Upper Penninsula Michigan Ride Suggestions

Hi All,

I am going to have several days to ride in the Upper Penninsula. I have never been there. My starting and ending point will be at the Mackinac Bridge and I will have Friday afternoon/evening, all day Saturday, returning to the bridge on Sunday afternoon.

I am looking for suggestions on routes, rides, points of interests, etc. I prefer 2 lane highways with sweeping turns and beautiful scenery. I would really like to see some of Lake Superior. I don't mind being on 4 lanes if it means getting to better riding. I plan on staying in motels or hotels. So, any desinations or recomendations for lodging and dining are welcome.

Thanks in advance,

Chris McCarthy

I rode this from Sault Ste Marie to St. Ignace recently. It's nice, rural, little traffic, but definitely not twisty. Very low key if you want to get off the slab, but not an outstanding ride.

#2 along Lake Michigan is close to the water in many places.

Houghton and Cooper Harbor area is nice.

Don't know about great places to visit, but if you're near Ironwood, MI and need a clean and very reasonably prices motel, check out Quinn Motel, W US Hwy 2, 124 W Cloverland Drive. 906-932-4421 :thumb

Chris, Ride the very special roads along the coasts if you can. Seriously scenic and good riding. Here is a 433 mile loop given the time you have. If you find you have more time, explore the Pictured Rocks National Seashore, parks you will be passing through, and other roads hugging these deeply beautiful bodies of water...

[url]https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=I-75+N&daddr=M-28+W%2FUS-41+N+to:45.99954,-88.0602+to:N+Lincoln+Rd+to:US-2+E&hl=en&ll=46.092281,-86.456909&spn=1.815203,3.927612&sll=45.911033,-85.816956&sspn=1.821158,3.927612&geocode=FZ79uwIdDAHz-g%3BFdh9xQIdRHLC-g%3BFbTlvQId2E7A-ilVW7tNVTJSTTF2CwgRbvuFkg%3BFfhZugIdfEbP-g%3BFbSruwIdUJ_y-g&gl=us&mra=mi&mrsp=4&sz=9&via=2&t=m&z=9[/url]

You'll find another great road if you go north from St. Ignace to Sault St.Marie, and then head west along the coast of Lake Superior. It's absolutely gorgeous, through some heavily forested areas. And, as Steve said, it would be very worthwhile to visit the Pictured Rocks area.

You're in luck! I just got back from that area and I picked up the motorcycle guide. I'll scan and post info in the morning.

[QUOTE=Newstar;816667]You're in luck! I just got back from that area and I picked up the motorcycle guide. I'll scan and post info in the morning.[/QUOTE]

That would be great!

Thanks for the replies so far!

It looks like I am tentatively going to go to the Soo locks on Friday afternoon, take the road from Graind Marais to Munising and then head up to Marquette to spend the night. On Saturday I am going to ride around Copper Harbor, Houghton and the Keewanau Peninsula. Spend the night in Houghton and then ride back to the bridge and on to Traverse City on Sunday.

What do you think?

Tahquamenon Falls is a great place to visit and interesting roads to get there. Beautiful series of waterfalls.

H58 from Grand Marais to Munising is a great road. They replaced a couple of years ago and it has big sweepers. When you get close to Munising stop at the Chimney Rock and take in the view. Grand Marais has a couple of great photo ops as well. Whitefish point has the shipwreck museum which is a good stop. Highway 2 along lake Michigan is great. The road to Drummond Island has some great views but Drummnd Island is a snooze. H58 IMHO is the best road there. Whatever you do stop at Java Joes in St. Ignace for breakfast. I promise you will to regret and do not judge by the looks. Joe is an old hippie who is there everyday and can fill you in on things to see as well. Coffee is good and coconut pancakes are kicking. Whatever you eat there it is fresh and made to order. P.S. If you take 6 from Petoskey you ride through the tunnel of trees which is pretty cool and then you can pick you 75 back up to the bridge. I love me some UP. Enjoy and ride safe.

[URL="https://picasaweb.google.com/114347703165768851651/LaborDayInDaUP?authkey=Gv1sRgCMSW7K_mypX6qgE"]https://picasaweb.google.com/114347703165768851651/LaborDayInDaUP?authkey=Gv1sRgCMSW7K_mypX6qgE[/URL]

[url]http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/Ride_Planner/Ride_Planner.jsp[/url]

Great source to share routes, and post for anyone to use. I use Street and Trips, but this is very nice place to list good routes, and very easy to use.

[IMG]http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp261/novacich/MIUPSooArea.jpg[/IMG]

Sorry, can't seem to get this to stay rotated. I spent the night at the Longship Motel in Sault St. Marie two weeks ago. The motel is a little dated but extremely clean. It's right across from the park and the locks. Can't beat the location. The owners are very friendly as well.

From Soo, I took Six Mile Road as suggested by the motel owner, to Brimley and followed the red route along Whitefish Bay to Paradise. There is a light house on this route. Then I took 123 south to Newberry, down to Route 2. I followed Route 2 along the lake to the Mackinac Bridge and over to Mackinaw City. There is some road construction on Route 2 but nothing to cause a major back up. Watch your speed tho! I got to meet the local Sheriff. :whistle

Chris, I PM'd you also.

These maps can be stitched together. This is a little further west.

[IMG]http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp261/novacich/MIMunising.jpg[/IMG]

And a little further west....

[IMG]http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp261/novacich/MIMarquette.jpg[/IMG]