Gary N. Posted June 20, 2009 Share #1 Posted June 20, 2009 We're heading out this week on a trip up through northern Michigan on our way to northern Ontario. Thought we would head over to the west side of the state, since I haven't spent a lot of time over that way and check things out along the way to the "Big Mack". Any suggestions on places to go and things to see. Good bike roads etc. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted June 20, 2009 Share #2 Posted June 20, 2009 Gary,You head due south appx 1300 miles to a rather large state (Texas) When you get around Austin go West appx 40 miles and turn South to Blanco...Then call me...Have plenty of good roads to ride! HAVE FUN!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frogmaster Posted June 20, 2009 Share #3 Posted June 20, 2009 Gary, The Western Shoreline for sure. I can guide you between Manistee, MI and Traverse City, MI on State Road M-22. Also M-119 form North Traverse City (somewhere) to the Big Mackinaw Bridge (see http://www.mapquest.com). As far as OTHER South to North Routes (Excluding I-75) See M-66 and M-37. All are in my area. Gary I seen you at MD but you had alot of folks around and I was bouncing around Tent City. Maybe see ya soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarlS Posted June 21, 2009 Share #4 Posted June 21, 2009 After you take M-119 (N. Lake Shore Dr.) to Cross Village take C-66 East to M-81 North. At the Lake go WEST on Wilderness Park Dr. into the Middle of Wilderness Park. When you come back out keep going East into Mackinaw City. It's 16 miles into the Park and back out but what a nice ride. Also the ride from the Park to Mackinaw City is nice too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squidley Posted June 21, 2009 Share #5 Posted June 21, 2009 Gary, Lonna and I were married at Tehquamenon Falls in the Upper pennisula, I would definitely recommend that, also Whitfish point. 119 north of Petosy is called the "Tunnel of Trees" (I believe) and is a ride that I have heard about but never done. The western lower is a great place no matter where you ride. Wish we could accompany you along part of that trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave77459 Posted June 21, 2009 Share #6 Posted June 21, 2009 I grew up in Michigan, and driving to the UP was something we did every summer with my folks. I am sure I'd have a different viewpoint now, because riding a bike is so much more visual and encompassing. I do recall meeting a couple tent camping from their BMW bike, and thinking how exotic and wonderful that would be. I do have a question about riding over the Mackinaw Bridge. It is miles and miles of that awful grating. How do you do that on a bike? I might rent a trailer just to haul my bike across. I hate that stuff! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbob Posted June 22, 2009 Share #7 Posted June 22, 2009 I grew up in Michigan, and driving to the UP was something we did every summer with my folks. I am sure I'd have a different viewpoint now, because riding a bike is so much more visual and encompassing. I do recall meeting a couple tent camping from their BMW bike, and thinking how exotic and wonderful that would be. I do have a question about riding over the Mackinaw Bridge. It is miles and miles of that awful grating. How do you do that on a bike? I might rent a trailer just to haul my bike across. I hate that stuff! Dave The right outside lane is cement. Ride safe, Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave77459 Posted June 22, 2009 Share #8 Posted June 22, 2009 The right outside lane is cement. Ride safe, Bob Perhaps it has changed, but when it gets to be questionable weather, they close the outside lanes and make you drive on the grating. I found that juggler posted a video regarding his driving over the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary N. Posted June 22, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted June 22, 2009 Thanks everyone. Our plans have changed and we are now going in a different direction. Have to see which way we turn at the end of the street. Leaving tomorrow, coming back ????? Going ???? Have I mentioned that WE LOVE RETIREMENT!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Black Pearl Posted June 22, 2009 Share #10 Posted June 22, 2009 (edited) I have to say that stretch of M-119 just north of Petoskey is about the best I have seen just went through that way sunday daughter and I had our yearly camping trip on the bike and it is a very cool cruise but I will say watch the speed limit signs theres a couple spots "the devils elbow" that will scare the **** out of you if your not watching but I love it probably ride it 7-10 times a year late fall is the best time. shoot me a line when your in the neighborhood I might ride part with ya if you dont mind the company.... Well keep it in mind next time your through this way it is so worth the time!!!!! Edited June 22, 2009 by The Black Pearl there change of plans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kregerdoodle Posted June 22, 2009 Share #11 Posted June 22, 2009 Well then you have plenty of time to make it to lockhart for BBQ this sat..... Have fun what ever direction you go and be carefull !! K Thanks everyone. Our plans have changed and we are now going in a different direction. Have to see which way we turn at the end of the street. Leaving tomorrow, coming back ????? Going ???? Have I mentioned that WE LOVE RETIREMENT!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Boomerbiker Posted June 22, 2009 Share #12 Posted June 22, 2009 I grew up on the "West Coast" north of Muskegon. The ride along the lakeshore is great and others have pointed out the scenery and the roads to be traveled. Crossing the bridge is fun if you don't mind heights. I love riding the grate lane because you can look down and see the water. Last year about this time on the way to Glacier National Park, we were given an escort across the bridge because of high winds. You could have fooled me, as really didn't notice it. Have fun. I'm leaving next week for Rocky Mountain National Park and the Grand Tetons if mother nature is accommodating. Bill Stewart Coldwater Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilBeaver Posted June 22, 2009 Share #13 Posted June 22, 2009 Yes they do. They also close it when they do any sort of maintenance or whatever. The grate is okay as long as it is DRY. It pulls the