Lake Superior
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 205
Likes: 8
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Lake Superior
The wife and I are planning to ride around Lake Superior in August. Need some advise on good places to stay. We will be leaving from the Rice Lake Wisconsin area and hope to do the trip in 6-7 days.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 576
Likes: 417
From: Canada
Hi Folks!
I made this trip in 2012 and will tell you it was absolutely amazing. It depends which route you are planning to take, but I will share some advice. We are in talk currently about making the trip again in August ourselves. From Thunder Bay to Sault Ste Marie is the most awesome part of th ride. There are all kinds of great places to stay in Terrace Bay and Wawa.
It is an long trip I will say that. We are from Ontario and did the 3500 Kms (2200 mi's) in 5 days, but that was booking it and doing nothing but ride all day, every day. We were two bikes and we were riding solo, so I would suggest with a passenger you may need the whole 7 days, depending on how much you ride everyday. One other thing is that on the south shore is a place called Copper Harbor on th peninsula. It is about 100 miles out of the way to get there and in my opinion I wouldn't waste my time again going there.
Like I said it is an awesome ride and you will not be dissappointed!
If I can help further in any way please let me know.
Enjoy the ride and ride safe!
Cheers!
I made this trip in 2012 and will tell you it was absolutely amazing. It depends which route you are planning to take, but I will share some advice. We are in talk currently about making the trip again in August ourselves. From Thunder Bay to Sault Ste Marie is the most awesome part of th ride. There are all kinds of great places to stay in Terrace Bay and Wawa.
It is an long trip I will say that. We are from Ontario and did the 3500 Kms (2200 mi's) in 5 days, but that was booking it and doing nothing but ride all day, every day. We were two bikes and we were riding solo, so I would suggest with a passenger you may need the whole 7 days, depending on how much you ride everyday. One other thing is that on the south shore is a place called Copper Harbor on th peninsula. It is about 100 miles out of the way to get there and in my opinion I wouldn't waste my time again going there.
Like I said it is an awesome ride and you will not be dissappointed!
If I can help further in any way please let me know.
Enjoy the ride and ride safe!
Cheers!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,474
Likes: 57,027
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
If you're riding the south shore ( and why not ) make it a point to hit H-58. It's a great road and a change to "drag the boards". Also get close and personal with Pictured Rocks. Also if you're doing this late in August you'll fine me at the Clark Motel in Strongs, MI ... It's definitely worth the stop. Andy and Patty are great biker people.
Last edited by Uncle Larry; Jun 26, 2016 at 09:08 AM.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Becareful on east end of Lake Superior, Canada side. There was a place 100 some miles between gas stations. I can't remember if it was east or west of Wawa, I think going east.
6-7 days is a long trip. I have gone around the Canadian side twice, both times less then 2 days.
Copper Harbor in UP is one of my favorite places, and I have been around alot of North America. Go up Brockway Mtn. I'd double back to copper Harbor, few miles. The ride o up the hill bypasses some cool stuff.
Best to cross at Sault St Marie late in day, it gets busy. MI side is alot cheaper then Canada side.
Grand Maria MI is kinda cool but only way in and out. There is also Grand Maria MN which you will drive through to get to Canada crossing.
First time I rode the Canadian side awesome trip, summer but not hot. 2nd time was one of the worse cold and rainy rides I have had.
6-7 days is a long trip. I have gone around the Canadian side twice, both times less then 2 days.
Copper Harbor in UP is one of my favorite places, and I have been around alot of North America. Go up Brockway Mtn. I'd double back to copper Harbor, few miles. The ride o up the hill bypasses some cool stuff.
Best to cross at Sault St Marie late in day, it gets busy. MI side is alot cheaper then Canada side.
Grand Maria MI is kinda cool but only way in and out. There is also Grand Maria MN which you will drive through to get to Canada crossing.
First time I rode the Canadian side awesome trip, summer but not hot. 2nd time was one of the worse cold and rainy rides I have had.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 205
Likes: 8
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Right now the plan is to leave the Rice Lake Wis. area on Aug. 13th with the 1st night in Thunder Bay. Would like to make the trip in 7 days and be able to stop and see some sites along the way and not just do the ride just to say we have done that. The "Ride Around Superior" web site and an 8 Day route planned out. Trying to decide if we want to shorten it up a day. Thanks in advance for any tips and advise.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 576
Likes: 417
From: Canada
Zerk is right. East of Wawa is the Lake Superior Provincial Park. The Trans Canada Highway runs right through the park for 83 Kms (52 mi) and yes there is no gas. Shouldn't be a problem for your Harley. Just fill up in Wawa.
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
There were long lines in Wawa, so I said screw it, will gas up down the line. Had .25 of a gallon when I found some garage that had a pump.
Thunder Bay is big city. I'd skip it, but that is just me.
Personally Ontario doesn't excite me, atleast that area. I like the scenary, but the place is just to American. Alberta and Yukon are cool.
I recommonded Banff and Jasper, and the Columbia Icefields.
As for length of trip, if you decide you want to you can just go hoke early. There is lot to see in the UP, unrelated to the Lake Superior tour. Lots of water falls.
Thunder Bay is big city. I'd skip it, but that is just me.
Personally Ontario doesn't excite me, atleast that area. I like the scenary, but the place is just to American. Alberta and Yukon are cool.
I recommonded Banff and Jasper, and the Columbia Icefields.
As for length of trip, if you decide you want to you can just go hoke early. There is lot to see in the UP, unrelated to the Lake Superior tour. Lots of water falls.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 384
Likes: 15
From: Iowa City, Iowa
Stayed at the Mangy Moose in Grand Marais, Mn. Pretty cool town with good food. Best Northern in Wawa, Nice place with Polish food and beer. Tasty. Not much around there though as it is a bit out of town. Lockview in Sault Ste. Marie is a nice place. This summer doing the south shore. Grand kids in central Michigan is the destination point.