| Author | Message | ||
     Themagster |
I'll be riding into Michigan this summer and up through the UP. Would like to hit parts of 17 in Ontario and along Lake Superior. Not really sure how long it would take to go around the lake but think it's pretty doable. Would also like to ride along the southern part of the lake in the Upper part of Michigan but don't know if we'll have time to do both. Does anyone know if there is a ferry that goes from the north shore in Ontario to the south shore in Michigan? Thanks for any information you can provide. | ||
| Riding_tall |
there are some BW members that can give a better answer but I think you would have to ride around the top of superior on 17 or ride across the UP. but I'm down in the south now and don't know for sure. | ||
| Crashcourse411 |
I would plan at least 5 days for the 1200 miles. There are no ferry across the pond that I have ever heard of. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=h oughton,+mi&daddr=M-26%2FM38%2FOntonagon+Greenland +Rd+to:M-64+to:HWY-61+to:HWY-17+to:47.45688,-88.14 8804+to:copper+harbor,+mi&hl=en&geocode=%3BFZ7MyQI djt-w-g%3BFWisygIdTG6q-g%3BFWg64gIdGmGt-g%3BFQhc2g IdqO7w-g%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=5&sz=10&via=1,2 ,3,4,5&sll=47.345337,-88.328705&sspn=0.577843,1.45 0195&ie=UTF8&ll=47.294134,-88.088379&spn=4.627156, 11.601562&z=7 The Houghton to Copper Harbor is a must just for the twisties if nothing else. Eagle Harbor route is best but you could ride around the Keeweenaw for a week and not hit the same road twice. I was lucky enough to live up there for 5 years of college and we had a small stable of bikes in the garage. Keep in mind it may snow any month of the year. I am trying to plan the same ride the weekend I purchase my 1125 this summer but I to include Lake Michigan as an Iron Butt. | ||
| 99savage |
Any "Toot's" on here? (Yes, it did snow on the 4th of July, didn't stick but it did snow.) The UP is about the best riding that can be imagined. - The thought of getting back there & hitting the seasonal roads is why I bought the Ulysses not the traditional retirement ride. Anybody want to try to get to the tip of the Keeweenaw? The USGS maps show a logging road within walking distance. Feel free to send a PM | ||
| Themagster |
Thanks for info. I will do more research. Crash - you think like I do. I've done one Iron Butt before but would like to do it on the Blast - and this may be the trip. "we got a long way to go, and a short time to get there..." Florida to Michigan would make for an OK Iron Butt. Have you done one before? Long distance travel is where it's at. I'm totally addicted and could not imagine a week without riding. Now to decide Michigan UP or Ontario... Not looking forward to snow though - I hate cold weather. Would ride in cold vs. not riding, but I got thin blood. Thanks again - keep info coming! | ||
| Bill0351 |
I don't know any of the specifics, but one of my riding buddies did that trip last season with his son. He can't stop talking about how fun it was. I know he was gone for a total of 10 days and started in Green Bay. He isn't one to spend 10 hours per day in the saddle, and his 12YO son was on the back, so that must have been an easy pace. Good luck. It sounds like a great adventure. | ||
| Swampy |
Themagster, Let me know when you come this way. If you cross into Canada you will need a passport come June. I got jacked up at the border the last time I went through, the Canadians don't care who comes over, they are everybodies friend, but coming back the Homeland SSecurity forces really are a big waste of time. But yes, the Keweenaw pennisula, Black River Harbor from Wakefield, and of course M-119 in the lower Pennisula. | ||
| 99savage |
Themagster, Depending on how tough your butt is you might be able to hit both UP & ON. For sure there is a ferry across Lake Michigan - forget where from to - but met up w/ a guy last summer that took it. Head N. to Grand Rapids - Take the ferry - N. to the UP - Cross the UP West/East - Enter ON @ the Sault - Across ON West/East to Buffalo. Made the Houghton/Buffalo via Sault trip 40 years ago on a Honda Hawk - Still smiling - Be prepared - Bugs so thick they plaster your face shield till you are blind Will do some more research (Message edited by 99Savage on February 21, 2009) | ||
| Davegess |
No ferry across Lake Superior. Lots of great waterfalls in the UP as the rivers make the drop down the lake level. Light traffic, few people, lots of deer. | ||
| Crusty |
The ferry across Lake Michigan runs from Milwaukee, WI to Muskegon, MI. My wife and daughter and I took it last summer on our way home from Homecoming. The previous year (2007) my wife and I went north from Homecoming to Lake Superior, then rode across the UP and over the Mackinac (pronounced Mack-in-aw) Bridge. We managed to see all five Great Lakes in one trip as well as Niagara Falls. | ||
| Themagster |
Swampy - will want to try and hook up with you for sure if possible. I planned to PM you as time gets near. Will be blowing through MI, as I said, time is short, but would like to meet you. 99savage - you have no idea how tough my butt is...don't mean that in a funny way, but I am an avid motorcyclist and am known to put 700 mile days in on my 500 when the need arises. I have thought about doing both, just need to figure out the logistics. Thanks again, I truly appreciate all the input. BTW - got a little lucky today - went to a little gathering at Barney's here in Tampa today and won a Shoei X-11 vermuelen TC3 helmet. What luck - must be doing something right. Happy trails... | ||
| Badlionsfan |
No ferry crossing lake Superior. This might be why-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Edmund_Fitzgerald | ||
| S1wmike |
The Houghton to Copper Harbor is a must just for the twisties if nothing else. Eagle Harbor route is best but you could ride around the Keeweenaw for a week and not hit the same road twice. I was lucky enough to live up there for 5 years of college and we had a small stable of bikes in the garage. Keep in mind it may snow any month of the year. +1 I've spent many years up there on family vacation, as my parents and grandparents were from up there. The lake shore ride from Eagle River to Copper Harbor(Rt 26 I think) was a top ten scenic road a few years back by one of the "car" magazines (Message edited by S1wmike on February 22, 2009) | ||
| 99savage |
Here are some links for UP information. Local paper (w/ links to other regional papers) http://www.mininggazette.com/ Snow/weather information (check out the cams - still LOTS of snow) http://www.johndee.com/ http://www.bigsnowcountry.blogspot.com/ Really nice local web site (2nd only to this one) – Be nice on this one, they boot you after one offense http://www.pasty.com/cam/index.html Cruising the UP (never spent much time on these) http://www.upcruising.com/main.htm http://www.upper-peninsula-now.com/index.html You are making an old man antsy - Keep posting (Message edited by 99Savage on February 22, 2009) |
