Been longing for some miles on the LT this summer but things have kept me from taking any significant trips. Well over Labor Day weekend I put on 1440 miles with a trip around Lake Michigan. The goal was miles, camping and seeing my grandma in Blanchard, MI.
Day 1 – Left right as it was getting light, made it through Wisconsin during the morning. Fog was bad around the Mississippi river, but didn’t slow me down.
After deciding not to go through Chicago, I was headed S. on I-39, something seemed weird so I pulled off and realized I was losing air from my back tire, valve stem leak. Made a couple phone calls and then realized that the BMW of Chicago would be able to help. I ended up spending the next while making the 70miles to their place stopping ever 15-20miles to make sure I had enough air. Speed was kept slow so it took some time. Ever thing was fixed at 4:30PM. Now to leave Chicago during rush hour on a holiday weekend – yeah right!!! Made the decision to just follow US41 all the way to the S. side, it was slow but I kept moving. Had a quick bit to eat and ended up in MI for the night.
Day2 – Woke up; broke camp and headed for Grandma’s place. She didn’t know I was coming, I road into the driveway as she was getting her mail. We had a great lunch and visit and she wanted to take me for a ride all over town on her “new” four-wheeler! It was a blast. She told me about her and my grandpa as they had a final drive problem on their Moto Guzzi back in the day. I think she wanted to come along. There is a lot of history for her and my family in this small town, she has had a connection here for over a ½ decade. But I needed to get a few more miles in if I was going to complete this trip before having to start a “new job” on Tuesday morning so I headed for the UP of MI.
Day 1 – Left right as it was getting light, made it through Wisconsin during the morning. Fog was bad around the Mississippi river, but didn’t slow me down.
After deciding not to go through Chicago, I was headed S. on I-39, something seemed weird so I pulled off and realized I was losing air from my back tire, valve stem leak. Made a couple phone calls and then realized that the BMW of Chicago would be able to help. I ended up spending the next while making the 70miles to their place stopping ever 15-20miles to make sure I had enough air. Speed was kept slow so it took some time. Ever thing was fixed at 4:30PM. Now to leave Chicago during rush hour on a holiday weekend – yeah right!!! Made the decision to just follow US41 all the way to the S. side, it was slow but I kept moving. Had a quick bit to eat and ended up in MI for the night.
Day2 – Woke up; broke camp and headed for Grandma’s place. She didn’t know I was coming, I road into the driveway as she was getting her mail. We had a great lunch and visit and she wanted to take me for a ride all over town on her “new” four-wheeler! It was a blast. She told me about her and my grandpa as they had a final drive problem on their Moto Guzzi back in the day. I think she wanted to come along. There is a lot of history for her and my family in this small town, she has had a connection here for over a ½ decade. But I needed to get a few more miles in if I was going to complete this trip before having to start a “new job” on Tuesday morning so I headed for the UP of MI.
Day 3 – Was invited for a free breakfast of eggs, toast and bacon from a neighbor couple who were camping. What a great way to start the day. Riding through the UP was great. Had lunch over-looking Lake Superior's, south shore, in Munising then headed West into Wisconsin. I knew I didn’t want to ride into the Sun near sunset so finding a campground early was the plan. Relaxing at the camp was also great. Got a free site as I road in, the previous occupants left and the site had already been paid for, what a deal! I really like staying at National Forest campground, the price is usually a bit less rather then a State Park and things seem to be less commercialized. It isn’t for everyone, because they usually don’t have showers or flush toilets.
(Somewhere between Munising & Marquette)
Day 4 – Headed home on US63. It was great to be home and have a few days logged riding the LT – it really is a great long distance traveler.
(Chequamegon National Forest)
