MT to MI...first big adventure

Travex

Lost is my destination.
Joined
May 7, 2012
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832
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Western New York State
Be prepared to ride on the steel grating on the Mackinaw bridge. Everytime I‘ve been over it in the summer the outer paved lanes have been closed for bridge maintenance. The steel grating can be unnerving as it’s pretty big openings and the bike wiggles a lot. It’s a long way across and you’ll be happy to get off the wire when it finally ends...
That's funny. Every time I'v gone over it in a cage there's been no maintenance. Every time on a bike, maintenance.
 

eemsreno

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On your way to everywhere, , Iowa
Kellbones
I didn't see where you said solo or your wife will be with you. Camping?
If you are coming from the west and crossing Northern Minnesota you might want to stop at the Hull–Rust–Mahoning Open Pit Iron Mine - Wikipedia It was very interesting.
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If you like remote riding with no people you might like the Heading Up To The Echo Trail In Northern Minnesota - TD - All Outdoors (tdalloutdoors.com) It was great!
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Don't miss the great waterfalls around Lake Superior. Like Mink Falls, It is right along the highway but can't be seen from the road.
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Sleeping Giant is great!
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And don't miss The Agawa Rock Pictographs: Ancient Indigenous Art on Lake Superior | Northern Ontario Travel
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I can't wait till my wife and I can circle the big lake again.
 

Wallkeeper

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I haven't ridden across that bridge, but it's part of my goal to circumnavigate Lake Michigan. That there are many YouTube videos about crossing that bridge on a motorcycle tells you something. I've seen a few and plan to do a review before making that trip. Not that it's anything to freak out about, but that bridge does have some "special" features. And no avoiding it.

Eville Rich
yeah first time across is a little spooky. Afternoons can be intimidating with the cross winds. Mornings are much nicer
 

TenereGUY

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Jan 19, 2023
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991
Location
Illinois
I am glad that you have decided to extend your travel time to 6-7 days each way. That's more realistic for two lanes or gravel.
I'd consider the ferry across Lake Michigan to Milwaukee on the way back. Not something you do everyday and US14 is a nice ride towards LaCrosse.
Gear: I've been riding cross country since 84. They didn't have gear choices except a leather jacket and cheap plastic rain gear that never failed to tear in the crotch.
If you plan to start riding long distance please allocate funds to get good gear as it will change a miserable or bad day into a good day.
1. Outer gear that's rain proof with protective pads.
Doesn't need a liner as you should have base layers. Brands like Klim and Aerostich. Personally I have a RoadCrafter suit that I use all the time in hot or cold. I don't like jackets without collars that I can't flip up and seal around my neck.
2. Heated gear that plugs into your bike. Living in MT with elevation changes it makes a huge difference in comfort and safety. Going around Lake Superior in the middle of summer you'll want it. It can be 80° 30 miles from the lake and 50° or lower at the lake. Now throw in fog or rain and waterproof gear and heated gear turn a miserable day into a good day.
3. Waterproof gloves. Mine are goretex and heated.
4. Waterproof boots. GoreTex. I don't use summer or winter boots. I spent the money on one pair of boots. Daytona Roadstar GTX boots. They work from sub 32° F for 5 hr rides to 115°F in Arizona all day. Feet are comfortable and they really are waterproof in all day rides in rain. Plus I can go site seeing in them and they aren't clunky.
5. Base layering. Just go to LDComfort.com and buy their gear. There is a reason most iron butt rally riders have their gear. Even the head cap keeps you cool. I have the tights and shorts. Shirts too. Get rid of your cotton. It just holds moisture next to your skin and causes problems. There are no seams where your pressure points are when sitting on the bike. A bonus is that you can wear these unders garment for a few days and not stink. Rinse them out then next morning let them dry under a cargo net strapped down while you ride. This way you really reduce the volume of stuff you have to pack.
6. Mesh gear: I have some but it is only a narrow window for temperature that you can use it and I just ride locally with it. Don't use it over 93°F. Sidici has a fairly inexpensive three seasons suit of it that can be used in lower Temps. I ride with a guy that has it... and we have to stop for him to put the rain liner in or out while I just sit there waiting in my RoadCrafter.
The only thing I need to stop for is if Temps drop hard. Then a 2 minute stop to throw on an upper heated liner...
7. Good pair of leather summer gloves. Spend the money once and have them for over 10 years. I only buy riding gloves with hardened knuckles now. I went down at speed. Didn't know I had ground a knuckle on my initial hit of the pavement until I was home and looking over my gear. My hand was normal.
8. Don't be surprised when you start MC camping that you'll be starting to replace stuff with more compact gear. I did... unless you already buy all backpacking gear.
9. Try this for planning your camping.
Freecampsites.net


