What is the best way to go from NY to the 2007 rally ?

I know this maybe a little early for this question. I am thinking of making plans on going to the 2007 Rally . I don't really want to ride 1000 miles {one way} on the super slab to get there . I also don't want to ride 30 - 50 MPH all the way . Looking for some ideas on the roads I would travel to get their. I am coming from northern NY .
Mike

Looks like you could come across Canada and Michigan then use the SS Badger.
http://ssbadger.com/ ItÔÇÖs a ferry that crosses Lake Michigan from Ludington Mi to Manitowoc Wi. They handle bikes well and itÔÇÖs a fun trip.

the badger

looks like they require 2 tie downs for your bike. They have 2 bars on board too..!!

mosrrt said:

I know this maybe a little early for this question. I am thinking of making plans on going to the 2007 Rally . I don't really want to ride 1000 miles {one way} on the super slab to get there . I also don't want to ride 30 - 50 MPH all the way . Looking for some ideas on the roads I would travel to get their. I am coming from northern NY .
Mike

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I have taken this path across from NY to Manitoulin Island and on to Wisc. before. Nice pace and fine ferry ride. -Bob

You could also go "over the top" to Sault Ste. Marie into the UP, come across on Hwy 2 to Escanaba, Marinette/Menomonie, and figure your own way from there. It's a pretty ride.

I took this coming back from Canada in '04 http://www.lake-express.com/

+1 On the northern route. I haven't ever taken the Badger, since Milwaukee has it's own ferry, but I am thinking about it for next year.

Nothing personal to people in the area, but for the most part the southern side of the great lakes suck.

You have 5 ways to get here to 2007 Rally.
1. Go over the top and come down thru upper part of Michigan into Wisconsin.

2. The SS Badger which ports are Ludington MI and Manitowoc WI. This ferry is about a five hour trip one way. But it is cheaper then the Lake Express in price. http://www.ssbadger.com/

3. The Lake Express which ports are Milwaukee WI and Muskegon MI. This ferry is about a two hour trip and the cost more then the SS Badger. http://www.lake-express.com/index.html

4. Drive thru Chicago Area, and deal with all the traffic which can be a nightmare. If you take this route plan on going thru Chicago I would plan in late even after 8pm, or before 6am the least amount of traffic jams.

5. Go way south of Chicago and take US 39 into Wisconsin. This may add a few more miles on to the trip but for the same time one is setting traffic you could be out riding.

I have done all of these suggestions, if I was pushed for time I would do one of the car ferrys. Then it come down to how much I am willing to spend on the ferry. If I had the time I would go over the top.

M Johnston
Veteran BMW Riders
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/vBMWr/

Mosrrt,

If your looking for a wingman keep me posted. I'm currently planning on attending the rally, and I would imagine most of my riding pal's are going to sit on the fence until the last moment then find some lame excuse.

I haven't really thought about routes, but it looks like it could be a nice ride from Albany NY.

Cut through from Canada and cross into Michigan in Port Huron. Then ride up U.S. 23 north on Lake Huron side and cross the Mackinaw Bridge and then take U.S. 2 across the U.P. of Michigan then drop into Wisconsin. It is a very nice ride.

Take Care and Ride Safe
Pat Carol

mosrrt said:

I........ I am thinking of making plans on going to the 2007 Rally . .......coming from northern NY .
Mike

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Mike, just west of Iron Bridge (north shore of Huron, near Blind River on the map posted above) is a motel/restaurant called Carolyn Beach. Large picture windows looking out over the lake, nice roads up around the lake, etc.


p.s. The ferry ride mentioed above was neat. We ate onbaord at at a table looking out over the lake. Beats interstate! We did that route on our way home to NC from the Parry Sound Sport Bike Rally a few years back.

CABNFVR said:

Mike, just west of Iron Bridge (north shore of Huron, near Blind River on the map posted above) is a motel/restaurant called Carolyn Beach. Large picture windows looking out over the lake, nice roads up around the lake, etc.

p.s. The ferry ride mentioed above was neat. We ate onbaord at at a table looking out over the lake. Beats interstate! We did that route on our way home to NC from the Parry Sound Sport Bike Rally a few years back.

