Lake Superior 1K
- Thread starter Ole
- Start date
Pterodactyl_imp
Road warrior
Interesting. Great night photo. And is that the bear that made Milwaukee famous?
Cheers
Cheers
the Ferret
Road warrior
Uh oh... Get pulled over for impeding traffic? Lol. J/K
Congrats Ole... How does the knee feel?
Congrats Ole... How does the knee feel?
JohnNevets_imp
First service completed
Petro, Did the Rugby/ Pub song about Yogi the bear make it down your way? It's not very PC, but most Rugby songs aren't.
And by the way if that bear started coming at me, I'm sure it would make me "Schlitz" my pants.
And by the way if that bear started coming at me, I'm sure it would make me "Schlitz" my pants.
Congratulations Ole. Look forward to the report.
Pterodactyl_imp
Road warrior
Yeh, know the Yogi song. As for the bear, I would make a run for the "Busch". On second thoughts that might leave me sadder, "Budweiser".JohnNevets_imp said:
Cheers
ThomWill_imp
Running like a top
How is the knee after all that?... I know, I know... wait for the report.
So last September me, the boy and another guy took a trip around Lake Superior. It was 7 days and I did a report here:
http://www.cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=1362
Over on ADV a guy set up an Iron Butt Ride around the same lake. One had 24 hours to do it. I think it was $40 for the certification and some other crap. IBA riders are some tough dudes. I have done many 1000+ mile days in my lifetime. I thought what the heck let's do another. My Doctor talked me in to trailering the bike the first 440 miles to save my surgically repaired knee for the big ride. As soon as he released me I took off for Sault Ste. Marie MI. I camped the first night in Northern Wisconsin on Richardson Lake near Wabeno.
A car load of road drinking Native Americans stopped by at my campsite and said a HUGE bear was heading my way. I told them I am ready got my camera!
Had to eat this quick before the bear got it
I t was a very nice campsite in the National Forest and I never did see the bear.
After a very good night's sleep I left for the Soo Locks Auto Campground in Sault Ste. Marie MI. The same place we got in some trouble last fall for moving a picnic table. The owner told us to leave if we didn't put it back "right now". I moved no tables this time and we got along just fine.
The campgrounds is in town but it is right on the St. Marys River just below the Locks. Dinner was served and I just sat on the shore watching the ore boots and the tugs go by all day long. The activity never stops as 11,000 vessels go through the locks each year. 90 million tons of cargo.
Most of the big boys are self unloaders.
Oh Canada. The rock pile is the international border line.
Coming and going all day and night long
I am not sure why but I find it fascinating to watch those ships go by. They carry taconite ore, coal, limestone, wheat, corn, cement, salt for highways, and just about anything else they can make a buck on. The shipping season started late this year due to the terrible winter we just had.
Had a couple beers, crawled in to my sleeping bag set the alarm for 4AM and it was lights out. Every time I woke up I could hear the ore boats lumbering by and I thought that was cool those guys are finally making some money after the long winter lay-up.
Friday June 20 was the Iron Butt Ride. I woke up at 3AM and I was amped. I had 2 good nights sleep and was a chomping on the bit to git going. 3 cups of coffee and a light snack I was ready. We had to meet at the I 75 rest area the last one before the crossing in to Canada. We were supposed to be there between 445 and 515 to get signed in and our odometers recorded. The plan was to leave in groups from 515AM to 600AM so we were spaced out for the border crossing. I got there early and just waited not long the ride leader showed up.
I had all my gas stops planned out well in advance. The miles between stops were:
148
169
132
155
124
130
113
76 done at The Soo.
