We departed T-town Friday 1/19/07 11:30 am sharp - The Italian Stallion (Joe) driving his rig. Now first let me tell you a little about my main riding buddy Joe. Joe doesn't like to waste time, Joe likes to have fun, and Joe hates the internet because Al Gore invented it. So Joe isn't a member on HCS or anywhere else for that matter. You might say he his a post-virgin.
We arrived at The Holiday Inn Express in Mackinaw City around 4:30pm, checked in and just had to go for a rip even though the snow was pretty dismal. We went south down the RR grade to the Pellston airport and rode back in the Moosejaw area. RR grade was bad but back in the Moosejaw area we hit some areas of good lake effect and found white covered trails. Joe's Viper ran great with rebuilt carbs and my sled ran strong and road great having all 4 shocks rebuilt to start the season. 65 miles and we were back and loaded in the trailer with plans to head to the U.P. Saturday.
Up at dawn Saturday and over the bridge we parked in the lot north of Pine Stump. We road into Grand Marais via trail 8 on a thin base and found very little snow in town and a short line at the gas pump. From there we headed west on 8 to 89 along the lake where we found a very thin base that improved as we got farther from the lake. We took 8 all the way through Shingleton stopping along the way in the open areas known as the Kingston Plains to bust some powder. Just south of Shingleton we jumped on 41 and stopped for lunch and gas at The Jackpine. This was as far south as we rode as the snow was getting thin. I hate to double back but we had no choice so. Trail 8 was getting rough so we diverted onto County Rd 450 which was mixed packed / powder and smooth. I was able to run WFO for a long ways just holding the little 600 to the bar, only to squeeze about 95 mph out of her. She just wouldn't blow though so I quess I'll have to keep riding her. We took trail 88 to 431 and made a stop at Seney Clause and then up to 9 and over to Red Wolf Inn where we pulled in on vapors to find $3.15 gas! What's up with that when everyone else was around $2.00. Back to the truck with a 235 mile day. Here are some pics.
It definitely "lake effect conditions" where you will find thin bases in some areas and powdery snow, not much grooming could be done to help. Corners are very icy and blown out. We really need a widespread storm with system snow to improve conditions.
I need to resize pics - will do tomorrow.
Full Version: Grand Marais ride report
QUOTE (Cat King T. B. @ Jan 22 2007, 10:58 PM) 
We departed T-town Friday 1/19/07 11:30 am sharp - The Italian Stallion (Joe) driving his rig. Now first let me tell you a little about my main riding buddy Joe. Joe doesn't like to waste time, Joe likes to have fun, and Joe hates the internet because Al Gore invented it. So Joe isn't a member on HCS or anywhere else for that matter. You might say he his a post-virgin.
We arrived at The Holiday Inn Express in Mackinaw City around 4:30pm, checked in and just had to go for a rip even though the snow was pretty dismal. We went south down the RR grade to the Pellston airport and rode back in the Moosejaw area. RR grade was bad but back in the Moosejaw area we hit some areas of good lake effect and found white covered trails. Joe's Viper ran great with rebuilt carbs and my sled ran strong and road great having all 4 shocks rebuilt to start the season. 65 miles and we were back and loaded in the trailer with plans to head to the U.P. Saturday.
Up at dawn Saturday and over the bridge we parked in the lot north of Pine Stump. We road into Grand Marais via trail 8 on a thin base and found very little snow in town and a short line at the gas pump. From there we headed west on 8 to 89 along the lake where we found a very thin base that improved as we got farther from the lake. We took 8 all the way through Shingleton stopping along the way in the open areas known as the Kingston Plains to bust some powder. Just south of Shingleton we jumped on 41 and stopped for lunch and gas at The Jackpine. This was as far south as we rode as the snow was getting thin. I hate to double back but we had no choice so. Trail 8 was getting rough so we diverted onto County Rd 450 which was mixed packed / powder and smooth. I was able to run WFO for a long ways just holding the little 600 to the bar, only to squeeze about 95 mph out of her. She just wouldn't blow though so I quess I'll have to keep riding her. We took trail 88 to 431 and made a stop at Seney Clause and then up to 9 and over to Red Wolf Inn where we pulled in on vapors to find $3.15 gas! What's up with that when everyone else was around $2.00. Back to the truck with a 235 mile day. Here are some pics.
It definitely "lake effect conditions" where you will find thin bases in some areas and powdery snow, not much grooming could be done to help. Corners are very icy and blown out. We really need a widespread storm with system snow to improve conditions.
I need to resize pics - will do tomorrow.
We arrived at The Holiday Inn Express in Mackinaw City around 4:30pm, checked in and just had to go for a rip even though the snow was pretty dismal. We went south down the RR grade to the Pellston airport and rode back in the Moosejaw area. RR grade was bad but back in the Moosejaw area we hit some areas of good lake effect and found white covered trails. Joe's Viper ran great with rebuilt carbs and my sled ran strong and road great having all 4 shocks rebuilt to start the season. 65 miles and we were back and loaded in the trailer with plans to head to the U.P. Saturday.
Up at dawn Saturday and over the bridge we parked in the lot north of Pine Stump. We road into Grand Marais via trail 8 on a thin base and found very little snow in town and a short line at the gas pump. From there we headed west on 8 to 89 along the lake where we found a very thin base that improved as we got farther from the lake. We took 8 all the way through Shingleton stopping along the way in the open areas known as the Kingston Plains to bust some powder. Just south of Shingleton we jumped on 41 and stopped for lunch and gas at The Jackpine. This was as far south as we rode as the snow was getting thin. I hate to double back but we had no choice so. Trail 8 was getting rough so we diverted onto County Rd 450 which was mixed packed / powder and smooth. I was able to run WFO for a long ways just holding the little 600 to the bar, only to squeeze about 95 mph out of her. She just wouldn't blow though so I quess I'll have to keep riding her. We took trail 88 to 431 and made a stop at Seney Clause and then up to 9 and over to Red Wolf Inn where we pulled in on vapors to find $3.15 gas! What's up with that when everyone else was around $2.00. Back to the truck with a 235 mile day. Here are some pics.
It definitely "lake effect conditions" where you will find thin bases in some areas and powdery snow, not much grooming could be done to help. Corners are very icy and blown out. We really need a widespread storm with system snow to improve conditions.
I need to resize pics - will do tomorrow.
Sounds like a good trip. Did you run into any of the Michigan gang?
You going to make it to Cadillac this year?
$3.15 a gal. ouch
QUOTE (Polaris Girl @ Jan 23 2007, 06:33 AM)
Sounds like a good trip. Did you run into any of the Michigan gang?
You going to make it to Cadillac this year?
You going to make it to Cadillac this year?
Nope-
and if I go to Caddy you will be the first to know! I have not ridden there since 95.
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