MANISTIQUE, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Friday, a group of cyclists embarked on a 10-day journey that will take them around the entire U.P.
The annual Tour Da Yoop, Eh bike ride set off just after 8 a.m. in Downtown Manistique.
“This is our eighth time around the U.P.,” said James Studinger, who founded Tour Da Yoop, Eh. “We started in 2018. It’s a 1,200-mile ride around the outer perimeter of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.”
Originally, the idea was to raise awareness about safe biking.
“The Upper Peninsula has about 18 or 19 bike accidents a year, and Lower Michigan has about 1,300 every year,” Studinger said. “As far as I can tell, the U.P. is probably the safest place in the country to ride your bike.”
Since then, it has become so much more. Specifically, it acts as a fundraiser for Upper Peninsula Lions Serve, which supports families battling childhood cancer.
“Over the last three years, we’ve raised about maybe $330,000,” said Studinger. “This year we’re targeting another $100,000 – $250,000 of money raised for them.”
The cyclists receive “warrior cards” before the Tour Da Yoop, Eh begins. Each one has a photo of a local child and information about their cancer diagnosis.
“The families are scattered throughout the entire Upper Peninsula, and we’re riding around the entire Upper Peninsula, so we have an opportunity to meet a lot of these wonderful families and beautiful children along our travels,” Studinger said. “It’s been a very touching experience for us.”
About 45 people are making the journey this year. That number is up quite a bit from 2024.
“It’s exciting,” Studinger said. “This is my beautiful hometown of Manistique. I love this town. The town is just unbelievably welcoming and supportive, so I get to bring a whole bunch of people from all over the country to experience my hometown. It’s pretty nice.”
They will bike an average of 120 miles each day, making stops in places like Escanaba, Ironwood, Houghton, Marquette, and Sault Ste. Marie. While many cyclists will ride all ten days, some will take an abbreviated tour.
“No matter what you’re doing, you’re going to realize that you’re capable of more than you thought you were,” said Studinger. “That’s just this physical and this mental reality that people embrace over the course of their ride.”
Every participant will get to experience the beauty of the Upper Peninsula, as well as the communities that are cheering them on, along the way.
“Thank you for letting us bike in your backyard,” Studinger said as his message to the public. “We really appreciate it. We are grateful to be here, and thank you for your love and support.”
The Tour Da Yoop, Eh will end back in Manistique on August 3. To see the full route or to learn more about the annual event, visit tourdayoopeh.com.