I carried one map and a GPS
You had to record your start odometer recorded, start time recorded, get gas at 4 mandatory stops (Wawa, Ont.,Thunder Bay, Ont., Ishpeming, MI., and a final gas slip at Sault Ste. Marie, MI.) Then get your final odometer recorded. 12 riders showed up. I was the only CB1100. BMW GS's, Honda ST1300's, one Harley, couple V Strom's and a Suzuki Burgman 650. The leader let me go at 530AM
http://www.cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=1362
Over on ADV a guy set up an Iron Butt Ride around the same lake. One had 24 hours to do it. I think it was $40 for the certification and some other crap. IBA riders are some tough dudes. I have done many 1000+ mile days in my lifetime. I thought what the heck let's do another. My Doctor talked me in to trailering the bike the first 440 miles to save my surgically repaired knee for the big ride. As soon as he released me I took off for Sault Ste. Marie MI. I camped the first night in Northern Wisconsin on Richardson Lake near Wabeno.
A car load of road drinking Native Americans stopped by at my campsite and said a HUGE bear was heading my way. I told them I am ready got my camera!
Had to eat this quick before the bear got it
I t was a very nice campsite in the National Forest and I never did see the bear.
After a very good night's sleep I left for the Soo Locks Auto Campground in Sault Ste. Marie MI. The same place we got in some trouble last fall for moving a picnic table. The owner told us to leave if we didn't put it back "right now". I moved no tables this time and we got along just fine.
The campgrounds is in town but it is right on the St. Marys River just below the Locks. Dinner was served and I just sat on the shore watching the ore boots and the tugs go by all day long. The activity never stops as 11,000 vessels go through the locks each year. 90 million tons of cargo.
Most of the big boys are self unloaders.
Oh Canada. The rock pile is the international border line.
Coming and going all day and night long
I am not sure why but I find it fascinating to watch those ships go by. They carry taconite ore, coal, limestone, wheat, corn, cement, salt for highways, and just about anything else they can make a buck on. The shipping season started late this year due to the terrible winter we just had.
Had a couple beers, crawled in to my sleeping bag set the alarm for 4AM and it was lights out. Every time I woke up I could hear the ore boats lumbering by and I thought that was cool those guys are finally making some money after the long winter lay-up.
Friday June 20 was the Iron Butt Ride. I woke up at 3AM and I was amped. I had 2 good nights sleep and was a chomping on the bit to git going. 3 cups of coffee and a light snack I was ready. We had to meet at the I 75 rest area the last one before the crossing in to Canada. We were supposed to be there between 445 and 515 to get signed in and our odometers recorded. The plan was to leave in groups from 515AM to 600AM so we were spaced out for the border crossing. I got there early and just waited not long the ride leader showed up.
I had all my gas stops planned out well in advance. The miles between stops were:
148
169
132
155
124
130
113
76 done at The Soo.
I carried one map and a GPS
You had to record your start odometer recorded, start time recorded, get gas at 4 mandatory stops (Wawa, Ont.,Thunder Bay, Ont., Ishpeming, MI., and a final gas slip at Sault Ste. Marie, MI.) Then get your final odometer recorded. 12 riders showed up. I was the only CB1100. BMW GS's, Honda ST1300's, one Harley, couple V Strom's and a Suzuki Burgman 650. The leader let me go at 530AM
I was off. The border crossing was easy. It took about 2 minutes and was soon in The Bush heading for Wawa. Lots of critters up there. I turned around 3 times to take pics.
I saw that bear in the road about 3/4 mile ahead of me by the time I got there he was in the trees. So I whistled and on cue he came out for the pic.
She was a little jumpy maybe the bugs were driving her crazy
I did not ride with the others. I do best solo. Besides, they had super pumper gas tanks and I did not. There were many many bridges being rebuilt in Canada and Minnesota. Lost a bunch of time in line waiting for a pilot car to take us through.
pretty boring just sitting there
Around Nipigon Ont it stated raining so I put the camera in the top case and just pounded out the miles. I did see the others at gas stops they would pass me and then I would pass them. June 21 was Grandmas Marathon in Duluth MN. The roads were packed packed I tell ya. I waited 33 minutes at the border crossing to get back in to the USA at Grand Portage. 3 lines of traffic stopped arggggg. Most were Canadian plates I assume going to run the race. Duluth was a white out fog but I made it through in good shape. One of the guys on the BMW GS passed me in Duluth so I knew I was not going to beat him back. But it's not a race with others it's a race with the 24 hour clock and that's it. It stopped raining near Ashland WI I dont mind rain I have good waterproof riding gear head to toe. I just ride it out.
