Take your bike and head out on the highway
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 by: Brad Coccimiglio
Have a motorcycle and looking to take a trip?
Ride Lake Superior was launched on Wednesday afternoon, giving motorcycle enthusiasts an itinerary that takes riders throughout the most scenic areas around Lake Superior.
Ride Lake Superior, developed by Chris Hughes of BC Hughes, not only gives riders a greater idea of the most scenic areas along Lake Superior. The tour, through the website www.ridelakesuperior.com, also helps riders find motorcycle-friendly routes and stops along the way.
“The website has all sorts of information that bikers like to see,” said Paul Taillefer, director of the Sault Ste. Marie chapter of the Harley Owners Group, in front of a gathering at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre. “They’ve done a great job making the ride a lot easier for those that have never done it. The information that’s there is good information about where to stay, how to get there and different rides.”
The site also includes downloadable GPS coordinates as well as a musical playlist of “motorcycle-friendly” songs for the trip. The playlist includes songs by The Trgically Hip, Neil Young, ZZ Top and Bryan Adams, among others.
The tour is directed at mature and experienced riders.
The tour includes seven different touring routes:
- Lake Superior Circle Tour (2,300 km) – The Ride Lake Superior route takes riders as close to the shoreline as possible while remaining on pavement. There are some incredible stretches of road that riders will want to double back on and do again. This route will take riders through one province and three states (Ontario, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan).
- Algoma Deer Trail (212 km) – This Algoma Country route forms a loop around Elliot Lake through Blind River and Iron Bridge. Following river valleys, this route is super twisty. Some rough road surfaces make this route more suited to the adventure touring set.
- Grand Algoma Tour (682 km) – This spectacular two-day tour takes riders along the Lake Superior shoreline then inland through the heart of Algoma Country. Highlights include the scenery between Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa, the insanely twisty highway 129 and the tranquil island roads of St. Joseph Island.
- St. Joseph Island Tour (218 km) – From Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, this day loop around St. Joseph Island is great fun. Riding on the island is unique as there is very little traffic. There are several great scenic stops including Hilton Beach and Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site of Canada.
- Ride the Giant Tour (175 km) – The Giant, as it’s known, is a massive peninsula that provides the backdrop within the City of Thunder Bay. This twisty ride to Silver Islet and back is a must-do.
- Waterfall and Scenic Lookouts Tour (115 km) – Combine the epic Kakabeka Falls with several must-do lookouts around the city. Thunder Bay has a very dramatic setting that is best explored by bike.
- Nor’Wester Connector Loop (Northern Route: 555 km; Southern Route: 613 km) – Connecting the Lake Superior Circle Tour to the rest of western Canada is the role of the Nor’Western. It features a loop so riders don’t have to double back if coming from the west.
Planning of the initiative began in March 2011 and completed in May.
