Zoo-de-Mack Registration
Registration Steps
Countdown To Race Day!
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Register Online
All early registration is online. Late registration is at the event on Friday or Saturday. 35th annual event shirts and Ferry tickets can be purchased as “add-ons” during the online process.
Order Your Custom Jersey (Optional)
Order your custom Zoo-de-Mack jersey online. Available in short sleeve, long sleeve, and sleeveless with men’s and women’s cuts. Fit is true-to-size.
Book Your Hotel Accomodations
Option #1 – Friday at the Highlands/Harbor Springs and Saturday in Mackinaw City or on the Island.
Option #2 – Discounted 2-Night (Fri & Sat) stay in the ZDM room block in Mackinaw City with shuttles ($10) to The Highlands Saturday morning.
Room prices rapidly increase as summer approaches — book early!
Book Your Shuttle (Optional - Recommended)
Zoo-de-Mack is a one-way ride so there are a few logistics. You can “self sag” with friends or book shuttles from The Highlands to Mackinac City (and back) are available through Big Bear Adventures. There are options for shuttles Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Purchase Ferry Tickets (Optional - Recommended)
New for 2025! Ferry tickets from Arnold Transit are optional and can be purchased DURING RIDE REGISTRATION as a “add on” for the group rate offered by Arnold Transit 🙂 Your ticket will be in your packet at pick-up.
2025
Registration Information
Pricing
*Please note there is a service fee to process online registrations*
Register Early & Save!
- January 1 – April 30 – $65
- May 1 – May 11 – $70
Late Walk-Up Registration
- Fri May 16 & Sat May 17 – $75
On-site Walk-Up Registration
Walk-up registration will be available below the Zoo Bar at The Highlands of Harbor Springs (aka Boyne Highlands). Note: To receive discounted rates we recommend registering in advance.
Friday, May 16, 2025 ($75) from 2:00 pm to 11pm
Saturday, May 17, 2025 ($75) from 7:30 am to 10:30am
What's Included With My Registration?
- Annual pre-ride BASH Friday night at the Zoo Bar at The Highlands with live band, games, & swag!
- Luggage transportation to Mackinaw City on Saturday
- Lunch at the Legs Inn on Saturday
- Post-ride Finish Line Bash on Saturday afternoon at The Crossings in Mackinaw City with live entertainment, cash bar, and food vendors
- Saturday evening parties on the island!
Registration Steps
- Register for the ride.
- Purchase jerseys (optional)
- Book your hotel accomodations (our suggestions are here)
- Book your shuttle from The Highlands to Mackinac City from Big Bear Adventures. (optional, but very helpful)
- Purchase your ferry tickets (NEW for 2025: added separately during registration) (optional)
2025
Additional Information
This is NOT a Race!
The Zoo-de-Mackinac is a collection of outdoor enthusiasts (2,500-4,000) who want to enjoy a little physical exercise together in one of the most beautiful areas in the state of Michigan. The bike ride starts Saturday morning at The Highlands Resort (Formerly Boyne Highlands) and spans 51 miles along Lake Michigan on a paved road with very little automobile traffic. Riders pedal through rolling countryside and trillium covered forests, along sandy beaches, and are surrounded by breathtaking views of Lake Michigan from 400′ high bluffs. We stop approximately half way, at a unique place called the Legs Inn for a leisurely lunch and to swap stories. The ride continues on to Mackinaw City, where Arnold Transit Ferry (purchased separately) will take you over to Mackinac Island. Once on the magical island, check into your hotel and stroll into town to forget the aches and pains from the day’s ride. As the evening wears on, the island comes alive with The Gatehouse, Pink Pony, and Horns hosting post ride parties with incredible live bands!
About the Ride
The Zoo-de-Mackinac is a weekend of huge parties with great bands, one of the most scenic bicycle rides in the country, a lot of sunshine, views of the mighty Mackinac Bridge, and one magical island.
2025
Schedule
Friday
Check-In- Registration: 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm in the upper level of the day lodge next to the Zoo Bar
- Kick-off Party: 8:00 pm in the Zoo Bar
Saturday
Zoo-de-Mack Ride!- Registration: 7:30 am – 10:30am in the lobby below the Zoo Bar
- Ride Starts: 7:30 am – 10:30am at The Highlands in the Ski Area Parking Lot
- Lunch:10:30 am – 2:00 pm at Legs Inn
- Post Ride Party: 2pm – 6:00 pm at The Crossings in Mackinaw City
- Evening Parties on Mackinaw Island: 8 pm until late
Sunday
Check-Out- Hotel Check-Out: 11:00 am
2025
Weekend Detailed Information
FRIDAY EVENING CARB LOADING: The key to making this a great weekend is to get started on the right foot Friday night. All you have to do is stop on your way up for a world famous Potato Burger at a little bar called the Railside Bar and Grill (formerly the Elmira Inn) in Elmira, Michigan (on C-32 between Gaylord and US-131). A truly delightful lady named Ma had run the place for over 25 years and sold it a few years ago. She specially designed the Potato Burger so it will give you lots of energy for Saturday’s ride! Let’s set the record again for the most Potato Burgers ever sold in a day. Stop in, order a burger, and raise a beer for Ma, who passed away in the fall of 2010. And don’t forget to get your name on the Potato Burger record list.