front of the bike around a little bit but I have found that if you just kindof let the bike go where it wants to it is fine. What I have done in the past is drive on the grate as little as possible. Since they 'close' the lanes by just putting pylons in the way, as long as there are not any bridge workers or vehicles in the 'closed' lane I would just pop over there anyways. I was never questioned (and I have done this many many times). I had always figured as long as I am not endangering any workers and whatnot then IF I got 'pulled over' by the Macanac bridge authority (or the Michigan state police) I felt that I could have easily justified it as dangerous for a bike to be driving on the possibly wet grate. The worst thing I have found is the wind that whips though the straits (and across the bridge). Also, if the weather gets bad enough they simply do not let people cross (beginning with high profile vehicles and motorcycles). I have also been 'escorted' across the bridge before. Do not let driving across the bridge detur you from taking a motorcycle trip up there -- it WILL be okay. Just take a deep breath, hold on (and maybe pack an extra pair of shorts ). Drive safe! - Rick M. Perhaps it has changed, but when it gets to be questionable weather, they close the outside lanes and make you drive on the grating. I found that juggler posted a video regarding his driving over the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted June 22, 2009 Share #14 Posted June 22, 2009 Thanks everyone. Our plans have changed and we are now going in a different direction. Have to see which way we turn at the end of the street. Leaving tomorrow, coming back ????? Going ???? Have I mentioned that WE LOVE RETIREMENT!!!! HUMMMM,He already surprised me coming to the Texas Stampede....I betcha he is coming to Texas! I need to catch up on my Canadian accent and get ready for the International Rally and he is my teacher! Now I wonder if Ramblinman is coming..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kregerdoodle Posted June 23, 2009 Share #15 Posted June 23, 2009 eh...... HUMMMM,He already surprised me coming to the Texas Stampede....I betcha he is coming to Texas! I need to catch up on my Canadian accent and get ready for the International Rally and he is my teacher! Now I wonder if Ramblinman is coming..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary N. Posted June 23, 2009 Author Share #16 Posted June 23, 2009 HUMMMM,He already surprised me coming to the Texas Stampede....I betcha he is coming to Texas! I need to catch up on my Canadian accent and get ready for the International Rally and he is my teacher! Now I wonder if Ramblinman is coming..... Sorry Tom, won't be coming down there just yet but I'm sure thinking about coming back in October. Hope to see you at the HUB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted June 23, 2009 Share #17 Posted June 23, 2009 Sorry Tom, won't be coming down there just yet but I'm sure thinking about coming back in October. Hope to see you at the HUB. You will See Me!! Thats for SURE. Sure hoping more show up also...Gonna be a GREAT Time!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Posted June 23, 2009 Share #18 Posted June 23, 2009 Thanks everyone. Our plans have changed and we are now going in a different direction. Have to see which way we turn at the end of the street. Leaving tomorrow, coming back ????? Going ???? Have I mentioned that WE LOVE RETIREMENT!!!! Gary now your just showing off. I have 6 years and 9 days till semi retirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bongobobny Posted June 24, 2009 Share #19 Posted June 24, 2009 Gary and Mary, it was great having you over yesterday!! Hope you enjoy the rest of your vacation! Now that you know where you are, stop on in any time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary N. Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share #20 Posted June 28, 2009 Gary and Mary, it was great having you over yesterday!! Hope you enjoy the rest of your vacation! Now that you know where you are, stop on in any time. It was nice to see you and Becky. Thanks for everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary N. Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share #21 Posted June 28, 2009 Well we turned east out of the driveway and just kept going. We are now just south of Bar Harbour Maine. It started to pour so we took a room for the night. Hope it clears up tomorrow. It's been a great trip up til now. We got a good look at the ocean yesterday but an hour later the fog rolled in and it's been over cast and rainy ever since. Oh well. Depending on the weather we're heading north and maybe ride around the Gaspe before heading back home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BluesLover Posted June 29, 2009 Share #22 Posted June 29, 2009 You kids ride safe now and enjoy! Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecb Posted June 29, 2009 Share #23 Posted June 29, 2009 When I lived in Maine, I had 3 steel grated bridges to ride across to get to work. One even had 3/8th inch nubbies sticking up on it. The best way to ride them is to hold the bars very loosely. Let the bike squiggle along. Keep your speed at least 25 MPH. Don't try it at 50 MPH until you have done this many times. You WILL have a dark spot on your underwear. The bike WILL go straught even though it feels like the back tire wants to pass the front. I have seen people go over these bridges dragging their feet they were so scared. You have to go at least 25 mph Any slower and you will really feel it.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yammer Dan Posted June 29, 2009 Share #24 Posted June 29, 2009 Retire and RIDE!! Now that sounds like a Great plan!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary N. Posted July 1, 2009 Author Share #25 Posted July 1, 2009 Well, talk about an unplanned trip. When we got up on Monday morning it was still raining and the forecast for the NE wasn't good. Washed out roads, more rain, hail, who needs it. So we just decided to go south and cut back through NY and go home. Had the rain gear on about 80% of the way back but only got wet a couple of times. Stopped to eat when the sky looked bad and dodged a couple of big ones. All in all, a good trip. Went to Maine, ate lobster, came home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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