Lake Superior Circle Tour, 2015

June 15-19, 2015

My friend Jason and I took off on a motorcycle trip around Lake Superior for 5 days.  In total, my motorcycle odometer registered 1,831.8 miles, starting at my house and returning.

We were inspired by our stops by following the Ride Lake Superior website.  They have a great route planned and we saw almost everything we were hoping for.

Day 1 - 425 miles

New Brighton, Minnesota to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada

Jason and I got going around 8am.  I was packed and ready the day before, so I only had to get on the bike and go.  Jason had a few last minute things at his place to finish up, but he was ready.

Teeny Split Rock Lighthouse behind us

First we just headed straight up 35W to Duluth.  It was a good time for a stop so we stopped at the Aerostich factory in Duluth, MN.  We got a tour of their facility and I ended up purchasing a throttle lock for the trip.  This really helped with the long distances.  Once north of Duluth, we made a quick stop for a photo with Split Rock Lighthouse in the back ground.  This is a must for me.  For lunch we stopped at the Northern Lights Roadhouse.  They have a great Hunter's Pie for good rib sticking food.

Palisade Head, Minnesota

After we got going again, a quick stop at Palisade Head is nice, and Jason had never been here before.  This has about 300 ft drop to Lake Superior.

Kakabeka Falls, Ontario

We skipped on our way up to the US/Canada border.  Nothing significant to report there.  From a person in the Ontario visitor's center gave we got a short cut to Kakabeka Falls.

It was getting late after all this driving, so we grabbed a quick bite in Thunder Bay, a six pack of beer, and headed to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park where we stayed the night.  We got the tent up by night fall, had a few beers and hit the sack.

Day 2 - 476 miles

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park to Sault Ste. Marie

Funny Story During the night, I was sleeping soundly when I awoke to having Jason on his knees looking at the edge of the tent.  Took me a second to figure out it was him and I asked what was up. He said his face was up against the tent side and he awoke getting his face pushed from the outside with loud deep sniffs, and there was a great stench. Probably a bear? We made some noise and turned on flashlights and it eventually went away.

In the morning we had a few campsite visitors while we made oatmeal and coffee.

After packing up gear, we headed to the end of the road down to Silver Islet, Ontario.  Small town area with a few homes and a general store. I saw a website said it was a ghost town, but looked alive to me.

We headed to Ouimet Canyon.  This is a very cool geographical anomaly in the area with a few theories on how it was created.







Along the north shore of Lake Superior are many beautiful vistas.  There were lots of places to stop for a photo op.  Fewer places for gas, so we topped off our tanks often.  This also gave us a short break on our way for a cup of coffee or snack.

The most interesting thing is how cold it gets from the north side all the way to Sault Ste Marie. Small canyons off from the lake were easily 10-15 degrees colder than up above.

Aguasabon Falls, Terrace Bay, ON, Canada

Agawa Rock Pictographs

We did find Aguasabon Falls and some Agawa Rock Pictographs to see on our way.

Young's General Store

Pictographs are right on the water - watch your step

Flurries were predicted for the next day along the east shore of Lake Superior (our destination), so we decided to drive on through to Sault Ste Marie and get a hotel. The weather was cold, but we both had enough to wear. This was our longest riding day at 476 miles.

Day 3 - 399 miles

Point Iroquois Lighthouse

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario to Copper Bay, Michigan

Breakfast was in the hotel so it was easy to get going.  Got a little lost in town trying to get to the U.S. border, but the crossing went off without a hitch.  We headed to the Point Iroquois Lighthouse.

Tahquamenon Falls

After the lighthouse, was Tahquamenon Falls State Park.

Jay Flying

We ran into a little rain in the afternoon, but no big storming.  This ride was beautiful, but uneventful.  We found that long rides make for a few shenanigans.

The path to follow on the Ride Lake Superior map was a good ride.  It's not the Google maps most efficient route, but probably better.

Day 4 - 296 miles

Copper Harbor, Michigan to Little Sand Bay Campground, Bayfield, Wisconsin

Wednesday night I was starting to get sore and grumpy.  I was looking for a restaurant/bar close by our sleeping area.  Since it was cold again, and the campground appeared to have nothing next door to it, I pushed for a motel again.  We stayed at The Pines for the night.  Clean and a bar right next door.  A good restaurant was across the street too.

Copper Harbor is a small fishing type village on the coast.  It appears that winter is big for this town, providing lots of sledding information.  Summer is 4x4 oriented.








In in the morning we head east on the Keweenaw Peninsula to Fort Wilkins Historic State Park.  It cost $9 per bike to get in, but we could explore the area. Hint: The pass is good for other parks during the day, btw.