FRIDAY NIGHT REGISTRATION: Friday and Saturday morning registration are the only opportunities you will have to pick up your registration packet that includes your wristband, lunch ticket and as well as any pre-ordered Zoo-de-Mackinac merchandise. Limited quantities of Zoo-de-Mackinac merchandise will be for sale at Friday and Saturday registration if you did not pre-order. Friday registration is open from 2:00 pm to 11pm and is located in the main ski “Day Lodge” at The Highlands. Registration is also open Saturday morning from 7:30am to 10:30 am at the same location.
If you don’t have a ZOO-DE-MACKINAC wristband, you will not get into the Zoo Bar party Friday night, will not have lunch at the Legs Inn, will not get into the post-ride party at The Crossings, will not get discounted ferry tickets or have access to the shuttle services. Moreover, the biker that forgets his wristband will be subject to heaps of ridicule and abuse from other participants and staff all weekend long.
FRIDAY NIGHT PARTIES: For those of you who like to do things like normal, rational people, it is strongly recommend that you eat a good meal Friday night with lots of carbohydrates, and get a good night sleep. For the rest of you, get ready for Friday Night Parties!
– The Highlands offers an an all out Zoo Bar Spring Bash. Every year we rent out the Zoo Bar and hire the Remedee Band to ensure an evening that will be reminiscent of those wild Saturday afternoons the Zoo Bar provides us with all ski season long.
– Mackinaw City will also be offering a Friday night party with live band for those who are taking advantage of the discounted 2-night ZDM room block in the city.
See our HARBOR SPRINGS/PETOSKEY ACCOMMODATIONS page to find hotels for Friday night!
See BIG BEAR ADVENTURES for SHUTTLE OPTIONS to and from Mackinaw City to The Highlands.
SATURDAY PRE-RIDE BREAKFAST: From 6:00 to 10:30am The Highlands will offer an awesome pre-ride breakfast buffet in the main dining rooms for an additional cost. It’s specially formulated so you can ride 100 miles, even though you’ll only need enough energy for 51 miles! If you are running short on time The Highlands also offer grab & go breakfast options.
SATURDAY MORNING REGISTRATION: Saturday morning registration will be open from 7:30 to 10:30 am in the lobby below The Zoo Bar. YOU MUST PICK UP YOUR REGISTRATION PACKET BY 10:30 am ON SATURDAY!!!
THE RIDE: Again, this year, like the last few years, we are not going to have an organized group start. Instead you can start whenever you wish, which will spread everyone out over the course. If you’ve never ridden the course or are not in as good shape as you’d like to be, start early (7:30 – 9:00 am). If you’re in good shape or hung over, sleep in and start later (but no later than 10:30 am). The bicycling portion of the trip is approximately 51 miles in length, which will take the average rider six to seven hours of riding time, not including stops. The first half of the ride is the most scenic. Lakeshore Drive borders Lake Michigan and is one of the most scenic and breathtaking roads in the Lower Peninsula. National Geographic Traveler Magazine listed it as one of the top 50 scenic drives in the country! The views of Lake Michigan are truly spectacular. The terrain is rolling with some good challenging hills, and only one real big killer hill. Anyone in semi-decent shape shouldn’t have any problems going the distance. There is a restaurant in Cross Village called the Legs Inn where we will stop for lunch. George and Kathy Smolak will serve us a hearty lunch between 10:30 am and 2:00 pm (lunch is included in your entry fee). For those of you who aren’t up to riding 51 miles this would be a good starting point. It is a 25-mile trip from Legs Inn to Mackinaw City. After leaving Cross Village, the terrain flattens out, and there is a beautiful sandy beach at Sturgeon Bay 32 miles into the trip, where you can stop and cool off if it’s hot. Then it’s down the homestretch, with a magnificent view of the Mighty Mackinac Bridge to the huge post-ride party for beer, food and a band at The Crossings in Mackinaw City from 2:00pm to 6:00 pm. More details to come! Any cars following along will be required to take a different route for the first half of the ride to ease congestion and increase safety. The automobile route will be outlined on the course map. The police will be enforcing this for the safety of the riders!
Shorter Option: For those of you who aren’t up to riding 51 miles, the “Zoo-de-Legs” and “Legs-de-Mack” options are 25 miles each. The “Zoo-De-Legs” is the first half of the ride. Riders who only wish to do 25 miles can bike the beautiful Tunnel of Trees portion of the ride and get a lift back to their car with help from Big Bear Adventures at 1:00pm & 2:30pm. “Legs-de-Mack” half of the ride from Cross Village to Mackinaw City. These shuttles must be reserved in advanced and sell out quickly so don’t delay!
See BIG BEAR ADVENTURES for SHUTTLE OPTIONS to and from Mackinaw City – The Highlands, to and from the half way point at the Legs Inn to and from The Highlands / Mackinaw City with other options available.
LUGGAGE: If you would like there will be transport to take your luggage to Mackinaw City (included in your entry fee) please bring your small bag to the U-HAUL truck at the registration area on Saturday morning and they will drive it up. Bags will be delivered to the Arnold Ferry dock in Mackinaw City or the Mackinac Island Dock or to your island hotel. The luggage transport personnel will assist you when you drop off your bag on Saturday morning. We are not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged luggage as Star Line is responsible for all luggage. Unclaimed luggage will be held by the Arnold Ferry Company.
THE FERRY TO THE ISLAND: When you have finished the ride, have enjoyed the post-ride party at The Crossings, and are ready to head over to Mackinac Island, riders are welcome to head over to the island on the Arnold scheduled ferries (tickets purchased separately during registration for discounted rates). If you don’t want to take your bike over to the Island, Arnold has offered us the use of a convenient warehouse, where you can lock your bike up inside, and leave it overnight. Arnold Ferry personnel in Mackinaw City will direct you to the warehouse. Arnold will charge a round trip rate (TBA) for participants who want to take their bike to the island, which you can pay for at the dock.
See BIG BEAR ADVENTURES for SHUTTLE OPTIONS to and from Mackinaw City – The Highlands, to and from the half way point at the Legs Inn to and from The Highlands / Mackinaw City with other options available.
The ARNOLD TRANSIT FERRY SCHEDULE for 2025.
See our MACKINAC ISLAND/MACKINAW CITY ACCOMODATIONS page to find hotels for Saturday night!
SATURDAY NIGHT FESTIVITIES:
- Mackinac Island: The most popular bars on the Island, The Gatehouse, Horns, and The Pink Pony are the places to be on Saturday night! It took a lot of negotiating, but the managers of these bars were able to cut a deal with some awesome bands to play for the night. This is the biggest night of the year for island nightlife. Bigger than the boat races!!
- Mackinaw City: The biggest parties will be at The Dixie Saloon, Mackinac Island Brewery, Nona Lisa’s, The Igloos at the Crossings & O’Reilly’s Irish Pub.
In the past, Sunday has found most of us lounging around the Chippewa Hotel deck, wishing we didn’t have to go to work on Monday. There is a great 8 mile bike ride, roller blade, or run around the island (if you’re up for it) as well as some great mountain biking trails to take advantage of. If the weather is good, it will be tough to leave, with most people staying around until early evening.
SUNDAY TRANSPORTATION: Since 1992, Big Bear Adventures, Inc. has been the official Zoo-De-Mack provider of transportation shuttles with buses and trolleys for you and your luggage, and trailers for your bikes. They offer a number of transportation options to get you and your bike to your car.
See BIG BEAR ADVENTURES for SHUTTLE OPTIONS to and from Mackinaw City – The Highlands, to and from the half way point at the Legs Inn to and from The Highlands / Mackinaw City with other options available.
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ZOO-DE-MACK? SEE OUR FAQs FOR ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
FRIDAY
FRIDAY EVENING CARB LOADING: The key to making this a great weekend is to get started on the right foot Friday night. All you have to do is stop on your way up for a world famous Potato Burger at a little bar called the Railside Bar and Grill (formerly the Elmira Inn) in Elmira, Michigan (on C-32 between Gaylord and US-131). A truly delightful lady named Ma had run the place for over 25 years and sold it a few years ago. She specially designed the Potato Burger so it will give you lots of energy for Saturday’s ride! Let’s set the record again for the most Potato Burgers ever sold in a day. Stop in, order a burger, and raise a beer for Ma, who passed away in the fall of 2010. And don’t forget to get your name on the Potato Burger record list.
