Peninsula Party 2026

Five Ferries - May 16 through September 30

Our second-annual, season-long ride to explore our beautiful state of Michigan and some of its unique features, plus have a great time on your motorcycle. This year, we are focusing on ferries of all kinds: some your bike can ride with you, some you take alone, and even a pedestrian chain ferry. We have prizes for several levels of participants!

We are also taking inspiration from the ADV Cannonball Rally by looping some custom technology developed for rides just like this. This year is transitionary, so Riders can participate in the event two ways: by sending in photos of their bike on five different ferries from the list to Steve or Max, or by registering with BMWMCGR to use the Rally app (available to iPhone and Android) and having the Rally app logged in and open when arriving at specific GPS checkpoints to earn points.

How does registering work?

The Rally app requires you to log in for it to start watching if you enter into a GPS checkpoint area. The good news is that there are no usernames or passwords to remember— only a 5-digit token code that we will issue you.

But that means that we need to know who wants to play! Any time before May 16, go to https://shop.bmwmcgr.com/pp26 and complete the form to pre-register and any time during the event to register. For those pre-registering, you will receive an email detailing rules and how to use the app. Those who register after the start date will receive this email within one business day. We encourage anyone with questions to call in and ask, or better yet to stop by for a personal introduction to the app.

Cool, I’m in. How does this work?

Once your Rider account is set up, it is your responsibility to log in, remember your token (you’ll get an email for your records), and ensure that the app is active when you are at a checkpoint. Account tokens can be re-requested at a 10 point penalty.

At the start of your rides, please ensure the Rally app is active by opening it. Do not close the app, simply switch to the home screen or just lock the phone as if you were putting it in your pocket. Ride your ride. Once at a checkpoint, you should receive a notification automatically. It is recommended to double-check in the app when you’re there. When you are not riding, or any time you do not wish for your location to be broadcast, it should be sufficient to close the app (not switching away from it, actively closing the app.) Remember to open it again before you take off again!

What locations??

In late 2025, Steve teased 9 ferries for this year. If you would rather not participate in the madness above, these routes are:

• Lake Express - Muskegon, MI to Milwaukee, WI
• SS Badger - Ludington, MI to Manitowoc, WI
• Ironton Ferry - South arm of Lake Charlevoix
• Beaver Island - Out of Charlevoix, MI
• Sugar Island - Out of Sault Ste. Marie, MI
• Nebbish Island - Out of Barbeau, MI
• Drummond Island - Out of De Tour Village, MI
• Bois Blanc Island - Out of Cheboygan, MI
• Algonac Ferry - Algonac, MI to Walpole Island (Canada!)

But, if you enjoy a little madness and want to try this new system please refer to the next page. The mainland checkpoints are all worth 10 points, and the checkpoints attainable only by actually riding the ferry are worth 21 points.

So what do I get for participating?

We have two tiers of participant winners this year:

• Peninsula Party 2026 Coffee Mug - For those who complete the Party via the photo method, or those whom earn 144 or more Rally app points.
• Peninsula Party 2026 Rider Shirt - For those whom earn 288 or more Rally app points.

Still reading and excited? Awesome!

We’re so excited to kick off this year’s Peninsula Party, and ultimately have bigger plans for next year so we’d love to hear your feedback. Below you will find a manual list of the GPS checkpoints but the intro email will include a GPX file with all of them as well.

SS Badger Ferry Dock — Ludington

43.949081, -86.451136

10 Points

SS Badger Ferry Dock — Manitowoc, WI

44.090186, -87.651231

10 Points

SS Badger — On the Water

43.9527389, -86.469425

21 Points

⸻

Lake Express Ferry — Muskegon

43.2195, -86.291833

10 Points

Lake Express Ferry — Milwaukee, WI

43.003669, -87.885842

10 Points

Lake Express — On the Water

43.2247694, -87.885842

21 Points

⸻

Star Line / Arnold Dock — Mackinaw City

45.772172, -84.725861

10 Points

Shepler’s Ferry Dock — Mackinaw City

45.782472, -84.723364

10 Points

Mackinac Island

45.850425, -84.616639

21 Points

⸻

Gateway to Les Cheneaux Islands

45.995208, -84.363425

10 Points

⸻

Beaver Island Ferry Dock — Charlevoix (Mainland)

45.318339, -85.258133

10 Points

Beaver Island Ferry Dock — Island

45.7469667, -85.519117

21 Points

⸻

Drummond Island Ferry — Mainland

45.9922778, -83.898789

10 Points

Drummond Island Ferry — Island

45.988711, -83.878017

21 Points

⸻

Sugar Island Ferry — Mainland

46.486122, -84.302328

10 Points

Sugar Island Ferry — Island

46.484867, -84.296994

21 Points

⸻

Neebish Island Ferry — Mainland

46.284578, -84.212803

10 Points

Neebish Island Ferry — Island

46.285219, -84.209103

21 Points

⸻

Ironton Ferry — West Landing

45.256244, -85.185656

10 Points

Ironton Ferry — East Landing

45.255894, -85.182156

10 Points

⸻

Bois Blanc Island Ferry — Mainland

45.645467, -84.474403

10 Points

Bois Blanc Island Ferry — Island

45.727658, -84.452325

21 Points

⸻

Algonac Ferry Dock

42.618767, -82.529989

10 Points

Walpole Island Ferry — Canada!

42.615019, -82.514514

21 Points

⸻

Harsens Island Ferry — Mainland

42.618031, -82.560575

10 Points

Harsens Island Ferry — Island

42.61405, -82.561264

21 Points

⸻

Saugatuck Chain Ferry

42.658383, -86.205517

10 Points

⸻

Manitou Island Transit Dock — Leland

45.023847, -85.761933

10 Points

North Manitou Island Dock

45.1214083, -85.975489

21 Points

South Manitou Island Dock

45.012189, -86.094642

21 Points

⸻

Grand Island Ferry — Mainland

46.444881, -86.664633

10 Points

Grand Island Ferry — Island

46.451214, -86.671281

21 Points

⸻

Isle Royale Ferry Dock — Mainland

47.4702222, -87.890753

10 Points

Isle Royale Visitors Center — Houghton

47.122933, -88.563747

10 Points

Isle Royale Ferry Dock — Island

48.145786, -88.486036

21 Points

 

For those who relish a challenge…

You might have noticed there are significantly more points available than what is necessary to earn rewards at the end of the season. This is by design: we want you to have the best riding season that works for you.

However…. Out there exists the completionist. Plus, many of the previous years’ Partiers mentioned their appreciation of the competitive aspect. (Let us be clear, we discourage unsafe riding in any form: from icy riding to speeding.) The first Rider to achieve all checkpoints, or if no one does, the highest point earner on September 30th, earns a set of Dunlop RoadSmart 4 or Dunlop TrailMax Mission tires in their or the closest size available.