God's Country and the M50

[dispatchbob]

My wife and I just returned from a beautiful ride to Michigan's upper peninsula. The weather was fantastic, in the 70's but quite windy. Driving across the Mackinaw Bridge is awesome but unfortunately we had to ride the steel grating mid-span going both ways due to construction work. Feels like the bike is riding on an ice cube coated road - yipee! The return on the bridge was even more exciting as the wind was blowing quite hard and the bike was laying to the right just to stay on course - then the grating comes along! Said a prayer or two on that crossing! The photos near the pump are taken at a rest area on Lake Huron shoreline just about 30 miles north of my place and the UP is less than an hour from home. 250 miles of beauty on this ride. Truly God's country!

We purchased a seat saddle last week and you can see it in the photos - this made the ride much more pleasant for the wife as it makes the seat wider and greatly increases the seat to butt contact area. It may just be me but the vibration that I normally feel in the main seat seems to be nearly non-existent with her using the additional saddle. Ride safe, Bob

[cyclechris]

Cool pics, looks like a nice trip! Hey a seat saddle is a great idea! What type did you get and where?

[dispatchbob]

seatsaddle.com has them. They make them in their garage at this point. They make them to the size needed. I gave him the measurements of 7" x 9" and it fits ok but if I ordered again I'd go to 7.5 x 9.5 inches for a better fit. Looked at the gel pads, bead cushions, etc and felt this was the better idea. Price was $55 shipped when I ordered mine. Received it in a little under a week. Wife is happy - I'm happy too!!

[GeorgiaRoller]

Nice pics. Where else did you ride to in the U.P.? Ever get over to Munising or Grand Marias? Any fall color up that way yet?

I have always wanted to ride my bike up the Keweenaw Peninsula all the way to Copper Harbor at this time of year.

Here's a pic from just west of Munising on Lake Superior that I took last summer.

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[dispatchbob]

We haven't had too much opportunity to ride very far as we still have kids in school and time is limited. We did manage to go to Sault Ste. Marie for lunch today - only 120 miles to get to Arby's LOL. Colors starting to turn but looks like a week or so before they really take off. A ride to Copper Harbor sounds excellent, especially this time of year! Great photo you posted - living here in Michigan makes us take for granted the natural beauty that is here to enjoy. Bob

[Clint]

Looks like a fun ride. Too bad your camera has that angle problem.

I passed through that area in 2006 on my way around Superior.

[07M50Limited]

WOOOOW...that is very nice, will have to mark it as , a place I must ride. you have any more pic's?

[dispatchbob]

Angle problem? Thanks - I thought it was just poor construction LOL
No more pix but will take more on next trip - lots of beauty to see up here!

[GeorgiaRoller]

Originally Posted by 07M50Limited

WOOOOW...that is very nice, will have to mark it as , a place I must ride. you have any more pic's?

Well maybe I can help if DB doesn't mind. If you ride across the Mighty Mac bridge and go west on Hwy 2 that's a nice ride along the lake. Ride down to Manistique and then head south down the "Garden Peninsula" to Fayette State Park (see pics).

Little known fact about Michigan. They have the most lighthouses of any state in the country (that includes Maine BTW). Doing a lighthouse tour starting at the MI-IN border and riding north along Lake Mich. up to the Mack. bridge then around the U.P. would be a great weeklong adventure.

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[nicocorea]

Awesome! I'll be traveling to the UP this weekend--Houghton area--with the wife and kids but sans-M50 .

Oh, and everyone knows that God's country is Northern New Mexico!

[1badbaker]

I thought God's Country was middle GA??? That does look like a good ride, kinda wish I made it that far north this week.