mackinaw bridge
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,299
Likes: 2
From: By the "Betty water and the Wire"
RE: mackinaw bridge
Great posts on this topic. I had a couple questions, myself. Sounds like if ya just relax, and let the bike 'take it's own path', you'll be good to go. I plan(ed) on making the trip about 21st of August. But, Saturday, while going to a meet(Boomerama), the scooter decided it wanted to visit the dealer. So pupping along at about 30 mph, I was able to drop her off there. Still haven't heard the diagnosis.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 304
Likes: 38
From: Port Orange, FL
RE: mackinaw bridge
The 50th year celebration is being held all July through I believe sometime in September. If you have any questions, the motel we stayed at is a gas! It's the Bells/Melody motel in Mackinaw city. The Owners are Gary & Sue Morehouse and their phone number is (231)436-5461 or the toll free number is 1-800-334-7239. They also have a website: mackinawcitymotels.com We got a great room(#22), about a 12 x 12 room with a double bed and bathroom, microwave, fridge and cable tv. It's the cheapo special(perfect for bikers who are used to a tent...this was a ballroom!) Call and talk to Sue or Jim or Gary. They are wonderful folks and really go out of their way to make sure you have a good time. By the way, talking about doin' the bridge. Both my wife and I rode the grates and the cement. We did it one handed while holding a video or digital camera in the free hand. The bridge is a breezed. Let the motorcycle do its thing...trust your two wheeled beast...it ain't gonna dissappoint ya!
Mike & Marilynn
Mike & Marilynn
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 421
From: Lansing mi
RE: mackinaw bridge
I just went over it july 14th, it was my first time. On that day it was windy, I could feel it push my bike around some, but I just tried to relax and enjoy it, and I did.
Stay on the paved side if you can. On most weekends both sides are open.
If you have to ride on the grid, just follow all the advice on hear.
Good luck and have fun...
Stay on the paved side if you can. On most weekends both sides are open.
If you have to ride on the grid, just follow all the advice on hear.
Good luck and have fun...
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Merritt, N. Michigan
RE: mackinaw bridge
Howdy there ~
Ain't no jive - the "Mighty Mac" bridge is very fun to cross on a bike. Ya-hoooo
Me and a bro rode our bikes from the Lower Peninsula up to Paradise, Michigan last week and we had a swell time. Camped out in a state park near a big river (close to Lake Superior). Incredible scenery.
Coming back South was not so fun, with gusty winds and the rain was comin' down like "Cats & Dogs", but as someone in this forum pointed out in an earlier post - don't make any sudden moves whilst on the steel grids. Heck, it wasn't bad at all and though the weather was foul one just needed to "keep her steady" and it turned out to be right fine.
Important Tip: bring warm riding gear, goggles and camping kit if you're gonna' come up here 'cause the weather can slam ya' in a hurry! <Smile>
While fueling up in Houghton Lake today, I bumped into a couple of feller's on their Harleys who were from Jackson, Michigan. They crossed the Mackinac Bridge this afternoon (Tuesday/18 Sept.) and had a grand time. It was fun talkin' with them about it.
It's a magnificient ride. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is very beautiful and I hope to see more of it in the days ahead. Hope some of you get a chance to experience it too.
SIDE NOTE: Last night the History Channel ran an hour-long documentary about the building of the "Mighty Mac" bridge: very interesting indeed...
Take care now. Ride safe.
The LORD JESUS be magnified!
Respectfully,
Billy Hoffmann
Merritt, Missaukee County
==========================
"Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?"Gordon Lightfoot (The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, November 10th, 1975 A.D.)
"So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not." Book of Jonah 1:6 [KJV]
Ain't no jive - the "Mighty Mac" bridge is very fun to cross on a bike. Ya-hoooo
Me and a bro rode our bikes from the Lower Peninsula up to Paradise, Michigan last week and we had a swell time. Camped out in a state park near a big river (close to Lake Superior). Incredible scenery.
