Originally Posted by
GAR
Fri Sept 16 2011
Saco, Montana to Rugby, North Dakota, along #2 612km
Arrived at Scotts Track & Wheel, Glasgow, Mon. at 8:30am, Scott rolled up 15 min later and put on my new rear tire. Did'nt take him long.
Back on the road past Williston, ND the wind on #2 was cold and relentless riding hard at what felt like a 45 degree angle. I'd about had enough at Townes, but there are'nt any motels there. A woman at the gas station suggested Rugby or Devils Lake but rooms are hard to come by w/ their recent flooding, oil workers and construction. Called a hotel in Rugby and got a room.
Sat Sept 17 2011
Rugby ND to Bena, Minnesota 479km
Another cold morning riding. The plan was to stay tonight at a hostel at Lake Itasca in Minn. but no one answered the phone there after a few calls. Not a big deal, but it was only 2pm when I got near there, so I pushed on. I stopped for gas at a cool little campground/cabin place around 5pm near Bena and took a cabin for the night. Winnibigoshish Camp w/ great staff. Another cold day.
Sun Sept 18 2011
Bena, Minn. to Iron River, Upper Penninsula (UP), Michigan 497km
Left Bena at 9:30am and it rained pretty much the whole way to the UP of Mich. Great roads and scenery though. Kinda fell into a groove w/ the colder, wet weather and just kept riding. I was tired by 5:30 so I took a cheap room at Iron River. Hit the grocery store for some dinner, snacks, beer and a pasty (whatever that is) for breakfast tommorow, all for $20, gotta love travelling through the States.
Cranked up the heat in my room and dried out all the gear.
Mon Sept 19 2011
Iron River, Mich to Harrisville, Mich #2 to the Mackinac Bridge 23S along Lake Huron 601km
Kind of a bittersweet day today, knowing I'd be home the next day. Felt like I could do this for a lot longer, riding around, meeting great folks, visiting places, the open road blah, blah, blah! Guess all good things must come to an end.
That pasty was terrible by the way. Loved the UP though, even got to see DJ Fontana's bar. He was Elvis Presley's drummer!
Followed #2 to the great Mackinac Bridge hooking up to 23S along Lake Huron, a great ride along the shoreline. Overcast all day, followed the rain, again, love that. It cleared up by the time I checked into Big Joes State Park Motel at Harrisville w/ a great bar next door for some dinner. Hung out w/ a crew of guys from Bay City who were in town doing some mold removal from a nearby property. The motel parking lot turned into an impromptu patio w/ a few cold ones. Good times.
Tues Sept 20 2011
Harrisville Mich to Toronto 23S, 23/75S (whoops) to Bay City, 25E/S to Port Huron, 402 at Sarnia, 401 to Toronto 736km
Up early again at the last motel on the trip, packed up while chatting w/ the owner. Lotsa bikes on the road and I got stuck behind around 30 of them going really slow. I stopped for gas and did'nt see them again.
I missed the turn for 13S and ended up on Interstate 75S and hated it, was'nt for long though, got on 25E/S at Bay City, much better.
Warmed up in the afternoon w/ clear skies. Crossed the border at Port Huron/Sarnia joking w/ the Canadian Customs guy after he asked what I bought I said "food, lodging, water & beer, where would I put anything else?" explaining the trip, camping gear etc. Hit the 402 to 401 to home. I did it, could'nt believe it. I rode coast to coast accross Canada & the States. Something I've always wanted to do.
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