Triumphrat

propforward · 08-23-2009, 08:39 AM

Hello folks,

Here is my little report for the ride I took yesterday. It was a great day, I tell you what.

This is the route I took:

It is not the route I planned, but it's what I ended up doing. Frankly this is better than what I had planned, which had too much 4 lane highway in it.

So, after a week of pouring rain, we were promised a splendid weekend, and we got it. The sun came up again, I always breathe a sigh of relief when it does that, you never know when it's going to get bored with the same routine day in day out, millennia upon millennia, but it let me off this time.

It was a misty start to the day, very atmospheric as I set out:

Getting ready:

Mr Sunshine gets up

My daily commute, as it happens:

propforward · 08-23-2009, 08:58 AM

First part of the trip included a ride past my place of work, and then up mn 169 to Princeton, from where I took Mn 95 eastwards. It was actually a lot chillier than I anticipated. This first stretch was fairly boring, but I took the 4 lane highway this morning to get the ride started and get over to the new roads, giving me more exploring time. Lots of Bambi around this morning - I saw a young Buck at the side of the road eyeing me up, and had to stop for Mother and Kids a little further up. At least I saw them all, this time.

I paused at a coffee shop in Cambridge to warm up with a nice hot mug of coffee, and then off again.

Now I was able to start getting into it. Still early, and no real traffic, I did a quick blast up Mn 65 to Mn 70, via Braham (the home cooked pie capital of Minnesota I'll be bound), and then eastwards on 70, through Grantsburg and to Siren, Wi.

I followed Wi-35 north from Siren for a ways, and this was the road that got me to the Northwoods. The day was positively glowing by now, cool, dry and fresh, and the pine trees responded in kind with that simply wonderful pine aroma - I can sit riding in that all day!

This was a deviation from the original plan, as I took a wrong turn. While I paused and examined the map in the parking lot of a small local business, one of the workers came out and asked if he could admire my bike - hell yeah. We had a little chat which was a lot of fun - the usual "you don't see these old bikes anyomore" He didn't believe me when I told him it was a 2007. Real nice guy though.

So I continued on, and got on county road 77 - this was the new stuff. What a great road - it sweeps - it turns - it excites! And no one on it - just empty, and fun. Lot's of this:

It doesn't look very swoopy in the pics, but that's because I like to pause on straight bits so that if a car does come they get a chance to see me and go round. Not that they ever pay attention of course.

I followed this all the way to Clam Lake, just having a total blast - passing lakes and rivers, and riding through leafy canopied avenues and past verdant pastures.

It was spoiled a little bit a few miles west of clam lake, where they have pulled up all the pavement, and I had to ride on gravel. The Bonnie handles it well, but the rider not so much. So I guess I'm an adventure rider now!

Never mind, at Clam Lake I got on county road GG, which was very well paved, and proceeded with the ride.

Followed that all the way to Mellen, Wi, where I joined up with Wi 13, to head north towards Lake Superior, and Ashland.

Ashland is a wonderful city - some very grand looking buildings, and a very posh looking university there.

I paused on the lakeshore for a couple of Bonnie pics:

While I was taking these, an ex Navy guy wandered past and we chatted for a bit. He actually is familiar with Triumphs, and we talked about how the Bonnie is to ride, and also a good natured talk about the country in general - we basically agreed that is just a fabulous thing to live in a country where we can enjoy ourselves freely in this way. It was a sort of refreshing chat actually.

propforward · 08-23-2009, 08:59 AM

Some more pics of Ashland:

propforward · 08-23-2009, 09:05 AM

I moved on around the shore abit, and stopped at a picnic area for a bite to eat and leg stretch:

My ugly mug (figured out the timer):

I continued to follow Wi 13, which takes you North and west from Ashland, following Chequamegon bay, and through various small towns, and past points of interest. There are a whole bunch of different things going on - looked like a regatta down in the bay, judging by all the sail boats - but maybe they were just out having a good time in their own way - just as I was.

I think Big Top Chataqua was in swing - I saw a lot of signs for it. This is a huge annual event, in a massive big top, with all kinds of different acts. Check it out! http://www.bigtop.org/

propforward · 08-23-2009, 09:10 AM

Here was one historical place I paused at, if only briefly:

And so on with the ride! Again following Wi 13, heading mostly west at this point, and more of:

pausing along the way to see Lake Superior again:

propforward · 08-23-2009, 09:17 AM

There are just a ton of bays and boat landings along the way, although some you have to drive a couple of miles away from Wi-13 to get to, so I din't have time to stop at many.

Somwehere a bit east of Cornucopia, Wisconsin, my odo clicked all the two's! I couldn't resist a piccy:

This is where I was:

I continued through Cornucopia and Port Wing, and then jumped on US hwy 2 for a short blast to Superior, Wisconsin. They were having a city event - lots of people flocking around, boats in the bay - looks like getting ready for music in the evening - ah fine summer days, you can't beat it.

I moved over to Wi-35 though, and headed south a short ways, and umped on Wi-108 (got to check that number) over to the town of Oliver, where I crossed a bridge back into Minnesota. This bridge is excellent, it is a small one, not used by much traffic. It is a 44 ton bridge, and has a railroad directly overhead. If you are lucky you can cross the bridge at the same time as an ore train, which you can look up and see through the slats overhead, the sound and feeling is incredible.

propforward · 08-23-2009, 09:20 AM

From there, Mn 23 west a few miles, and on to Mn 210, which takes you through Jay Cooke state park - a very excellent 7 miles of tight turns and superb views of the St. Louis river

This road comes out at Carlton, and from there you can be dull and go down I-35, or take the scenic route of old highway 61.

propforward · 08-23-2009, 09:27 AM

Highway 61 takes you through Moose Lake, Willow River, Sandstone and all the way to Hinckley. It really is a pleasant road - it crosses I 35 a few times, and it's good to marvel at all the traffic on the interstate, while enjoying the calm and solitude of the nicer road, pausing to enjoy simple sights such as this at Willow River

and taking goofy pictures of your bike by the Hinckley sign:

Just for the heck of it.

On the home stretch now, and I wandered back via Braham and Cambridge again, ultimately getting onto my daily commute ride, and back to the country estate - such as it is. My little piece of the world anyway.

What a ride - from misty and cool, to warm and relaxing. Some fun cruising, some high speed turns and twists, and a few shenanigans.

At 580 miles, it was a long day - pretty much 14 hours of constant riding, but it was a LOT of fun, and I got to see new places - places that I would like to go back and visit with more time. The only downside to a long days ride, is that I don't spend as much time in some of these places as I would like. More two and three day trips needed, I think!

BonnieBlack · 08-23-2009, 07:53 PM

Looks like a ton of fun. I was on a bunch of those same roads this summer.

The ride through Jay Cooke is just great, nice and twister and smooth. My Dad and I rode through there together. I insisted he lead a bit, but he just couldn't keep himself from going too damn fast. He hadn't ridden for years and found himself dragging a peg, I think he might have scared himself.

I crossed the St. Croix on Rt 70 Saturday as well but going the other way. I expect you got through there earlier in the day than I though. You would have had to to get that many miles under your belt by dark

propforward · 08-23-2009, 08:10 PM

I did set out early - 6.30 am. I'm not sure what time I crossed the St. Croix, the only time I looked at my cell phone for the time was approaching Ashland, which was 1300 hrs. So all I know is I crossed the St. Croix within that window! Got home at about 2000 hrs, or a bit after.