Coming back South was not so fun, with gusty winds and the rain was comin' down like "Cats & Dogs", but as someone in this forum pointed out in an earlier post - don't make any sudden moves whilst on the steel grids. Heck, it wasn't bad at all and though the weather was foul one just needed to "keep her steady" and it turned out to be right fine.
Important Tip: bring warm riding gear, goggles and camping kit if you're gonna' come up here 'cause the weather can slam ya' in a hurry! <Smile>
While fueling up in Houghton Lake today, I bumped into a couple of feller's on their Harleys who were from Jackson, Michigan. They crossed the Mackinac Bridge this afternoon (Tuesday/18 Sept.) and had a grand time. It was fun talkin' with them about it.
It's a magnificient ride. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is very beautiful and I hope to see more of it in the days ahead. Hope some of you get a chance to experience it too.
SIDE NOTE: Last night the History Channel ran an hour-long documentary about the building of the "Mighty Mac" bridge: very interesting indeed...
Take care now. Ride safe.
The LORD JESUS be magnified!
Respectfully,
Billy Hoffmann
Merritt, Missaukee County
==========================
"Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?"Gordon Lightfoot (The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, November 10th, 1975 A.D.)
"So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not." Book of Jonah 1:6 [KJV]
RE: mackinaw bridge
Skydive-
Glad ya had a good time.
Camping is nice by theTahquamenonRiver(big time moose country). And good food at the Yukon.
Was about 7miles SW of you last weekend. Had to take the truck up though. Now way in hades am I riding my scooter through the mud and trees to get to camp.
I head up there often. Hope you get the chance to enjoy it again soon.
Also, "Dirty Jobs" had a good show about Mac.
Glad ya had a good time.
Camping is nice by theTahquamenonRiver(big time moose country). And good food at the Yukon.
Was about 7miles SW of you last weekend. Had to take the truck up though. Now way in hades am I riding my scooter through the mud and trees to get to camp.
I head up there often. Hope you get the chance to enjoy it again soon.
Also, "Dirty Jobs" had a good show about Mac.
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Merritt, N. Michigan
RE: mackinaw bridge
Ride on, Johnny!
Sent you an e-mail earlier. Maybe we can link up for a ride up to the Upper Peninsula one day. I reckon we got a couple more months of nice weather left. Take care, sir.
The LORD JESUS be magnified!
Billy
in Merritt, Missaukee County
============================
"As nightfall does not come all at once, neither does oppression. In both instances there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such twilight that we all must be most aware of change in the air - however slight - lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness." Supreme Court Justice Wm. O. Douglass
"Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the Most High: therefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder." Psalm 107:10-14 [KJV]
Sent you an e-mail earlier. Maybe we can link up for a ride up to the Upper Peninsula one day. I reckon we got a couple more months of nice weather left. Take care, sir.
The LORD JESUS be magnified!
Billy
in Merritt, Missaukee County
============================
"As nightfall does not come all at once, neither does oppression. In both instances there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such twilight that we all must be most aware of change in the air - however slight - lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness." Supreme Court Justice Wm. O. Douglass
"Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the Most High: therefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder." Psalm 107:10-14 [KJV]
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 5
From: West Branch, Michigan
RE: mackinaw bridge
I'm sure it's wonderful crossing over the Mighty Mac, but there is no way on this earth that I'm going to doitriding the grate. Maybe you guys are riding bikes with fat front tires(Ultra Glides or Goldwings) andfeel secure..but I dont know If I would feel comfortable crossingon my Dyna Low Rider. I know how gusty those winds can get, and therealways seems to be acarwho has to slam on their brakes to get a photo a camper who is crawling along or two. I know how difficult it is handling my bike at low speeds, let alone low speeds, wind and riding on grates. Anyway, call me crazy, but my bike will be in the trailer crossing over. I've only got 600 miles of motorcycle riding under my belt, so maybe in a year or so I'll feel differently. I still haven't ridden through a major city, 4 lane highway or freeways, and going 65mph is a little daunting. I'm hoping this too will pass.