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And they have a great restaurant.

2007 Rally from the North East.

Paula and I took the Northern Route through Canada to the Vermont Rally from our home in Milwaukee (30 miles SO of the 2007 Rally) and really enjoyed the Travel. We followed Can Hwy 17 from Ottowa through Sault Ste Marie, and rode across the Upper Peninsula into Wisconsin N of Green Bay.

Map Quest indicated the shortest route, through Chicago, was 1007 miles (if memory serves) while the northern route was 1130. Sad to say, 125 Miles out of teh way is a HUGE improvement over the travel time through Chicago and I suspect we made up the time on Canadian speed enforcement exchange rate by substituting American MPH for Canadian KPH where ever it seemed safer than being run over from behind.

Great Ride on Michigan Hwy 33 down the Southern Shore of the Upper Penninsula. Lots of Meandering choices from Michigan into Eastern Wisconsin - I would consider a day in NE Wisconsin, at one of the local park

Excellent Provincial and National parks in Canada, non of which charged us for "2 vehicles" when we wanted only one site.

cooler riding than through the central midwest, at least less humid.

We brought fishing gear, and got a 7 day Liscense (about $20) as we rode through Canada, intending to camp along the way in and out. We only spent time fishing 3-4 nights, but were always able to catch enough Northern or Bass for dinner, even shore fishing likely spots we saw from the road.

Paula and I considered the Ferry's, and have ridden them in Seattle and BC area, but found the cost quite prohibative especially with 2 bikes, especially given the limited route choices from the Eastern Shore to the Rally.


Ontario Parks Online Reservation System
Chutes (E of Sudbury)
Samuel De Champlain (W of Sudbury)
Ottowa River (E of Pembrooke)
Fitzroy (W of Ottawa)

Michigan DNR - Luce/Mackinac/Chippewa County State Parks and Campground
Bodi Lake W of SS Marie - then Due South to Hwy 35.
Brimley - Just outside SS Marie
Black River or Garnet Lake on teh other side of the UP.
--www.michigandnr.com

Wisconsin Parks
Peshtigo River is on the way, Just over the MI Border
And Kettle Morraine N is not too far from teh Rally Site.
--www.dnr.state.wi.us

About 30 to 40 members showed up this past Saturday for the Rally Site tour. The Rally Chair, Sue Rihn-Manke has been talking with the ferry people about discounts for MOA members. There is the potential for a real cool deal for the Wednesday before with the high speed ferry. Keep you eyes open for that. The trip over the top is great, but you may want to do it on the way home instead.

Whatever you do, I suggest you seek to avoid riding through or around Chicago. To do that, there are really just two choices. One is to go through Canada and Sault Ste. Marie. That's a nice ride. The other is to cross Lake Michigan on a ferry. Most of the time I go through the Sault, but I have done <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Express>Lake Express</a> twice, and it was a lot of fun. Motorcycles cost less than cars on the ferry.

<img border=1 src=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/ff/LakeExpress2.jpg/250px-LakeExpress2.jpg>

bmwdean said:

Whatever you do, I suggest you seek to avoid riding through or around Chicago. To do that, there are really just two choices. One is to go through Canada and Sault Ste. Marie. That's a nice ride. The other is to cross Lake Michigan on a ferry. Most of the time I go through the Sault, but I have done <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Express>Lake Express</a> twice, and it was a lot of fun. Motorcycles cost less than cars on the ferry.

<img border=1 src=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/ff/LakeExpress2.jpg/250px-LakeExpress2.jpg>

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Jeff,

Didn't you write an article on the experience? I seem to recall it was a good piece not only for this route but taking a bike on a ferry.

If I am correct and you still have the article how about a repost?

Best,

Rob,

Good memory! I don't remember if it was a BMW ON article, but I did do this web page:

http://bmwdean.home.att.net/kerry.htm

Here are bikes tied down on the Lake Express:

<img border=1 src=http://bmwdean.home.att.net/kerry-tiedown.jpg>