It rained fogged for about 350 miles
Around the 600 mile mark my knee started to bother me. Popped a couple pills and it felt much better. The pills did not affect my riding at at all. i made very good time in the UP of Michigan. There was no traffic but the gol darned deer were everywhere. Approaching Ishpeming I did not dim my headlights fast enough for this gentleman. He turned around and pulled me over.
He let me go with a verbal warning and a sermon. He claimed "this is how I find over 50% of my drunk drivers".
I thanked him and assured him I was not drinking just burning fuel.
I lost some time going in to Newberry MI for fuel. 8 miles. The 2 gas stations out on the highway did not have 24 hour pumps and that burned my ass.
So leaving Newberry I had 2 things to do. Ride 76 miles and dodge about 70 freaking deer. Another guy on a BMW GS came up beside me and said he was going to tail me me with his brights on. He had more lighting than I. After about 15 minutes I waved him by and he just flew the remaining miles how he didn't hit a deer is beyond me. I just kept telling myself " dont screw this up you have gone 980 miles dont screw this up laying in the ditch with a bike and a deer on top of you"
I throttled down to about 50mph and had some close calls but I made it. I got my last mand gas slip and went to the rest area to meet the check-in guy at 3am. There were 3 riders all on BMW GS's ahead of me
My bike odometer said 1094 miles in 21.5 hours. My GPS said 1062 miles
I saw that bear in the road about 3/4 mile ahead of me by the time I got there he was in the trees. So I whistled and on cue he came out for the pic.
She was a little jumpy maybe the bugs were driving her crazy
I did not ride with the others. I do best solo. Besides, they had super pumper gas tanks and I did not. There were many many bridges being rebuilt in Canada and Minnesota. Lost a bunch of time in line waiting for a pilot car to take us through.
pretty boring just sitting there
Around Nipigon Ont it stated raining so I put the camera in the top case and just pounded out the miles. I did see the others at gas stops they would pass me and then I would pass them. June 21 was Grandmas Marathon in Duluth MN. The roads were packed packed I tell ya. I waited 33 minutes at the border crossing to get back in to the USA at Grand Portage. 3 lines of traffic stopped arggggg. Most were Canadian plates I assume going to run the race. Duluth was a white out fog but I made it through in good shape. One of the guys on the BMW GS passed me in Duluth so I knew I was not going to beat him back. But it's not a race with others it's a race with the 24 hour clock and that's it. It stopped raining near Ashland WI I dont mind rain I have good waterproof riding gear head to toe. I just ride it out.
It rained fogged for about 350 miles
Around the 600 mile mark my knee started to bother me. Popped a couple pills and it felt much better. The pills did not affect my riding at at all. i made very good time in the UP of Michigan. There was no traffic but the gol darned deer were everywhere. Approaching Ishpeming I did not dim my headlights fast enough for this gentleman. He turned around and pulled me over.
He let me go with a verbal warning and a sermon. He claimed "this is how I find over 50% of my drunk drivers".
I thanked him and assured him I was not drinking just burning fuel.
I lost some time going in to Newberry MI for fuel. 8 miles. The 2 gas stations out on the highway did not have 24 hour pumps and that burned my ass.
So leaving Newberry I had 2 things to do. Ride 76 miles and dodge about 70 freaking deer. Another guy on a BMW GS came up beside me and said he was going to tail me me with his brights on. He had more lighting than I. After about 15 minutes I waved him by and he just flew the remaining miles how he didn't hit a deer is beyond me. I just kept telling myself " dont screw this up you have gone 980 miles dont screw this up laying in the ditch with a bike and a deer on top of you"
I throttled down to about 50mph and had some close calls but I made it. I got my last mand gas slip and went to the rest area to meet the check-in guy at 3am. There were 3 riders all on BMW GS's ahead of me
My bike odometer said 1094 miles in 21.5 hours. My GPS said 1062 miles
Elipten_imp
Road warrior
And the missing part is... How is the knee? Congrats, we'll done and I hope I can do it one day.
