Bikes on the S.S. Badger

[caddie57]

Pictures from SS Badger on the way back from Des Moines Rally. Over 100 vintage motorcycles were headed to Ludington, they couldn't fit all on one side of the ferry. I used ratchet straps with soft loops.

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[bluegrasspicker]

I once took my bike on the midnight run and brought my sleeping bag for a romantic sleep on deck under the stars.

Lessons learned:
1) Coal fired ships rain coal particles down on you
2) Its really cold in the middle of lake Michigan
3) The fog horn is really LOUD and repeats every minute or two.

I never got any sleep but laughed my *ss off.

[havasu]

I have taken the Badger 3 times. They pack the bikes really tight together. My tip is to be the first or last bike. Having spent 6 years in the Navy it is a thrill to watch the captain maneuver the ship next to the pier with no tugs.

[ExGMan]

There is a faster alternative to The Badger. A high-speed ferry goes from Muskegon, MI to Milwaukee, WI in 2.5 hours. It's smooth, un-crowded, clean and comfortable but not cheap. I took it westbound a few years ago. The ferry supplied tie-downs, but the passage was so smooth that they really weren't necessary.

Two photos: One of my bike tied down and another of the stern of the vessel when we were hauling along at 35 knots (see Harley on the stern):

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[skibum69]

The CAT that used to run from Yarmouth to Portland was a cool ride, I can't remember how fast it went but it was cruising! Am I wrong to think 90 kmh? Sure saved a lot of time from riding all the way around.

I can't count how many times I've been on the Newfoundland ferries. Really hoping the Argentia ferry is put back on this year, it was cancelled last year.

I can tell you a 1.5 hour ride to the boat is a lot nicer than a 9 hour ride and I don't mind 14 hours bobbing around vs 6.

[ExGMan]

The CAT that used to run from Yarmouth to Portland was a cool ride, I can't remember how fast it went but it was cruising! Am I wrong to think 90 kmh? Sure saved a lot of time from riding all the way around.

I can't count how many times I've been on the Newfoundland ferries. Really hoping the Argentia ferry is put back on this year, it was cancelled last year.

I can tell you a 1.5 hour ride to the boat is a lot nicer than a 9 hour ride and I don't mind 14 hours bobbing around vs 6.

Looks like it'll be a while until it runs again:

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[skibum69]

No surprise on the Yarmouth ferry, I was thinking of the North Sydney-Argentia ferry. Hoping to go run the Trans Taiga I September and it would be nice to avoid riding both ways across the island.