FRIDAY NIGHT REGISTRATION: Friday night and Saturday morning registration are the only opportunities you will have to pick up your registration packet that includes your wristband and lunch ticket as well as any pre-ordered Zoo-de-Mackinac merchandise. Limited quantities of Zoo-de-Mackinac merchandise will be for sale at Friday and Saturday registration if you did not pre-order. Friday night registration is open from 6:00 pm to 11pm and is located in the Skiers Cafeteria at The Highlands. Registration is also open Saturday morning from 7:30am to 10:30 am at the same location.
If you don’t have a ZOO-DE-MACKINAC wristband, you will not get into the Zoo Bar party Friday night, will not have lunch at the Legs Inn, will not get into the post-ride party at The Crossings, will not get on the Zoo-De-Mackinac chartered Star Line Ferries to or from Mackinac Island and Mackinaw City between 7:30pm and 2am on Saturday night, or in the three best bars on Mackinac Island Saturday night. Moreover, the biker that forgets his wristband will be subject to heaps of ridicule and abuse from other participants and staff all weekend long.
FRIDAY NIGHT PARTY: For those of you who like to do things like normal, rational people, it is strongly recommend that you eat a good meal Friday night with lots of carbohydrates, and get a good night sleep. For the rest of you, get ready for an all out Zoo Bar summertime bash. We’ve rented out the Zoo Bar and hired the Metro Rockway Band to ensure an evening that will be reminiscent of those wild Saturday afternoons the Zoo Bar provides us with all ski season long.
See our HARBOR SPRINGS/PETOSKEY ACCOMMODATIONS page to find hotels for Friday night!
See BIG BEAR ADVENTURES for SHUTTLE OPTIONS to and from Mackinaw City to The Highlands.
SATURDAY
SATURDAY PRE-RIDE BREAKFAST: From 6:00 to 10:30am The Highlands will offer an awesome pre-ride breakfast buffet in the main dining rooms for an additional cost. It’s specially formulated so you can ride 100 miles, even though you’ll only need enough energy for 51 miles!
SATURDAY MORNING REGISTRATION: Saturday morning registration will be open from 7:30 to 10:30 am in the lobby below The Zoo Bar. YOU MUST PICK UP YOUR REGISTRATION PACKET BY 10:30 am ON SATURDAY!!!
THE RIDE: Again, this year, like the last few years, we are not going to have an organized group start. Instead you can start whenever you wish, which will spread everyone out over the course. If you’ve never ridden the course or are not in as good shape as you’d like to be, start early (7:30 – 9:00 am). If you’re in good shape or hung over, sleep in and start later (but no later than 10:30 am). The bicycling portion of the trip is approximately 51 miles in length, which will take the average rider six to seven hours of riding time, not including stops. The first half of the ride is the most scenic. Lakeshore Drive borders Lake Michigan and is one of the most scenic and breathtaking roads in the Lower Peninsula. National Geographic Traveler Magazine listed it as one of the top 50 scenic drives in the country! The views of Lake Michigan are truly spectacular. The terrain is rolling with some good challenging hills, and only one real big killer hill. Anyone in semi-decent shape shouldn’t have any problems going the distance. There is a restaurant in Cross Village called the Legs Inn where we will stop for lunch. George and Kathy Smolak will serve us a hearty lunch between 10:30 am and 2:00 pm (lunch is included in your entry fee). For those of you who aren’t up to riding 51 miles this would be a good starting point. It is a 25-mile trip from Legs Inn to Mackinaw City. After leaving Cross Village, the terrain flattens out, and there is a beautiful sandy beach at Sturgeon Bay 32 miles into the trip, where you can stop and cool off if it’s hot. Then it’s down the homestretch, with a magnificent view of the Mighty Mackinac Bridge to the huge post-ride party for beer, food and a band at The Crossings in Mackinaw City from noon to 5:00 pm. More details to come! Any cars following along will be required to take a different route for the first half of the ride to ease congestion and increase safety. The automobile route will be outlined on the course map. The police will be enforcing this for the safety of the riders!
Shorter Option: For those of you who aren’t up to riding 51 miles, the “Zoo-de-Legs” and “Legs-de-Mack” options are 25 miles each. The “Zoo-De-Legs” is the first half of the ride. Riders who only wish to do 25 miles can bike the beautiful Tunnel of Trees portion of the ride and get a lift back to their car with help from Big Bear Adventures at 1:00pm & 2:30pm. “Legs-de-Mack” half of the ride from Cross Village to Mackinaw City. These shuttles must be reserved in advanced and sell out quickly so don’t delay!
See BIG BEAR ADVENTURES for SHUTTLE OPTIONS to and from Mackinaw City – The Highlands, to and from the half way point at the Legs Inn to and from The Highlands / Mackinaw City with other options available.
