I am in the planning stages for my last remaining Great Lakes tour. I have done all but Lake Superior, and it looks like I'll knock it out soon. :fing02:
I've already mapped out a tentative route, but I'd love some input from locals and folks with experience around Lake Superior. Are there any sights, etc. I shouldn't miss while I'm riding around the lake? I did 4-day tours around Lakes Huron and Michigan this summer without a much input at all and had a great time. But this tour will be at a day longer due to the increased distance from home and around the lake, and I might have a little extra time available to take in more scenery and experiences.
I'm planning on a 5-day trip, leaving next Friday, likely going clockwise around the lake. Once I get to Michigan's upper peninsula, I'll probably head west before I get to Sault Ste. Marie. So far, my route keeps me as close to the lakeshore as possible without hitting gravel roads or taking me far out of my way - onto large peninsulas, for example. I'd love to take advantage of riding to the tip of the peninsulas, but time is a factor here, as I have to be back in 6 days.
BTW, like my other tours this summer, this will be solo. I love great scenery, but no romantic getaways are necessary for this trip. :biggrin:
Also, though I'll start solo, if anyone wants to tag along I would welcome the company, even for a day. I generally ride 400-500 miles per day on tour, stopping to see sights or every 60-90 minutes for breaks. I also tend stay at decent motels/hotels, no fleabags, and I'm not much of a camper (yet).
So, if you have any must-see's you'd like to suggest, I would love to hear them! Thanks in advance to all. :smile:
Totally up to you, If you want contact me when you're getting near Duluth maybe we can meet and I'll buy you a cup and perhaps ride a short stint with you... course it would all hinge on work cooperating. My only route suggestions are at Ashland take 13 up thru Bayfield then into Superior. Then at Duluth take the North Shore Scenic Highway to Two Harbors. Have fun!
Watch out for the MOOSE on the north side of Superior between WAWA and Sault Ste Marie. Ask me how I know!!! :) I was able to get hauled down in time to be almost stopped when the moose I saw was leaving the ditch and entering the highway. I was planning my best "slide the bike under it" manuever but glad I didn't have to use it!
Knute - Thanks for the route suggestions. I will probably do those. I said in my original post that I'd likely skip detours onto the larger peninsulas, but I was considering that one on Route 13. I'll send you a PM soon with my contact info and probable schedule so we can meet up.
Ken - Thanks for the reminder about being vigilant about moose. I remember reading about your incident and seeing a photo or two.
I just found out I was let out of a gig I had scheduled for 8/3 in Cleveland. I'm still planning to leave next Friday, but that cancellation frees up some dates for me just in case I can't leave a week from today for whatever reason.
While in Minnesota...
If you're a 'stich fan, their world headquarters (and only location) is in Duluth.
Palisade Head outside of Silver Bay is pretty cool. Baptism River and Temperance River are both good places to stretch your legs walking up to the falls.
Some good restaurants in Duluth (Pak's Green Corner is awesome) and along the scenic route to Two Harbors, then it's kind of slim pickings food-wise until Grand Marais. The Naniboujou lodge dining room in Grand Portage is worth at least a look.
Keep an eye out for deer, too. And LEOs, especially on weekends.
Knute - Thanks for the route suggestions. I will probably do those. I said in my original post that I'd likely skip detours onto the larger peninsulas, but I was considering that one on Route 13. I'll send you a PM soon with my contact info and probable schedule so we can meet up.
Ok on the contact info Tim, sure hope work cooperates. Hw 13 is nothing overly special, but it's not really that far out of your way either, so I'd say do it.
Only suggestion I have is to take the Scenic Highway on the north side of Duluth. A few years back I took a road trip up the north shore around the great lakes out to Niagara Falls in the slush bucket. Needless to say taking a bike trip around the N. side of Lake Superior on the bike is now on my bucket list.
Just make sure to take lots of pictures and report back afterwards.
If you get to the North Shore, MN 1 north from Illgin City toward Ely is one of MN's best roads. It's 62 mi from Illgin City to Ely. Mapquest says it's 1 hr 22 min one way. Very curvy through the forest. I highly recommend.
In Sault Ste. Marie there is a family style restaurant that has great fish and chips just across the street from the locks. And just down the street is a small museum about the Edmund Fitzgerald, worth the stop if you have the time.
I got back in the wee hours overnight. Great trip overall. I took a couple of the suggestions above and the whole trip was enjoyable, minus the rain the first 3 days.
Sorry I didn't contact you, Knute. It's probably better we didn't plan anything, as I hit Duluth a whole days after I had scheduled it last week, due to spending more time in MI and WI than I had originally planned.
Thanks again for the suggestions, guys! I'll post a ride report and pix within the couple days.