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Last edited:

scott123007

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Joined
Jul 27, 2012
Messages
1,461
Location
Jupiter, Florida
I am glad that you have decided to extend your travel time to 6-7 days each way. That's more realistic for two lanes or gravel.
I'd consider the ferry across Lake Michigan to Milwaukee on the way back. Not something you do everyday and US14 is a nice ride towards LaCrosse.
Gear: I've been riding cross country since 84. They didn't have gear choices except a leather jacket and cheap plastic rain gear that never failed to tear in the crotch.
If you plan to start riding long distance please allocate funds to get good gear as it will change a miserable or bad day into a good day.
1. Outer gear that's rain proof with protective pads.
Doesn't need a liner as you should have base layers. Brands like Klim and Aerostich. Personally I have a RoadCrafter suit that I use all the time in hot or cold. I don't like jackets without collars that I can't flip up and seal around my neck.
2. Heated gear that plugs into your bike. Living in MT with elevation changes it makes a huge difference in comfort and safety. Going around Lake Superior in the middle of summer you'll want it. It can be 80° 30 miles from the lake and 50° or lower at the lake. Now throw in fog or rain and waterproof gear and heated gear turn a miserable day into a good day.
3. Waterproof gloves. Mine are goretex and heated.
4. Waterproof boots. GoreTex. I don't use summer or winter boots. I spent the money on one pair of boots. Daytona Roadstar GTX boots. They work from sub 32° F for 5 hr rides to 115°F in Arizona all day. Feet are comfortable and they really are waterproof in all day rides in rain. Plus I can go site seeing in them and they aren't clunky.
5. Base layering. Just go to LDComfort.com and buy their gear. There is a reason most iron butt rally riders have their gear. Even the head cap keeps you cool. I have the tights and shorts. Shirts too. Get rid of your cotton. It just holds moisture next to your skin and causes problems. There are no seams where your pressure points are when sitting on the bike. A bonus is that you can wear these unders garment for a few days and not stink. Rinse them out then next morning let them dry under a cargo net strapped down while you ride. This way you really reduce the volume of stuff you have to pack.
6. Mesh gear: I have some but it is only a narrow window for temperature that you can use it and I just ride locally with it. Don't use it over 93°F. Sidici has a fairly inexpensive three seasons suit of it that can be used in lower Temps. I ride with a guy that has it... and we have to stop for him to put the rain liner in or out while I just sit there waiting in my RoadCrafter.
The only thing I need to stop for is if Temps drop hard. Then a 2 minute stop to throw on an upper heated liner...
7. Good pair of leather summer gloves. Spend the money once and have them for over 10 years. I only buy riding gloves with hardened knuckles now. I went down at speed. Didn't know I had ground a knuckle on my initial hit of the pavement until I was home and looking over my gear. My hand was normal.
8. Don't be surprised when you start MC camping that you'll be starting to replace stuff with more compact gear. I did... unless you already buy all backpacking gear.
9. Try this for planning your camping.
Freecampsites.net


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Listen to this guy!! ^^^^^

And that Aerostich Roadcrafter he is telling you about is probably the single most important piece of simplifying what you need for ALL weather conditions. Made in Duluth Minnesota too!!
 

Wallkeeper

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Listen to this guy!! ^^^^^

And that Aerostich Roadcrafter he is telling you about is probably the single most important piece of simplifying what you need for ALL weather conditions. Made in Duluth Minnesota too!!
I use their gear too....awesome and if you order it during an in person visit they will measure you themselves

They also do drop in tours....I know some of the management. GREAT people
 

TenereGUY

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Joined
Jan 19, 2023
Messages
991
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Illinois
Aerostich isn't cheap but you'll have it 20 years. I've had mine for 6 to 8 years. I sent it up to be washed and re-waterproofed and fixed. I did have to replace a zipper I wrecked and a spot was patched where I stupidly melted a hole in the leg against a hot muffler when I threw it on a bike and walked away. I use it every time I go riding and that's at least around 10 to 15,000 miles a year in all weather on several bikes. I get in and out of it just as fast as a jacket too. So stop by in Duluth, MN and see them in their shop. I'm 6'3" with wide shoulders and longer torso so to fit my shoulders I had to fit the size with long legs...they had to take 3 or 4 inches out of the legs. They also have a great motorcycle rocker with some Honda Ascot donor parts. You get to put the gear on and sit on it and even lean to see how the gear feels. I plan to make one soon for my grandkids!

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Cycledude

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Jan 29, 2016
Messages
3,997
Location
Rib lake wi
Aerostich is only about 180 miles from my home so I’ve been there many times. Wish I would have bought the one piece suit many years ago when the crazy high price was only $800 , today it’s more like $1800.
 

TenereGUY

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Jan 19, 2023
Messages
991
Location
Illinois
Aerostich is only about 180 miles from my home so I’ve been there many times. Wish I would have bought the one piece suit many years ago when the crazy high price was only $800 , today it’s more like $1800.
I understand that... I bought mine 8 yrs ago. With the tailoring and color preference out the door was close to $1300. Then I go to outfit my 18 yr old daughter 3 yrs later with Klim and the jacket and pants were$1000 and the jacket didn't even have a flip up collar. Something I missed between the hubbub of the show and my wife taking care of her in the fitting department. Buy once and done or buy less quality gear and replace it over the years. Tough call.

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