LUGGAGE: If you would like Star Line to take your luggage to Mackinaw City (included in your entry fee) please bring your small bag to the U-HAUL truck at the registration area on Saturday morning and they will drive it up. Bags will be delivered to the Star Line dock in Mackinaw City, the Mackinac Island Dock or to your island hotel. Star Line personnel will assist you when you drop off your bag on Saturday morning. We are not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged luggage as Star Line is responsible for all luggage. Unclaimed luggage will be held by the Star Line Ferry Company.
THE FERRY TO THE ISLAND: When you have finished the ride, have enjoyed the post-ride party at The Crossings, and are ready to head over to Mackinac Island, you will take the Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry. The round trip ticket (included in your entry fee) includes transportation and parking all weekend if you need it. When you get to Mackinaw City, you can take any of the Star Line regularly scheduled ferries. If you don’t want to take your bike over to the Island, Star Line Ferry has offered us the use of a convenient warehouse, where you can lock your bike up inside, and leave it overnight. Star Line Ferry personnel in Mackinaw City will direct you to the warehouse. Star Line will charge a special $15.00 round trip rate for participants who want to take their bike to the island, which you can pay for at the dock. If you choose to pass on going over to the island, your ferry ticket can be used anytime during the 2024 season.
See BIG BEAR ADVENTURES for SHUTTLE OPTIONS to and from Mackinaw City – The Highlands, to and from the half way point at the Legs Inn to and from The Highlands / Mackinaw City with other options available.
See the special ARNOLD TRANSIT FERRY SCHEDULE for Zoo-de-Mack participants only.
See our MACKINAC ISLAND/MACKINAW CITY ACCOMODATIONS page to find hotels for Saturday night!
SATURDAY NIGHT FESTIVITIES: The most popular bars on the Island, The Gatehouse, Horns, and The Pink Pony are the places to be on Saturday night! It took a lot of negotiating, but the managers of these bars were able to cut a deal with some awesome bands to play for the night. This is the biggest night of the year for island nightlife. Bigger than the boat races!!
SUNDAY
In the past, Sunday has found most of us lounging around the Chippewa Hotel deck, wishing we didn’t have to go to work on Monday. There is a great 8 mile bike ride, roller blade, or run around the island (if you’re up for it) as well as some great mountain biking trails to take advantage of. If the weather is good, it will be tough to leave, with most people staying around until early evening.
SUNDAY TRANSPORTATION: Since 1992, Big Bear Adventures, Inc. has been the official Zoo-De-Mack provider of transportation shuttles with buses and trolleys for you and your luggage, and trailers for your bikes. They offer a number of transportation options to get you and your bike to your car.
See BIG BEAR ADVENTURES for SHUTTLE OPTIONS to and from Mackinaw City – The Highlands, to and from the half way point at the Legs Inn to and from The Highlands / Mackinaw City with other options available.
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ZOO-DE-MACK? SEE OUR FAQs FOR ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
Additional Information
Registration
Register online today! Late walk-up registrations are available on-site at the Highlands on Friday, May 16 and Saturday May 17, 2025.
Jerseys
Order your custom jerseys online! These will not be sold at the ride. Choose from long, short, or sleeveless in either men or women's cut.
Hotels
There are many options for hotels. Most riders will either split their nights between The Highlands/Harbor Springs and the Island or book a 2-night stay at our ZDM discounted room block in Mackinaw City with discounted bus transportation ($10) to the Highlands Saturday morning. Book early and save!
Shuttles
There are several options for transportation depending on your ride (full or half) or where you are staying Friday or Saturday nights. Most shuttles are run by Big Bear Adventures.
If you are staying in the Mackinaw City 2-night room block, there are several options for shuttles including a $10pp option to the Highlands Saturday morning.
Ferry Tickets
NEW FOR 2025! Arnold Transit purchased Star Line Ferry in 2024. With this purchase, ferry tickets are NOT included in your registration fee. If you wish to visit Mackinac Island, tickets must be purchased additionally during the ride registration process for the discounted group rates. Ferry tickets will also be available for purchase on-site.
Official T-Shirts & Swag
- The annual Zoo-de-Mack event shirts are ordered during the registration process and are also available on-site.
- Offical ZDM Swag will be offered on-site only and offers specialty ZDM themed hoodies, vets, shirts, hats, tank tops, gators and more!
- Official ZDM jerseys are ordered separately through Peak 1 Sports.
FAQs
The answers to most questions regarding Zoo-de-Mack have been answered on our FAQ page. Please visit this page prior to sending us a message.