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Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Pterodactyl_imp
Road warrior
Well done. Great ride report. I have to admit, too tough for me..
Cheers
Cheers
Great ride report Ole, and well done. I'm with Pterodactyl.
How's the knee?
How's the knee?
the Ferret
Road warrior
Heck of a feat ole. Not sure this old man could stay up for 24 hours anymore. Did you have any concerns about falling asleep?
Congrats and hope the knee sustained no set backs
Congrats and hope the knee sustained no set backs
The knee is about 80% I would say. Today was my first day back to work since May 26. I am medicating my knee right now with beer. 
I had zero problems staying awake. The two good nights sleep before helped a lot. I am used to working all night shifts at work when thunderstorms come through. I am a water guy for the city but when storms hit our area everybody works to get the lights back on. Tiz how I pay for these trips. I love OT.
Can't fig out why my CB1100 odometer says 1094 miles for the lap yet the Garmin Nuvi 550 says 1062? Anybody want to comment on this? Are Honda odometers that bad?
So I just chew the fat with some of the guys in the rest area. Met some nice longriders. We traded stories and tips. Got back to my truck at about 5AM had a beer and crashed till 1130AM. Yep. Beer for breakfast but nobody saw me so it was OK.
The rest of the day I hung low and watched boats and visited with other boat watchers.
the boathouse is in the front on this guy
Word went through the campgrounds about this crazy guy who did the lake in a day and they came over to look at my bike. They told me it was dirty. I liked the patina.
I'd rather ride a bike than wash it.
I had zero problems staying awake. The two good nights sleep before helped a lot. I am used to working all night shifts at work when thunderstorms come through. I am a water guy for the city but when storms hit our area everybody works to get the lights back on. Tiz how I pay for these trips. I love OT.Can't fig out why my CB1100 odometer says 1094 miles for the lap yet the Garmin Nuvi 550 says 1062? Anybody want to comment on this? Are Honda odometers that bad?
So I just chew the fat with some of the guys in the rest area. Met some nice longriders. We traded stories and tips. Got back to my truck at about 5AM had a beer and crashed till 1130AM. Yep. Beer for breakfast but nobody saw me so it was OK.
The rest of the day I hung low and watched boats and visited with other boat watchers.
the boathouse is in the front on this guy
Word went through the campgrounds about this crazy guy who did the lake in a day and they came over to look at my bike. They told me it was dirty. I liked the patina.
I'd rather ride a bike than wash it.
Later that evening I did the tourist thing and bought a ticket to go on a boat tour of The Soo Locks. 23$ for two hours. We got to go through the locks. Twice.
went by the campgrounds
and realized I left my tank bag stuck to a Toyota
The hydro power plant. Fisherman were catching rainbow trout right at the discharge area.
Italian masons built it out of local sandstone
Where the state of Michigan trains new boat pilots
we entered the American Locks
we had a steady hand on the wheel
they shut the locks behind us
and soon were the level of Lake Superior
and out the other side we went
Our tour took us under the bridge I rode in to Canada
Here comes a salty
He is heading to the ocean
Our tour went up a canal in to a Sault Ste. Marie Ontario steel mill. 4500 workers make steel 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Huge piles of coke, coal, taconite pellets, and limestone.
We took the smaller Canadian Lock to get back to the boat company dock
It is really small only used for pleasure crafts
Tomorrow I go to Paradise
went by the campgrounds
and realized I left my tank bag stuck to a Toyota
The hydro power plant. Fisherman were catching rainbow trout right at the discharge area.