Family Housing outside Fort Wilkins

This Fort advertises as being the most complete Fort representation from it's day.

Copper Harbor from Brockway Mountain Drive

The night before, a local told us about taking Brockway Mountain Drive when we headed out of town.  We rode west along the coast, popping up on the highway going up over the hills.  Very cool ride.  It was  a great site where we could get some shots of Copper Harbor from above.

Wide picture of Copper Harbor

Jason the Photo Guy

An area close by called Eagle Harbor has a great perspective on where other parts of Lake Superior.

Jason was pretty interested in the Delaware Copper Mine.  I was impressed with how much is left still.  Walked down steps to be about 100 feet below ground, with 1400 ft of tunnel to explore.  Hint: Bring a flashlight.  I didn't get pictures here, but Jason snapped a few up top.

I was impressed with the Michigan Upper Peninsula in how much is not developed, with vast forested areas and coastline.  We set a route that closely matched the suggested Ride Lake Superior route.  Once over the border in Wisconsin though, there appeared to be almost instant population.

We got to our destination at Little Sand Bay Campground on the northern peninsula across from Sand Island.  $25 a night for power, grassy areas, nice.  This is not officially on the RLSuperior route, but Jason knew about it.  We forgot to stop and grab food on our way past Bayfield, so we setup camp and headed back to town for food and a six pack.

  We took a few photos while enjoying our beers on the dock.

Day 5 - 235 Miles

Little Sand Bay Campground to New Brighton, Minnesota

Oatmeal and Coffee Breakfast

Shorter ride today. We made such good time/mileage of the last few days, this was going to be easier. Since Jason gets up at like 5:30AM, we got a good start on the day. There was a RLSuperior stop on the map at Ehlers General Store, but they weren't open yet. We decided just to ride on to Superior, Wisconsin. We stopped for coffee in Superior, then decided to take a nice final ride down Hwy 23. We were home by 1pm, which was nice.

Little Sand Bay Campground

Travel Days; June 15-19, 2015
Total Mileage: 1,831

Northern Minnesota Overnight

There is something very satisfying about riding by yourself.  You have your own schedule, stopping when you want and eating when you want.  There isn't anyone to keep up with or wait for, just you and the road.  My trip to Northern Minnesota was just this sort of trip.

Northern Minnesota 2-Day Ride

As usual, my goal was to stay off of freeways, and I accomplished this.  My first day I rode 408 miles, then 368 miles the next with breakfast in another country.

I left around 9AM on May 9, 2012, heading up Highway 65 out of the cities.  I rode straight north, turning soon after Cambridge, MN, on Hwy 107, traveling north to Hinckley, joining Hwy 61.  This winds past Banning State Park as Hwy 23.  I've never been on this road and it's a great alternative the using the 35 Fwy to Duluth.  I made good time here, even throttling in up a bit to "see how she does".  I just have to say the aerodynamics at 100mph change quite a bit on my bike.  I stopped for a break at Wrenshall Scenic Overlook which was an unexpectedly nice view.

Wrenshall Scenic Overlook

From here I headed into Duluth from the south, heading to find the Aerostitch store.  I discovered it's just a warehouse/clothing factory with a small showroom.  There was a laser printed sign on the door and two flights of steps to get in.  I forgot to take a picture outside the factory.  It wasn't what I was expected, but also it was in a way.
After a quick Subway sandwich stop, I continued north along the North Shore of Lake Superior.  In Duluth it was 62C, perfect riding weather.  Once along the water, the temperature dropped to 52C.  I stopped at the vista for Split Rock Light House and walked around a bit taking the shot below.

Split Rock Lighthouse in the Background

My next big turn was west on Hwy 1 out of Illgen City.  This is the route we take when I go to the BWCA with a couple of friends.  We stay the night in Finland, MN, then head in early the next AM.  I'm told that back in 1951, the Finland Air Force Station was opened to help monitor the air for enemy planes from the north. It probably would have been fun to drive past there had I known it the base was there.

Just past Isabella, MN, the road gets really interesting.  In years past the roads weren't very good because of so much winter freezing and heaving going on.  The road was solid and winding, with only about 5 miles of gravel for new construction.  I passed through Ely, MN, which as a nice surprise.  This town should a destination on any ones list for "places to visit in Minnesota".  It had lots of "outfitter" shops for heading into the Boundary Waters and surrounding lakes. 

I continued west on Hwy 1, catching Hwy 53 north to International Falls.  I was traveling between 70-85 mph most of the time.  On Hwy 53, I came over a hill going only about 71 and got a flash of lights from the MN Highway Patrol.  Close one.  It was the only the second MHP I saw the whole trip.

