This is only the second year for the tour. As riders complete all ten sections of the 1,200-mile route they earn a plaid riders jersey. Last year only one person, organizer James Studinger, rode all 10 sections. Two more people have finished earning their jerseys already this year, and two more will join them by the end of the ride in Manistique on Aug. 24, according to Studinger.

Lisa Graziano, the first woman to complete all ten legs of the route, wore her new jersey on Tuesday.

“She pulls us up most of the hills,” Studinger said.

Graziano said she’s been riding for about fifteen years, and that the TDY is the biggest physical challenge in her life.

Joshua Vissers/Daily Mining Gazette— Local rider Dan Dalquist leads the Tour Da Yoop, Eh riders out of Houghton on the sixth leg of 2019’s Tour Da Yoop, Eh.

“But with that comes huge gratification,” she said.

Riders said a lot of them were struggling to sleep, not because of discomfort but because of anticipation of the next day’s challenges.

This year, TDY started on Aug. 15 in Manistique, heading west to Escanaba. The course continues clockwise around the U.P. with stops in Iron Mountain, Ironwood, Houghton/Hancock, Marquette, Grand Marais, Sault Ste. Marie, St. Ignace and back to Manistique.

Race promoter Kim Mellon says the point of the ride is to showcase and enjoy the beautiful, safe roads of the U.P.

For a detailed course map, volunteer information, registration, and more, visit tourdayoopeh.com.