd

It's just not a trip to Mackinac if you don't have to clean horse poop off your bike.

chas58

Well, not exactly. I rented a really nice fat bike there last time. I was surprised at how light and fast that thing was. That and it was a ball on the inland mountain biking trails.

Most memorable part of the trip was cruising on the ring road at 15-20mph, with those fat tires sounding like I was driving a monster truck. EVERYONE got out of my way. Not once did I have to yell "On Your Left!"

Rental certainly saves the hassle and ferry expenses of using your own bike. Besides, bike theft can be pretty nasty there - I certainly would not take my own bike there unless it was a beater. I never will forget a friend of mine thinking we had pulled a prank on him and hidden his bike, only to realize that within a couple of minutes of inattention someone had stolen it. Be careful out there.

spacemaniss

Bikeflights.com has a lower rate shipping services for anything bike related. They use UPS and FedEx services but get a discount.

dedhed

Bikeflights recently changed their carrier from FedeX. Supposedly prices have risen.

Check out Shipbikes as an alternative https://www.shipbikes.com/