I arrived in International Falls around 6:30, just slightly later than I'd wanted.  After setting up my tent Arnold's Campground & RV Park, I got a nice steak dinner with a few beers.  Got to bed around 9:45 and was probably waking the neighbors with snoring by 10:15pm.

It's so nice to wake up in a tent, snuggled in my mummy sleeping bag with about 45C in the air.  I woke up around 5:45AM, but got up around 6:15.  After waking a bit, folded up my tent and gear and I was on my way by 7am.  I decided to cross the border to get breakfast.  On the US side, it cost me $3 to cross to Canada (free to return).  Driving across was not very glamorous.  It was mostly navigating the warehouses for Boise Paper company, housed on both sides of the river passing through them.

I drove around Fort Francis, stopping for a few photo's.  I started chatted with a rider for about 30 minutes. He worked as a truck driver for Boise, making about $140K a year, working 21 days on and 14 off.  He travels on his off days since there isn't any family in the area.  He was really interested in how much I pay for motorcycle insurance.  I quoted paying about $300/yr in the US. He claimed his was $1500-$2000/yr.  I figured if you have (relatively) free health care and you participate in a risky activity, you need to cover the bills from your unfortunate happenings should they happen.  Since I pay for my own health insurance, I'm thinking I pay more.  Just sayin'.

I drove out the Trans-Canada Hwy, over the causeway the rider was quite proud of an snapped a few photo's.  I stopped for breakfast back in Fort Francis.  Nothing too fancy, but solid.  The night before, a guy at the RV park talked about heading out Hwy 11 from Int'l Falls.  It dead-ends into Rainy Lake Dove Island Wayside Park, 10 miles in.  It was a very nice ride. I stopped at the Park station and quizzed the Ranger about comparing the BWCA to Voyagers National Park.  Very educational.  Lots of boat house rentals and camp sites, plus even canoe rentals with camp site.

I headed out of the area about 10:30AM (a little late again), down Hwy 71, cutting to Hwy 6, then Co Rd 5  to Marcell, MN.  South of Marcell is the Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway.  Wow!  Not only is it beautiful, is a motorcyclists dream.  South of Marcell is over 15 miles of hills and turns, 14 of it specifically pointed out.  This was a great ride.


After making this run, I stopped by a way side next to a lake to finish my Subway Sandwich from the day before.  Yea, I'm a risk taker.

I realized that I'm starting to get pretty tired by now. My throttle hand was cramping deep inside.  I needed more stops.  It also helps me remember that I need to get my cruise control working again.

South of Grand Rapids, I jumped on the The Great River Road heading south.  Another great ride with glimpses of the Mississippi on occasion.  It was still pretty early, but I needed more stops at this point.  I'm still building for the long distance riding adventures.  At 480th Street in Palisade, MN, I headed east to pick up Hwy 65 to go south to home.  I stopped again in Cambridge for dinner, then finished up the ride about 7:20PM back at home.

I've talked with a friend about doing some longer rides.  His wife rides too.  The Edge of the Wilderness ride was worth heading back up for, and the ride east of Ely.  On my almost 800 mile trip, I saw so many campgrounds, many of them city parks.  So many options.

It's sad in a way. So many miles of beauty, so little time to cover it all.

Ride safe!
DRZ

Long Distance Riding is Getting In My Blood

It's been a few weeks since my motorcycle ride through Southern Minnesota and Southern Wisconsin.  I enjoyed the ride immensely.  The challenges of planning, packing, routing, weather and physical were all invigorating.  I rode (unverified) 645 miles in about 30 hours.

I'm on the email distribution for the LDRider mailing list.  There are constant discussions of various charity and fun long distance rides, technical talks like baffles in supplemental gas tanks, and occaisional political commentary.  It's all good.

At the Iron Butt Associationg website, there are a few rides that can be done to qualify for calling oneself an "Iron Butt Rider".  One is the SaddleSore 1000 (1000 miles in 24 hours), and the Bun Burner 1500 (1500 miles in 36 hours).  (There is even 1500 miles in 24 hours, but let's not get crazy.) I like the idea of the Border to Border Ride too.  Hmmm ... intriguing.

View Long Distance Ride, 2012 in a larger map

I'm thinking Summer of 2012 for this.  In my typical style, I've already plotted a 1000 and 1500 mile trip.  Of course I have plenty of time to decide on what I really want to do.

If I do the 1000, I could head south to Iowa City, IA, then west to Lincoln, NE (619 miles, 10 hours).  I have friends there and could probably stay for the night.  The next morning, I'd drive back home (442 miles, 7 hours).  This is around 1,060 miles.  A little more than necessary, but not bad.

One nice thing is I can qualify for both the 1000 and 1500 ride at the same time.  That route needs to include more than one rest place.

Dan