July 1-4, 2011 Superior BIke Tours - Keweenaw Tour

Oh goodness!!! Where do I begin???
Do I talk about the great weather and tail winds? Do I talk about the live music that Ken and Jim brought along, or the beautiful beaches? Do I talk about the excitement of the windstorm that took out our power, or the beautiful Haven Falls where Doug F. and I got “get wet” contest points, or the watermelon that was sucked up in 5 seconds flat, or the great glass sweeping job that Chris/Liane did for the ride.

See photos at:
https://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=100000407416834

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2239017577471&set=at.2239017177461.133938.1308984036.745681717&type=1#!/media/set/?set=a.2239017177461.133938.1308984036

We recently finished the SuperiorBikeTours.com Keweenaw MK4 Bike Tour from July 1 to July 4, 2011

As in other years we started in Baraga in a flippant temperature that tossed back and forth from 19 to 30 C. As we headed northeast up Hwy 41 we would feel the coolness of the Keweenaw Bay water then sometimes felt the sweltering and humid heat from the inland air. We would weave in and out of this cool/hot front as we rode straight up the highway.

The Green Light Bar in Chassel was ready for us and coincidently had an all-you-can-eat fish fry which some of us took advantage. It was a great “first stop” where the group had a better chance to get to know each other. While we were socializing in Chassel, Bruce and Bev already got to the Travelodge, so we got Doug P. (who selflessly offered to be our dedicated SAG, and was going for a bike ride to be sure that a flat tire got fixed) to get there fast.

As we continued towards Houghton, the temperature again got hot. Hot enough for me to jump in the adjacent Portage Lake. Cristine joined me but she didn’t go in all the way. Jet skiis and power boats were whizzing along in the middle of the lake.

My swim inspired me to set up a “Get Wet” contest. If you went in the water you would get a point. If you went in with very little clothes (you figure it out), you’d get an extra point. Later I added another point potential – if you went in the water with a group of ten people, then everyone would get an extra point. No one was ever able to get a group of ten together, however Nancy, Ruth and Wendy got together and got wet and have a very intriguing photo to prove it. The points on this contest were on an honour system. If there was a tie, then the tie would go to whomever had the most events witnessed. I presented this idea to the group while having pizza and beer at the Keweenaw Brewing Company. They have these take-out beer containers called “growlers”. I told everyone about the point system, and told them that I already got a point (and so did Cristine). Well after much playful dissent and complaining that I started the game before telling the group, I had to concede my first point (and Cristine followed suit) so that everyone started on an even keel. The winner after the entire weekend, with 14 points, was Doug F. followed by Mary Ellen with seven. Both were very worthy participants and winners. And they both were awarded.

Some of the group gathered for refreshments on the second floor patio at the Travelodge. I felt compelled to play Oh Canada on my harmonica to honour July 1. Then I was able to get Alyssa (the front desk girl), to get a chocolate donut for me (that was for the next morning’s continental breakfast). Liisa helped light the candle that I stuck on the pastry, then we walked onto the patio, playing “Happy Birthday” to Pam. Everyone else joined in then we passed the donut around and each took out a chunk to eat.

Not long later, there was a big wind and thunderstorm that hit Houghton with little warning at 11:00pm. We had to leave the patio immediately because everything was getting blown around, and the rain started falling hard. We heard the next day that a tormado hit the Copper Harbor area. All of Copper Harbor lost power which was down until maybe 7:00pm. Due to the power outage, we had no showers (that were supplied by pump). Not knowing when the power was going to return, a number of the riders got more “get wet” points as they used the chilly waters of Lake Superior to rinse off the day’s ride’s sweat.

Saturday’s ride was with a very strong tail-wind day with temperatures into the 30’s.
The local talk was that at least 40 trees were down on route M26 (our route), and that a mini-tornado hit the night before. Repair crews were along the route removing trees that were laying on the road and on the downed power lines. The wind was so strong that Vicky and Tim were finished before 2pm. They actually hurried because Vicky had some swelling problem with her cheek. They decided the next day to take a short cut to Calumet to seek medical attention. It all worked out in the end.

Doug P and I did some grocery shopping for the masses as they hung out at the 5th Street Café and watched the “Pasty” parade. Doug F. took a turn SAG driving because he forgot his prescription sunglasses at McClain State Park. Unfortunately he never retrieved them. As always, I visited the bike shop in town and met the owners who said that many of our riders already visited them.

I set up the first tail-gate in Eagle Harbor along the very popular beach where many tourists were playing and sun-tanning. Earlier, many stopped at the ice-cream place in Eagle River and some checked out the Jampot by Jacob’s Falls.

