Motorcycle Riders?

[melensdad]

Some photos....

 

[melensdad]

We are now in Wawa, Ontario. Departed Terrace Bay late because the only road around the lake was closed. An accident shut down the TransCanada highway for about 12 hours! We were one of the first 4 or 5 to get through and the accident was horrific. We were the first to get to Marathon, and were bombarded with questions about the accident as that town was only a half dozen miles from the accident site. Had breakfast there, then went on to White River to see the birthplace of Winnie the Pooh. Finally on to Wawa and arrived mid-afternoon to see the giant goose. Met up with some others in the parking lot there who recognized our bikes, they also went through the accident site and knew one of the victims.

So far we have been really lucky with the rain. It has happened at night, or late afternoon, but not while we were riding. The Bayfield Inn let us park under their canopy as the area was under a severe thunderstorm warning.

We've done a mix of camping and hotel stays. Trying to stay at locally owned motels and have met some of the nicest people doing so. Avoided Duluth, just drove through it. The bridge in Duluth is far worse than the Mackinac bridge, but we caught it during a very busy time and traffic was bad.

 

[melensdad]

We should be finishing up our circle around Superior this afternoon. Tomorrow we move east to Huron. We are following the northern shore to the midpoint then heading south onto a string of islands. At the end is a ferry that runs across part of the upper bay. We take the ferry and resume again following Heron’s coastline south, then across a bit of land to pick up Lake Ontario at Toronto. Then east along its Northern shore.

 

[melensdad]

We are now officially done with Lake Superior, did the full 1600 mile circle. Finished up an hour ago and are now in Sault St. Marie, Ontario. Tomorrow we head east to Huron.

 

[Indyhd]

Glad you are enjoying the ride. I’ll be doing a Labor Day trip around Lake Michigan and will be my first time over the Mac bridge.
Enjoy the rest of your ride and ride safe !!

 

[chezuki]

I rode a Goldwing 1800 tonight. I may be damaged. I love my Harley, but damn that was a fast and smooth machine.

 

[jagee]

Packing up to ride to Charleston, WV today. Should be a fun trip.

 

[melensdad]

Stopped at a small restaurant about 45 minutes east of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario on the TransCanadian Hwy. We needed to get some coffee and breakfast.

Someone drove their lawn tractor to the restaurant and parked between to pick-up trucks.

 

[terrehautian]

Looks like next week or soon I will be riding a 17 Suzuki c50t for my dad. He is buying it but hasn’t ride since the 70’s. Since he doesn’t have motorcycle endorsement, I can get it home for him since I do. Plus I will be able able to ride it at times also. Hoping he takes the riding class at the local Harley dealer as that is as close as there is one. Bike is brand, never been owned. Looked at it today and it is very similar to my old bike. I probably should at least ride it around the parking lot at dealer to check it out.

 

[EyeCarry]

I just saw today that ABATE is doing $99 courses. Nearest opening is in September at the old Indy Airport and it was for one spot left. I just looked now and it is gone. Some left for Clarksville.

 

[dwh79]

I took the Harley rider course. I enjoyed it and helped me get my license. Been enjoying riding. Looking forward to when I decide to move up from my street 500.

 

[bwframe]

I had a dumbass attack and hastily rolled my bike forward to line up the air pressure valves to check tire pressure, prior to a quick ride.

Forward motion caught the kickstand and the bike went over, into a wire shelf. Bark Buster done it's job and the only damage was my own embarrassment.

A good reminder to not get sloppy...

 

[Dr.Midnight]

I had a dumbass attack and hastily rolled my bike forward to line up the air pressure valves to check tire pressure, prior to a quick ride.

Forward motion caught the kickstand and the bike went over, into a wire shelf. Bark Buster done it's job and the only damage was my own embarrassment.

A good reminder to not get sloppy...

Ouch. Sorry to hear that. I'm always extremely careful when rolling my Ultra around. That thing is a barge, and if it ever gets away from me, there's no stopping that ***** from going over.

 

[EyeCarry]

I parked my Ultra Limited in the shade at Bloomington Harley a couple of weeks ago. That put the kickstand on the uphill side of the grade. I almost lost it leaning it right to get the kickstand down. They are "big-uns", aren't they Midnight.

 

[melensdad]

Made it to the south end of Lake Huron and gave up on tent camping so we booked a night at a B&B. It's gotten down into the mid-40's and our sleeping bags, even while wearing 2 wool shirts, wouldn't keep us comfortable. I'm pounding down DayQuil to hold down the coughing. Going to sleep indoors and see if that helps. Scenery is beautiful. Lake Superior is amazing. Lake Huron is just as beautiful and there is nobody living there! Don't pass a gas station without topping up, never quite sure when you will find the next one.