Italian masons built it out of local sandstone
Where the state of Michigan trains new boat pilots
we entered the American Locks
we had a steady hand on the wheel
they shut the locks behind us
and soon were the level of Lake Superior
and out the other side we went
Our tour took us under the bridge I rode in to Canada
Here comes a salty
He is heading to the ocean
Our tour went up a canal in to a Sault Ste. Marie Ontario steel mill. 4500 workers make steel 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Huge piles of coke, coal, taconite pellets, and limestone.
We took the smaller Canadian Lock to get back to the boat company dock
It is really small only used for pleasure crafts
Tomorrow I go to Paradise
Fantastic post and photos, Ole. Good about the knee.
On a recent long ride my speedo at 110kph consistently read about 6-7 kph above the GPS. That's about 60-70 extra kms over 1000, isn't it? 1000 miles is 1600 kms so the gap would be greater.
On a recent long ride my speedo at 110kph consistently read about 6-7 kph above the GPS. That's about 60-70 extra kms over 1000, isn't it? 1000 miles is 1600 kms so the gap would be greater.
emptysea
Road warrior
Thanks for the report. Wonderful pictures.
I missed my Circle Tour of Lake Michigan last summer due to a death in my family and I am anxious for my next opportunity to explore the shores of any of the Great Lakes. In the meantime, I will have to live vicariously through pictures and reports like yours.
Glad your knee held out. It's a helluva ride in 24 hours. As someone who is still recovering from 2008 miles in 5 days, I envy your stamina.
I missed my Circle Tour of Lake Michigan last summer due to a death in my family and I am anxious for my next opportunity to explore the shores of any of the Great Lakes. In the meantime, I will have to live vicariously through pictures and reports like yours.
Glad your knee held out. It's a helluva ride in 24 hours. As someone who is still recovering from 2008 miles in 5 days, I envy your stamina.
My last day at The Soo I jumped back on the bike for about 200 miles. I took the back way to Paradise. Stopped at every tourist attraction I could find. There was an old light house that the forest service has maintained kinda as a museum. Near Brimley.
of course I had to climb to the top
No lens at the top it is in the Smithsonian the volunteer said
North of Paradise is Whitefish Point. It has a wonderful shipwreck museum. Well worth the 13$ to get in. They have the bell from the Mighty Fitzgerald that went down just off the point. The one in the famous song.
Lighthouse lens
This is the exact suit the diver was wearing to get the bell
Lots of cool old stuff at that museum. I spent two hours there they had a 20 minute movie in a tiny theater of the dive to get the bell.
Then had the second best burger in all of Michigan. West Pier Drive-In under the RR bridge just west of the Soo Locks.
They serve it on a coffee filter
7.25$ worth of vein filling horsepower
I wasnt sure I was going to get it all down. The staff was rooting me on,,,,
but I got er done couldn't finish the fries tho
The CB1100 performed perfect on the big ride. I have highway pegs and a saddleman gel pad under an Alaska leather sheepskin. Stock seat. No butt burn at all. It was great fun and I hope you guys enjoyed the ride with me.
david
of course I had to climb to the top
No lens at the top it is in the Smithsonian the volunteer said
North of Paradise is Whitefish Point. It has a wonderful shipwreck museum. Well worth the 13$ to get in. They have the bell from the Mighty Fitzgerald that went down just off the point. The one in the famous song.
Lighthouse lens
This is the exact suit the diver was wearing to get the bell
Lots of cool old stuff at that museum. I spent two hours there they had a 20 minute movie in a tiny theater of the dive to get the bell.
Then had the second best burger in all of Michigan. West Pier Drive-In under the RR bridge just west of the Soo Locks.
They serve it on a coffee filter
7.25$ worth of vein filling horsepower
I wasnt sure I was going to get it all down. The staff was rooting me on,,,,
but I got er done couldn't finish the fries tho
The CB1100 performed perfect on the big ride. I have highway pegs and a saddleman gel pad under an Alaska leather sheepskin. Stock seat. No butt burn at all. It was great fun and I hope you guys enjoyed the ride with me.
david
Elipten_imp
Road warrior
You bet we did. Thanks for writing it up. I just love these ride reports.😙
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