Some rode the challenging but beautiful 700 vertical foot climb (approx) of Brockway Mountain while others took the lake hugging route along M26 where the crews still were not finished at 6:30pm.

Due to the heat, I left a cooler outside our cabin full of refreshments for people to enjoy before the SAG vehicle arrived. An hour or so later, Jim D, Ken and I jammed on the Cabin 5 deck, while others were chatting and laughing and sipping beer, wine, and Gatorade, and eating various munchies.

Later a sing-song ensued in our cabin with a big portion of the group, but I missed it because I had a late dinner with a few of the fellas.

On the third day we again mostly had a tailwind which was quite a blessing because it was going the opposite as the day before. As always, Hwy 41 was enchanting with it’s 15km of rolling, tree-canopied, new asphalt top.

Many of us had breaky at the Pines and were served by someone the some said was kinda cranky. I found out later that she was living in a tent with her 2 kids.

The Lac Labelle road has an exciting downhill beside Mount Bohemia. We flew downhill for quite a distance and felt the thrill of the descent, but then after quite a thrill we then were presented with a sign stating “steep road ahead”. Holy Cow!! Gail walked down the hill because her arms were getting sore holding the brakes.

From there we had a nice rest and tailgate stop at Haven Falls where Doug F and I got more “get wet” points. He got two points, I got one. Along the road heading towards Gay there were tropical like views of Lake Superior. Some lakeshore with knee deep flat stone and some with soothing white sand. This year, the water seemed extra cold.

The Gay Bar continued with it's reputation of “not-so-hospitable” hospitality. Hopefully this will turn around in the future because it is in such an opportune spot for us. Jim, who is a gentle and soft spoken man asked timidly something like "May I order some sloppy Joe's" and was replied with "Well you can order them", implying "but you might not get them". And several times when asked for water she barked "you want water, you get it yourself, I'm not getting paid to server water". But at least she let us take it. This stop gives us something to talk about.

Many of us stopped a De La Terra's on 9th st in Lake Linden. Sarah and hubby (the owners) were very inviting as well as their exuberant employee Marianne. Many of us did not notice the happy hour which started just after most left. I was still there and took advantage of the happy hour soup and frits (French fries in herbs and cheese with a pesto dip – super yummy!)

At the latter half of the day, Chris and Liane offered to SAG and did a great job. And, they selflessly swept the glass off the last tough climb from Lake Linden to Calumet. We were able to borrow a broom from De La Terra’s management.

I will try to contact the Chambers of Commerce for next year’s ride to have them sweep the glass from the shoulder of the road.

Ruth had an interesting run-in with an eagle. As she rode along, an eagle was after a squirrel when the eagle flew into her spokes!! It bounced off Ruth and into Wendy, then flew off. They don’t know what happened to the eagle, but hope that it wasn’t hurt.

Later she saw another squirrel and yelled at it so it would not get run over and to lessen the chance of another eagle swoop. The squirrel stopped in it’s tracks and stayed safe.

After having a very filling dinner at the Michigan House, a bunch of the group headed to Luigi’s pub where I jammed with the great guitar picking player and good singer, George. First I started with “Heart of Gold”, then as the evening continued, even got into some improvising jamming. It was a blast. I met George the night before the tour at a bar that had a bowling alley after Ang and I marked the course (which took about 8 hours). We had so much fun playing music together that he invited me and the group to come again (but at Luigi’s).

As we walked back to the Americinn, we saw the Lake Linden fireworks for the American independence festivities. One of these days we might go down to the festival.

The last day was deceivingly hot which made it an extra challenge. And with the route going up the steep Military Road in Houghton, it was enough to make it difficult for some riders. Some actually took a longer but flatter route to avoid the steep climb. There’s a quaint deli/store at the Finnish hamlet of Tapiola that came in handy to us because the adjacent Feed Mill restaurant is always closed on July 4 (and Sunday’s). The fella that I’ve come to know (Joe) has a calming demeanour about him that makes the Karvakko’s experience even better. He is passionate about his sandwiches and salads. It was 91 F in the shade at noon at the deli. Goodness.

Most riders were in by 1:30. We said good-byes to new and old friends with smiles of great memories of vistas, food, Lake Superior, hospitality (for the most part LOL), music, and cycling.

People have asked me to try to have an option of a longer ride (more days). I will be checking out the possibility of having a “pre-ride” of maybe 3 days that will take us up to the Porcupine Mountains and the enchanting Lake of the Clouds. So, for next year look for the same ride with a possible option to start a few days earlier.

Thanks to Doug P for doing a great job as the dedicated SAG.

-Thanks everyone for participating in another very successful Superior Bike Tour at the Keweenaw Penninsula.
-Frank Pollari

Check out http://www.superiorbiketours.com/ for upcoming rides.