1 married couple. 2 bikes. 1 tent. 1 bottle of bourbon. No interstates. No chain foods/hotels/campground. Take the SLOW WAY AROUND and hitting all 5 Great Lakes + the St Lawrence Seaway. Going to need more bourbon

 

[Indyhd]

I rode a Goldwing 1800 tonight. I may be damaged. I love my Harley, but damn that was a fast and smooth machine.

I put 100k miles on the 2003 wing I had and it was a great bike. Wind/rain protection much better than either of the two Harley dressers I’ve had. And also had reverse to help get it around a little easier.

Iised to tell everyone it reminds me of the TV commercial, “This isn’t your Grandfather’s Oldsmobile.”

 

[chezuki]

I put 100k miles on the 2003 wing I had and it was a great bike. Wind/rain protection much better than either of the two Harley dressers I’ve had. And also had reverse to help get it around a little easier.

Iised to tell everyone it reminds me of the TV commercial, “This isn’t your Grandfather’s Oldsmobile.”

Someday I’ll have one of each. I could really see commuting and traveling on a wing.

 

[indytechnerd]

RAMS Ride this weekend, right at 105 miles out the garage and back in.
Started at Indy West in Plainfield, and wound our way down through Monrovia to Martinsville American Legion. From there, we headed East through Morgantown to the ArtCraft and the Willard in Franklin. After that it was up to Whiskey Business at Southport/Emerson area. Was a nice ride, didn't catch much sunburn until the ride home at 3:30 in the afternoon. Now my elbows are a bit cooked. This was the first time my wife had been on the back of the bike in almost a year and the first time we'd ever done a ride with this many bikes, so she was kinda nervous at the start, but after a little bit, she relaxed and we had a great ride. We chatted constantly (love having a set of Sena headsets) and basically enjoyed the day together.

 

[melensdad]

Back on American soil.

Finished Lake Huron with a night at a rural B&B, then headed south toward (but avoided the city) Toronto & Lake Ontario. Followed the coast of Ontario eastward through several beautiful resort/harbor towns, keeping on roads as close to the water as possible and totally avoiding the highway system. This made travel slow, often 35-45mph. Ended up in Brighton, ON for the night at another B&B. Brighton is about the center point along the north coast line of the lake.

Next day was a fun day. East out of Brighton and onto an island where the only way off was a ferry ride. Then east again, all along the coastal roads to the start of the St Lawrence Seaway. Weather forecast is looking ugly with thunderstorms moving into the area Tuesday/Wed/Thurs so we altered our plans a bit and did not continue northeast up the Seaway. Instead we landed onto another ferry and crossed the seaway to an island. Rode across that island to another ferry point, again loaded up onto a 3rd ferry and crossed into US waters. Landed at Cape Vincent, NY which is very near the start of the St Lawrence Seaway on the northwestern tip of Lake Ontario. Lovely late-lunch at a brew-pub after chatting with the border agents about the rowdy Canadian couple behind us on their HD Actually they were very nice, he's actually a Honda guy who just got a HD for a trip. They just started their trip into the US the same day and we were on 2 of the 3 ferry crossings with them.

From Cape Vincent we did our best to follow the southern shore of Lake Ontario through the small towns. Turned south and pulled into the Del Lago Indian Casino/Resort for the night. We plan to stay for 2 nights. I thought my lovely wife was going weep when they handed her a glass of champaign upon checking into a king room. It has REAL American style A/C that actually is quiet AND gets the room cold. It was like heaven. This is where we will recharge our bodies a bit and, hopefully watch the storm pass? A luxury resort is a huge change over from tiny motorcourts, B&Bs and campsites. I think its a good change too!

We may try to make it to Niagara Falls tomorrow, but that is storm dependent. Not going to take the lovely Mrs_Bob on the roadways during heavy thunderstorms. These bikes are capable but that is just no fun for anyone. Best to sit it out and ride when there are breaks in the weather. We have had nearly perfect weather on this entire trip, no need to push ourselves during the last week when we are already road weary.

Foxmoore Farm B&B a bit south of Lake Huron

Brighton Inn B&B on the north central shore of Lake Ontario

And the many ferry crossings . . .

Del Lago

 

[harleymac1]

I have two bikes for sale if anyone has interest. 1999 HD Softail Custom and 2009 Suzuki VStrom decked out with Jesse hard panniers and GPS. Price negotiable and ready to move.

I noticed people discussing classes. We have plenty of openings at Southside HD Riding Academy. Yes, we cost more than the others but we feel we provide a VIP experience on newer, bigger machines. I am in my 17th year of teaching and 39th year of riding. If you want more info on class or want to negotiate a price on one of the bikes message me.