Lake Michigan Loop

[BRPjunkie]

Returned from four day loop of Lake Michigan. Jackson to Muskegon up the coast through Leelanau Peninsula, Traverse City, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Cross Village, Mackinaw Bridge (easier on three wheels than two), Naubinway, Manistique, Escanaba (in the daylight), Menominee, Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay, Algoma, Manitowoc, Sheybogan and Milwaukee. Lake Express back across the lake. Four days and 1,250 miles. Actually only about 2/3rds of the lake, but Chicago/Gary are no fun.

Spyder ran perfectly the entire way and Harvey's Missing Air Dam kept temp bars 3-4 most of the ride. Last 100 miles, bars started to creep and I think I may have Y-gasket replacement ahead. Needed 4 oz of oil when I got home. Only other issue was blown tail light filament on my Walmart added tail light. Brake filament works, so just popped in a spare 1157 bulb.

No dealers in the UP so I was a little worried about getting stranded UP there, but no problems. I know I will get my turn, but Natchez Trace ride last year and lake loop this year were uneventful. In spite of heavy rains in WI area, we came through a day behind and only had rain gear on for 20 minutes in mI when a spot shower broke out between Charlotte and Eato Rapids. Two Hondas and two Harleys along for the ride and I kept the metric and Harley owners separated with my neutral Canadian ride.

 

[canam9]

Cool!

Good for you! Sounds like a good time.:clap::ani29:

 

[Firefly]

:congrats:

Great ryde up there for sure. Lots of nice scenery along hwy 2.

 

[BRPjunkie]

Forgot to add the highlight; seeing the USS Cobia at Manitowoc and the USS Silversides at Muskegon. Two WW II subs the same day. Pretty amazing to think what those submariners went through; not diminishing what all service men and women go through.

 

[mxz600]

Sounds like a nice ride you had there.

Returned from four day loop of Lake Michigan. Four days and 1,250 miles. Actually only about 2/3rds of the lake, but Chicago/Gary are no fun.

I like riding the Chicago/Gary area, it sharpens the awareness skills.:joke:

 

[Some Guy]

The S.O. and I were up in the Traverse City/Petoskey/Harbor Springs area this past Fri-Sun. We rode the Tunnel of Trees and rode across that big scary bridge as well (don't look down thru the grates!!! :yikes: ). Not a lake loop by any stretch, just a nice 750 3-day trip through on the back roads. Nice scenery and no rain until we got 15 miles from home on the way back. :thumbup:

 

[Firefly]

The S.O. and I were up in the Traverse City/Petoskey/Harbor Springs area this past Fri-Sun. We rode the Tunnel of Trees and rode across that big scary bridge as well (don't look down thru the grates!!! :yikes: ). Not a lake loop by any stretch, just a nice 750 3-day trip through on the back roads. Nice scenery and no rain until we got 15 miles from home on the way back. :thumbup:

S.O. ??

Don't you mean Some Girl???? :roflblack:

And did you mean THESE grates:

 

[Some Guy]

S.O. ??

Don't you mean Some Girl???? :roflblack:

And did you mean THESE grates:

Who said S.O. = Some Girl??? :roflblack:

OK...it's the same person...

Yeah, those are the grates...thanks for the stirring up those fearful memories! :gaah:

 

[BRPjunkie]

I did take a six minute video crossing the Bridge. I'll see if I can get it downloaded if anyone is interested.

 

[NancysToy]

Glad to see your post, Mike! I was just thinking about you as we were unloading the trailer. Glad you had a good journey...and that you did not have to use your "lifeline". I'll give you a jingle later in the week, after we have both had time to decompress....if I don't have to it the road again. I don't remember when our next event is scheduled.

The Cobia and the Silversides are cool. I have seen both. nancy spent a night on the USS Silversides when she was a Boy Scout leader. How cool is that?

Welcome home! I am jealous!!!

 

[SpyderAnn01]

That bridge scares the daylights out of me in a big SUV - don't know if I'm brave enough to go it on 3 wheels. They have a service that will drive your car over if you are too scared to do it yourself, wonder if that goes for motorcycles as well.:yikes:

 

[bjt]

Good for you! Sounds like a good time.:clap::ani29:

+1

 

[vendit]

Nice Ride!!

That whole area is very scenic and cool to ride. I went across the mighty mac last summer on my spydie and didn't mind it......and I don't like heights...you just don't look down!!

Is anyone else planning on riding in the midnight ride on Friday August 20th? For those not familiar....this is a benefit ride for Juvenile Diabeties, and the ride starts in Rockford at midnight. It then goes to Alma and picks up more bikes, etc. They ride all the way to the bridge, and across to the casino in St. Ignace where you can have breakfast. The local, county and state police are very involved with this ride. People come out in the middle of the night and line the overpasses to watch all the bikes! I guess last year it took like 10 minutes to watch all the bikes to pass by! It sounds like a cool event and a great fundraiser!

It is put on by the Goldwing Riders of Grand Rapids. This will be something like their 26th year doing this ride!

 

[Longlegs]

Cool ride dude. I'd like to do that too. I talked to a guy that did it on bicycle, thats too much commitment for me. You need to add Wisconsin on your map now.

 

[jmcbow]

Loved the "Escanaba in the daylight" reference, but I doubt anyone else got it.

 

[Firefly]

Loved the "Escanaba in the daylight" reference, but I doubt anyone else got it.

I did.

 

[Zombo]

Loved the "Escanaba in the daylight" reference, but I doubt anyone else got it.

I got it too. The pumping "Jimmer" scene just kills me!:roflblack: